Today Zimbabwe commemorates 43 years of independence from colonial rule. However, Zimbabwe is always a hotly debated issue due to a number of challenges facing the country and most of those challenges are largely informed by the country’s poor governance practices and economic instability. So – 43 years on - how did things turn so bad for Zimbabwe?

GUEST: Professor David Moore, Research Associate at UJ & Author of Mugabe’s Legacy: Coups, Conspiracies & the Conceits of Power in Zimbabwe   

Former DA member Mbali Ntuli has just launched a non-profit organisation called Ground Work Collective (GWC). Speaking during the launch of the organisation earlier on today, Ntuli said GWC would show citizens how they can empower themselves in their own lives and they will also empower South Africans to effect change themselves and force political parties to be scared of them and their collective power. She joins us now to outline the objectives of her newly formed organisation.

GUEST: Mbali Ntuli, founder & CEO of Ground Work Collective

The department of education in KwaZulu-Natal has assured learners in the province that most schools will soon have food as they are working hard to fix the problem that interrupted the province’s school nutrition programme. This comes after thousands of KZN pupils went hungry after the collapse of the National Schools Nutrition Programme (NSNP) at the start of the second term. To react to this is….

GUEST: Vee Gani, Chairperson of KZN Parents Association

What is Prime Energy Drink, why is it so expensive and why do your children want it? The drink has been promoted in the UK, US and Australia, and now it seems like it has hit our shores in South Africa and can go for anything between R200 and R500 per bottle. It is offered both as a hydration and an energy drink. The frenzy around it by teenagers has led to many schools in different countries banning its sale on school grounds. We’re now joined by Nqobile Ndlovu, Director and founder of sports research company Cash N Sports

Tomorrow, the Mangosuthu University of Technology will honour Icebolethu Group founder, Nomfundo Mcoyi, by dedicating the Faculty of Management Sciences graduation to her in recognition of her contribution to the fields of entrepreneurship and business management. Mcoyi started Icebolethu Funerals about 13 years ago and grew it into Icebolethu Group, which boasts over 130 branches in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the United Kingdom.

GUEST: Nomfundo Mcoyi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Icebolethu Group

The National Prosecuting Authority has dropped the murder charge against Dr Nandipha Magudumana’s father, Zolile Sekeleni. However, he still faces charges of defeating the ends of justice, aiding and abetting a prisoner to escape and fraud. Sekeleni was also granted bail earlier today and has to report to the police station in Port Edward once a week, while his daughter remains in custody. Why was the murder charged dropped? We’re now joined by Free State NPA Spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has recommended the establishment of a multi-agency task team that will fast-track the construction of a new police station in Mariannhill, near Pinetown. You may recall that recently, Mariannhill made headlines due to acts of extreme violence and wanton shootings of people by brazen criminals.

GUEST: Siboniso Duma, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environment Affairs

CEO of the United Nations Global Compact, Sanda Ojiambo is in South Africa this week for the for the continental launch of the Global Africa Business Initiative. Among other things, the initiative seeks to promote economic growth and investment opportunities in different industries including manufacturing, agriculture and finance. It also seeks to align values of businesses with sustainable development goals. Who is this initiative for and how can South African and African businesses partner with it? We’re now joined by Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact.

Explosions and gunfire have been reported in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, today. Almost 100 civilians have reportedly died as fighting continues between Sudan's army and the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. The violence, which began on Saturday was sparked by a disagreement over the integration of the RSF into the military, as part of a transition towards civilian rule. To explain the political dynamics around this complex issue is…..

GUEST: Sabir Ibrahim, Political analyst & consultant: Specialist in Sudan and horn of Africa

There are no record of convicted rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester at Home Affairs. This was revealed by Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi. However, Bester is a South African. The only place apart from Correctional services that has his record is the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital where he was born in 1986. His mother only started registering her children with Home affairs in 2006, however, by then, he had already disappeared. We’re now joined by Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.