Eswatini has been urged to release pro-democracy members of parliament as part of its independence celebrations today. Two pro-democracy MPs have been languishing in prison since July 2021 on charges of terrorism. Civil and pro-democracy organisations are calling on Eswatini to choose a democratic path by first releasing two jailed MPs as the country marks 55 years of independence from Britain. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to Spokesperson for Lucky Lukhele, Spokesperson for Swaziland Solidarity Network

Petrol prices for both 93 and 95 octane will at midnight increase by a massive R1,71c per litre, diesel by between R2,76c and R2,84c, while illuminating paraffin will increase by R3,70c per litre. The increase will be the highest fuel increase since July last year. Fuel retailers have also urged government to find alternative solutions to the ever increasing fuel prices. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to Automobile Association spokesperson Layton Beard.

The ANC is considering new legal options after the Supreme Court dismissed the party's leave to appeal a cadre deployment ruling. The Appeals court dismissed with cost, the ANC's application to appeal a Gauteng High Court ruling which compels the party to hand over complete records of its national cadre deployment committee to the DA within five days. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to DA spokesperson Solly Malatsi

Suspended Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane says she will be reporting for duty today. In her statement, posted on X - formerly Twitter, Mkhwebane says she informed President Cyril Ramaphosa of her intention to return to work, citing protocol and the expiry of her suspension. Last month, the Section 194 Committee adopted its report following an inquiry into Mkhwebane's fitness for office and recommended her removal to the National Assembly. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Legal expert, Mpumelelo Zikalala

Victor Kgomoeswana, author of Africa Is Open For Business and Africa Bounces Back. Victor is also the Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo gives us the latest African economic stories...

The Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union, HAITU says national Treasury will collapse the public healthcare sector by implementing drastic budget cuts. Treasury's cost-cutting proposals will implement a number of stringent measures to rein in government spending which include a hiring freeze, after a shortfall in revenue collection. HAITU says hospitals are faced with staff shortages and the states refusal to fill vacancies lead to poor patient outcomes. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to HAITU General Secretary, Lerato Mthunzi

 Zimbabwe President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa will be inaugurated today for the second time after the August 23 elections. However opposition parties have disputed the election results accusing ZANU PF of vote rigging. Some Zimbabweans have called for the establishment of a transitional government. Meanwhile Gabon will swear in General Brice Nguema as transitional president today following a military coup just hours after President Ali Bongo's electoral win. Gabon's new military leader has pledged to return the country to democracy, but has refused to provide timelines for fresh elections. To discuss this further, we are joined by Associate Professor of Public Affairs in the Department of Public Management at the Tshwane University of Technology, Professor Ricky Mukonza

Lobby group Afriforum is challenging the "Kill the Boer" chant today in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. The group is appealing against the Equality Court order that found the struggle song does not constitute hate speech. Afriforum say the chant is a clear-cut example of hate speech that it endangers the lives of farmers in South-Africa. For more on today's appeal, we're now joined on the line by Willie Spies, Afriforum's legal representative

President Cyril Ramaphosa says there is no proof that weapons were loaded onto Russia's cargo ship, Lady R last year. Ramaphosa was addressing the nation on the conclusion of a panel investigation into the Lady R vessel which docked at Simonstown Naval Base last year. In May, US ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety accused South Africa of providing arms to Russia in the midst of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. This prompted Ramaphosa to establish an inquiry into Brigety's remarks. President Ramaphosa says the three-member panel - head by retired Judge Phineas Mojapelo, found none of the allegations pertaining to the supply of weapons to Russia to be true. For reaction we caught up with the Democratic Alliance's Shadow Minister of Defence, Kobus Marais.

An acclaimed music teacher and church organist Shadè Jansen is on cloud nine after hearing her original music composition called Chorale and Toccata will be showcased on the world stage and will premiere internationally in New York, US, in September. Prof Theo van Wyk from the University of Pretoria, the first person of colour to earn a doctorate in musicology in South Africa added Shadè's Chorale and Toccata, as part of his new repertoire on the organ recital program that will premiere at The Cathedral Church of St John the Divine on 10 September 2023 in New York.. Elvis Presslin spoke to celebrated organist Prof Theo van Wyk from the University of Pretoria...