Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Planning Monitoring and Evaluation, Buti Manamela has visited the Port of Cape Town to monitor progress on the operation Phakisa oceans economy projects. The programme was launched by President Zuma in July 2014 to maximize the economic potential that the oceans possess by increasing the GDP contribution and increasing employment. What has he found on his visit and when can we feel the benefits?

We debate the appropriateness and feasibility of the proposed National Health Insurance scheme, a system which government says will ensure that everyone has access to appropriate, efficient and quality health services. However, the Free Market Foundation is rejecting it, arguing that given the country’s bleak economic growth forecast and chronic unemployment situation, South Africa simply cannot afford a system of nationalised health-care. What’s your opinion - Does South Africa really need a nationalised healthcare system? To debate this isse, we are joined by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Mr Jasson Ubarch an Economist with the Free Market Foundation.

Discussing, What is it like to be a white person in South Africa today? Gerhard Papenfus talks about what it means being white in South Africa today and he also shares his views and thoughts on whether white people genuinely have a future in this country.

Lawmakers from Aung San Suu Kyi's National League of Democracy were sworn into Myanmar's parliament last week, with enough seats to choose the country's first democratically elected government since the military took power in 1962. The NLD won some 80 percent of elected seats in November's historic vote, catapulting it to power as Myanmar's ruling party after decades of struggle that saw many of its members imprisoned. However, the junta-drafted constitution means the party will have to share power with the army that for years suppressed, often brutally, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and her allies.

Newsmakers and Guest Experts offer their insights and perspectives into the national and global discourse on politics, economics, education, social matters and comprehensive dialogues on cultural diversity and other essential issues of public interest like, poverty alleviation, unemployment rate and health related issues.

We are talking to Gary S Eisenberg, Immigration lawyer at Eisenberg de Saude who has written an opinion piece about how the Department of Home Affairs is not granting foreign parents the right to permanently settle in South Africa. He points out that Section 27(g) of the Immigration Act entitles a foreigner the right to permanent residence in the country on the basis of a South African permanent resident or citizen relative within the first step of kinship (including children and parents). He says regardless of this, Home Affairs has decided to withhold that right from foreign parents and their children. What impact is this having on the affected parties?

Private forensic investigator from intelligence bureau, warns motorists not to use high tech devices to block their number plates to dodge speed cameras and e-tolls. According to him, the devices use either a ‘curtain’ or ‘hood’ to cover the number plates – at the flip of a switch.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has won the Republican Iowa caucus, beating billionaire Donald Trump, while Hillary Clinton claims victory over Bernie Sanders in the Democrat race. It was a close contest with her rival, Senator Bernie Sanders, who declared it a “virtual tie”. Reports from the US say that the race was so close that Democrats flipped coins in some precincts to determine how to award an extra county delegate, a rare but longstanding procedure to break ties. What do these latest developments mean?

Nick Turse shares his thoughts on US military role in Africa. Nick has spent years following the activities on the US military in various parts of the world, particularly Africa. He is particularly seized with the growth of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) on the continent, and the increasing number of its secret missions here. He points out that in 2014 alone AFRICOM conducted an estimated 674 missions in Africa with a range of state militaries – including South Africa’s.

Prof Tim Noakes discusses the benefits of his latest ‘Eat Better South Africa’ campaign, a community programme where men and women are trained on a budget banting eating plan with the goal of promoting a healthy Banting lifestyle in low-income areas.