The Weekend View

This week marked Global Entrepreneurship Week which comes to an end TODAY. The week celebrates entrepreneurs who create solutions for world wide economic growth.  But according to the latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor South Africa Report , entrepreneurship in the country is on the decline. The report noted that fewer people than ever before are considering starting new businesses. To find out more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Natanya Meyer, Associate Professor for Entrepreneurship Education at the University of Johannesburg and co author of the report  

A piece of conceptual art made up of a simple banana, duct-taped to a wall, THIS WEEK sold for over 110 million rands at an auction in New York. The work by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan titled Comedian, which  features a banana costing a few cents, was sold at an auction on Wednesday for 6.5 million US dollars. The piece attracted heavy attention at the busy auction as many people tried to figure out whether the single yellow piece of fruit affixed to a white wall with silver duct tape was a joke or cheeky collectors art .The final hammer price was 5.2 million US dollars, which didn't include the 1 million dollars in auction house fees, paid by the buyer. To make sense of this unusual and expensive art work, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Johan Thom, Associate Professor of Fine Arts in the Humanities faculty at the University of Pretoria....

In soccer, giant slayers Magesi FC were last night crowned Carling Knockout champions  after thumping Mamelodi Sundowns 2 -1..In a match billed as the "David and Goliath" clash, Magesi produced one of the biggest shocks in South African football history...

Meanwhile in rugby, it was a clean sweep for the Springboks as they walloped Wales 45 -12 in Cardiff last night. The resounding victory means the Springboks will finish the 2024 test rugby season as the number one side in the world. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Renier Swart, SABC rugby commentator

Food fraud or the deliberate misrepresentation or adulteration of food products for financial gain, is a growing problem in South Africa. This is according to a report titled Unlocking food safety: a comprehensive review of South Africa's food control and safety landscape from an environmental health perspective. Authors of the report say the recent public outcry against food fraud practices especially in communities that have lost loved ones due to the consumption of allegedly adulterated foodstuffs, highlights the grave danger that food fraud poses to consumers and the potential for significant reputational damage to food manufacturers. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Vincent Mphaga, an Environmental Health Practitioner 

 Voters in Namibia will go to the polls on WEDNESDAY (27 November) to choose their next president and parliamentary representatives. The elections come after President Hage Geingob died in February and was replaced on a interim basis by his deputy, Nangolo Mbumba. The election could mark a historic shift in the country's political landscape if the ruling SWAPO party, in power since independence in 1990, loses control of the presidency or parliament for the first time. The president is directly elected by voters and needs to garner more than 50% of votes to win. Support for SWAPO dropped from 87% in the presidential election in 2014 to 56% in 2019.To look at these crucial elections Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Carika Middelberg, an analyst from the Centre for Risk Analysis 

Mamelodi Sundowns and Magesi FC will be aiming to become Carling Knockout cup Champions TODAY. The two top-flight teams will lock horns in the second cup final of the season at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein... 
MEANWHILE in Rugby...The Springboks say they are determined to deliver a complete 80-minute performance and finish the season on a high note against Wales in Cardiff TODAY. The test, which kicks off at 7:40pm - SA time- at the Principality Stadium, is the last of the Tour to the UK, and the Boks' 13th for 2024. Victory would see the Boks complete the season with 11 wins, while they are also aiming to win all their matches on their November tour for the first time since 2013. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Renier Swart, SABC Rugby commentator

The ANC's National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal (NCDA) has upheld the decision of the Disciplinary Committee to expel former party President, Jacob Zuma. In a statement, the ANC welcomed the decision, adding that Zuma's conduct exemplifies ill-discipline and the lack of respect for collective decisions. Zuma was expelled from the ANC in July this year after he was found guilty of bringing the organisation into disrepute by forming and campaigning for another political organisation. Zuma is the founder and the current president of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, which played a significant role in the ANC's electoral decline in the recent general elections. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  Political Analyst Dr. Levy Ndou...

YESTERDAY , The High Court in Pretoria ordered that the mine shaft in Stilfontein, North West, where suspected illegal miners have been retrieved must be unblocked for emergency personnel and that no person should block it. This comes after the Society for the Protection of our Constitution approached the court on an urgent basis. The court  ordered  that any miners underground should be permitted to exit and that emergency personnel may enter the mine shaft. The Operation Vala Umgodi task team continues and police and other safety officials will remain on-site until all illegal miners resurface and are apprehended. To get the latest Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC reporter Thabiso Moss, National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe and  Alan Martin, independent investigative researcher and technical adviser specialising in illicit artisanal mining 

The murder trial of the three remaining co-accused in the 1987 murder of anti-apartheid activist Caiphus Nyoka, is expected to start TOMORROW (18 November 2024) at the Gauteng  High Court, sitting in the Benoni Magistrates' Court. Johan Marais, one of the four accused former apartheid police officers was convicted of Nyoka's murder in the Pretoria High Court on Tuesday, and will be sentenced in January next year. The other three co-aacussed - Leon Louis Van Den Berg, Abram Hercules Engelbrecht, and Pieter Stander - will have their day in court beginning tomorrow. Caiphus Nyoka, a leader of the Congress of South African Students - COSAS - was shot and killed at his family home in Daveyton, Gauteng on 24th August 1987 by an apartheid police unit established to 'deal with terrorism'. To talk to us about the trial we are joined on the line by Mosangoaneng Leteane, Senior Projects Officer at the Foundation For Human Rights.....

Power Utility Eskom is urging prepaid electricity customers to recode their meters by 24 November 2024. This prepaid update is  required by the Standard Transfer Specification Association (STSA).Eskom says after this deadline, meters will no longer accept electricity tokens. Udo Carelse spoke to Eskom spokesperson  Daphne Mokwena 

The National Sea Rescue Institute - NSRI - is appealing to people using the coastline THIS WEEKEND to be cautious as the full moon Spring tide peaks.  The Institute says the daily 2 high tides will be higher than normal and the daily 2 low tides will be lower than normal from this weekend and into the new week. Spring tides may cause stronger than normal sea currents posing a potential hazard to bathers around the coastline  especially during the outgoing tide. NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon has warned bathers, boaters, paddlers, sailors, shoreline anglers and coastal hikers to be cautious...

For some reaction to the President's address Udo Carelse spoke to Matakanye Matakanye, General Secretary of the National Association of School Governing Bodies, Dr Mugwena Maluleke, SADTU General Secretary, ATM National Spokesperson Zama Ntshona and  Angelo Fick, Research Director at Auwal Socio-Economic Research Institute 

Government has finally heeded the call to act on non-compliant spaza shops across the country. After 22 deaths and several weeks of sporadic protests in various communities, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced some interventions to curb the deaths of children and ensure compliance in townships. Among the measures is a joint fund of 500 million rand by the Departments of Trade, Industry and Competition and Small Business Development. He addressed the nation on FRIDAY.  SABC reporter Zoleka Qodashe has more details

Operations have resumed at the Lebombo Port of Entry between South Africa and Mozambique. This, after Mozambique authorities advised the South African Border Management Authority that cargo carrying trucks will be processed manually. Earlier this week, protesters stormed the offices of the Ressano Garcia border on the Mozambican side. Truck drivers and hawkers have expressed excitement at the re-opening of the border. Bongiwe Zwanes spoke to local journalist, Clemente Carlos from the capital, Maputo...

A recent United Nations study found that 95% of children in South Africa have access to the internet regularly – and their online behaviour exposes them to online violence, exploitation and abuse. Some 70% of children surveyed by UNICEF said they use the internet without parental consent. This is a worldwide phenomenon and it is against this backdrop that Australia, THIS WEEK, announced plans to ban children under the age of 16 from social media as part of a push to protect young people's mental health. The proposed laws are to be tabled in Australia's parliament next week.  Campaigners say bans are needed to protect children from harmful content, misinformation, bullying and other social pressures. While most experts agree that social media platforms can harm the mental health of adolescents, many are split over the efficacy of trying to outlaw them all together. Some argue that bans only delay young people's exposure to apps such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, instead of teaching them how to navigate complex online spaces. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dee Mokoena, Chief Executive Officer at Cyber Sec Clinique and Freelance writer with TechCentral, Sandra Laurence 

Power utility Eskom THIS WEEK announced unprecedented plans to interrupt power supply to the City of Johannesburg at certain pre-determined times of the day from next month, citing City Power's failure to pay R4.9-billion in arrears. If Eskom goes ahead with it's plans, that will leave hundreds of thousands of households in South Africa's largest city in the dark even when many of them are fully paid up customers with City Power or have pre-paid meters. When metros or municipalities fail to pay Eskom on time or at all, it forces Eskom to borrow additional money at premiums to fund operational costs, particularly as the country's municipal debt arrears to Eskom stands at R90-billion. The power utility is expected to announce a decision on the intended electricity interruptions in the middle of December. The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse - OUTA - plans to submit written representations on the matter. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  OUTA  Executive Director, Advocate Stephanie Fick 

Mozambique remains tense with the country's largest hospital saying at least three people were killed and 66 others injured during clashes between police and protesters on THURSDAY over a disputed election. The fatalities add to at least 18 people killed in earlier protests since the October. 9 poll, which the opposition claims was rigged. Some groups have given a higher toll, with Mozambique's Centre for Democracy and Human Rights reporting 34 deaths overall. Thursday's protests were the biggest Mozambique has ever seen against Frelimo, the party that has ruled Mozambique since 1975 and was declared winner of last month's election by a landslide.  For the latest on the situation Bongiwe Zwane spoke to local journalist Clemente Carlos in the capital, Maputo...

The Southern Africa Association of Freight Forwarders  - SAAFF -  is calling on SADC to move immediately to lead mediation talks, restore law and order and stabilise trade operations at the Port of Maputo and the Maputo corridor which are critical to the regional economy. That association says the political conflict in Mozambique is taking  a heavy toll on South Africa with the temporary closure of the Lebombo border intensifying the crisis.Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SAAFF representative, Barbara Mommen

While most people understand how and why a Will is needed, very few know what happens when it comes to administering and executing a Will.  This is where banks and other financial institutions come in but can they be trusted with Wills and Estates and do they have your best interest at heart.  To unpack this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Banzi Mcasa, an advocate for financial security and generational well-being and Founder of Future Planner

Fourteen years after a statue of AmaZulu King Shaka was removed from Durban's King Shaka International airport, a new R4.5 million likeness was unveiled on THURSDAY.  The previous statue had to be removed from display after the Zulu royal family expressed dissatisfaction with the way in which the late King was portrayed. They felt the statue reduced King Shaka to a "herd boy" rather than the warrior leader and founder of the AmaZulu nation. Unveiling the statue, President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed it as a symbol of unity, integrity and leadership for all South Africans. To find out if the new statue hits the right notes Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Professor Gugu Mazibuko, from the department of African Languages at the University of Johannesburg

Botswana's new President-elect Duma Boko THIS WEEK did the unthinkable. For more than 50 years, opposition politicians have dreamt of unseating the mighty Botswana Democratic Party, but only Boko has made that a reality at the third attempt. The crushing manner of the victory of his Umbrella for Democratic Change - UDC- party came as a surprise, including it seems to Boko himself, who admitted being shocked by the numbers. Boko's ascendancy to the presidency is  a major blow for the Botswana Democratic Party -BDP - and outgoing president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, who was elected in 2018 and had been confident of securing a second term.... Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Makaloba Makaloba, political analyst from Botswana a

Legal uncertainty over the recent issuing of Muslim Marriage Certificates in the absence of legislation continues to spark debate. The Women's Legal Centre says the Home Affairs Department cannot simply convert a marriage concluded under the Marriage Act into a Muslim marriage. As Mercedes Besent reports, Home Affairs recently announced that it had granted the first batch of 33 Muslim Marriage Certificates in the history of South Africa.

Voters in the US go to the polls in 2 days to elect their next president. The question that will be answered after Tuesday's election is - will America get its first woman president or a second Donald Trump term? With national polls too close to call the result can go either way.  To look at the US election and what a Donald Trump or Kamala Harris win means for South Africa and Africa,  Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Brooks Spector, Associate editor at Daily Maverick and retired US diplomat AND Gilbert Khadiagala, Emeritus Professor of International Relations at Wits University .

The Southern Africa Tourism Services Association - Satsa - THIS WEEK  urged travellers to Mozambique to exercise caution and postpone their trips amid reports of potential protests in the country. The association warned that travellers to Mozambique might experience interruptions at the Lebombo/Ressano Garcia Border Post, potential business disruptions and possible protest action especially in Maputo. The unrest stems from the recent disputed election won by the governing party, Frelimo.  Internet watchdog NetBlocks has confirmed that restrictions to WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram began on Thursday, while there has been disruption to mobile data soon after election day on 9 October. For an update of the advisory, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SATSA COO Hannellie Du Toit 

The ANC's Babalwa Lobishe was on Thursday elected as the new mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality while his former boss, Gary van Niekerk, is now her deputy. The pair swapped roles after they both briefly resigned to allow the new election to take place at a special Council meeting. Both were swore-in in their new positions just a few hours later. This shake-up was imminent as the ANC has long been eyeing reclaiming the mayoral chain from van Niekerk. While some have welcomed the swap others are not impressed saying the change will not improve service delivery to the metro's 1.2 million residents who have long complained about crime, water and electricity. To answer to these concerns Bongiwe Zwane spoke to the new executive mayor of the NMB municipality, Babalwa Lobishe

Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana tabled his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement on Wednesday. Reactions from stakeholders varied, with the rand and bond yields weakening following the announcement. YESTERDAY , The South African Federation of Trade Unions said it was disgusted by the mid term budget statement and that the Minister has re-committed to the path of extremely painful austerity measures.  Meanwhile , Section 27 says the Budget Policy Statement is a critical test of the Government of National Unity's  commitment to turning campaign promises into life-changing reality. The law centre says the MTBPS presented on WEDNESDAY underscores the government's commitment to maintaining the status quo, leaving the health and education sectors underfunded. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  Matshidiso Lengoasa, Budget Analyst at Section 27

The National Consumer Commission has found that several car dealerships across South Africa sold faulty vehicles to unsuspecting consumers.  Disgruntled consumers are increasingly approaching the National Consumer Commission (NCC) for assistance after being sold allegedly defective cars by vehicle dealerships. The consumer bodies have also found evidence that the vehicle's odometers are sometimes tampered with and the mileage turned back. To unpack this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to the National Consumer Commission spokesperson Pheto Ntaba 

The Department of Education in Limpopo has called for the co-operation of all stakeholders to curb further incidents of food poisoning incidents in schools. The department has suspended food sales at schools throughout the province, following the death of a learner at Khubvi outside Thohoyandou on Thursday. Baatseba Mabowa compiled this report...

The ANC will oppose any electricity tariff increase. This is according to the chair of the Economic Transformation Committee, Mmamoloko Kubayi. Much to the dismay of consumers, NERSA has published Eskom's application to increase the cost of electricity by an additional 36.15 percent, next year. Various NEC members briefed the media on the sidelines of the four-day NEC meeting, underway in Boksburg. Sibahle Motha reports ..

Recent incidents of food-borne illnesses in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, North West, Limpopo and Northern Cape in schools and township communities have raised concerns about food safety. Several learners have lost their lives in the past two months and many others have fallen ill after consuming potentially contaminated snacks and food. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr Aaron Motsoaledi - Health Minister and David Nemakonde,General Secretary of the SA Institute of Environmental Health - SAIEH 

Former EFF MP, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, and former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu have officially joined the ranks of the uMkhonto WeSizwe Party. Advocate Mkhwebane is set to lead the party in Mpumalanga, while Mchunu, an ANC veteran, will take charge in KwaZulu-Natal. This announcement came during the party's media briefing. Meanwhile, the MK party has filed a second case alleging election fraud following a recent legal setback. The Electoral Court had ordered the party to cover the costs of the IEC, the Chief Electoral Officer, and the DA after withdrawing its initial challenge to the election results, in which it sought to overturn the outcome. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Political Analyst Sandile Swana

In the wake of Thursday's devastating shooting in Bishop Lavis that claimed seven lives, Western Cape police have apprehended three suspects, aged 17, 24, and 29. The trio now faces charges of murder, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm, and is expected to appear in court on Monday. 13 people have now died in two tragic mass shootings in the Western Cape. On Wednesday night, five people were killed in Atlantis, north of Cape Town, followed by the murder of seven others in Bishop Lavis in the Cape flats on Thursday. Both incidents are suspected to be gang-related. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Anroux Marais, Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety.

Mozambique's capital, Maputo and several other towns remained tense YESTERDAY after the country's governing party candidate, was declared winner of the presidential election. Frelimo's Daniel Chapo, with 70% of the vote, will succeed President Filipe Nyusi to become Mozambique's fifth president since its independence from Portugal in 1975. Venancio Mondlane, backed by the PODEMOS party, came second with 20% of votes, displacing former rebel movement and main opposition RENAMO, to third place. Mondlane had earlier claimed victory, alleging electoral fraud and manipulation in favour of Frelimo and its candidate. He called for nation wide protests against the election result. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Celso Carlos the information co-ordinator for PODEMOS party in South Africa  

Bullying in the workplace is unfortunately becoming a common behaviour. Experts say it is a complex issue that needs to be unpacked, understood, and addressed. Tackling this problem head-on Full Potential Consulting Managing Director, Mabore Sithole, who is speaking about her personal experience with workplace bullying . She is also the author of "Breaking the Cycle of Workplace Bullying", to be released in November. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Mabore Sithole, Founder and Managing Director, Full Potential Consulting 

TODAY marks exactly 10 years since the death of former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana captain -- Senzo Meyiwa. Meyiwa was killed in a robbery in Vosloorus, whilst in the prime of his football career. The KwaZulu-Natal shot-stopper died at the age of 30, and was captain of both club and country, when he was killed. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke Hubert Maphumulo, organiser at the organisation, Justice for Senzo Meyiwa 
  

The National Senior Certificate exams are due to begin tomorrow and will conclude on the 28th of November. The first exam is English, followed by Afrikaans in the afternoon.  Over 900 000 pupils will be sitting for these examinations. This is one of the most important exams in a South African student's life. It is a standardised test that is the final step before completing high school. There is so much pressure on the learners and wellness experts advise pupils to manage their stress effectively. 
.To encourage the learners and also unpack the challenges that still face the basic education sector Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr Sanele Gamede , Founder and Chairperson of  Make a Mark Africa Youth Development  and Hendrick Makaneta , Deputy chairperson  Foundation for Education and Social Justice Africa

It is the biggest humanitarian crisis and it gets very little attention". This is how the Sudan hunger crisis has been described by the United Nations. With the eyes of the world firmly on the conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and now Lebanon, it has become more challenging to get a grip on other emergencies do not hog news headlines. Aid agencies say what Sudan is experiencing now is a crisis of historic proportions with over 25 million people across the country facing severe food insecurity, and at least 755,000 people facing catastrophic famine-like levels of hunger. The ongoing conflict between rival militaries and limited humanitarian access have led this rapid deterioration of food security in Sudan. This crisis is also affecting neighbouring countries, including Chad and South Sudan, which are hosting a large number of Sudanese refugees while dealing with their own conflict- and climate-induced crises. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Mohamed Gamal,  the National Communications Officer for the World Food Programme in Sudan 

In an era where indoor air quality and building health are paramount concerns, Sick Building Syndrome or SBS  has emerged as a significant threat to our wellbeing. SBS is a condition where building occupants experience health issues and discomfort that appear to be linked to time spent in a particular building. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Guilia Criscuolo ,  phamarcist and complementary medicines expert 

The Proteas Women will take on New Zealand in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 final TODAY at the Dubai International Stadium in the United Arab Emirates, with both teams vying for their first-ever World Cup title in the short format. This after the Proteas beat defending champions Australia by 8 wickets in the semi-final last week. Many anticipate that the 2024 finals will be easy one for the Proteas as it will be their second time competing in finals after they were humbled by the Aussies in 2023. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SAfm Sports anchor, Janet Whitton 

The Education quality assurance body, Umalusi , has intensified  its training of external  moderators to tighten its oversight role as  a quality council. Umalusi briefed the media YESTERDAY on the state of readiness saying it is ready to administer the 2024 matric exams. The body also conducted focussed  training sessions with moderators responsible for subjects that have in the past caused public debates. It says there should be no error in the question papers. Meanwhile, uMalusi has raised concerns over the department of basic of education's shortage of marking staff during the exams. Subjects that will be impacted by the shortage are History, English Home Language, Afrikaans first and Additional Language, primarily within Language Paper three. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Elijah Mhlanga, Department of Basic Education spokesperson

The Department of Water and Sanitation is advising communities and water users along the Harts and Vaal rivers in the North West and Northern Cape provinces to be careful in the use of untreated water from the rivers. This after routine raw water sampling from Christiana downstream indicated the presence of cholera. The samples were taken from Wentzel dam, Schweizer Reneke, Christiana, Barkley West Caravan park and Douglas weir. Communities are advised not to drink or come into contact with the raw water from the rivers. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, Sello Seitlholo 

More than 79 million girls and women , over 1 in 5, across sub-Saharan Africa have experienced rape or sexual assault before turning 18 years old.  The report released by UNICEF also reveals that an alarming 370 million girls and women have faced sexual violence, with the region bearing the highest number of victims globally.  UNICEF says the scale of the violation worldwide, especially for adolescent girls, has lifelong implications. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Nankali Maksud, UNICEF Regional Advisor for Child Protection in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 

16 of the 18 people who were massacred in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape will be buried TODAY. 11 of those will be buried at Lambasi while the other four will be laid to rest in KwaBhala village and one in East London. The 18 people were shot and killed in two different houses of the same family in the gruesome incident that happened 2 weeks ago. One suspect has since been arrested and made a brief court appearence on Wednesday. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to our reporter Nomzwanele Mngoma 

Bafana Bafana stormed to a 5-0 victory over the Republic of the Congo LAST NIGHT, taking control of Group K in the race for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Teboho Mokoena was the star of the night for Bafana scoring 2 goals in front of a jubilant crowd at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. 
Meanwhile later TODAY South Africa will face Bangladesh in the Cricket Women's T20 World Cup match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Both teams will be aiming to boost their positions in the points table as the tournament heats up. To discuss this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SAfm Sports anchor, Janet Whitton ...

In what is being touted as a game changer in efforts to close the wage gap in South Africa and reduce youth unemployment by up skilling artisans, a new campus offering apprenticeship programmes has been opened in Johennesburg.  Bongiwe Zwane spoke to the new head of Oppenheimer Generations Philanthropies, Ashleigh Fynn Munda, whose organisation is behind the partnership launching the new campus, now joins us on the line.

South Africa's largest labour federation, COSATU, will tomorrow (Monday 7th Oct.) stage a nationwide strike and protests against unemployment. The federation says it has called for the National Strike to highlight the economic crisis characterised by income inequality, poverty and high joblessness that has left 11,3 million people needing jobs. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to COSATU's national spokesperson, Zanele Sabela

A month ago Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor, Gary van Niekerk made a public pledge here on SAfm's Sunday Morning Discussion to put in place measures that would significantly reduce criminality. Speaking to  the  The Weekend View Van Niekerk said by TODAY - the 6th of October - he would have report back on what had been done to effectively combat crime. This came at theh back of a Mexican Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice report which published its annual ranking of the 50 most violent cities in the world. The report ranked Nelson Mandela Bay (Gqeberha) as the most dangerous city in South Africa,  leaping past Cape Town and Durban.  The quarterly SAPS crime statistics released last month by National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola revealed that Mthatha and Gqeberha had also been identified as problem areas for extortion-related rackets. Last week's gruesome Lusikisiki murders also confirmed the Eastern Cape as the country's murder capital. Speaking with my colleague Udo Carelse, Mayor Gary Van Nieklerk, Pamela Mabini, a community activist based in Gqeberha and  Prof Kholofelo Rakubu, Safety and Security Management  Head of Department at the Tshwane University of Technology all agreed that a collective effort was needed to comabt crime. Here is what they said last month when they spoke with Udo 

Orlando Pirates secured their third consecutive MTN8 title with a 3-1 victory over Stellenbosch FC at a packed Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban YESTERDAY. Stellies took the initial lead, but the Buccuneers came back with 3 goals putting their name into the record books. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC Sports Analyst, Mathews Mpete

The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has denied a request by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party to postpone tomorrow's sitting of Judicial Service Commission, after an earlier court suspended the participation of the party's Parliamentary leader, Dr John Hlophe, in JSC activities. In handing down judgement yesterday, Judge Stuart Wilson found that the decision of the JSC was rational as the body was bound by the order of the Western Cape High Court that temporarily interdicted Hlophe's participation in JSC duties. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to MK party spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela... 

 It's almost exactly a year now since the October 7th attack which saw Hamas gunmen launch an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza - the deadliest in Israel's history, killing about 1,200 people. Hamas also fired thousands of rockets. Hamas took more than 250 others to Gaza as hostages. Israel immediately began a massive campaign of air strikes on targets in Gaza, in response to the Hamas attack. A year of relentless Israeli attacks on the enclave have killed more than 41,700 people and wounded almost 100,000, with thousands still missing under the rubble of destroyed buildings. Israel recently opened a second war front against Hezbollah in Lebanon, first with airstrikes which have killed and wounded thousands and now pursuing a ground incursion into southern Lebanon. Iran in turn launched dozens of missiles into Israel on TUESDAY NIGHT, another escalation in a tit-for-tat cycle that is pushing the Middle East closer to a regional war. Israel warned that the Iran attack would have "repercussions." To look at the Middle East conflict one year on, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Naeem Jeenah, Senoir Reseacher at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) 

The furore that has erupted over the impending budget cuts to basic education has uncovered how this will disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, exacerbating existing inequalities and undermining South Africa's Constitutional guarantee of the right to basic education. The major concerns highlighted so far include critical issues such as teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and inadequate scholar transport and infrastructure. Little has been said about how the move will negatively affect the school nutrition programme. The Healthy Living Alliance - HEALA - is concerned for the programme, which provides 9 million school-going children with meals in poorer primary and secondary schools. The Alliance is now convening a conference to come up with solutions on how to strengthen and expand the school nutrition programme and ensure food justice for all children. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to HEALA head of communications, Zukiswa Zimela

Not In My Name International has welcomed the sentencing of serial rapist Nkosinathi Phakathi by the High Court sitting in Palm Ridge. Phakathi received a staggering 42 life sentences for rape, along with 791 years and six months of direct imprisonment for charges including kidnapping, compelling minors to witness sexual acts, assault, sexual assault, and theft. His crimes spanned from 2012 to 2021, during which he terrorized multiple women in Ekurhuleni, with many of his victims being minors, the youngest just 9 years old. The Not In My Name Social Justice Movement has expressed hope that this severe sentence will serve as a deterrent to potential perpetrators. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  NotInMy international Secretary-General, Themba Masango

Did the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) act lawfully or rationally when it declined the request by the uMkhonto weSizwe party to postpone its interviews. This was the primary question before the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg and one that it will have to make a determination on. The official opposition is seeking a declaratory order that the majority decision by the JSC was unconstitutional.  The JSC is expected to conduct the interviews, which are meant to begin from Monday, to fill vacancies in various superior courts among them the position of Judge President of the Western Cape High Court - a role once held by Hlophe. Zoleka Qodashe reports...

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and its partners will march to Parliament in Cape Town TODAY, calling on the government to implement the Apartheid Bill. The group is pushing for legislation to enforce the UN Apartheid Convention, which South Africa ratified in May 2024. In a statement, the PSC says the Bill aims to hold Israel accountable for ongoing violence in Palestine, where over 41,000 lives have been lost since October 2023. The marchers are urging South Africa to lead the fight against apartheid by passing the Bill and supporting Boycotts, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) measures. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Palestine Solidarity Campaign Chief Coordinator,  Usuf Chitke.

Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium will be pulsating THIS EVENING as it hosts Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC. The two teams will clash in the MTN8 final, first Cup final of the season. Pirates are aiming to become the first team in South African top flight football to win the MNT-8 trophy three times in a row. They will have to work hard to beat a very formidable Stellenbosch FC. Kick off is at 6pm and you watch the game on SABC 1 and SABC Sport. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC Sports Analyst, Mathews Mpete.

Residents are still in shock following the mass murder of 17 at Ngobozana area in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape. It is alleged that heavily armed people opened fire to a group of people in two different homesteads. The majority of those killed were women. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to our reporter Nomzwanele Bacela .

There are fears the the Middle East could soon explode into region wide violence after Iran's supreme leader vowed that the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah "will not go unavenged", after he was killed in Israeli air strikes on Beirut YESTERDAY. Hezbollah  confirmed the death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah, after Israel said it had killed him in an air strike. To help understand the situation on the ground, the dynamics of this conflict and whether diplomatic efforts can make a difference.  Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Lebanon's ambassador to South Africa, Kabalan Frangieh .

President Cyril Ramaphosa says plans are underway to build heroes acre to honour its stalwarts. Ramaphosa addressed the home-coming ceremony in Freedom Park in Pretoria on FRIDAY to honour liberation fighters who passed away in exile in Zambia and Zimbabwe. The remains of 42 struggle heroes have been brought back to the country. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to PAC Treasurer General and Veteran Jaki Seroke and Nocawe Mafu,  Deputy Chair of the Archives and Heritage subcommittee of the ANC   

It's another bumber sporting Saturday with the highly anticipated Betway Premiership clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. Kick off is at 3pm. TODAY's highlight is the Rugby Championship clash between the Springboks and Argentina in Mbombela, a match that promises to be historic for both South African rugby and lock Eben Etzebeth. The fixture will not only decide the tournament champion but will also see Etzebeth become the most capped Springbok in history, earning his 128th Test cap, surpassing Victor Matfield's record of 127. The Boks suffered a heart-breaking 29-28 defeat against the Pumas in Santiago del Estero last weekend ending South Africa's unbeaten run in the championship. Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus earlier THIS WEEK announced his matchday starting line up that included several key players who were rested for the previous match against Argentina. The match kicks off at 5pm. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Braam Van Straaten, a former Bok who played for the Springboks between 1999 and 2001

The MK Party has dismissed the decision of the Western Cape High Court stopping it's Parliamentary leader Dr. John Hlophe from serving on the Judicial Service Commission as politically driven. In a statement released YESTERDAY evening, the party says it will appeal what it called a 'horror' judgement. It says it will do whatever is necessary to prevent the sitting of the JSC scheduled for Monday 7th October 2024 without Dr. Hlophe..Hlophe, formerly judge president of the Western Cape division, was the first judge to be impeached in democratic SA's history. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to the Executive Director at the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC), Lawson Naidoo 

As part of celebrations to mark the soon to end Heritage month, the University of Johannesburg's Food Evolution Research Laboratory hosted a seminar to seek ways of decolonising South African cuisine. The seminar, held at the School of Tourism and Hospitality, was showcasing the nutritional benefits of indigenous foods, and encouraging their wider consumption. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Food Evolution Research Laboratory's director, Dr Hema Kesa 

Lebanon has warned that Israeli attacks on the country may lead to an "unprecedented" and "devastating" regional war. This after a top Hezbollah military commander was killed in an Israeli air strike on the Lebanese capital Beirut on Friday, in a major escalation that has added to fears of an all-out war. Lebanese officials said at least 14 people were killed and dozens injured in the strike that hit the densely populated Dahieh area. Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, vowed to inflict retribution after explosions of communication devices used by the group killed more than 30 people and injured thousands THIS WEEK. On Tuesday, thousands of pagers exploded, before hundreds of walkie-talkies did the same on Wednesday with multiple sources saying Israel's Mossad spy agency was targeting Hezbollah members. The walkie-talkie blasts killed 25 and injured at least 600. The pager explosions killed 12 and injured more than 2,800 Hezbollah members and civilians. Many of the injured had their hands amputated and eyes removed. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Ricky Mukonza , Associate Professor of Public Affairs at Tshwane University of Technology and Anthoni Van Nieuwkerk, Professor of International Relations at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs 

Humanitarian aid organisation, UNICEF,  says school-age children between 5 and 19 years old now account for 33 per cent of mpox cases in Burundi, presenting a new challenge as families prepare for the new school year. It says the rising number of mpox cases among children in Burundi, including children under five, is deeply concerning, and protecting them is its top priority. UNICEF is now scaling up efforts to address mpox as children head back to school across the country. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to France Bégin , Burundi Country Representative for UNICEF

Los Pumas secured a slim victory over the Springboks with a 29-28 win in a historic Rugby Championship match in Santiago del Estero, Argentina early THIS MORNING. The Boks were undefeated in the tournament until this game. The Boks needed a victory to secure the Rugby Championship title but will now have to hold off Argentina in next weekend's final game in Mbombela. Meanwhile here at home, a long-range penalty at the death by fullback Jordan Hendrikse saw the Sharks beat the Lions 16-14 in YESTERDAY's Currie Cup final at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. To look at these thrilling matches Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SAfm Sports anchor, Janet Whitton

The N3 has been REOPENED to clear traffic along Van Reenen as the snow that trapped motorists has reportedly claimed one life. The N3 Toll Concession released a statement LAST NIGHT saying N3 Route Services has now commenced to slowly escort stranded road users out of the area in the southbound lanes towards KwaZulu-Natal. It said graders and rescue teams are continuing to clear a safe passage for road users stranded in the vicinity of Swinburne/Montrose areas. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC reporter Nonjabulo Mntungwa-Makamu

September marks Heritage Month where South Africa celebrates the nation's diverse culture and rich heritage. This years, the commemoration is under the theme ,  Celebrating the lives of our heroes and heroines who laid down their lives for our freedom. This morning though, we highlight the importance of preserving and appreciating our heritage sites. To unpack this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr. Jane Mufamadi , the Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Park and Prof. Somadoda Fikeni , a specialist on heritage sites 

Wanted fugitive Michael Lomas, was YESTERDAY successfully extradited back to South Africa and was formally charged for his alleged crimes. A former Eskom employee Lomas was wanted for fraud and corruption in-excess of 1.5 billion-rand, that happened between 2008 and 2018 at the Kusile Power station. He was previously arrested and was granted bail, before fleeing to the UK. He was arrested in London in 2021 and in August this year, when his extradition was approved. 
Bongiwe  Zwane spoke to Advocate Paul Hoffman, Executive Director at Accountability Now 

INTRO:  It's a  'Super Saturday' of rugby TODAY as the Springboks play their penultimate Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash against Los Pumas in Santiago del Estero, Argentina TONIGHT. Boks Coach Rassie Erasmus has made 10 changes to his starting team. A win would be the sixth in succession in the Rugby Championship, which would be the Boks' longest winning run in the competition. The game kicks off at 11pm (SA time). For mor Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SAfm Sports anchor, Janet Whitton...

There's been mixed reaction to the South African Reserve Bank decision to cut its repo rate by 25 basis points with some welcoming the relief but expressing disappointment at the modest scale. This is the first cut since the Covid-19 global economic fallout four-and-a-half years ago. The repo rate will now be at 8% while the prime lending rate will come down to 11.50%. Meanwhile the automobile industry sees this as an opportunity to boost sales. . For more we are now joined on the line by the National Automobile Dealers' Association vice chairperson Thembinkosi Pantsi.

To explore how best should South Africa remember and honour Pravin Gordhan Bongiwe Zwane spoke to political analyst Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast AND  Neeshan Balton, Executive Director at the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation 

Russian President Vladimir Putin THIS WEEK warned that  any attack on his country by Ukraine using missiles supplied by Western nations is tantamount to NATO directly entering the war.  He said any such move will receive the appropriate response. Ukraine's western allies have long resisted giving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the green light to use their long-range ballistics against forces inside Russia, fearing Moscow could then escalate the war by retaliating against targets inside NATO countries. On Friday Britain and the U.S. discussed plans to allow Kyiv to strike targets inside Russia with Western-supplied missiles but nothing concrete has emerged from the talks. But could this signal a dangerous escalation of the Russia/Ukraine war? To help us answer that question Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  Denys Reeva, senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies 

A recent global survey conducted by Theirworld , a global children's charity organisation, has revealed that South Africa faces an urgent crisis in early childhood development. According to the report , 38% of South African primary school teachers believe most children are not developmentally ready when they start school and this places South Africa's children at a significant disadvantage compared to their international peers. Their world says the findings highlight the urgent need for investment in early childhood education to prepare children for the demands of the education system and future job market. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  Justin van Fleet, President of Theirworld

President Cyril Ramaphosa YESTERDAY officially signed the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) policy into law. The BELA Bill, as it was previously known, makes changes to the South African Schools Act of 1996.  The  act introduces new regulations around schools in South Africa, most notably in relation to compulsory schooling from Grade R, language policies and curriculums, and prohibition of corporal punishment and initiation practices, to mention a few. The changes include making the provincial education department responsible for school language policies, criminalising parental negligence in school attendance, and accommodating religion in school codes of conduct. Critics of the new law argue that the BELA undermines the authority of school governing bodies (SGBs) and centralises decision-making power. For their reaction, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to the CEO of the Federation of School Governing Bodies, Dr Jaco Deacon and Cathrine Sutherland, Legal Researcher at Equal Education j

The ANC, PAC, Rise Mzansi and Action SA have lauded Gordhan's fight against corruption while at the helm of the department of public enterprises. During his tenure at the department, Gordhan was responsible for overseeing entities such as Eskom, Transnet, Denel and SAA, amongst others. However, the EFF says that the former Minister's legacy was one filled with the destruction of state owned enterprises. Sibahle Motha has the details 

Black Sash in partnership with the London School of Economics, Stellenbosch University Law Clinic, and the National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa THIS WEEK launched the "Collaborations to curb indebtedness" report in Johannesburg. The report seeks to highlight the issue of indebtedness and makes recommendations to curb involuntary indebtedness, especially among social grant recipients. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  Professor Deborah James from the London School of Economics

Early this year , the Mexican Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice published its annual ranking report of the 50 most violent cities in the world. The report ranked Nelson Mandela Bay (Gqeberha) as the most dangerous city in South Africa,  leaping past Cape Town and Durban.   Meanwhile, announcing the quarterly crime statistics last Friday,  National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said that Mthatha and Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape have been identified as problem areas for extortion-related rackets. According to  community activists and leaders people no longer feel safe , criminals now target bereaved families demanding the insurance money. They say development is at a standstill in townships across the metro because criminals are demanding protection fees from developers. Clinics and schools are also not safe. 

To discuss this further Udo Carelse spoke to Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Gary van Niekerk, Pamela Mabini, community activist based in Gqeberha and  Prof Kholofelo Rakubu, HOD for safety and security management  at he Tshwane University of Technology 

TODAY is International Literacy Day and the day is of particular importance to South Africa, a country plagued by a literacy crisis. A recent study has shown that most children in SA are not developmentally ready when they start school. To address this non-profit organisation, Santa Shoebox Project, is installing reading corners in early childhood development centres countrywide. Equipped with a revolving bookshelf, age-appropriate books, a comfortable bench, and an interactive rug, these corners have positively impacted the lives of  thousands of children to date. This initiative is making headway thanks to the generosity of South Africans and to tell us more Udo Carelse spoke to  Deb Zelezniak, CEO at the Santa Shoebox Project....

The Springboks came from behind to win 18-12  the All Blacks at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town YESTERDAY. Victory ensured a fourth straight win for the Springboks over the All Blacks for the first time since 1949, secured the Freedom Cup for the first time since 2009 and gave the Boks a firm grasp on their first Rugby Championship title since 2019. and they did this while allowing the HAKA to take place without disruption.... thank you cape town... To look at this historic match Udo Carelse spoke to Braam Van Straaten, a former Bok who played for the Springboks between 1999 and 2001....

President Cyril Ramaphosa was THIS WEEK on a State Visit to China, before he attended the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit which drew around 50 African heads of State to Beijing. Several trade deals were clinched between South Africa and China during the tour. During the summit Chinese President Xi Jinping, pledged $50 billion (over R900 billion) in investment and assistance packages to the African continent over the next three years.  Some economists however believe instead of waiting for Chinese handouts, African countries should showcase and position their own industrialization roadmap to China and seek support to address the China- Africa trade imbalances. Udo Carelse spoke to Chifipa Mhango, Chief Economist at the Don Consultancy Group....

Parliament's Justice and Constitutional Development committee says it will among other things, seek legal opinion while processing the information given by Minister Thembi Simelane to the committee. Simelane YESTERDAY denied allegations that she had an improper relationship the service provider that was appointed by the Polokwane Municipality, Gundo Wealth Solutions, when she was still Mayo in 2016. She received a loan of 575 thousand rand from Gundo to buy a coffee shop in Sandton as Mercedes Besent reports........

The reintroduction of the Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill in Parliament THIS WEEK has unleashed a chorus of warnings by those against the Bill. The Bill is proposing new legislation that will regulate the sale, advertising and use of tobacco products. Critics argue that the Bill is likely to push consumers towards harmful illicit markets. They also say the Bill lacks practical, people-centric solutions to reduce smoking and curb the harm associated with tobacco. Additionally, some say that it would severely impact around 2.2 million informal traders who rely on cigarette sales and could lead to potential job losses in the tobacco industry. Udo Carelse spoke to Samuel Madikoto,  General Secretary of the National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa - NITASA 

South Africans are being urged to be cautious and withdraw from their retirement savings only for emergencies. Financial experts and political parties say citizens will do well to keep in mind that a withdrawal from the savings pot will reduce the final total amount available at retirement and may result in a reduced standard of living. 

The Springboks defended/ their home turf with a 31 - 27 win over All Blacks in an epic Castle Lager Rugby Championship match at the iconic Ellis Park Stadium yesterday. New Zealand played a great game of rugby, but could never quite bury the Springboks who kept plugging away and remain undefeated in the championship.

The Two-pot retirement system kicks in today. The system has however been criticised by labour federations including SAFTU who are not happy with some aspects of the scheme and say the second pot should not only be accessible at retirement age. 

The national, provincial and local government, the SAPS, the City of Cape Town, community organisations and private security companies will collaborate and share resources, technology and intelligence as part of efforts to improve policing and community safety for all the residents of Cape Town. By drawing on each other's expertise, it is hoped that crime fighting agencies will be able to do much more than if they were each working alone. 

The greatest rivalry in world rugby gets underway in Johannesburg TODAY when the Springboks face the All Blacks at Ellis Park stadium. The Rugby Championship Test match will be the 11th time the old rivals meet at the iconic venue since South Africa's reintroduction to the Test fold in 1992. Springboks coach, Rassie Erasmus, THIS WEEK made nine changes from the team that won against the Wallabies in Perth two weeks ago. Lock Eben Etzebeth has been cleared to face the All Blacks in a revised Springboks squad. The 124-cap Springbok had originally been excluded from the squad that was announced on Tuesday due to a knee injury. The highly anticipated clash kicks off at 5pm and you'll be able to catch all the action live on SABC platforms

The Stop Stockouts Project says it has found that in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, almost all women and girls who were surveyed did not receive the contraceptives they requested. The project says some of its findings are that poor national procurement planning continues to be the main driver of contraceptive shortages and stockouts. The Stop Stockouts Project says access to contraceptives is a crucial component of the enjoyment of the right to sexual and reproductive health rights. 

The National Credit Regulator ("NCR") says consumers must be vigilant of debt counsellors engaging in the deceptive or misleading practice of placing consumers under debt counselling without their knowledge or consent. The NCR says it has been receiving alarming complaints that Debt counsellors are duping consumers into debt counselling without a full understanding of the process which they are entering into. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the three spheres of government to combat crime in the Western Cape. Ramaphosa attended the pledge signing event in Cape Town. This will see cooperation between the national government, provincial government of the Western Cape and the City of Cape Town to pull together ideas and resources to fignt crime. 

A container ship THIS WEEK lost part of its cargo in bad weather off the coast of Port St. Johns in the Eastern Cape. The MSC Antonia, sailing under the flag of Liberia, encountered severe weather conditions while en-route from Colombo, Sri Lanka to New York on Wednesday and lost 46 containers overboard. 305 other containers were also damaged.  The vessel is now expected to arrive in Cape Town TOMORROW (Sunday 1st Sept) where she will undergo a thorough assessment, discharging of damaged cargo if necessary and the securing of the remaining cargo. 

Floyd Shivambu is now the National Organiser of the Umkhonto WeSizwe (MK) party. The former EFF deputy president announced last week that he would be joining the MK party. The party's President is Jacob Zuma and Dr John Hlope is Deputy President. The uMkhonto WeSizwe Party will be led by the National High Command which will be comprised of commanders of different skill sets and experiences. The high command of the  MKP will be the highest decision making body comprised of 8 officials and additional members not exceeding 45. 

Since Thursday the Chinese hospital ship - Peace Ark -  has been docked at Cape Town's V&A Water Front. The gigantic medical vessel will be docked in the area until Wednesday, 29th August. In conjuction with the South African Military Health Service, the ship will be providing health service to the visiting local community of Cape Town and its outskirts. 

Experts are warning of a spike in fraud targeting retirement funds with the Two Pot system arriving on 1st September. The system will enable withdrawals of up to a third of your retirement contributions once a year from R2,000 up to the full balance of your savings pot. But without advanced biometrics, the security of such withdrawls can be compromised. Experts say Signatures on forms can be faked, OTPs intercepted, and legacy biometrics can be spoofed with today's sophisticated AI tools. 

Ongoing load reduction and electricity challenges, water constraints, unemployment and crime were some of the many issues raised at the Presidential Imbizo YESTERDAY. Scores of  residents from Ekurhuleni and the surrounding areas, flocked to the Tsakane stadium for the Gauteng leg of the Imbizo. The meeting, which is led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is held between the country's executive and community members in an effort to improve service delivery challenges facing locals. 

A new book, Life Esidimeni - Portrait of Lost Lives, will be launched in Johannesburg TODAY. The book is a graphic and detailed work to preserve memory of the 144 people with mental illness who died from neglect and starvation while in the care of Gauteng's public health system in 2016. In the course of 4 years, the author Harriet Perlman and photographer, Mark Lewis, travelled to meet the families who lost loved ones in this horrific tragedy. Perlman says the book pays tribute to the people who had someone they loved cruelly taken from them and tells the story of those who fought back

After 40 years in captivity, the last elephant in South Africa's national zoo has been released back into the wild. The elephant, named Charlie, was captured in 1984 from Zimbabwe's Hwange national park when he was two years old. He was taken to Boswell Wilkie Circus here in South Africa and trained to perform tricks. In the early 2000s he was transferred to the Pretoria Zoo. Thanks to the work of the EMS Foundation, which advocates for the rights of wildlife, Charlie the elephant THIS WEEK arrived at his new home at the Shambala Private Reserve in Limpopo province.

When Floyd Shivambu announced on Thursday that he was leaving his post as deputy leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters to join the uMkhonto Wesizwe Party, many analysts described the move as the biggest shake-up in the Red Berets' camp since their launch 11 years ago.  Accepting his resignation, EFF leader Julius Malema said Shivambu's departure was 'painful' and 'shoking'. The MKP on their part were quick to welcome the decision saying it could not have come at a better time. Since then speculation has been rife about the real reasons for Shivambu's defection. Many are asking whether the former 2nd in Command was tired of being in the shadow and whether a different Floyd will emerge from his new political base. To discuss this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu, Director of the Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy at Nelson Mandela University and Dr Fikile Vilakazi, Political Analyst from the University of the Western Cape 

Diabetes is an escalating public health crisis in South Africa. This is according to the outcomes of the 2023 Diabetes Summit Report which has found that Diabetes-related mortality is on the rise in South Africa, and the management of the condition remains suboptimal, even within the private healthcare sector. Experts say despite the high burden on healthcare resources, numerous cases go undiagnosed.  The 2023 Diabetes Summit Report and Recommendations were recently presented to the National Department of Health. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr. Patrick Ngassa Piotie, Chairperson of the South African Diabetes Alliance and Co-Founder of the University of Pretoria Diabetes Research Centre 

Scientists, THIS WEEK, discovered a reservoir of liquid water on Mars. The findings come from a new analysis of data from Nasa's Mars Insight Lander, which touched down on the planet back in 2018. While there is water frozen at the Martian poles and evidence of vapour in the atmosphere, this is the first time liquid water has been found on the planet. The scientists point out that the location of this Martian groundwater is however not good news for plans to colonise Mars as this repository is so deep and unreachable that it might as well be in another galaxy