Following last week’s state visit by the Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara. Last night, President Cyril Ramaphosa when addressing the ANC’s Business Gala Dinner revealed that South Africa and Ivory Coast intend to build a massive chocolate production factory that will benefit both countries, and this will make Africa the centre of global chocolate production and distribution.

Guest: Sakaria Kone, Ambassador of Ivory Coast. 

Following Monday’s announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa that South Africa will now import power from Botswana and Zambia, as part of addressing the country’s energy crisis. The Botswana Power Corporation has welcomed this announcement also stating that they have already commenced negotiations with Eskom to purchase the excess electricity supply in order to ensure that surplus electricity has a secured market. To talk to us about this is…… 

Guest on the line (Botswana): Dineo Seleke, Marketing and Communications Manager for the Botswana Power Corporation

AgriSA is warning that there could still be major challenges in the shipment of imported grain, despite the deal between Russia and Ukraine to reopen Ukraine’s Black Sea ports. The deal is to minimise food insecurity by restoring grain exports from Ukraine and Russia. Agri-SA says the deal is good news, however, it is unlikely that food prices will reach pre-conflict levels anytime soon. 30% of South Africa’s grain is imported from Ukraine. We’re now joined by AgriSA’s Executive Director, Christo van der Rheede. 

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa is carrying is holding its congress. The trade union’s special central committee resolved to convene the congress after a successful interdict by its suspended members at the Johannesburg Labour Court. The union says halting the congress would have had huge financial implications as the venue had already been paid for and delegates had already flown to Cape Town where the congress is taking place. It says suspended members will be allowed to participate in the democratic process of voting and being nominated. 

Guest: Numsa Spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola. 

South Africans can expect some relief at the fuel pumps next month. Yesterday, the ministry of mineral resources and energy released a statement, confirming that there will be a sizeable reduction in fuel prices, including paraffin. According to the Automobile Association, fuel prices for August could be reduced by R1.07 per litre for 93 octane, 90 cents per litre 95 octane, while diesel could drop by around 91 cents per litre. For more on this, we are joined by….. 

Guest: Layton Beard, Spokesperson of the Automobile Association (AA)

Two regions have walked out of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa’s congress in Cape Town. The congress has been marred by delays. It was interdicted by suspended members of the trade union, however, it is going ahead with the congress, citing financial implications. Why did these two regions walk out? We are now joined by SABC News Reporter, Atule Joka.

Former Chairperson of the South African Airways Board, Dudu Myeni has been fined R120 000 for disclosing the identity of a protected witness during her testimony at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. Myeni has entered into a plea agreement with the state.

Guest: Cynthia Stimpel, (whistle-blower) and former group treasurer of SAA

Yesterday, Lesotho director of public prosecutions dropped charges against former Prime minister Thomas Thabane and his wife Maesaiah Thabane over the murder of his ex-wife in 2017. Lead prosecutor Gareth Leppan withdrew the charges because a key witness in the case was no longer available. To furnish us with more details on this, we are joined by…. 

Guest: Rapelang Radebe, SABC Corresponded based in Lesotho 

It never rains by pours for South Africans. The Tyre Importers Association of South Africa has announced it is expecting a massive price hike if the country’s four largest producers of tyres succeed in their duty application on vehicle tyres. The taxi industry will be the hardest hit as taxi tyre prices will increase by 41% while small vehicle tyres will increase by 38-40% and truck and bus tyres by 17%. This will increase the price of public transport, putting poor people under more financial strain. How will the taxi industry deal with this price surge and protect its customers? 

Guest: Theo Malele, Spokesperson for the National Taxi Alliance. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa presented his plan to deal with the power crisis in South Africa. Amongst other things, Ramaphosa announced a plan to diversify sources of power to include renewable energy. Eskom will be buying electricity from independent power producers in the next three months. He also announced a plan to import power from countries in the SADC region. He has also requested proposals for battery storage. His plan has been met with backlash as many feel the president has no permanent solution. What direction should the president have taken? 

Guest: governance expert, Sandile Swana