We continue with our election theme as we have been doing over the past few weeks. Today we hear from the leader of ActionSA, Herman Mashaba who will share his party’s plans to fix South Africa. Among other things, the party has vowed to improve deportation processes related to foreign nationals found guilty of committing crimes in South Africa, as well as undocumented foreign nationals.

GUEST (STUDIO): Herman Mashaba, President of ActionSA

The Election Watch: According to the findings of the African Youth Survey’s ‘Special Report’ that was recently published by the Ichikowitz Family Foundation - nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of young people in South Africa say they are registered to vote. Also what is even more interesting is that this percentage grows to 68 among 22-24 year olds. Among those with a university degree or higher, voter intention climbs further to 72 percent. The 2024 African Youth Survey is the third of its kind to be fielded since the Ichikowitz Foundation launched the initiative five years ago. Joining us to tell us more about the outcomes of this survey is….

GUEST: Reuben Ichikowitz, Trustee of Ichikowitz Family Foundation

The Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union (HAITU) will be boycotting International Nurses Day. International Nurses Day is a day which is meant to celebrate the work that nurses do. It is a day of pride in the profession which is why it is celebrated each year on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth. So, why would a union representing the very people who are meant to be celebrated today choose to boycott the day? 

Rich Sicina, Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union’s President joins me on the line to give answers

GUEST: Rich Sicina, the Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union’s President

Earlier this week we spoke to OUTA about the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill being signed into law.

Now that it is law, the ACT is meant to make consequential changes to legislation, including the Political Party Funding Act, to align with the Electoral Amendment Act, which allows independent candidates to contest national and provincial elections. Yet, it also tinkered with party funding legislation beyond what was needed to bring independent candidates into the fold. On Thursday morning, the National Assembly decided to let the consideration of a motion to address a gap in party funding legislation stand over until next week, pending further consultations between parties.  

My Vote Counts, an organization that emerged out of campaigns by South African civil society, is not happy with this postponement.

Guest: Robyn Pasensie, My Vote Counts

Tomorrow, Equal Education will lead a march to Parliament to demand the prioritisation and realisation of equal and quality education for all learners in the lead-up to the national elections. They are arguing that thirty years into democracy, our education system remains grossly unequal, with countless, predominantly black learners—particularly in rural and township schools—perpetually struggling to access quality education.

GUEST: Athi Zangqa, Equal Education Community leader

Following a revision in the initial worker count. Parliamentary chairperson for Human Settlements Committee, Machwene Semenya is calling for a full-scale investigation into the cause of the George building collapse, saying that those responsible must be held accountable.

GUEST: Machwene Semenya, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements in Parliament

Former Eskom CEO Andre De Ruyter has warned that South Africa’s perceived hostility towards the U.S may have dire financial and economic consequences for the country. Also adding that there is a real perception among very influential policy makers in the US that South Africa is not aligned in its foreign policy with Washington. De Ruyter was the keynote speaker at the PSG Financial Services Annual Conference which commenced yesterday. Is there some truth to what he is saying?

GUEST: Professor Gilbert Khadiagala, Professor of International Relations @Wits and Director of the African Centre for the Study of the United States

As rescue operations continue at the building collapse site on Victoria Street in George. We understand that rescue workers are now searching stairwells and parking areas. To give us the latest on this is….

GUEST: Sagree Chetty, SABC News reporter based in the Western Cape (George)

As we commemorate the 28th anniversary of our constitution. We hear from Ebrahim Fakir about the significance of this document and why it must be respected by all. Earlier on we spoke to AZAPO and they explained why they are against it in its current form.

GUEST: Ebrahim Fakir, Analyst

Innovation Hub: Richard Frost warns that going the digital route when making payments may cost consumers more than they bargained for as tap-to-pay functionality creates the opportunity for fraudsters to steal clients' money. This despite the fact that some believe that contactless payments are faster, more secure and convenient.

GUEST: Richard Frost Head of Consulting: Cyber Security at Armata