Unions in the communications sector want to meet with the SABC following reports that it is on the verge of financial collapse and may struggle to pay staff salaries in the near future. Sunday Times reported yesterday that the SABC may be forced to apply for business rescue after making a loss of more than R1 billion in the financial year that ended in March 2023.

Guest: Communication Workers’ Union General Secretary, Aubrey Tshabalala.

We hear from Professor Abdon Atangana, who was recently awarded the UNESCO-Al Fozan International Prize for his contribution to mathematics. After receiving the award, Atangana encouraged Africans to utilise their skills to develop the African continent. He joins us now to elaborate further on this……

GUEST: Professor Abdon Atangana, Professor of Applied Mathematics in the Institute for Groundwater Studies at the University of the Free State

The community of Langa in Cape Town and the family of a five year old child who was burnt with boiling water are fuming. Five year old Unako Kala was playing with dogs in her street when the woman poured a bucket of boiling water on him. Her family recalls Unako came home screaming with open burn wounds after the incident. A 22 year old woman remains in custody, facing a charge of intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Guest: Yonela Mnyombolo, family spokesperson and aunt to the five year old.

Five trucks were set alight on the N4 near the Waterval Boven Tunnel in Mpumalanga last night. Truck drivers were attacked and robbed of their belongings. We understand that some of the drivers are still traumatised as they spent the cold night in the bushes hiding from their attackers. 

GUEST: Eric Lubisi, SABC News reporter…..

Gabon President Ali Bongo has announced that he will run for re-election next month. Bongo has been in power for 14 years and questions are being asked about his fitness to run the nation, as it is public knowledge that he suffered a stroke in 2018 and has mobility difficulties. So what more can he offer the Gabonese Republic? We find out from …….

GUEST: Dr William Mpofu, Political analyst & Researcher at the Wits Centre for Diversity Studies 

A rare snowfall covered the City of Johannesburg this morning, including the eastern areas of Gauteng, Heidelberg and parts of Vosloorus. The public and small stock farmers are advised that the very cold, wet and windy conditions may pose a risk to livestock, vulnerable crops and plants.

GUEST: Lehlohonolo Thobela, Meteorologist from the South African Weather Services

Today we celebrate two Metro Police officers who were recently awarded the Gold Cross for Bravery. In 2013, both officers foiled a planned armed robbery and almost lost their lives as they suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

GUEST: Constable Quinton Steenberg, Ekurhuleni Metro Police officer

GUEST: Constable Yul Liesering, Ekurhuleni Metro Police officer  

Over 80 community service doctors in Limpopo remain in limbo after they were not placed in hospitals. The doctors were informed by the national department that they had been allocated to Limpopo and were meant to start work on the 1st of July, however they have not been appointed to hospitals. The province has a shortage of doctors, especially in rural hospitals. What is the way forward with regards to these doctors? We’re now joined by Victor Khanyile, Programme manager for HR at the Department of Health.

What should the response be to the issue of young people between the ages of 15 to 24 who cannot be accounted for within the formal education, employment or training? Stats SA reported recently that 3.4 million youth out of the 10.2 million who are unemployed are not at school, and aren’t in any form of training either. The NYDA today held a status of the youth dialogue with the National Planning Commission to discuss ways to bring these young people into the economy. We are now joined by Thulisa Ndlela, NYDA board member.

The African Transformation Movement has written to the Judicial Service Commission, raising concerns about the ConCourt’s delayed judgment on the case of suspended Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane. They are arguing that the undue delay risks rendering the judgment moot and purely academic with no real impact on the injustice faced by Advocate Mkhwebane.

GUEST: Mxolisi Makhubu, ATM Spokesperson