Trade union, Solidarity says it intends to legally challenge the passing of the National Health Insurance Bill by the National Assembly. The Department of Health says it welcomes the latest developments - however, other stakeholders have voiced concerns over how the NHI will operate in South Africa. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Solidarity, Anton van der Bijl

Deputy President, Paul Mashatile says the government will be implementing targeted programs to empower vulnerable groups in its efforts on land reform and agricultural support. In his address to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mashatile outlined programs in place to address both financial and technical support for emerging farmers as part of fast-tracking the land reform process. Black Agricultural Commodities Federation has welcomed recent government efforts to create more access for emerging black farmers. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Board Member at the Black Agricultural Commodities Federation, Ismail Motala

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) will protest at the Department of Social Development in Pretoria today. The federation says this is part of its ongoing campaigns together with its allies in the working class to fight against austerity, unemployment, the rising cost of living, load shedding, and privatization. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Saftu National Spokesperson Trevor Shaku

Residents in various low-lying areas in Cape Town have been severely affected by an intense cold front that is gripping the Western Cape, bringing with it cold weather conditions and heavy rain. Flooding has been reported at several informal settlements, in areas including Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, and Mfuleni. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to  Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith

The National Assembly has passed the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill paving the way for "universal healthcare" in South Africa. Yesterday 205 MPs voted in favour of the NHI Bill while 125 voted against it. The NHI Bill proposes a withering away of medical schemes over time as they will not be allowed to insure or reimburse members for services offered by the NHI. Now that it is passed, the NHI Bill must be processed by the National Council of Provinces. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to UKZN Head of Public Health Medicine, Schools of Nursing and Public Health, Professor Saloshni Naidu

A group of U.S. lawmakers is calling for a U.S.-Africa trade summit planned for later this year to be moved from South Africa in response to what they say is the country's deepening military relationship with Russia. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other senior officials, they also suggested South Africa is in danger of losing its benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Elvis Presslin spoke to Senior Analyst at Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy, Dr. Mmatlou Kalaba

The ANC has lost its bid to conceal its cadre deployment records. The party approached the Johannesburg High Court with leave to appeal application following a ruling that forced it to provide the Democratic Alliance with records of its deployment committee from 2013. The DA seeks to have cadre deployment declared unconstitutional and illegal by the courts. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to DA leader, John Steenhuisen 

The South African agricultural sector is being warned to prepare and plan as forecasts indicate a higher probability of an El Niño state developing. Scientists say all indications are that Southern Africa should expect to feel the heat of another El Niño spell in a few months to come. The El Niño climate pattern is characterized by drier conditions with less rainfall and warmer weather and can lead to local droughts. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Forecaster at the South African Weather Service Lehlohonolo Thobela

The ANC has rejected comments made by expelled former Secretary General Ace Magashule that he had not received any communication from the party that he provide reasons to the national disciplinary committee why he should not be expelled. Magashule missed the deadline to oppose disciplinary findings against him on charges of misconduct and bringing the party into disrepute. This relates to his unsanctioned attempt to suspend party President Cyril Ramaphosa and his failure to apologize. The ANC National Disciplinary Committee's decision was a result of Magashule missing the deadline. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to Former ANC Member and supporter of Ace Magashule, Carl Niehaus and Political Analyst from the Department of History and Political Studies at Nelson Mandela University, Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast

South Africa could import up to 1000 megawatts of electricity from Mozambique which could see load shedding reduced by one stage in terms of long-term power plans. This comes after South Africa secured 100 megawatts of electricity from Mozambique in the short term. The latest cross-border power purchasing agreement between the two countries is one of the three emergency procurement programs aimed at improving South Africa's energy availability factor which now stands at 60 percent. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to Independent Economic and Energy Expert Tshepo Kgadima