Radio 2000 Mixes

Waste management company Pikitup confirms that the strike is finally over. The commission for conciliation, mediation and arbitration CCMA has also confirmed that it successfully facilitated the settlement agreement. All parties involved are committed to quickly dealing with the waste backlog. Bongi Gwala spoke to Pikitup's Spokesperson Jacky Mashapu....

1. Credit ratings agencies and the threat of a potential downgrade for South Africa remain in the headlines, thanks to widely-reported comments by S&P last week. What were the main messages from them?
2. You speak of rising debt-servicing costs in the event of a sovereign credit rating downgrade. How significant then is the announcement that came out on Friday that Treasury had successfully placed a global bond with international investors?
3. So we understand that a focus on economic growth should be front of mind for every South African, but the SARB finds itself in a very tight spot with its inflation-targeting policy. So far this month we have already seen an increase in petrol prices and electricity costs, but it is food inflation that is really hurting. What should we make of the 34% increase in wheat import duty?

Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa has taken a swipe at religious leaders who are criticising government, saying they should rather pray for the government. This week a delegation of church leaders refused to back down over calls for President Jacob Zuma to resign following the Nkandla scandal. Ramaphosa addressed a church service at Mahwelereng in Limpopo. He was in the area to encourage people to register to vote. Shibu Mamokgere filed this report...

The Public Protector has appeared before parliament for the first time after the Constitutional Court ruling that confirmed that her remedial actions are binding. Last year she received a hostile reception at the committee, especially from ANC members. Today opposition parties demanded that the committee apologise to her. But the ANC was adamant there was no need to apologise. Joseph Mosia reports...

Traditional leaders say they have partnered with different universities in the continent and abroad to ensure that all cultural practices are consistent with the constitution. This came out in their meeting with President Jacob Zuma in Pretoria, yesterday. The meeting was called to discuss the president's address to the National House of Traditional Leaders earlier this year. Ntebo Mokobo reports.

Vantage Gold Fields that owns Lily gold mine in Lows Creek near Barberton has been placed under business rescue. Vantage Gold Fields has been struggling to source funds to assist to drill a new shaft at Lilly gold mine that will help gain access to where its three workers have been trapped two months ago, following a collapse. Vusi Twala reports…

Trade union, Cosatu, has called on the City of Johanneburg's Municipal Manager to intervene in the Pikitup strike. More than 4-thousand SAMWU members downed tools five weeks ago demanding parity pay and the resignation of MD Amanda Nair amongst other things. Noma Bolani reports...

1. Emerging markets snapped two days of losses after oil surged and minutes of last month's Federal Reserve meeting reaffirmed its gradual approach to raising interest rates
2. Fed's Global Concern Signals Barriers to Next Rate Increase
3. Thursday investment theme: The market has become hypersensitive to any sign of weakness in global economic growth

ANC secretary general, Gwede Mantashe says they are sending members of the NEC to meet with branches around the country to engage them on the Constitutional Court judgement on Nkandla. This follows a call by the Sefako Makgato branch in Johannesburg for President Jacob Zuma to step down or face disciplinary action. Bongi Gwala spoke to Secretary General of the African National Congress.

CIVIL organisations are planning mass mobilisation around the country to pressurise President Jacob Zuma to resign. The Unite Against Corruption movement led by some ANC veterans, lchurch leaders, activists, former judges and activists are pushing for President Zuma to be removed from office following a Constitutional Court judgement found that he failed to uphold respect and defend the Constitution. Senior Political Reporter Angela Bolowana reports...