Two political party leaders in Parliament who are over the age of 60, - say they will not register to be vaccinated against COVID-19. They will also not take the vaccine. The Leaders of the Freedom Front Plus Pieter Groenewald and Kenneth Meshoe from the ACDP have different reasons why they will not be vaccinated. This comes as National Assembly Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli called on all MPs over the age of 60, - to register to be vaccinated in the second phase of the rollout programme which starts on 17 May. Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent reports

ACDP and FF-PLUS Leaders will NOT take COVID-19 vaccines

Today marks 25 years since the South African Constitution was adopted on 8 May 1996 before it was amended on the 11th October by the Constitutional Assembly in the same year. Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent spoke to the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution and a Labour Expert about the provisions and meaning of the 25 year old Act of Parliament.

Today marks 25 years of the adoption of the 1996 South African Constitution

Anglican Archbishop of Southern Africa Thabo Makgoba says COVAX is a good programme,- but too little to meet the needs of the African continent and the Global South in tackling the Coronavirus. Archbishop Makgoba insists that the pharmaceutical industry in Africa should start developing vaccines against COVD-19. Some opposition parties say it's possible for the continent to develop its vaccines - but they've express concern. Parliamentary Correspondent, Mercedes Besent, tells us more

Anglican Archbishop intensifies call on Africa to develop vaccines against COVID-19

As President Cyril Ramaphosa appears before the State Capture Commission of Inquiry today and tomorrow (Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 April), we look at some of his key moments when answering questions as Leader of Government Business in Parliament and as Deputy President under the administration of former President Jacob Zuma. Some of those include- answering questions about Zuma, the Passenger Rail Agency, Marikana and the Office of the Public Protector. Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent compiled this selection of Ramaphosa's engagements with MPs during his oral reply sessions in National Assembly and the NCOP between 2014 and 2017

Recap of Ramaphosa moments in Parliament between 2014 and 2017

Former SABC Parliamentary journalist, Manelisi Dubase, says one of the stories he covered before he was retrenched was the very touching candlelight ceremony to pay tribute to health care workers and commemorate the coronavirus victims that President Cyril Ramaphosa attended on New Year's eve last year. Dubase and another Parliamentary Journalist Mkhokeli Tanda are among the 621 employees who were affected by the SABC's Section 189 retrenchment process. The process was concluded a week ago. Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent spoke to Dubase and Tanda. She filed this report.

SABC veteran Parly Journos Dubase and Tanda bid farewell to SABC

18 year old South African climate justice activist, Ayakha Melithafa from Cape Town is calling on young South Africans to unite in the fight against climate change. Melithafa and another young climate activist from Uganda,-Vanessa Nakate took part in the virtual 10th Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture last night. They participated along with global climate change activist Christiana Fugueres, - who says greenhouse gas emissions should be cut globally by 50-percent within the next decade,- to save the world from further destruction. The annual peace lecture coincided with Tutu's 89th birthday on 7 October. Former US Vice President and climate activist Al Gore, African human and environmental rights activist Kumi Naidoo, Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, Zimbabwean businessman and philanthropist Strive Masiyiwa, environmental and human rights activist Mor Gilboa, Moulana Abdul Khaliq-Allie of the South African Muslim Judicial Council and South African Council of Churches Secretary General Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana,- all sent their birthday messages to the retired Anglican Archbishop. Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent tells us more.

Young climate justice activists make voices heard at Tutu Peace Lecture

The Anglican Church of Southern Africa commemorates the 150th anniversary of its inauguration today Sunday 20 September. A service marking the anniversary will be led by Archbishop Thabo Makgoba with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby making an online appearance as the keynote speaker. The service will take place at the St George's Cathedral in Cape Town at 4 PM this afternoon. Makgoba says various religious denominations from the Christian community - including the South African Council of Churches will all celebrate with the Anglican Community. A message from President Cyril Ramaphosa will be read during the service. Our Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent tells us more about the anniversary and the history of the church.

Anglican Church of Southern Africa commemorates 150 years today

Tributes continue to pour in for the late well renowned human rights lawyer and social justice activist Advocate George Bizos. They include messages of condolences coming from the religious to political fraternity, parliament and the Presidency. Bizos passed on yesterday at his home in Johannesburg at the age of 92. Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent tells us more.

Human rights lawyer, social justice activist George Bizos remembered

The South African Council of Churches says it's ashamed by the level of corruption in the country. The SACC held a two hour online service to launch its mass anti-corruption campaign on Sunday. The services started with church leaders from across the country,- lamenting, praying and protesting against COVID-19 corruption. Various calls were made,- from the establishment of an anti-corruption Chapter 9 institution to calls for ethical governance and leadership in all sectors of society,- including the church. Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent monitored the proceedings and filed this report.

SACC churches prayed and protested against corruption at its official anti-corruption launch

The South African Council of Churches will officially launch its anti-Corruption Campaign on Sunday 30 August,- against the looting of COVID-19 funds. The SACC says its entire membership of 36 churches and organisations will take part in the campaign. Church leaders from all over South Africa will gather through an online service for two hours, - starting at midday- to kick-start the launch officially. Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent reports.

SACC churches meet at midday on Sunday to launch mass anti-corruption campaign

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