With over 3500 registered voters, Canberra in Australia was the third largest overseas voting station after the UK and Netherlands. Udo Carelse spoke to who was among the thousands who cast their ballots there  YESTERDAY  

The election support organisation, Ground Work Collective, this weekend dispatched their independent election observers to voting stations in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Switzerland. The election observation as part of its X_Change campaign and has seen thousands of South Africans volunteer to observe elections both at home and abroad. Udo Carelse spoke to Ground Work Collective founder Mbali Ntuli 

Over 1200 South Africans cast ballots at three polling stations in the United States, well below the more than 4200 eligible to cast ballots in the national poll in that country. 635 ballots were cast in New York, far less than the 1700 expected in the Big Apple. Only 226 votes were cast ballots in Los Angeles while Washington D.C. issued more than 400 ballots. Voters traveled from all over the region to vote at the IEC polling station in the  South African Consulate in Manhattan. Report by  Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.. Meanwhile Udo Carelse spoke to  IEC Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Masego Shiburi .

Search and rescue efforts are still continuing for 11 fishermen who went missing after their fishing trawler sank off the coast of Cape Town n Friday afternoon. The National Sea Rescue Institute, the NSRI, says it is still hopeful that the missing 11- fishermen will be found as a debris field where the fishing trawler went down has been located . For the latest Udo Carelse spoke to  The National Sea Rescue Institute, (NSRI) spokesperson Craig Lambinon

This week President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the country's biggest health policy overhaul into law. Civil society organisations and political parties are threatening legal action , saying Ramaphosa must return to the drawing board and work with various industry experts to design a workable, universal health care model.Last week he signed the  Electoral Matters Amendment Bill which sees a change in the political party funding formula, the Preventing and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill. These have also been met with concern. Another bill that awaits the President's assent is the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (BELA Bill)..It is now exactly eleven days before the elections, some have raised concerns about the timing of the signing of the bills.  To unpack this Udo Carelse spoke to Professor Sethulego Matebesi , Sociologist from the University of the Free State  

Better the lives of the black majority. This was the message that came from the Umkhonto Wesizwe party during its manifesto launch at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto YESTERDAY. The party aimed to woo voters just 11 days before the country heads to the hotly contested May polls. It has made inroads in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal since its formation last year. However, it has not had the same effect in other parts of the country. In the recent by-elections in Limpopo and the North West, the party was only able to garner one-percent of the vote in both provinces. However, the almost 40-thousand capacity stadium was packed with supporters eagerly awaiting a message from party leader, Jacob Zuma. Zoleka Qodashe reports...

Voting in the 2024 national elections at international voting stations started YESTERDAY and will continue this weekend. Registered voters in mainly Middle Eastern countries cast their ballots yesterday and the rest of the world - some 102 countries - will vote TODAY. London, which has the largest number of eligible voters of any voting station with over 24 thousand registered voters, will also open TOMORROW.  The IEC said voting stations will be open from 7am to 7pm local time at most foreign missions, except for in London, Washington and New York, which will be open from 7am to 9pm.  To tell us how the vote went yesterday and what they are expecting today Udo Carelse spoke to  IEC Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Masego Shiburi . Meanwhile the Democratic Alliance, through it's DA ABROAD network has been actively galvanising South Africans based in different parts of the world to register and vote in this election. They also have agents monitoring the polling at various international voting stations. Udo Carelse spoke to Ludre Stevens, DA Abroad Global Chairperson 

The Special Investigative Unit conducted a search and seizure operation at the Desmond Tutu Refugee Centre in Marabastad in Pretoria YESTERDAY (FRIDAY). This after a whistleblower tipped off the Department of Home Affairs to unlawful activities occurring at the centre where officials are allegedly being bribed to issue fraudulent documents to unregistered foreign nationals. The department in partnership with the Special Investigative Unit and the Hawks acquired a search warrant to search the premises of five refugee centres including those in Cape Town, Durban, Musina, Port Elizabeth and Durban. electronic devices, like cellphones and laptops  were confiscated by authorities for further investigation. Lawyers  for Human Rights have welcomed this operation and for further reaction udo Carelse spoke to   the National Director, Wayne Ncube 

The South African Department of health forecasts supply challenges of insulin pen devices for diabetes management, and has advised health facilities to ration the distribution of insulin pens across the country. Reacting to this development, the global medical humanitarian organisation, Doctors Without Borders or MSF, is calling on Danish pharmaceutical corporation Novo Nordisk and other manufacturers of insulin pens to acknowledge their responsibility and take immediate action to ensure a continuous supply of insulin pens to South Africa. The country has 4.2 million people with diabetes. MSF held a two-part webinar to discuss ways to make access to insulin and newer diabetes medicines possible for all people with diabetes. For more Udo Carelse spoke to  Candice Sehoma, Campaign Advocacy Advisor at  Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders 

TODAY is International Nurses Day. This year's theme is, "Investing in Nurses and the Economic Power of Care", which emphasizes a global call to reshape perceptions about nursing. This as there are amplified calls for countries to move away from a General Practitioner or doctor-centric healthcare system towards one that is more nurse-led. This however will also require advanced training and education, promoting leadership development, and advocating for policies that support nursing excellence and professional growth. The National Independent Nurses Association South Africa - NINA SA -  is an organisation whose vision is to provide support for nurses through the provision of education and training. It's chairperson, Grant Pepler, now joins us on the line.....

A global TB vaccine trial was launched THIS WEEK in Gqeberha to address South Africa's number one killer disease. The Wits Health Consortium announced the start of the Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute's Phase 3 clinical trial to assess the efficacy of TB vaccine candidate, The trial is being held at the Isango Lethemba TB Research Unit located at the Jose Pearson Hospital in Gqeberha. The Eastern Cape has the highest TB incidence in the country. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr. Pauline Howell, TB research specialist from the Clinical HIV Research Institute...

There was elation on site where a survivor was retrieved YESTERDAY after 118 hours of being trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building at George in the Western Cape. The multi apartment building was under construction when it collapsed on Monday. Eighty one people were on site when the building imploded. Forty-two have so far been recovered, of whom 13 were declared deceased. Another 39 are still unaccounted for. SABC reporter Tanya Krause reports...

There was elation on site where a survivor was retrieved YESTERDAY after 118 hours of being trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building at George in the Western Cape. Meanwhile , in the early hours of the morning (SUNDAY) , a body was removed under the rubble. For the latest Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Western Cape Chief Director for Disaster Management, Colin Deiner .

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law the Second Adjustments Appropriation Bill and the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill.  According to the Presidency, the two Bills will expand financial resources for South Africa's multiparty democracy, including support for independent candidates and representatives.  The Second Adjustments Appropriation Bill provides for a net movement of R290 million across functions and economic classifications in line with the requirements of the state and provides additional financial support to a number of departments and institutions. The Electoral Matters Amendment  which, among other provisions, amends the Political Party Funding Act of 2018 to provide for the regulation of the private and public funding of independent candidates and independent representatives. Analysts say the latter has also created a temporary gap in the law, removing the limit on how much funding political parties may receive from donors and they won't have to declare it either. Previously  political parties warned that if Ramaphosa assented to the Bill, they would be forced to join civil society, which had already given notice of an intent to approach the courts to oppose this legislation on the grounds that it is unconstitutional. To unpack this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Nkosikhulule Nyembezi, Policy Analyst and Researcher at Election Monitoring Network and  PAC Secretary General, Apa Pooe

The Nelspruit Specialised  Commercial Crimes Court in Mbombela, Mpumalanga YESTERDAY acquitted former State Security Minister, Bongani Bongo, and seven other accused, of fraud and corruption. The charges emanate from an alleged corrupt land deal amounting to over 70-million rand of tax payer's money. The money was used to purchase land for the Department of Human Settlement in the Emalahleni and Msukaligwa municipalities a decade ago. It was alleged that the accused inflated the prices of the farms. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to former minister Bongo for his reaction 

Emergency workers continued their search overnight for people who remain unaccounted  for following the collapse of a building in Victoria Street in George THIS WEEK.  Shortly after midnight THIS MORNING, rescue workers managed to retrieve the body of yet another person from underneath the rubble.  The death toll now stands at 14 . For the latest Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Western Cape Chief Director for Disaster Management, Colin Deiner 

President Cyril Ramaphosa THIS WEEK signed into law the Preventing and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill. The new piece of legislation outlaws offences of hate crimes and the offence of hate speech and allows the prosecution of persons who commit such offences. The offence of hate speech applies to any person who intentionally publishes, propagates, advocates, shares or communicates anything that can be harmful or induce hatred. While many have welcomed the new law as long overdue, some like the advocacy organisation, FOR SA ,see it as unnecessary and overboard. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Liesl Pretorius, Head of Legal at For SA....

The Constitutional Court YESTERDAY dismissed former president Jacob Zuma's recusal application. The court did not give reasons for its dismissal, but they are expected to provide these in their written ruling on this case. Zuma had argued that six judges of the Constitutional Court that sent him to prison in the first place should not be involved in the current matter of his eligibility to participate in elections saying they can't act as both players and referees. After the dismissal the court then heard an application by the Electoral Commission of South Africa - IEC - to appeal against an Electoral Court ruling that paved the way for Zuma to run for public office. The IEC wants the apex court to appeal against the Electoral Court's ruling overturning the commission's decision to bar Zuma from running for public office due to his 15-month prison sentence in 2021.The IEC disqualified Zuma from running on the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party's ticket as a result of the sentence he received for contempt of court. The Concourt has reserved judgement in the matter. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Mbekezeli Benjamin, Research and Advocacy Officer at Judges Matter

Credit Bureau TPN  has just released its third national residential tenant survey which provides the property sector with insights into tenants' needs and wants. The survey has found that financial barriers are the primary reason people rent and more women than men are renting because they can't afford home ownership.  More than 170,000 tenants were surveyed, and 19,000 completed responses were received, making the TPN Tenant Survey Report the largest holistic tenant survey in South Africa. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Waldo Marcus, Industry Principal at TPN Credit Bureau 

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has issued a dire warning about the current draft of the World Health Organization Pandemic Agreement. With the final negotiations imminent, AHF is concerned about the document's glaring oversite of equity and transparency. AHF says the consequences of passing this agreement are unimaginable and that the African continent is at risk of entering the next global health crisis blindfolded, with hands tied and again at the mercy of wealthy nations.  The pandemic agreement is a potential international agreement currently being negotiated by the 194 member states of the WHO, including the U.S. Many governments and WHO leadership felt it was necessary to develop a new agreement to address some of the weaknesses in capacities and lack of international cooperation that occurred during the global response to COVID-19. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Ngaa Murombedzi, Regional Advocacy Policy and Marketing Manager at AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)

Dozens of university  campuses across the United States were THIS WEEK taken over by students protesting against the war in Gaza. More than a thousand demonstrators have been arrested in the protests, as universities and police struggle to deal with dismantling student camps. Students have launched rallies, sit-ins, hunger strikes and, most recently, encampments against the war demanding that their institutions financially divest from Israel. On Tuesday night, a masked pro-Israeli group assaulted a pro-Palestinian student camp, before police officers were called to the University of California campus. Activists at Columbia and other universities say the protests are similar to those at the end of the 1960s against US involvement in the Vietnam War. To discuss this further Bongiwe Zwane spoke to w Brooks Spector, a fomer US diplomat and Associate Editor at the Daily Marverick....

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has lambasted the Democratic Alliance for what it calls an attack on workers rights. The DA, in its economic policy, proposes to scrap or phase out the national minimum wage. The party this week also staged a protest outside COSATU's headquarters in Johannesburg, opposing the minimum wage. The party asserts that should they win in the upcoming May 29 elections, they plan to gradually phase out the national minimum wage, citing concerns over its impact on job opportunities and the financial burden it places on businesses, particularly smaller enterprises. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  Cosatu acting National Spokesperson Matthew  Parks .

In our Sunday Morning discussion we explore the impact of vandalism and theft on public infrastructure and what needs to be done about it. To discuss this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Mthobeli Kolisa, Chief Officer for Infrastructure Delivery, Spatial Transformation & Sustainability at the SA Local Government Association - SALGA - and Chumile Sali from ASIVIKELANE, an initiative that gives a voice to residents in South Africa's major cities who face severe basic service shortages.

After successful performances in 15 countries over the past 17 years, one of the Philippine's longest running theatre shows is finally making its way to the South African stage. Siddhartha the Musical is set to perform at the Joburg Theatre on the 11th and 12th of May. The already fully booked show will be free to the public. There will, however, be several other performances at various schools in Gauteng. Since its premiere in 2007, the musical has been staged more than 180 times in countries including Singapore, USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to The show's director, Junrey Alayacyac*,Who says the cast is excited to be on South African soil. 

Section 27, Equal Education, and the Legal Resources Centre are urging Parliament to reinstate clauses in the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill to prevent unfair discrimination in language and admissions policies against learners and hinder their access to public schools. The organizations, in a statement, says that the proposed changes by the National Council of Provinces will water down important clauses that entrench proactive oversight powers on the part of provincial education Heads of Departments (HODs). For more on this, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Mila Harding, a legal researcher at Section 27. 

 Israeli officials are increasingly concerned that the International Criminal Court - ICC - is planning to seek arrest warrants for their military and political leaders on suspicion of war crimes. Reports suggest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be among them. The ICC has been investigating Israel's actions in the occupied territories for the past three years and recently the war in Gaza where Israel's retaliatory bombardment has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians. The ICC is also investigating the actions of Hamas for the October 7 attacks in which Hamas-led gunmen killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and seized 253 hostages. Netanyahu has called the prospect of senior Israel figures joining the wanted list "an outrage of historic proportions", accusing the ICC of attempting to paralyse Israel's ability to defend itself. Many analysts say the fact that Netanyahu has chosen to make such harsh public comments suggests that, behind the scenes, such a scenario is being actively discussed. The ICC has previously issued arrest warrants for leaders including Russia's Vladimir Putin, Muammar Gaddafi of Libya and Omar Al Bashir of Sudan. For more on this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Anthoni Van Nieuwkerk, Professor of International Relations at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs.

Registered voters had an extended deadline of MIDNIGHT last night to apply for special votes. The application process was open to voters who can't travel to their voting station on election day because they are physically infirm, disabled or pregnant, or are unable vote at their voting station on election day. The Electoral Commission had earlier distanced itself from a widely circulated message claiming that it had granted permission for everyone over the age of 60 to cast a special vote on 27 and 28 at the polling station where they are registered. For the latest, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to IEC Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo.

Health and safety is an important component of all workplaces and the South African legislation creates certain obligations on employers to create a safe workplace and to report on any injuries during the course and scope of work. The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) has recently had several amendments which will be coming into law shortly. On Wednesday, South Africa celebrated Workers Day highlighting among others unsafe work places and because these amendments IMPACT workers , it is important for employers to understand the details of the amendments, their obligations as employers, and the aim of the legislation. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Biron Madisa, Associate in Employment Law practice at legal firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr - CDH 

The ANC's relationship with its former President Jacob Zuma has been ruptured, according to Zuma's predecessor.  Former president Thabo Mbeki says Zuma has betrayed the liberation movement and must no longer be considered a comrade. Mbeki was in Soshanguve,Tshwane to persuade voters to give the ANC another chance. Zara Groenewald file this report.

The World Food Programme is sounding the alarm that time is running out to prevent starvation in Darfur, Sudan where intensifying clashes around El-Fashir are preventing efforts to deliver life-saving humanitarian aid. In a briefing from Nairobi to Correspondents in New York, WFP Spokesperson for Sudan Leni Kinzli said civilians in the region were already facing devastating levels of food insecurity and hunger due to fighting between the Rapid Support Forces backed by their militias and the Sudanese Armed Forces, exacerbated by bureaucratic hurdles. The U.N. warns that the recent surge in fighting in El-Fashir was undermining efforts to reach at least 1.7 million people amid reports that children were already dying from malnutrition. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

A massive increase in the number of vacant teaching posts should be a significant concern for every parent of a school going learner. This is according to Paul Esterhuizen, CEO of School-Days who also believes that the high number of vacant teaching posts is a self-inflicted one and South Africans need to hold ministers accountable. Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga recently revealed that in the last three years, vacancies in teacher posts had grown 28%, from around 24,000 to more than 31,000, despite unofficial estimations that there are at least 30 000 qualified teachers who are struggling to find employment. The Department of Basic Education has issued an order allowing schools to hire temporary teachers to address the vacancies.  Meanwhile , National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) says government is not doing enough to stimulate the economy and that part of the issue is that the government tends to not act on its commitments.  To discuss this further Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Paul Esterhuizen, CEO of School-Days and Basil Manuel ,  Executive Director at the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) 

The 2024 City Nature Challenge is in full swing THIS WEEKEND during which a series of nature walks and events have been organised throughout the challenge which started on Friday and ends TOMORROW. Originating as a friendly competition between San Francisco and Los Angeles in the US in 2016, the challenge has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, with cities across the globe joining forces to observe and document the natural world in urban environments. 24 South African cities and regions are participating in City Nature Challenge 2024. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Ednah Sekwakwa, Deputy Director for Marketing and Communications at the South African National Biodiversity Institute - SANBI - .

South Africa's journey toward democracy began in the early 1990s with the end of the apartheid era. This era marked a significant shift in the country's political landscape, with the setting aside of racial segregation and acceptance of multiracial democracy. On April 27 1994, the first democratic elections were held after which Nelson Mandela, became the first black president. This election was the first in which citizens of all races were allowed to participate. TODAY marks the 30th anniversary of the democratic elections and in these 30 years, from the euphoria of freedom to the realities of today, the path traversed has been one of triumphs and tribulations, progress and setbacks. Some have described the country's democratic history as two halves: 15 years of progress and development, where life got demonstrably better for the majority of the population and 15 years of democratic and developmental backsliding.  To explore where SA currently stands 30 years after democracy Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to founder member of the UDF and former cabinet minister Valli Moosa and Political Analyst, Sandile Swana.....

Thirty years since the dawn of democracy in South Africa and in a year of national elections, UNICEF South Africa has just released a manifesto calling for children and young people, to be put front and center in the country's development. Under the theme -  'Manifesto for Every Child in South Africa 2024: Time to PROTECT and PRIORITIZE, the manifesto urges government, the private sector, academia and civil society to engage in and strengthen efforts to protect and prioritize children and build a safer, fairer, and better South Africa for every child. Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to  Christine Muhigana, UNICEF South Africa Representative

 Mamelodi Sundowns' search for continental glory came crumbling down LAST night after the they lost 1 -nil against Tunisian giants Esperance in the second leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final played at Loftus Versfelfd Stadium in Pretoria LAST NIGHT. Esperance went into the game with a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg in Tunis last weekend. Esperance will go head-to-head in two legs of the final against two time champions Al Ahly next month. There is however a silver lining for the Brazilians as they have qualified for the World club championship.. Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to Janet Whitton, SAfm Sports Anchor 

As South Africa marks 30 years of Democracy TODAY, SABC News is gearing up to launch a programme dedicated to marking this important milestone. In the build-up to the first episode of the SABC News' Democracy 30 Project, The Weekend View looks at what South Africa looked like in the days leading to 27th April 1994. Despite incidents of violence and bomb blasts in certain parts of the country, police still assured citizens that it was safe to go and vote in the first democratic polls. Speaking to the SABC, then Police Commissioner, Johan van der Merwe, said police had put measures in place to ensure that polling stations and citizens were safe….

The Mayor of New York City Eric Adams has hoisted South Africa's flag at a ceremony marking the 30 years of freedom and democracy in the Big Apple. The event, hosted by the Consulate General of South Africa and the Mayor's Office for International Affairs, saw the country's colours emblazoned in lower Manhattan with music and entertainment that was unmistakably Mzansi. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

Mamelodi Sundowns went down 1-nil against Tunisian giants Esperance in the first leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final played in Tunis LAST NIGHT. The two clubs are battling for a place in the final of the Champions League in a two-legged affair. The return leg will be played at Loftus Versfelfd Stadium in Pretoria, next Friday. On top of that -- Sundowns and Esperance are also fighting for a place in next year's revamped FIFA Club World Cup. Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to  SABC Sports Analyst Mathews Mpete for reflections of the game...........

Tributes continue to pour in for the struggle stalwart Dr Motsoko Pheko who passed away on Friday at the age of 93. The former PAC leader was a renowned lawyer, author theologian, academic and historian.  Dr Pheko served as the party's member of parliament for ten years, and served in different portfolio committees including Foreign Affairs and Safety and Security. President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the passing of the struggle icon. Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to Apa Pooe, Secretary General of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania 

Ahead of South Africa's national elections on the 29th of May, citizens are imploring political parties to make the energy crisis a top priority in their election agenda.  According to a recent survey conducted by Nguvu Collective, 85.5% of respondents chose load shedding as the topmost issue that needs immediate resolution. The survey also revealed that load shedding is a key deterrent for women's economic empowerment. Other issues respondents highlighted were infrastructure, crime,  unemployment and corruption. The findings will be presented to all major political parties ahead of the elections, to urge them to address these issues in their election agenda.  Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to Molebogeng Tema, Nguvu Collective Change leader

The United States rejected a fairly broad consensus in the Security Council on THURSDAY when it vetoed a draft resolution that would have recommended the State of Palestine's full membership to the United Nations. Twelve countries including Russia, France and China backed the measure which drew two abstentions from the United Kingdom and Switzerland. But it was left to Washington's veto to sink any hopes of sending the measure to the General Assembly for further action where the State of Palestine was likely to win the two-thirds majority that would have rubber stamped its accession as the 194th-member state of the global organisation. Sherwin Bryce Pease filed this report and Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to  Professor Chris Landsberg, Director of the Centre for African Diplomacy and Leadeship at the University of Johannesburg and Ricky Mukonza , Associate Professor of Public Affairs at Tshwane University of Technology

The world's largest election got underway in India on YESTERDAY. The election - which will be held in several phases across two months - will see nearly 1 billion eligible voters cast their ballot. It's widely expected incumbent Prime Minister - Narendra Modi - will win but the opposition claims the polls are already not free and fair. Neha Poonia has more from New Delhi. 

Explosions that echoed over the Iranian city of Isfahan YESTERDAY were described as an Israeli attack, but Tehran has been playing down the incident and indicating it has no plans for retaliation - a response that appeared gauged towards averting region-wide war. Iran media reports say 3 drones were shot down. The limited scale of the attack and Iran's muted response both appeared to signal a successful effort by diplomats who have been working round the clock to avert all-out war since an Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel last Saturday. The Friday incident came a day after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps  said it would respond in kind if Israel attacked Iranian nuclear sites, adding that it may also shift its stance on nuclear bombs. Many are asking whether this was really Israel's expected retaliation. Some analysts say this is only the first stage and a trap to test the waters. Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to   David Vestenskov, Director of the Centre for Stabilisation at the Royal Danish Defence College in Copenhagen 

Ahead of World Creativity and Innovation Day TOMORROW, Aware.org,  an organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting the responsible use of alcohol, has unveiled an innovative digital tool called The Drunk Goggles simulator. It is designed to help South Africans understand the dangers of drinking and driving and encourage them to prioritise safety by only driving sober. The simulator uses cutting-edge technology and allows participants to step into reality and see the road through the eyes of a drunk driver. Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to Mokebe Thulo, Head of Brand at Aware.org 

It seems to have become the order of the day for South African political parties to want to become embroiled in workplace issues. This initially gained prominence with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which involved itself in the affairs of two companies, the Calgan Lounge in 2018 and Gordon Road Spar in 2021- and to which the Labour Court took a strong stance. According to law firm, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr , the Gordon Road Spar judgment,  needs to be heeded by employers who are faced with a similar dilemma and who intend to engage the assistance of the court. CDH says when an employer wants to interdict the reach of political parties in the workplace, they will always face the important question of which court to approach. Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to  Asma Cachalia, Director in Employment Law practice at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH)

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has resorted to drastic action to stop the widespread poaching of rhinos in the region. They have started an immediate programme to dehorn hundreds of rhinos in the province's largest rhino reserve. This follows the killing of 325 rhinos in the province last year, with more than 300 of the animals poached in the Hluhluwe-uMfolozi Park alone. The KZN slaughter accounted for nearly 65% of the 499 rhinos killed nationwide in 2023. Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to Musa Mntambo, spokesperson for Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife..

The Umkhonto WeSizwe Party - MKP- has expressed disappointment after the Electoral Commission of South Africa announced that it had approached the Constitutional Court to appeal the Electoral Court ruling, which found former president Jacob Zuma can run for elections despite a 15-month prison sentence. The party has accused the IEC of going out of its way to exclude Zuma from the ballot saying the electoral body is entering political space and becoming a player and an arbiter. The party has also called for the immediate resignation of the IEC Commissioner, Janet Love, for what it says is her ' bias'. Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to Ebrahim Fakir, Consultant and  Election Analyst at the Electoral Institute For Sustainable Democracy In Africa - EISA

Several opposition parties were THIS WEEK left hot under the collar after fellow opposition and DA leader John Steenhuisen labelled some of them as 'popcorn parties' and  ' mercenaries " for campaigning in Western Cape. Parties such as Rise Mzansi, GOOD and ActionSA were not impressed by the comments and had a few unkind words for the DA leader. Steenhuisen's attack on smaller opposition parties comes as some pollsters are suggesting that the DA's majority in the Western Cape is shrinking.  A few days before that Steeinhuisen had also intimated that it may be a possibility that the DA may form a coalition government with the ANC after the May 29 election. The statement left fellow Multi Party Charter members like Freedom Front + fuming accusing the DA of turning it's back on the opposition coalition. In our Sunday Morning Discussion we are looking at these accusations and counter accusations flying within the opposition ranks and to help us understand the dynamics Bongiwe Zwane spoke to politics Professor, Andre Duvenage from North West University and Angelo Fick, Research Director at Auwal Socio-Economic Research Institute.

 There is nothing inherently socially beneficial about taxes. Taxes are the legal codification of a long-standing social norm: that citizens should contribute to the common well-being of the society that they live in. This is according to Dr Sansia Blackmore, a Senior Lecturer at the African Tax Institute at the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. She says  taxes in South Africa are generally not user charges; taxpayers receive fewer goods and services than would be commensurate with the taxes they pay. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr Sansia Blackmore 

Johannesburg will host the third edition of the Africa Business Connect forum in  August of  this year. The forum will bring together local and international companies, investors,  economic development stakeholders, as well as government and institutional representatives. It also aims to be a platform dedicated to the promotion of business opportunities to participants, access to an international network,  investment opportunities, access to financial resources and knowledge sharing. Start ups will also form part of the  participants. We now put the spotlight on their importance. The ninth edition of the African Tech Startups Funding Report, released in January this year , by Disrupt Africa -  reveals a significant decline in funding deals in Africa, with many South African start-ups securing funding in 2023 plummeting to the lowest level in six years. To unpack this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  Babalwa Mlungwana, Director at QUT Consulting and business development professional