Co-operative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has tabled his budget vote in Parliament, promising stronger interventions to rescue struggling municipalities. The move comes as just 41 out of South Africa’s 257 municipalities have managed to achieve clean audits — highlighting the deep crisis in local government. 

GUEST: Velenkosini Hlabisa, Minister of COGTA

Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has unveiled a major funding boost for women entrepreneurs. Launched in Kimberley, the Imbali For Her Programme channels nearly R900 million into supporting and growing women-owned businesses across the country. 

Nthabeleng Mokitimi-Dlamini, Group Executive: Ecosystem and Stakeholder management at sedfa 

The African National Congress has dissolved its Eastern Cape Provincial Executive Committee after a failed provincial conference and a court interdict threw the party’s internal processes into turmoil — deepening divisions in one of the ANC’s key strongholds. 

GUEST: Ongama Mtimka, Acting Director of the RaymondMahlaba Centre for governance and leadership at Nelson Mandela University and Political Analyst 

The National Consumer Commission believes budget airline FlySafair may have broken the Consumer Protection Act by allegedly overbooking flights. The matter has now been escalated to the National Consumer Tribunal — raising serious questions about passenger rights and airline accountability. 

GUEST: Hardin Ratshisusu, Acting Commissioner of the National Consumer Commission 

Johannesburg City Councillor for Weltevreden Park, David Brand speaks to Joanne Joseph about power challenges that the community has had over the past six days with City Power unable to restore electricity supply to the area. 

Guest: David Brand: Ward Counsellor Weltevreden Park

Women in Cape Town who use public transport fear being victimised during they daily commute to workplaces and home. Joanne Joseph speaks to Prof Marianne Vanderschuren: from the Centre for Transport Studies at the University of Cape Town, who was part of the study.

Guest: Prof Marianne Vanderschuren: from the Centre for Transport Studies at the University of Cape Town

Communities living alongside mines say they are paying the price for South Africa’s mining economy — with rising social problems, environmental damage, and little support from the government. Residents, together with civil society groups, say they’ve repeatedly raised concerns about the impact mining is having on their lives, from poor living conditions to health and safety issues. But despite writing to Parliament and calling for intervention, they say they’re being ignored. The group Mining Affected Communities United in Action warns that many communities are hitting a brick wall in their fight to be heard. So tonight we ask: who is really protecting the people living in the shadow of the mines? 

Guest: Sabelo Mnguni, MACUA National Coordinator 

Yesterday, we received a voice note from a listener who said a minor mistake from his youth is still haunting him years later. Despite trying to have the offence expunged from his criminal record, he’s battling to get answers and struggling to move on with his life. In a country where jobs are already scarce, a criminal record — even for a minor offence — can shut doors before you’ve even had a chance to explain yourself. And for many people, the frustration is made worse by a system that’s difficult to navigate, with little communication and long delays.

So we ask: how easy is it really to clear your name and get a second chance in South Africa?

Guest: Liana Nieuwoudt: Legal Administration Officer at the Justice Department

Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating explosive allegations of corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system has once again asked for more time to complete its work — this time, a sixth extension. National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has approved the request, giving the committee until the 12th of June to submit its draft report. The repeated delays are raising questions about just how deep and complex these allegations run — and whether South Africans will finally get answers about corruption claims involving some of the country’s key law enforcement and justice institutions. 

Guest: Dereleen James, ActionSA Member of the AdHoc Committee  

Air travel is stressful enough without landing to find your luggage cracked open, damaged, or worse — items missing. After travelling last week, our team experienced exactly that.  And for everyone affected, reporting the damage turned into a frustrating process of forms, queues, and complaints. So tonight we ask: are airlines and airports doing enough to protect passengers’ baggage — and who takes responsibility when things go wrong? 

Guest: Trudi Broekman, Consumer Right Attorney