The U.S Supreme Court has ruled that race-based admissions criteria violate the Constitution. We understand that the ruling invalidates admissions plans at Harvard and the University of North Carolina, the nation’s oldest private and public colleges, as both institutions use race as part of their admissions policy. However, President Joe Biden has slammed the decision, saying that the ruling cannot be the last word. To explain how this ruling affects affirmative action policies in the country is….. 

Guest on the line (US): Tricia “CK” Hoffler, Civil rights lawyer & CEO of The CK Hoffler Firm, an Atlanta-based law firm

The ANC Youth League is holding its first leadership conference in eight years today - the last time it held a conference was in 2015, with ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula removing Xola Nqola as the convener of the party youth league task team on the eve of its national conference.

Guest: Samkele Maseko, SABC Political Reporter

Residents in Diepsloot demand the release of the three arrested community leaders amid the Diepsloot protests. Reverend Dithuge Thokwane of the Methodist Church in Diepsloot today went to visit the arrested leaders and will have a community meeting this afternoon at 16:00 on a way forward.

GUEST: Reverend Dithuge Thokwane, one of the community leaders in Diepsloot

There are now reports that the Gauteng health department spent around R115 million to build more hospital wards at Kopanong Hospital in Vereeniging during the Covid-19 pandemic. The project is, however, incomplete because the service provider "could not finish the project".

Guest: Jack Bloom - DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC

The Acting Public Protector, Kholeka Gcaleka has cleared President Cyril Ramaphosa of wrongdoing in relation to the Phala Phala matter, saying that her office could not find evidence showing that the president was actively involved in the day-to-day operations of Phala Phala farm. However, ATM leader Vuyo Zungula says his party is going to challenge the report through a judicial review, as they are not satisfied with its outcomes.

GUEST: Vuyo Zungula, Leader of the African Transformation Movement (ATM)  

The Democratic Alliance has laid a complaint with the Public Protector against ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula and Deputy President, Paul Mashatile. The complaint follows media reports on Media24 alleging Mashatile was living a life of luxury funded by people who benefited from state tenders. The party also says Mbalula was loaned R3 million by the COO of the National Lotteries Commission. We’re now joined by Solly Malatsi, Deputy Federal Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance.

Following the JSC’s recommendation. President Cyril Ramaphosa has decided to suspend Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela who is the presiding judge in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial and Judge Nomonde Mngqibisa-Thusi. Complaints against both judges were lodged in 2020 by Judge President, Dunstan Mlambo, who accused them of delaying judgements.

GUEST: Mvuzo Notyesi, JSC Spokesperson

The Citrus Growers Association of South Africa wants government to intervene in ensuring that the EU’s pest regulations are relaxed as they are making it difficult for them to conduct business with their European counterparts. The organisation is arguing that the current regulations are discriminatory and unjust as they are affecting their industry negatively.

GUEST: Deon Joubert, EU Special Envoy for Market Access at the Citrus Growers Association of South Africa

However, it ran into a legal hurdle because it did not provide for clear regulation on sex work. The department of Justice and correctional services department says the bill has not been abandoned, however, it is in the process of being enhanced because parts of it remain unconstitutional. It says there will still be consultation on issues around regulation. However, the Sisonke National Sex Workers Movement says it has not received any communication from the department about the decision to enhance it. So what has happened so far? We are now joined by Yonela Sinqu, Spokesperson of Sisonke National Sex Workers Movement.

South Africa is currently battling a teenage pregnancy problem. Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, revealed that between April 2021 and March 2022, girls aged 10 to 19 had almost 90 000 pregnancies. Many teenage mom drop out of school due to lack of support and many never go back. There are many interventions to try curb teenage pregnancy, however, there are very few programmes designed to support teenage mothers to ensure they are able to finish school and acquire skills in order to be employable and take care of their children. How can we as a society support teenage mothers?

GUEST: Cwenga Koyana, Co-founder of Thalitha Together, an NGO that provides support to teenage mothers.

GUEST: Elizabeth Muriuki, Founder of Serene Haven Girls Secondary School in Kenya.