Radio 2000 Mixes

The ongoing strike by NEHAWU Parliamentary staff has caused a postponement of the sitting of the National Assembly. Workers say that their current demands do not fall in the two year agreement that was put in place earlier this year. The Union is hopeful management will begin engaging with them soon. We are joined on the line by NEHAWU Chairperson, Sthembiso Tembe for more on this...

President Jacob Zuma has wrapped up his state visit to Germany which is being hailed a success. The president and the German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed a range of issues, including trade and investment, the refugee crisis and climate change. Jack Parrock reports from Berlin

1 Asian stocks fluctuated, with the regional benchmark index trading near the lowest since mid-October, as investors awaited a spate of Chinese data for clues on the extent of the slowdown in the world's second-largest economy
2. Tencent Holdings Ltd. rose in Hong Kong trading after the Internet company posted record third-quarter profit, despite declining economic data on Singles Day
3. Under the hood of South Korea's jobs report Wednesday is a youth unemployment rate so stubbornly high that the government is helping young job seekers look overseas for work, What can we learn?
4. Lonmin blow out as investor dump the share before results

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is to swear in more ministers today. This could affect South African firms facing regulatory woes in Africa's biggest economy, including MTN and Standard Bank. Buhari was elected on an anti-corruption and anti-terrorism ticket in May. So far, he's only installed half his cabinet and some ministers-elect still don't know their portfolios. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to our correspondent in Nigeria, Sophia Adengo.

Gauteng provincial government has lost over 91-million rand due to financial misconduct.These are the findings of the Public Service Commission. Its report, the State of the Public Service in Gauteng 2015, indicates that criminal action instituted against employees is very low. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Gauteng Provincial Government spokesperson, Thabo Masebe

South Africa's urbanisation trends suggest that by 2050 around 80% of the population will live in cities. Cities are the largest contributor to the national economy and their role is becoming increasingly important. The recently-released State of the City Finance report indicates that in the past five years, cities spent a combined 117-billion rand on capital-related projects. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Sithole Mbanga, the CEO of SA Cities Network.

1. The Rand once again reached record levels yesterday, but this did little to boost mining shares. However, elsewhere there was a glimmer of hope for domestic economic growth with the release of the latest manufacturing statistics yesterday. On balance, what is the expectation for the 3rd quarter GDP?
2. With all these negative forces feeding into domestic growth, or rather, the lack thereof, what is your outlook for the final MPC meeting for the year? Will the SARB be the "Grinch that Stole Christmas".
3. We seem to be weighed down by negative news flow, and the heat and drought is not making it any better. Please tell me that there is something positive out there to lift our spirits on this Wednesday

Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi says the use of Mandarin Chinese in public schools from next year will not equate to the colonization of South Africa. He has also dismissed as a myth comments that the introduction of any foreign language will be to the detriment of South African languages. Lesufi was speaking during a debate regarding the teaching of Mandarin in public schools. Tshepo Phagane reports…

The City of Johannesburg has introduced stage two water restrictions. The City said it had to implement the restrictions because of the ongoing drought. Last month, Rand Water issued the Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipalities notification that its supply pipeline servicing the areas was under severe strain.Sakina Kamwendo speaks to Environmental and Infrastructure Member of the mayoral committee , Matshediso Mfikoe.

South Africa's biggest fixed line network Telkom for the first time confirmed that it was in discussions on thea possible acquisition of mobile network Cell C. The confirmation comes in a cautionary announcement to Telkom shareholders. Saudi Arabia's Oger Telecom is Cell C's biggest shareholder, with a 75 per cent stake in the mobile network. Sakina Kamwendo speaks to Jan Vermeulen from MyBroadband