First Take SA

The Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) is currently holding its 12th annual symposium, looking at 'State Capture as an obstacle to Democracy in Africa'. The two-day symposium will examine the phenomenon of 'State capture' and its impact on democratic consolidation in Africa. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Prof John Stremlau of the University of Witwatersrand and EISA board member about state capture in the USA and lessons and challenges for sustainable democracy in Africa. She also spoke to Randrara Rakotomalala, Assistant Programme Officer at EISA South Africa about the exploitation of natural resources, The case of the"Rosewood scandal" in Madagascar..

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta was on Tuesday sworn in for a second and final term vowing to unite all Kenyans at a ceremony attended by thousands of jubilant supporters but boycotted by the opposition. His inauguration marked the end of a long drawn out electoral process that has left the country divided. His message was however largely ignored by the opposition who held a parallel rally in the East of the capital, Nairobi, where opposition leader Raila Odinga told his supporters that he will be sworn in next month. Kenyatta won a repeat poll last month with 98% of the vote after the opposition withdrew citing a biased electoral commission. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Independent Researcher and Analyst from Nairobi Nanjala Nyabola

The Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) is currently holding its 12th annual symposium, looking at State Capture as an obstacle to Democracy in Africa'. The two-day symposium will examine the phenomenon of 'State capture' and its impact on democratic consolidation in Africa. The discussion has been motivated in large by recent developments in the South African political context following the release of the 2016 Public Protector's Report entitled 'State of Capture'1 as well as subsequent revelations in the so-called 'Gupta-leaks' emails. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Justice Albie Sachs, an activist, a former judge of the Constitutional Court and one of the guest speakers at EISA's 12th annual symposium

President Jacob Zuma has directed Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba to identify concrete measures to urgently address the South Africa's economic challenges. The directive comes after Standard and Poor's Global Ratings downgraded the country's long-term local currency rating to junk status. Zuma wants Gigaba, the presidential fiscal committee and the National Treasury to look for ways to cut expenditure of around 25 billion rand and create revenue-enhancing measures, including taxes, amounting to about 15 billion rand. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Chief economist at Econometrix, Dr Azar Jammine

The ANC Chief Whip, Jackson Mthembu has called on law enforcement authorities to investigate the allegations of a bribe offered to the evidence leader of parliament's inquiry into Eskom, Advocate Nthuthuzelo Vanara. This follows, reports by weekend papers, that State Security Minister Bongani Bongo allegedly wanted to bribe advocate Vanara in an attempt to derail an inquiry into state capture by the portfolio committee of public enterprises. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to the spokesperson for the ANC Parliamentary Caucus, Nonceba Mhlauli and Eskom Spokesperson, Khulu Phasiwe

The country's top CEOs have vowed to create one hundred thousand jobs in 2018. The CEOs are currently meeting at a Job Summit at Sandton's Maslow Hotel to address the issue of youth unemployment. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Sunil Geness, the President and Director of the Information Technology Association (ITA)

Thirty defaulting municipalities, including Emfuleni in Gauteng and Mangaung in the Free State will have their bulk water supply restricted unless they settle outstanding debts to the Department of Water and Sanitation. The department will also be writing to treasury to ask that money due to these municipalities be withheld until they make some sort of payment arrangement. The department is currently owed ten point seven billion Rand (R10,7 billion). Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Mlimandlela Ndamase, the spokesperson for Water and Sanitation Minister, Nomvula Mokonyane

The country's top CEOs across different sectors will be hosting the Jobs summit in Sandton's Maslow Hotel on monday , to address possible job creation for young people. It's been reported that 700 000 matriculates will graduate, and more than half of them will be unemployed. Benjamin Moshatama spoke to Dennis George, secretary general, the Federation of Unions of South Africa (fedusa)

Time for our Open Mic feature. Today we profile the beautiful voice behind the theme songs on Mzansi Magic's Lockdown, Nelisiwe Phaith Sibiya, self proclaimed Queen of Maskandi. Ronald Phiri spoke to Nelisiwe about how she became the voice of that gripping drama series

Time now for our weekly edition of TRENDSWATCH where we take a look at news that dominated social media this week. Our producer Molebogeng Sebidi