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

Time to take a look at the current top African economic stories with 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...

Parents in the Eastern Cape have urged the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education to reconsider a clause in the Basic Education Laws Bill that provides for the possession, consumption, and sale of liquor on school premises during any private or religious function. The committee held public hearings on the bill over the weekend in Komani as part of its three-leg hearings. Teachers have also highlighted their concern with being burdened with the management of learner pregnancies as they are already burdened with teaching responsibilities. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba

Police in Gauteng are investigating the death of a 12-year-old girl who was shot in Westbury, west of Johannesburg. The girl was believed to have been at a friend's birthday party when the suspects began firing shots. On Friday,  National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, revealed that there has been a notable decrease in gang-related crime in the area, since the Ministerial intervention earlier this year. In March, Police Minister, Bheki Cele visited the community, where he announced that he would be deploying a specialized task force for three months. This followed a spate of gang-related shooting incidents which resulted in several deaths, and multiple injuries. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Westbury resident and Community Activist Jefferson Alistair 

The Council for Geoscience has urged the public to be vigilant as there is a likelihood of aftershocks following yesterday's earth tremor. The council says the seismic event was moderately larger with a 4-point-4 magnitude. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to the Manager of Minerals and Energy at the Council for Geoscience, Dr. Taufeeq Dhansay