With just 27 days left until South Africans head to the polls. Today we assess the African Congress for Transformation’s election manifesto. You may have heard rumours doing the rounds, suggesting that the party may not appear on the ballot paper. Well, guess what, party leader Ace Magashule has assured his supporters that his face will be on the ballot on the 29th of May. So what’s their political agenda and why must South Africans vote for them? GUEST (Studio): Ace Magashule, President of the African Congress for Transformation

Professor Lesiba Teffo attached to the University of South Africa sent us a very interesting text message earlier today on revolutions and what we should have learned from history. Text message reads: "A revolution has a tendency to eat its own children. That season is upon us. Sad, sad, sad. Sad indeed. It could have been avoided had we learned from History. The Compradores turned against their own. Cry The Beloved County." Joining us on the line to unpack this statement is Professor Lesiba Teffo Guest: Professor Lesiba Teffo attached to the University of South Africa

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party says former President Jacoba Zuma is not a coward and he will attend the ANC’s disciplinary hearing which is due to take place next week Tuesday. For more political analysis on this, we are joined by…. GUEST: Dr Levy Ndou, Political analyst based at Tshwane University of Technology

Joburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi has given Joburg City Power the greenlight to assess the damage caused by an underground fire along the M1 highway near Braamfontein yesterday. They believe the cause was cable theft and vandalism of underground infrastructure. The fire caused a power outage in several surrounding areas. SABC News Reporter Calvin Dludla revisited the area this morning and he joins us now to give us the latest in terms of where things are at the moment…….. GUEST: Calvin Dludla, SABC News reporter……

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has confirmed that former ANC President Jacob Zuma who is now the leader of the MK Party is expected to be called before the ANC’s Disciplinary Committee next week Tuesday. To elaborate further on this, let’s now speak to….. GUEST: Nhlamulo Ndhlela, MK Party spokesperson

The state prosecutor George Baloyi has taken exception to the defence calling him dishonest in the Senzo Meyiwa trial in the High Court in Pretoria. This follows the defence counsel Zandile Mshololo's criticism after they received requested documents late from the state. Five men are on trial for gunning down Meyiwa at singer Kelly Khumalo's home in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg in October 2014. The trial has adjourned until Monday. To give us a summary in terms of what transpired this morning is…. GUEST: Pearl Magubane, SABC News reporter

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has revealed that Turkiye will join South Africa in its genocide case against Israel at the Internal Court of Justice. We understand that through this move, Turkeye aims to strengthen South Africa’s case. For more on the significance of this announcement and the political dynamics thereof, we are joined by GUEST: Sophie Mokoena, SABC News International Editor

Dr Imtiaaz Solliman remembers Dr Yakub Essack who died after suffering a heart attack yesterday. Essack led the organisation’s medical teams on numerous international missions. GUEST: Dr Imtiaaz Sooliman, Chairman and founder of Gift of the Givers

We learn more about the T4 undersea cable and how it will improve Africa and Asia’s cable infrastructure. We understand that plans are underway to introduce this new cable which will replace the South Africa-Far East (Safe) cable that’s coming to end of life in 2027. For more on this, let’s speak to….. GUEST: Siphumelele Zondi, Lecturer of Multimedia @Durban University of Technology

Cricket South Africa has come under fire for its decision to select only one black African player for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with some South Africans saying that it’s a grave concern and very worrisome that after 30 years of democracy Cricket SA is still battling to articulate its transformation agenda. GUEST: Aslam Khota, Cricket commentator

The Electoral Commission of South Africa says there is nothing wrong with meeting with US Ambassador Reuben Brigety just weeks before the May 29 elections. The IEC’s top officials met with Brigety in Pretoria this week, drawing criticism from some circles that the US was apparently influencing the outcome of the polls. The IEC says it has also met with European Union and Latin American ambassadors on the same basis to assure them they were holding credible elections. Guest: Dr. Sithembile Mbete

As we commemorate May Day, we hear from Professor Mthunzi Mdwaba who will explain the significance of Employer-Employee relationship in the workplace. GUEST: Professor Mthunzi Mdwaba

DA on minimum wages If the DA comes to power after the May 29 elections, the national minimum wage of R27.58 an hour, or R4,412 a month, will be phased out. This is one of the proposals the DA has made in its economic policy released last week Friday. This was the party’s first in more than a decade. What this means is, if the DA win the May 29 elections, the minimum wage will not be increased “any further” and its monetary value will be allowed to be “eroded” by inflation. Guest: Michael Bagraim, DA Shadow Minister of Employment & Labour

Last night, hundreds of New York City Police officers entered Columbia University in riot gear - sweeping the encampment and the occupied building, detaining protesters. The crackdown at Columbia came alongside chaos at other campuses. Is this the right way to deal with the voices of dissent?Our guest, Professor John H. Stanfield doesn’t think so and says it does not bode well for anyone within or outside the United States since any threat to free speech is a threat to all of us no matter who or what we are. GUEST (Mauritius): Professor John H. Stanfield, Director at the Institute for Advanced Study of African Renaissance Policies Ideas (ASARPI) 

President Cyril Ramaphosa bestowed on deserving recipients the Order of Mendi for Bravery, the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli, the Order of Mapungubwe, and the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo. One of the award recipients was Aggrey Klaaste (posthumously): For his exceptional contribution to quality journalism and as a reporter exposing the cruelties of apartheid and encouraging unity among the people of different political persuasions to fight for liberation. He was a nation-builder with a vision for an equal and thriving society. Aggrey Klaaste’s son and founder of the Aggrey Klaaste Trust, Jerome Klaaste was in Pretoria to receive the award. GUEST: Jerome Klaaste, Aggrey Klaaste’s son and founder of the Aggrey Klaaste Trust

According to Cisco’s 2024 Cybersecurity Readiness Index – only just 5% of South African companies have ranked at the mature level of readiness which is needed to be resilient against modern cyber security risks. This is very worrying considering the fact that cyber-attacks can cause damage to businesses. Joining us to share some interesting thoughts on this is….. GUEST: Katlego Ngobeni, Penetration Tester @IronSky

Earlier on, we spoke to the ATM leader, Vuyo Zungula who told us that under the ATM rule they will not protect people who do not respect the right to life for others – hence they are calling for the return of the death penalty. Let’s hear now from someone who disagrees with this call……. GUEST: Professor Amanda Gouws, Professor of Political Science at the University of Stellenbosch

Yoh, Vote! is a self-funded student project that aims to make voting accessible to every citizen. The platform is made available to anyone who need it to get a sense of which party talks to what they believe in. According to the founders, the project was started as a way to give back to the community because they understand the importance of supporting causes that matter, like voter education. GUEST: Daniel Klopper, Yoh! Vote co-founder

Rise Mzansi held a picket at the JSE offices in Sandton earlier today. The picket was held to protest against the sex-for-jobs scourge in the mining and retail sectors. Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi said the issue was rife in the private and public sectors, adding that the problem was equal to sexual assault and exploitation. Guest: Gugu Ndima, Rise Mzansi National Spokesperson

The Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution applied to the Constitutional Court, to be admitted as a friend of the court in the Electoral Commission’s appeal matter. The IEC wants the Electoral Court ruling allowing former president Jacob Zuma to contest a seat in Parliament to be set aside.  Casac’s Lawson Naidoo says a consequence of the Electoral Court’s ruling was that despite the ConCourt’s decision in June 2021 sentencing Zuma to 15 months in prison, he was presently not disqualified from seeking election to Parliament. Guest: Lawson Naidoo, Executive Secretary of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution

Following its recent launch, Shesha eHailing drivers are getting ready to Go Live tomorrow across Gauteng. Its owners are confident that it’s going to revolutionise the way South Africans ride and drive and disrupt the traditional landscape through a focus on safety and unique benefits for riders and drivers. For more on this, let’s speak to …. GUEST: Nomsa Mdhluli, Shesha’s spokesperson

The Electoral Commission has warned members of the public against misinformation doing the rounds on social media after a message encouraged voters older than 60 to apply to vote early. The commission says it hasn’t given permission for everyone over 60 to vote on the 27th and the 28th. For more on this, we are joined by….  Guest: Masego Shiburi 

Tributes continue to pour in for co-founder of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC) Dr Sam Motsuenyane who is also popularly known as "The Father of Black Business". Motsuenyane died yesterday and he will always be remembered as someone who contributed immensely into the establishment of African Bank. Joining us to pay tribute to him is…. GUEST: Lawrence Mavundla, President of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC)

ATM leader Vuyo Zungula explains why his party wants to bring back the death penalty - which South Africa abolished in 1995. He argues that under the ATM rule they will not protect people who do not respect the right to life for others. GUEST: Mr Vuyo Zungula, Leader of the African Transformation Movement

Kenya’s President William Ruto has revealed that his country has secured Zimbabwe’s support for Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship. In return, Kenya will support Zimbabwe's bid for readmission into the Commonwealth and help them fight sanctions. Just how significant is this partnership? For more on this, we are joined by…… GUEST (ZIM): Lenin Ndebele, Head of News24 Africa Desk

Yesterday, the City Press newspaper reported that MK took ID numbers, names and cellphone numbers from a City of Cape Town jobseekers’ database and forged the corresponding signatures before submitting them to the IEC. The publication called 15 people on the MK party’s supporter list; 14 denied they had signed the list. Will this signature scandal have an effect on the predicted votes MK gets? Guest: Tessa Dooms, Political analyst & Rivonia Circle Director. 

We get more reaction on our first story re SABC Head of News vs the State Security Agency. This after the Presidency’s response, refuting claims that the State Security Agency has been targeting SABC head of news, emphasising that the vetting process needs to be carried out as per the established practise with all SABC executives. Let’s now hear from ….. GUEST: Michael Markovitz, head of the GIBS Media Leadership Think Tank and former SABC Board member

Development agency Kagiso Trust is looking to encourage over 27 million registered voters to cast their hard-fought ballots in the national and regional elections on 29 May. The Kagiso Trust is invoking the legacy of struggle stalwarts such as Desmond Tutu, Beyers Naudé and Rev Frank Chikane, in their#RememberMe campaign. GUEST: Thabiso Ratsomo, Kagiso Trust Deputy Chairperson

Defacing or illegally removing election posters is a criminal offence. Last week, the Electoral Commission in the Western Cape said that those found committing this offence must be reported to the police. To help us further understand the legal implications of defacing or illegally removing election posters, we are joined on the line by… Guest: Nkululeko Tselane, admitted attorney and the Legal Counsel for the Institute of Election Management Services in Africa.

We look at the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s brand and the IFP's decision to use his voice and image as part of its 2024 national general election campaign. GUEST: Tshepo Matseba, Managing Director of Reputation 1st

Media Monitoring Africa says anyone who tries to undermine media freedom must be held accountable. This after the SABC’s Group Executive for News and Current Affairs, Moshoeshoe Monare was allegedly called phoned by an official from the State Security Agency (SSA) demanding that he be vetted again and undergo a top security secret test which will include taking a polygraph test. However, the Presidency has disputed claims that the State Security Agency has been targeting SABC head of news, saying that this was carried out as per the established practise with all SABC executives. Take a listen to what Vincent Magwenya said earlier on…. GUEST: William Bird, Director @Media Monitoring Africa

The United States and Niger are discussing plans to withdraw American troops from the West African nation, even though they are yet to announce a timeline for when it will pull out the more than 1,000 military personnel stationed at an American drone base in the Sahara desert near the Nigerien city of Agadez. Observers say this is another strategic victory for Moscow in the Sahel region as they are set to replace the U.S army. Joining us to explain the political dynamics around this issue is…. GUEST (UK): Dr Olayinka Ajala, Senior lecturer in Politics and International Relations and Director of the African Research Initiative @Leeds Beckett University.

As the 6th Administration is preparing to exit the political arena. We hear from the Speaker of the KZN legislature about how the Provincial Legislature performed under her leadership. She has listed Covid19 as the most challenging period but says they managed to rise to a new era that the parliamentary sector has been aspiring to, and that is the e-parliament era. She joins us to elaborate further on this….. GUEST: Miss Nontembeko Boyce, Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature

The lazy makoti (the lazy daughter in-law): What’s the one thing you are lazy to do and unashamed about it and not planning to change it? Could it be cooking, ironing, etc. Call us let’s hear what you have to say…….. GUEST: Mogau Seshoene, Professional Cook, Gourmand World Cookbook Award winner & Author

With less than 40 days to go before the general elections. Today we hear from the Defend our Democracy movement. This as they are appealing to NGOs and civil society movements to join Election Watch Campaign to observe the upcoming elections. Importantly, the IEC Election observer registration is closing next week Wednesday (1 May) hence they are making this appeal. GUEST: Andries Sibanyoni, Spokesperson for Defend our Democracy Movement

In an effort to assess South Africa’s global reputation in various key areas, Brand South Africa conducted extensive research on the perceptions that other countries have on South Africa. A total of 17 countries were surveyed with over 9800 respondents and focused on brand audiences related to tourism, investment, talent, exports and general reputation. Guest: Mpumi Mabuza, Brand South Africa’s Chief Marketing Officer

Tomorrow our country will celebrate 30 years of Democracy. For many who experienced apartheid, the suffering of those years remains etched in their collective memory. However, over the past thirty years, a lot has been done to improve the living conditions and to change the fortunes of the country with the aim to repair the damage that apartheid did to the citizenry. So, 30 years later – what does democracy mean to you? Are you happy about the state of affairs in the country? Call and share your story……..For more on this discussion, we are joined by… GUEST: Professor Sethulego Matebesi, Sociologist from the University of the Free State 

Yesterday, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) officially launched the Corporation for Deposit Insurance (CODI) which is aimed at protecting the most vulnerable depositors in our society. How it works is, it provides cover of up to R100 000 to each qualifying depositor per bank in the unlikely event of a bank’s collapse. To tell us more about this initiative is….. GUEST: Sabinah Mohamed, CEO of the Corporation for Deposit Insurance at the SA Reserve Bank

Former President Thabo Mbeki says he hasn’t changed his views about the state of the ANC. He said this while campaigning for the party in Soweto yesterday, also assuring the ANC followers that the leadership of the party will attend to the problems within the parameters of the party. Mbeki also defended his party’s handling of its stand-off with former President Jacob Zuma, saying the delay in expelling Zuma was not an act of cowardice but loyalty to its constitution. GUEST: Professor Dirk Kotze, Professor of political sciences @UNISA

International lawyers representing the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have written to Apple CEO Tim Cook demanding answers on the sourcing of minerals used to manufacture the company’s products. They are accusing the tech giants of using illegally exploited minerals. For more clarity on this, we are joined by…. GUEST: Nixon Katembo, African affairs commentator & also works for Channel Africa

This year’s general elections are seen as the most challenging elections yet since the dawn of democracy. But can the first timers like BOSA make an impact? During its election manifesto launch, Build One South Africa, which has positioned itself as an umbrella body for community organisations across the country – made it clear that it views joblessness as the biggest problem facing South Africa today and promised to create 2 million jobs to counter this problem. But what else are they offering? Joining us to discuss BOSA’s Election Manifesto is….. GUEST: Mmusi Maimane, Leader of Build One South Africa Movement (BOSA)

As part of our election build-up, today we revisit the issue of voter education with Futurelect, explaining why civic education is essential for empowering voters in South Africa. The organisation believes that making civic education easily accessible will help improve overall civic participation and increase youth engagement in the country’s political process. GUEST: Lindiwe Mazibuko, co-founder and CEO of Futurelect, a non-profit, non-partisan organisation promoting leadership development and active citizenry

Despite being critical of the current leadership at times, former ANC president Thabo Mbeki has finally answered the call for him to join party officials on the election campaign trail to persuade voters to give it another term in power. Guest: Political Analyst, Prince Mashele

Labour Appeal Court confirms that the dismissal (of an employee) for testing positive for cannabis is automatically unfair and is discriminatory. An employee was dismissed for testing non-negative for cannabis while on duty during a routine medical check. He thought this was unfair and saw the actions of his employer as discriminatory. He took the matter to court, and he lost. On appeal to the labour appeal court, things went his way. To help us understand how the Labour Appeal Court reached this decision, I’m joined by attorney and founder of The Legal Affair, Nonhlanhla Mtshali. Guest: Nonhlanhla Mtshali, Attorney and founder of The Legal Affair

In conversation with Reverend Frank Chikane about the relaunch of the anti-Apartheid Movement. We understand that the rebirth of this all-important movement was set in motion two years ago and was not solely a response to recent events in Gaza. But what are its primary objectives? GUEST: Rev Frank Chikane, Chairperson of the South African Anti-Apartheid Steering Committee

Lawyers representing former president Jacob Zuma and the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party have asked the Constitutional Court for an extension to file answering affidavits. The MK Party and Zuma’s lawyer are of the view that the time afforded to the respondents is unreasonably short and that it would be impossible to furnish a meaningful answering affidavit within 24 hours. Do they have a point though or they are simply pushing it? GUEST: Mpumelelo Zikalala, Legal practitioner

The state has called detective Keitumetse Portia Mashele to the stand at the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial at the high court in Pretoria. Mashele has confirmed that she was the one responsible for collecting buccal DNA swabs from accused number 2 Bongani Ntanzi - following his arrest on 16 June 2020. Ntanzi is one of five men on trial for the murder of the Bafana Bafana captain. Meyiwa was shot dead in 2014, while at Kelly Khumalo's parental home in Vosloorus on Gauteng's East Rand. Mashele says she swabbed both sides of his mouth and then placed the evidence in the kit which was sealed then placed in a forensic bag. GUEST: Pearl Magubane, SABC News reporter

Student-led protests against Israel’s war on Gaza have intensified across the United States and hundreds of students have been arrested while protesting against the ongoing war in Gaza. So how is the US dealing with these protests and how will these protests impact the upcoming elections? For more on this, we are joined by….. GUEST: Brooks Spector, Associate Editor at The Daily Maverick