The Talking Point is coming to you live from the Vereeniging Civic Theatre, in the Vaal Triangle in Gauteng. The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa will be delivering a lecture in Sharpeville to mark the 23 years of the signing of the Constitution under the theme: "Living the Values and Promises of a Constitutional Order." The signing of the Constitution was assented into law by late former President Nelson Mandela in Sharpeville 23 years ago. The Constitution, a delicately balanced document intended to lay the foundations for a new South Africa as the country rebuilt itself after 40 crippling years of apartheid. Minister Nathi Mthethwa has now taken to the podium to give the keynote address.

guest: Khulu Mbongo – Chairperson of the Vaal Heritage Activist Foundation

Parliament's committee on land expropriation will publish its new draft bill in the government gazette next week. The draft bill to amend Section 25 of the Constitution, deals with expropriation of land without compensation. In a meeting last week (5 December) committee chairperson, Dr Mathole Motshekga, said "the draft bill will open the door for public participation".

GUEST: Dr Mathole Motshekga, Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee charged with amending Section 25 of the Constitution, to consider the specific circumstances for expropriation.

Guest: THOMAS KHUBEKA

Time now for our regular Friday Feature the Friday Wind Down. In the spotlight this Friday morning is acclaimed and controversial South African cartoonist and satirist, Jonathan Shapiro. In November this year Zapiro received France's top cultural accolade at a ceremony in Cape Town, where he was described as "a freedom fighter with strong values of freedom of expression"…

GUEST: South African cartoonist and satirist, Jonathan Shapiro

Time now for our regular Thursday feature Health Talk. This morning we are in conversation with Doctor Simelane to look at all health issues related to women. If you want to get comprehensive, easy-to-understand information on managing certain health conditions, or how to avoid illness and keeping your body in tip-top condition then this is for you.

GUEST: Doctor Mpumi Simelane, who is a gynaecologist and sexologist

We get to understand the ins and outs of running a mining company. Mining is said to be the economic backbone of South Africa’s economy. As many people are taking advantage of opportunities in the sector, we take this moment to speak to someone who is in the thick of things. Where did it all start for them and what were the major challenges?

GUEST: Ellington Nxumalo - CEO and co-founder of Lurco

The City of Johannesburg has a new mayor. The ANC's Johannesburg regional chair Geoff Makhubo will now be calling the shots in City. Makhubo attained 137 votes of the 268 votes, making him the new city mayor. DA's Mayoral committee member for finance, Funzela Ngobeni received 101 while the EFF's regional chair, Musa Novela received 30 votes. Former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba officially left office at the end of November.

GUEST: Parks Tau, Deputy Minister of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), as well as the former Mayor of Johannesburg

The City of Johannesburg has a new mayor. The ANC's Johannesburg regional chair Geoff Makhubo will now be calling the shots in City. Makhubo attained 137 votes of the 268 votes, making him the new city mayor. DA's Mayoral committee member for finance, Funzela Ngobeni received 101 while the EFF's regional chair, Musa Novela received 30 votes. Former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba officially left office at the end of November.

GUEST: Political analyst, Professor Somadoda Fikeni

The Human Sciences Research Council and the China-Africa Institute held a conference on governance and socioeconomic development in China and Africa. The aim was to discuss key issues including building governance capacity, urbanization, industrial development among other things. What are the mutual benefits to both China and Africa?

GUEST: Prof Modimowabarwa Kanyane – Research Director in the Democracy, Governance and Service Delivery programme at the HSRC

The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) is the asset manager for the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) and holder of very large sums of money and public assets. There are some in government and others, like progressive NGO’s, who feel that the PIC holds the key to fixing the country’s debt problem at Eskom and other SOE’s, unlocking investment for job-creation and counter-acting austerity measures by government and big business.

Guest : Nomahlubi Jakuja - SAFTU’s Economic Researcher and Policy

Guest: Tahir Maepa - PSA Deputy General Manager