A South African man who was held hostage by Al-Qaeda in Mali since 2011 has been freed. This was announced earlier today during a press briefing in Pretoria. Stephen McGown was grabbed in Timbuktu along with Swede Johan Gustafsson and Dutchman Sjaak Rijke, both of whom were subsequently released. McGown has returned to South Africa and been reunited with his family. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Imtiaz Sooliman, chairman of the Gift of the Givers. But first take a listen to State Security Minister David Mahlobo explaining how that no ransom was paid to secure McGown's release...

South African Airways has new CEO. The Finance Ministry has confirmed that SAA's new chief executive officer is Vuyani Jarana. Jarana has headed up Vodacom's enterprise division since 2012 and was previously its Chief Operating Officer. The news of the appointment comes amid reports that SAA has run out of cash and is technically insolvent. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Mayihlome Tshwete, spokesperson for the Finance department.

Parliament's Standing Committee on Finance has decided to launch its own inquiry into in illicit financial flows. This after Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago told the committee that the bank laid charges but prosecutors declined to prosecute. Committee chairperson Yunus Carrim says they want to find out why so few cases are being prosecuted and why no task team's been set up to address the problem. Meanwhile The Hawks and NPA feel that they must be given the time and space to do their work; that pressure should not be placed on them to prosecute. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to the Committee's Chairperson Yunus Carrim

Public Enterprises Minister, Lynne Brown, has asked her personal assistant, Kim Davids to step down following allegations related to the email leaks this week. The latest Gupta leaks reportedly indicate that a number of key appointments around Minister Brown were Gupta associates. Brown says the continuing allegations against Davids could compromise the legitimacy of her office. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to amaBhungane managing partner Sam Sole

A new study by the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development (CCRED) has revealed a worrying low-investment trend among large JSE-listed firms. The research shows the largest 50 companies listed on the JSE expanded their financial reserves to R1.4-trillion by the end of 2016, contradicting arguments that investment in South Africa was being undermined by a lack of savings. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Thando Vilakazi, senior economist at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development

The injured mineworkers, and the widows of 34 miners who died in the Marikana shootings will be receiving a total pay out of one-billion-rand in compensation from government. Since the shooting five years ago, at least 325 claims have been made. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to the Lawyer representing the Marikana victims,Andries Nkome and the President of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), Joseph Mathunjwa.

An economist say It's time to consider help from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to fix South Africa's anemic economic growth. Matthew Kofi Ocran, Professor of Economics at the University of the Western Cape says "the conditions are right for serious consideration of the proposal even though IMF programmes are not very popular with politicians". Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Matthew Kofi Ocran, Professor of Economics at the University of the Western Cape

Comedian Chris Forrest is calling all parents, parents-to-be or just fans of comedy to his side-splitting one-man show, Who's Your Daddy. In this comedy, Chris sheds some light on his experiences of becoming a father. From pregnancy to birth, sleepless nights and shares tips about what really happens and how to deal with it. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Chris Forrest...

The South African Minority Rights Equality Movement has laid criminal charges against EFF leader Julius Malema. This follows Malema's utterances at an EFF event in Durban last weekend, where he said that some Indian people often exploit black people. We speak to Professor at the University of Johannesburg Prof Ashwin Desai

The Gauteng department of education is refuting claims that teaching at about 38 "coloured" schools in Gauteng were disrupted yesterday when teachers embarked on a go-slow in solidarity with a Klipspruit school. Coloured teachers in the south of Joburg allegedly embarked on a go-slow in solidarity with parents of Klipspruit West Secondary. The group of parents from the area allegedly locked the gates and prevented learners from entering the school in protest against the new principal appointment. Parents of Klipspruit West Secondary are allegedly demanding a coloured or Indian be appointed head of the school. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to the Spokesperson of the Gauteng Education Department, Steve Mabona.