Asian markets are trading lower at this hour, although mainland China's bourses are higher after state media reported a ban on share sales by major shareholders will remain in place until new rules are announced to manage the sale of shares. The ban on share sales by major shareholders was put in place six months ago when the Shanghai Composite sold off around 30 percent in a short period of time. For more markets analyst Clive Ramathibela spoke to Sakina Kamwendo...

The ANC has called for laws to criminalize racism. The governing party today (Tuesday 5 December) laid charges of crimen injuria against several South Africans for racist comments posted on social media. They include economist Chris Hart, Justin van Vuuren, DA member of parliament Mike Waters and Penny Sparrow. The ANC says using influential platforms such as social media to spread racism has the potential to move the country back into the apartheid era. Senior political journalist Amos Phago reports.

Most analysts and economists have warned that the downgrade of Eskom by ratings agencies will hamper growth and will hit consumers hard. This could also mean that electricity prices will go up next quarter as Eskom is due to review its annual tariff increases. Eskom was downgraded by all major ratings agencies last year. But government has warned that it will be tough on state-owned enterprises - especially with regard to corporate governance. Morafe Tabane reports....

The platinum capital of the Bafokeng Kingdom - Phokeng village near Rustenburg in the North West Province is gearing up to host the ANC's 104th anniversary. Thousands of ANC supporters are expected to flock to Rustenburg on Saturday to listen in as President Jacob Zuma delivers the party's January 8 statement at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Members of the ANC National Executive have arrived in the area and begun to engage communities as a build to the weekend's festivities. Sentleeng Lehihi reports…

Opposition parties in the national parliament in Cape Town have lamented the poor performance in matric pass rates in the three former homelands provinces of KwaZulu-Natala, Limpopo and the Eastern Cape. Even the majority party in parliament, the ANC has acknowledged the unfortunate decline as compared to well resourced provinces such Western Cape and Gauteng in particular. Our Senior Reporter in Parliament Abongwe Kobokana has filed this report.

The JSE closed lower, except for the gold mining index, which rose by 6-point-4 percent on the back of a firmer gold price. The JSE's decline came amidst renewed concerns over China's economic slowdown as well as escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Nadir Thokan, analyst at 27four investment speaks to Sakina Kamwendo

Several political parties in parliament say they are worried about the stalemate in the negotiations between South Africa and the US, over the African Growth and Opportunity Act, known as AGOA. Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies says government has made some significant progress on the negotiations despite the failure to meet the deadlines. Some political parties are hopeful that a win-win solution will be achieved soon, while others are critical of what they see as South Africa's poor negotiating skills. Our Reporter in Parliament Abongwe Kobokana compiled this report.

The JSE closed lower, except for the gold mining index, which rose by 6-point-4 percent on the back of a firmer gold price. The JSE's decline came amidst renewed concerns over China's economic slowdown as well as escalating tensions in the Middle East. Markets in the U.S. closed also lower, with the Dow Jones losing 1-point-6 percent -- its worst start to the year since 2008. This, as U.S. manufacturing data weakened unexpectedly in December, which followed weaker-than-expected Chinese manufacturing data. For more on this Sakina Kamwendo spoke to markets analyst, Clive Ramathibela.

Meanwhile, the King's family insists that King Dalindyebo is still the Abathembu king for as long as the certificate of recognition is not withdrawn by government. Fundiswa Mhlekude has more...

It's an anxious wait for thousands of matriculants ahead of the release of their results later today (tuesday 5 January). Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga will officially announce the 2015 Matric results in Midrand, north of Johannesburg at 6pm this evening. The Department of Basic Education has confirmed that the 2015 pass rate has dropped, compared to the previous year. A record number of over 800-thousand Grade 12 learners sat for the 2015 final year exams, 120-thousand more than the previous year. Wisani Makhubele has more......