As we edge closer to the State of the Nation Address tonight, we take opportunity to look back on the legacy of the sixth administration as we focus on the successes and failures of two areas: the economy and foreign policy. 

We are joined by two experts that would help us unpack not only what to expect tonight but the culmination of a five-year term that is coming to an end ahead of an election. We are joined by... 

GUEST(economy): Prof. Carl van Aardt - Professor and Research Director at Unisa’s Bureau of Market Research (head-ups Market Intelligence Research Division)

GUEST: Prof. Anthoni Nieuwkerk - Professor in International Relations and Security at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs (Will only focus on 6th administration wins, will not speculate on SONA)

Guest:  Somadoda Fikeni

A meeting on water billing between eThekwini Municipality, Department Water and Sanitation and the eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement ended with no resolution as inconsistent water meter readings, admission of debts and water allocation were key matters being discussed. Earlier this month, the water infrastructure was under the spotlight as residents in the same Municipality protested due to the lack of access to water and high municipal bills. To share more about their concerns from the perspective of residents who attended this meeting, we are joined by.... 

Guest: Asad Gaffar - Chairman of the

Ethekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement

EFF says all its members of Parliament will not attend the State of the Nation Address (SONA) this evening. This follows an earlier ruling by the Western Cape High Court which dismissed an application by the Party's six MPs including leader Julius Malema to have their suspension interdicted. In a statement that was released earlier today, the party referred to the State of the Nation Address as an extended caucus of the ANC saying that it is undemocratic, and unconstitutional. Joining us to explain the party’s position in relation to SONA is…..

GUEST: Marshall Dlamini, Secretary General of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)

President Cyril Ramaphosa is this evening set to deliver the State of the Nation Address before a joint sitting of the two houses of Parliament in the Cape Town City Hall. This year's address also comes as the country is preparing to hold National and Provincial elections. Joining us to give us a summary of what’s happening in Cape Town, leading up to the President’s address this evening is……

GUEST: Ntebo Mokobo, SABC Senior News reporter…..

GUEST: Bret Herron, Secretary General of the GOOD Party

Pakistan has suspended mobile calls and data services as millions head to the polls to vote in a new government. The country is also on high alert, with a heavy security presence at polling stations across the country. Voting ends at 1700 local time. Strict rules around election coverage - including what can be said about candidates, campaigning and opinion polls - remain in place until 23:59 local time. Yesterday, two bomb explosions near candidates' offices in the Pakistani province of Balochistan killed at least 28 people and wounded dozens. So following these developments, the big question is – will these elections be declared free and fair? We find out from……

GUEST: Thembisa Fakude, Senior Research Fellow at the Africa Asia Dialogues (Afrasid)

It's all systems go and Parliament says it is ready to host SONA this evening. Yesterday, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and NCOP Chairperson Amos Masondo briefed the media on the state of readiness for the State of the Nation Address, and the handover to the seventh administration of a democratic South Africa. Let’s now speak to…..

GUEST: Moloto Mothapo, Parliament’s spokesperson

GUEST: Ntebo Mokobo, SABC Senior News reporter…..

GUEST: Faizal Daniels, National Spokesperson of the People’s Movement for Change

GUEST: Vuyolwethu Zungula, President of the African Transformation Movement (ATM)

GUEST: Kim Silberman, Economist and Fixed Income Strategist

GUEST: Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, co-founder and Deputy Leader of Build One South Africa (BOSA)

Earlier today, a delegation of Border Management Agency officials  met with the United Nations Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Ruvendrini Menikdiwela to discuss how these institutions can use port operations data to manage the movement of persons across borders and how these two institutions can work together to further enhance international as well as humanitarian laws. To tell us more on the outcomes of this meeting, we are joined by...

Guest: Dr Mike Masiapato - Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA)

Sixteen civil society organizations have compiled an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, calling on his government to align their policy outlook with their fiscal implementation ahead of the State of the Nation Address. The group has criticized the President for making pronouncements on social public spending policy given the austerity measures that have impact health, education, employment initiatives, and social welfare since August 2023. To share more on this, we are joined by...  

Guest: Dr Gilad Isaacs, Executive Director at the Institute of Economic Justice (IEJ).