Tourism in South Africa is booming according to the recent numbers released by Statistics South Africa. International tourist arrivals from January to December 2023 totalled 8.5 million, representing a remarkable 48.9% increase when compared with same period in 2022. Of the 8.5 million visitors just over 2 million are from the African continent. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to Department of Tourism Spokesperson, Tasneem Carrim

The Economic Freedom Fighters, EFF say the suspension of its MPs from next week's State of the Nation Address, SONA - is to shield President Cyril Ramaphosa from accountability. This after the Western Cape High Court dismissed an urgent application by the EFF to rescind the suspension of six of its MP's, including leader Julius Malema. Last year, the National Assembly resolved to suspend Malema, his deputy Floyd Shivambu and four other MPs for storming the stage during last year's SONA. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Political Analyst, Dr. Piet Croucamp

The ANC in eThekwini have rubbished claims by the DA insinuating the municipality would fund EFF and ANC rallies in the coming week. This as the two parties are scheduled to launch manifesto rallies ahead of this year's national elections. The ANC is demanding the DA to provide evidence to support their claims. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to ANC eThekwini Spokesperson, Mlondi Mkhize

The South African National Defence Union, SANDU has welcomed the reinstatement of a military recruit who was denied employment due to her HIV status. In 2017, a woman had undergone two years of training before her contracts were cancelled due to her HIV status. The South African National Defence Force re-employed the woman in 2023 after threats of litigation by Section27 and the AIDS Law Project. SANDU's National Secretary Advocate Pikkie Greeff told our Senior Producer Ronald Phiri HIV discrimination persists in the SANDF, despite multiple court judgments...

Thousands of South Africans living abroad have registered to vote in the upcoming national elections. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says nearly 30 000 people, across more than 100 countries globally have registered thus far. But Hayley Reichert, a passionate and committed South African based in London says there are still significant problems with overseas registration and voting. Elvis Presslin spoke to Hayley Reichert about this...

Eleven licensing officials have been arrested for fraud and corruption in Gauteng, the Free State and Mpumalanga. The arrests follow a three year investigation called Operation Catfish. The operation identified examiners who allegedly fraudulently issued drivers licenses and roadworthy certificates at various testing stations. The suspects in the Free State appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates court yesterday. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to the Spokesperson for the Road Traffic Management Corporation, Simon Zwane 

The Democratic Alliance says President Cyril Ramaphosa's administration is to blame for South Africa's drop in a corruption perception index. The latest global ranking of perceptions of corruption shows the country has fallen to its lowest level ever recorded - scoring 41 out of 100. The DA has accused Ramaphosa's administration of being more corrupt than his predecessor, Jacob Zuma. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to DA National Spokesperson, Werner Horn

The International Monetary Fund, IMF has cut its economic-growth forecasts for South Africa. The IMF has cited the country's energy crisis and logistical challenges at its ports and railways. In its World Economic Outlook released yesterday, the Washington-based lender says South Africa will likely grow by a meager 1% this year. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Frank Blackmore, Lead Economist at KPMG South Africa

The South African Heritage Resource Agency, SAHRA have welcomed the suspension of a controversial auction of former President Nelson Mandela's personal items. New York-based Guernsey's auction house announced the suspension on its websites without further explanation. The auction, which was scheduled to take place in February, would have seen 70 personal items belonging to the global Iconic and anti-apartheid being auctioned off. SAHRA's Ben Mwasinga spoke to our Senior Producer Ronald Phiri about some aspects that led to the suspension...

The U.N. Security Council has expressed concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. This amidst the International Court of Justice's recent ruling ordering Israel to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians in its war with Hamas. The Council says there is an urgent need to expand flow of humanitarian aid to civilians in the Gaza strip. Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed South Africa will approach the Council to intervene in the humanitarian crisis. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to Professor Chris Landsberg, Director of the Centre for African Diplomacy and Leadership at the University of Johannesburg...