Employees in the public sector will go on a full blown strike over a wage dispute with the government. The strike will start on the 22nd of February, the same day Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana will be presenting the budget speech. Public sector unions representing about one million workers made an announcement earlier today. They say this is a bid to intensify the fight against government’s implementation of a 3% wage increase.

Guest: Khaya Sodidi, General Secretary of the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa replied to the two-day SONA debate that took place on Tuesday and yesterday. Among many issues he addressed, is the energy crisis. He defended the decision to appoint a minister of electricity in the presidency and said South Africa will have mixed power sources, including coal, nuclear and renewable energy. He also said he is considering deputy president, David Mabuza’s resignation. For more on that, we’re now joined by SABC News Parliamentary Correspondent, Mercedes Besent

Earlier on today, members of Economic Freedom Fighters stormed the Tshwane Mayoral office to demand the removal of political staff and mayoral committee members as they believe that Randall Williams’s recent resignation means that his political staff and mayoral committee members were no longer needed to run the City of Tshwane.

GUEST: Obakeng Ramabodu, EFF Tshwane Regional Chairperson

Jordan Griffiths was there when EFF members stormed the Tshwane council offices and he joins us now to tell his side of the story in terms of what transpired earlier on.

GUEST: Jordan Griffiths, Chief of Staff in the office of the Executive Mayor

World News: International Finance analyst, Dr Terfa Abraham helps us understand the ongoing cash crisis in Nigeria. Recently, violent protests erupted in Nigeria over the scarcity of cash since the central bank started to swap old naira currency for new notes. However earlier on today, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari defended the Central Bank’s decision, appealing for an end to violent protests.

GUEST: Dr Terfa Abraham, Economist & International Finance analyst

As South Africa’s inflation reaches a 14 year high, the Competition Commission is launching an inquiry into prices in the fresh produce industry. It will look into market conditions in the supply chain across the country, looking for price fixing or uncompetitive behaviour. Concerns were raised around fresh produce prices during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. The commission published a study in 2021 showing trends that raised red flags.

Guest: Competition Commission spokesperson, Sipho Ngwema

its role in tackling energy crisis in the country. Silicon Energy Technology is an innovative project that was established in 2019 and it is aimed at providing commercialized energy solutions at affordable and economically catered prices. But how did he get here and how challenging was it for him to start this kind of business?

GUEST: Kwanda Jakalase Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Silicon Energy Technology

Some bad news for workers in the communications industry. Telkom has announced a plan to retrench about 1800 workers. The company says it will enter a formal consultation process with all affected parties in terms of section 189 of the Labour Relations Act, regarding the restructuring of certain operations. The post office also says it needs to retrench about 3000 workers in order to stay sustainable. CEO Nomkhitha Mona says 1,700 employees have already left the SOE by taking voluntary severance packages. We are now joined by Aubrey Tshabalala, Communication Workers Union’s General Secretary.

Trade Union Solidarity has decided to approach the court to have the state of disaster over energy crisis declared unlawful as they argue that it doesn’t meet the definition of a disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act.

GUEST: Anton van der Bijl, Deputy CEO for Trade Union Solidarity

uMnsunduzi Municipality is currently working on a policy document that will cater for the needs of military veterans. The new policy will assist in providing jobs for ex-combatants in places where they are employable by virtue of their skills.

GUEST: Lulamile Mapholoba, Municipal Manager at Umsunduzi Municipality