The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) conducted a joint inspection with government in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg. They assessed progress in implementing the directives following the joint report with the Public Protector in July last year, which recommended that government urgently intervene to correct human rights violations in the township.

The report followed the 2019 Alex Shutdown service delivery protests which were on the premise of the failure by Gauteng government to provide human rights such as housing and sanitation and municipal services such as refuse collection. 

GUEST:  Buang Jones - SAHRC provincial manager

On Saturday, thousands took to the streets across the UK calling on government to intervene in the cost of living crisis as they highlighted the impact of soaring bills and taxes on struggling families. The People’s Assembly co-ordinated the demonstrations, supported by trade unions. Joining us to look at the political ramifications of this is…….

Guest: Guest on the line (UK): Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics at the University of Birmingham

Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa’s work visa system is being reviewed. Part of this review includes the potential of a remote working visa which will make it possible for professionals to live and work for a foreign company in South Africa. To explain how this remote work visa will benefit the tourism sector is……

Guest: James Vos, City of Cape Town’s Mayco Member for Economic Growth

Earlier today, small-scale fishers from Steenberg’s Cove and Langebaan picketed outside the Western Cape High Court. This as Searcher Geodata UK Limited Searcher Seismic Australia present their case arguing that the Western Cape High Court must reconsider its earlier decision, which directed Searcher to discontinue any activities related to the seismic survey. This interim interdict is supposed to be in place until the next court date on 7 March, when the merits of the interim interdict would be argued.

Guest: Liz McDaid, Strategic Lead at the Green Connection

The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA) in the Eastern Cape has taken government to court as they are unhappy about the state’s broken promises. The organisation is also complaining about what they term ‘unfair discrimination against traditional leadership by government’.

Guest: Nkosi Mwelo Nonkonyana, Chairperson of Contralesa in the Eastern Cape

SONA REACTION: While the agricultural sector has been consistently complaining about the escalating costs and the increasing difficulty of transporting agricultural goods. Some of them will be pleased following last night’s SONA as President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Transnet is addressing these challenges and is currently focused on improving operational efficiencies at the ports through procuring additional equipment and implementing new systems to reduce congestion. Joining us to react to the president’s SONA address is……

Guest: Thoko Didiza, Minster of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Following the devastating impact of cyclone Batsirai in Madagascar. We learn more about its effects and dangers. Reports coming from Madagascar suggest that the death toll from Cyclone Batsirai is now over 100 while at least 75 thousand people have been displaced.

Guest: Mr Mnikeli Ndabambi, Meteorologist & Executive Manager at the South African Weather Service

When delivering his sixth State of the Nation Address last night, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) will be extended for 12 months. The SRD grant was first introduced in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and government has been using it reduce the effects of the pandemic. Joining us to discuss the SRD extension is…….

Guest: Ambassador Lindiwe Zulu, Minister of Social Development

We hear from Mark Barnes on why he wants to save our ailing state-owned enterprise, Post Office. Barnes is leading a consortium that wants to purchase at least 60% of the SA Post Office as he seeks to turn it around so that it can become a profitable business venture again.

Guest: Mark Barnes, former Post Office CEO

A storm of criticism ensued last week following the JSC interviews that were conducted in order to choose the country’s next Chief Justice. The Judicial Service Commission came under heavy criticism over the line of questioning by some of its members, in terms of how they treated some of the candidates during the interviews. But - is the criticism justified – was there something amiss about the JSC interviews?

Guest: Advocate Paul Hoffman, Director of Accountability Now

Guest: Advocate Dali Mpofu, Spokesperson for the Judicial Service Commission (JSC)