Good news for SA tourism as international tourist arrivals from January to November this year totalled 7.6 million, representing a remarkable 51.8% increase when compared with the same period last year. During the first 11 months of 2023, South Africa welcomed more than five million visitors from the rest of Africa, marking a significant 75.5% of all arrivals, compared to the same period in 2022. Zimbabwe and Kenya stood out for their remarkable growth. For more on what makes the continent’s tourism tick, we are joined by ……

GUEST: Mmatsatsi Ramawela, Chapter President of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism Southern Africa (IIPTSA)

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has begun to announce the results of general elections marred by chaotic organisation and credibility concerns. Electoral authorities have announced the results of voting by diaspora Congolese in South Africa, the United States, Canada, Belgium and France ahead of the release of the full outcome on Saturday. The votes which represent a small proportion of the electorate, showed President Felix Tshisekedi with a sizeable lead over his opposition rivals. Voters also cast their ballots to choose the next crop of national and regional lawmakers, and local councilors. For more analysis on what has transpired so far, we are joined by……

GUEST: Nixon Katembo, African affairs commentor who also works for Channel Africa

The University of Cape Town has received a R200 million donation from the Donald Gordon Foundation (DGF), marking a transformative leap for the university's Neuroscience Institute. This substantial contribution is set to accelerate innovative neuroscience research in Africa and on a global scale.   

Guest: Professor Graham Fieggen, UCT’s director of the Neuroscience Institute

KwaLisa Soulfood owner Nwabisa Lisa

Earlier on today, Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga released the mid-term festive season campaign statistics at the Villiers toll plaza in Mpumalanga. According to her, 719 fatalities have been recorded in the first three weeks of the festive season compared with 751 in the same period last year. the top five infringements were speeding, driving without fastened seatbelts which accounted, driving without a driving licence, unlicensed vehicles, and driving vehicles with smooth tyres. Minister Chikunga joins us now, to elaborate further on this…….

GUEST: Sindisiwe Chikunga, Minister of Transport 

A memorial service for singer Zahara, real name Bulelwa Mkutukana, who passed away on December 11, is currently underway at the East London International Convention Centre.

The Loliwe hitmaker died after suffering from a short illness. Her funeral will take place tomorrow (23, December) at the East London International Convention Center, in the Eastern Cape) at 10:00 am. 

We are joined on the line by SABC journalist Sidima Mfeku who is covering proceedings at the service….

The Global Community Miners Forum which advocates for artisanal mining, has expressed concerns about governments that resort to militaristic and law enforcement tactics to address issues within mining communities. They say such approaches only escalate the criminalization of miners, resulting in the loss of employment for millions, which in turn breeds poverty and hunger. South Africa is one of the countries that is using soldiers to stop illegal mining.  

GUEST (Kenya): Matt Hales, Co- Chairman at the Global Community Miners Forum (GCMF)

The ANC has initiated legal proceedings against the Umkhonto Wesizwe Party (MK Party) over allegations of trademark infringement. The party alleges that the MK party’s use of a logo and name strikingly similar to their own, without obtaining prior authorization, constitutes a violation of the Trademarks Act. So how does an entity acquire rights in as far as trademark is concerned and what remedies are available for anyone who believes their intellectual property is infringed and what should an entity do if they want to use an intellectual property that belongs to another entity? For more on this, we are joined by…..

GUEST: Piet Tibane, from Morakile Tibane Attorneys Inc.

A wildfire continues to blaze along the slopes of Simon's Town for a third day. So far, 450 hectares of land have been burned along the south of Cape Town since the fire broke out on Tuesday as firefighters battle to contain the fire away from residential areas. This morning, 19 fire engines were operational in the Murdock Valley, Miller's Point, and Plateau Road as residents were evacuated. To give us an update, we are joined by...

Guest: Jermaine Carlese -  Spokesperson of the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service

Guest: Trevor Abrahams - Managing Director of Working On Fire

The National Consumer Council is working alongside the Asset Forfeiture Unit at the National Prosecuting Authority and has obtained a preservation order on two bank accounts, one linked to the travel business, Priority Escapes, and one linked to Mr. Francois Swart. The NCC has found that Francois Swart and Priority Escapes violated section 47 of the Consumer Protection Act. and set to serve Swart with a summons to the National Consumer Tribunal. To tell us more about how it investigates these travel agencies and what the public needs to know if they suspect a business, we are joined by....

Guest: Thezi Mabuza - Acting Commissioner at the National Consumer Commission