Recently, the court of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) ordered suspension of the eight-nation body's sanctions against Mali, imposed in January after the junta delayed elections. Now it has emerged that the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) is considering lifting sanctions in Mali if a compromise is quickly found on the duration of the transition.

Guest: Izak Khomo, African affairs analyst & former Producer of Spot Light Africa @Channel Africa

In one of the most controversial incidents in Academy Awards history, Will Smith stormed the stage and slapped Chris Rock after the host made a joke about wife Jada Pinkett Smith's hair loss. Jada sufferes from a condition called Alopecia. 

Alopecia is a condition that largely affects  women of African descent. It has been reported since the late 1960s and was previously referred to as ‘hot comb alopecia’ because it was thought to be related to the use of hot combs for straightening hair.  Alopecia is a long-term chronic inflammatory condition which affects hair follicles and leads to hair loss. Unlike male or female pattern hair loss, which tends to develop in a typical pattern, alopecia areata causes patches of hair loss while alopecia totalis causes complete hair loss on the scalp.  

GUEST: Professor Ncoza Dlova - UKZN’s Dean of Clinical Medicine, and Head of Dermatology 

The Inyanda National Land Movement led a march to the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) offices in Bisho, Eastern Cape, today. The march also launched a campaign to respond to the poor provision of water, unsafe drinking water, lack of a water supply for small scale farmers and deteriorating water infrastructure in the province. The movement also raised an issue about racial disparities in the distribution and supply of clean drinking water and agricultural water. Saying that rural black households and small scale farmers face dire water shortages and do not benefit from a more equitable distribution of water for household and farming purposes; while some commercial farmers are hoarding agricultural water supplies, jeopardising the livelihoods, food sovereignty and food production of small scale farmers. 

GUESTS: Andile Mapisa – Small Scale Farmer and Secretary General for the Inyanda National Land Movement

guest: Pule Mabe

The Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has decided to join the Commission on Khoi-San matters as they kickstart a series of education and awareness campaigns on the application for recognition of Khoi-San communities. The application process will commence on Thursday this week, enabling communities that meet the Act's criteria to submit a detailed written application to the Commission. For more on this, we are joined by….

Guest: Obed Bapela, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

On Human Rights Day we covered a story about the violent clashes between two foreign national groups from Zimbabwe and Lesotho in Robertson in the Western Cape. It was alleged that Zimbabweans are taking jobs from Lesotho nationals on local farms.  The situation is not getting any better in that part of the country. Instead, the violence has spread to a nearby informal settlement in Zwelitsha, Bredasdorp where hundreds of foreign nationals have been displaced, their houses destroyed and they are now seeking refuge at a local community hall and a mosque. The South African Human Rights Commission has been assisting in mediation talks; and SAHRC Commissioner, Chris Nissen says they are investigating possibilities that the conflict in Zwelitsha emanated from last week’s clashes between Lesotho and Zimbabwean nationals in Robertson near Worcester.

GUEST: Chris Nissen - South African Human Rights Commissioner 

The African Transformation Movement (ATM)’s urgent court application to have its motion of no confidence in President Cyril Ramaphosa held in secret has been struck off the roll. This means that Wednesday’s motion of no confidence in Ramaphosa will take place openly and not through a secret ballot. National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has welcomed the Western Cape High Court’s ruling striking from the roll the ATM’s case for a lack of urgency. The Speaker previously declined the ATM’s request for a secret ballot on two separate occasions.

Guest: Dr Metji Makgoba - Independent Political Analyst

Team South Africa, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently in Dubai showcasing the country’s strengths, investment opportunities to potential investors and to attract and secure investments in key priority sectors. Brand South Africa will also use this event to highlight the importance of using the global stage to promote and positively position the South African Nation brand.

Guest : Thandi Tobias-Pokolo, Chairperson of Brand SA

City of Johannesburg Environment Infrastructure Service Department MMC, Councillor Michael Sun gives us an update on what’s been happening in relation to a fire that has been witnessed in an underground tunnel in the Johannesburg CBD.

Guest: Michael Sun, City of Johannesburg Environment Infrastructure Service Department MMC Councillor

The department of home affairs has applauded the arrest of the foreign criminal who has been manufacturing fake passports and distributing them to undocumented immigrants. The suspect is understood to have had operatives across the country, working at Home Affairs departments. To give us more details in terms of what went down during last night’s sting operation is……

Guest: Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Home Affairs