World News: Lesotho has informed its citizens who have been working in neighbouring countries such as South Africa to get vaccinated before they enter the country. The southern African nation also announced that citizens will also be obligated to present their vaccination cards to gain access to the workplace.

Guest: Rapelang Radebe, SABC Corresponded based in Lesotho

Yesterday, Bongani Baloyi announced that he was resigning from the Democratic Alliance with immediate effect. His resignation came as a shock to the political circles as Baloyi was tipped to become the DA’s Gauteng premier candidate for 2024 national and provincial elections. But what informed his decision?

Guest: Bongani Baloyi, former Midvaal mayor

Chief Executive of the Tourism Business Council of SA, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa recently penned an open letter to the Head of European Union Delegation asking for an urgent briefing meeting to discuss the critical issue of the European Union travel restrictions which remain in place despite the UK having lifted travel restrictions on the basis that “now there is community transmission of Omicron in the UK… a travel ban is now less effective in slowing the incursion of Omicron from abroad”.

Guest: Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa Chief Executive of the Tourism Business Council of SA

Substance abuse and addiction is still rife in Eldorado Park, south of Johannesburg. In 2013, then President Jacob Zuma visited the area when Eldorado Park mother Dereleen James, wrote a letter to Zuma about her struggle with her son's addiction and urged him to help eradicate the escalating drug problem in the township. In response to the famous letter, Zuma and some of his cabinet Ministers paid a visit in 2013, to address the social ills. Ms James has since assisted hundreds of drug addicts, placed them in rehabilitation centres and supported them afterwards. Her son is also drug-free. So what has changed In Eldorado Park, eight years on since the government's intervention back in 2013?

GUEST: Dereleen James, Anti-Drug Activist and Board Member of the Central Drug Authority

The Medical Advisory Council (MAC) on Covid-19 has proposed an immediate end to quarantining and tracing of contacts. In a letter to the health minister, the Council says these Covid measures are no longer viable in the current social and economic climate.

GUEST: Professor Tulio De Oliveira, Virologist and director for Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, UKZN

A senior officer looking into PPE procurement was 'definitely' poisoned - his files and laptop 'removed' after his death according to News24. The publication says police sources confirmed that Lieutenant-General Sindile Mfazi didn't die of Covid-19 this year in July but that he was poisoned. The police have since dismissed the allegations and say the matter is being investigated by a specialised team.

GUEST: Sipho Masondo, News24 Investigative Journalist

Dr Phophi Ramathuba says she is worried about the rising number of trauma-related deaths in Limpopo. According to her, the number of deaths has reached over 5 000, surpassing that of last year at the same period by more than 500. 

Guest: Dr Phophi Ramathuba, MEC for Health in Limpopo

World News: We hear from an organisation that represents South African doctors who studied abroad. In recent months, the South African Internationally Trained Health Professionals Association successfully challenged the HPCSA’s policy guidelines that essentially blocked doctors with qualifications from institutions outside South Africa from working in the country. However, the organisation’s latest concern is the number of non-national doctors, mainly from the continent, being employed in the public service space ahead of local doctors.

Guest: Advocate Rene Govender, legal desk chairperson of the South African Internationally Trained Health Professionals Association (SAITHPA)

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula says there will be no mercy for deadly drunk drivers this December period. Drunk driving is one of the biggest contributing factors to road fatalities, both during the festive season and throughout the year. For more on this, we speak to Caro Smit, Director and Founder of the South Africans Against Drunk Driving, about why drunken driving is so prevalent during this period and whether the easing of alcohol restrictions during level 1 lockdown, will exacerbate the situation...

GUEST: Caro Smit, Director and Founder of the South Africans Against Drunk Driving

Former SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng says he is studying the Judgement ordering him to repay the public broadcaster R11.5m within seven days. This after the South Gauteng High Court declared the payment made to Motsoeneng was unlawful and invalid. The SABC and the SIU approached the court to review and set aside a decision by the former SABC Board to pay Mr Motsoeneng, and to recover financial losses of monies to the tune of 11.5 million Rand. SIU Head Andy Mothibi and SABC Group CEO have welcomed judgment saying this is a continuation of SIU investigations to recover monies lost by the SABC.

GUEST: Mr Kaizer Kganyago, Spokesperson for the Special Investigating Unit (the SIU)