For many years private business have been calling on government to allow them access to the rail infrastructure. James Holley, who is Chief Executive of independent rail operator Traxtion’s says that giving third-party operators access to the rail network would not only enable more efficient freight movements within the country, but unlock potential new export markets by providing capacity to freight goods to ports and the rest of the continent. Let’s get his views now and also find out how his call is being received so far….

Guest: James Holley - Chief Executive of Traxtion, an independent rail operator

The Department of Health in partnership with Pfizer have embarked on an immunisation and child health catch up drive.

Guest: Ntombi Mazibuko - Child Health Consultant- UNICEF

Health experts say what is most important and desired is a COVID19 vaccine that can alleviate pressure from the health care system. Ideally, a drug like the Johnson & Johnson vaccine which protects against severe disease to help decrease the number of hospitalisations and deaths. There is concern over vaccines with lower protection against mild to moderate infections because the time-off needed to recover places a burden on the economy. Mt colleague Stephen Grootes spoke to Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize this morning…

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Guest: Prof Barry Schoub - Chair Of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Vaccines

The highly publicised meeting between EFF leader Julius Malema and former President Jacob Zuma at Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal ended without any of the two parties revealing details of the discussions. Malema and his entourage arrived in a helicopter at Nkandla at around midday. He was accompanied by former EFF national chairperson advocate Dali Mpofu, ANC Ekurhuleni regional chairperson Mzwandile Masina and ANC National executive member Tony Yengeni.

Guest: Samekele Maseko – SABC Political journalist (Covered the story outside Nkandla)
Guest: Steven Friedman is Professor of Political Studies at the University of Johannesburg

The Centre for Social Development in Africa has released their report which has revealed among other findings that there was mixed knowledge about the National Minimum Wage in the domestic worker sector MW. Most employers knew of its existence but were not clear on the level it was set at and what the temporary exclusions meant. Surprisingly in the agriculture sector, both employers and farm workers were more knowledgeable about it. We focus now on the domestic worker side to find out why there’s less knowledge about the national minimum wage as we welcome
Guest: Senzele Mthembu – Researcher at the Centre for Social Development in Africa
Guest: Pinky Mashiane – Founder and President of the United Workers of South Africa

A man has been taken into custody during protest action at Fish Hoek Beach in the Cape Peninsula. One of the organisers of the "We Are More" movement allegedly ripped a journalist's mask from her face, saying he could not hear her. Corbin August reports…..
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LINK: Meanwhile, Protesting pastors from various churches in Cape Town handed over a memorandum of demands to a representative from the office of the president. Their march to parliament was stopped several metres away from the main gates. Police told them that in term of the level 3 lockdown regulations gatherings are not allowed. The group of about 100 pastors later handed over the memorandum in which they demand among others an end to the closing of churches. To tell us more on this and what else they are demanding, we are joined on the line by….
Guest: Apostle Siniko Nxesi – Pastor at Kingdom of God Ministries (He’s also calling for pastors to be declared essential workers as many of them are fined for bridging lockdown rules while performing their duties in communities)

The South African Human Rights Commissioner Chris Nissen, wrapped up his two-day visit to the troubled northern areas in Port Elizabeth. The region has seen a spate of gang-related murders and several incidents of gender-based violence. Community members appealed to the HRC for intervention. Let’s speak now to one of the community members behind the request for the HRC to visit the area to find out how the engagement went as we welcome…..

Guest: Christian Martin – Khoisan activist and ANC MPL in the Eastern Cape Legislature

Yesterday (Thursday) the Constitutional Court confirmed that sections of the RICA Act are unconstitutional. This after Investigative Journalism unit Amabhungane obtained a declaration in the High Court in Johannesburg that six orders of the Act were unlawful. The Act allows for individual or mass surveillance to be conducted, even without the knowledge of those targeted. The case was taken to court after it emerged that journalists were put under surveillance under false pretences.

Guest: Ziyanda Ngcobo - Legal expert

The South African Civil Aviation Authority says is has seen an increase in air crashes in the country. They attribute the rise in air crashes to non-adherence to the sector's safety strategy. Should we be worried as members of the public? Also what kind of air craft are they talking about and which safety regulations are they flouting?

Guest: Poppy Khoza – CEO of the South African Civil Aviation Authority

There's been mixed reaction from political parties to former President Jacob Zuma's decision to defy the Constitutional Court order to appear before the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. On Monday, Zuma vowed not to co-operate with the commission, despite last week's ruling by the Apex Court compelling him to do so. Nomalizo Mandela has more....
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LINK: Let’s get the perspective now of one of the party’s elder to get a sense of how they read the situation and what this does to worsen the already damaged image of the ANC as we welcome…
Guest: Mavuso Msimang, ANC veteran member and member of the ANC Elders group