Rivalry and factionalism in the Kingdom of AmaZulu in KZN seems to be heightening as it usually happens in most kingdoms when they battle for the throne. King Misuzulu is meant to undergo a kraal entering ceremony known as “usiko lokubikwa” next week. The ceremony is done before the official coronation. His brother, Prince Simakade  will undergo the same ceremony this weekend. The prince has been against the recognition of Misuzulu as the official king of the Zulu nation by president Ramaphosa. He believes he is the rightful heir. What exactly is usiko lokubikwa, what is its significance and what are the implications of having two parallel ceremonies of this nature in the same family? 

Guest: Dr Gugu Mazibuko, a senior lecturer at the University of Kwazulu-Natal, she is also an expert on Zulu cultural issues. 

Earlier today, the new Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Nomusa Dube-Ncube announced her new provincial cabinet. As was expected, some MECs kept their jobs while some were given the boot. MECs who unfortunately failed to keep their jobs include Kwazi Mshengu (former education MEC) and Jomo Sibiya (former MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works) – so what does this tell us about the political dynamics in the province of KwaZulu-Natal? For more analysis on this, we are joined by…. 

Guest: Lukhona Mnguni, Independent political analyst 

Let’s now speak to Jomo Sibiya, former MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works in KwaZulu-Natal - as it is public knowledge now that he was given the chop. Among other things Sibiya will talk to us about his axing and his next political move……  

Guest: Jomo Sibiya  

Election results are being watched carefully in Kenya with the tallying process currently underway. But it is only fair to say that some political analysts still believe that the race is too close to call. To give us an update in terms of where things are at the moment is SABC’s East Africa Correspondent Sarah Kimani.  

Guest (Kenya): Sarah Kimani, SABC Correspondent based in Kenya  

Some great news for those who can’t stand being added to whatsapp groups without their permission. Whatsapp’s new privacy settings will allow people to exit groups without informing all members. Only the group admins will see that someone they added has left the group. This is part of the company’s effort to improve privacy on its platform. It will also allow people to read messages without the sender knowing. It will also allow people to block screenshots of their messages. A great move from privacy and another opportunity for people to be shady. For more on that, we are now joined by Jan Vermeulen, Editor at MyBroadband. 

Nomusa Dube-Ncube has been sworn in today as the first female Premier of KwaZulu-Natal. Dube-Ncube is replacing Sihle Zikalala who resigned last week. The new premier joins us now to outline her vision for the province of KwaZulu-Natal….. 

Guest: Nomusa Dube-Ncube, new Premier of KwaZulu-Natal

The United Kingdom is planning to have blackouts in January as part of its emergency plan to deal with an energy deficit.

This is a result of gas shortages in the country, caused by below-average temperatures and reduced electricity imports from Norway and France. The UK government has assured its citizens that this plan is for a worst case scenario, however there will be reasonable supply for households and businesses. Is it time Europe starts having honest conversations around the impact of sanctions against Russia? 

Guest: Energy Analyst, Tshepo Kgadima. 

Some of the suspects accused of taking part in the gang rape of 8 women in Krugersdorp have been positively linked to the rape. They were arrested after the rape of 8 women during the shoot of a music video in the area. Some of the suspects appeared at Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court earlier today. So what happened in court today? We are now joined by SABC News reporter, Hasina Gori

In conversation with Fhedzisani Pandelani, the solicitor general in the justice department on the progress made regarding the Marikana related litigations. Earlier on today, Pandelani revealed that the government hopes to conclude all Marikana civil claims by the end of this month. You may recall that the payments to families are related to the week of 16 August 2012, when 44 people were killed during an unprotected strike by workers at Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana, North West.  

Guest: Fhedzisani Pandelani, Solicitor-General at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development  

Frederick Shava, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Zimbabwe is currently visiting South Africa to co-chair the Mid-Term Review of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) (which is currently underway in Pretoria). Shava is meeting with International Relations and Cooperation Minister Dr Naledi Pandor to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations. The two Ministers will also have an opportunity to share information and exchange views on other matters of mutual interest. To explain the significance of Shava’s visit is….. 

Guest: Sophie Mokoena, SABC’s Foreign Editor