Following multiple deaths at initiation schools in the Eastern Cape. We find out from the department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs in the province if their Risk Adjusted Strategy (RAS) for the season is effective. 

Guest: Mamkeli Ngam, Eastern Cape Cogta Spokesperson

As more people are expected to flock to Durban beaches during this time of the year. We speak to Malcom Canham, the chair of the festive season management committee of Ethekwini Municipality, about what exactly the city will be doing to ensure the safety of thousands of holidaymakers as it is public knowledge that eThekwini metro has been identified as coronavirus hotspot.

Guest: Malcom Canham, the chair of the festive season management committee of Ethekwini Municipality

World News: With Kenya having just celebrated the 58th anniversary of independence – Sarah Kimani helps us understand the country’s political environment, following Raila Odinga’s announcement that he is going to make his fifth bid for Kenya’s presidency in next year’s election.

Guest: Sarah Kimani, SABC East African Correspondent

Legendary South African musician Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse has graced the GQ Cover for January / February 2022 issue. The issue is available digitally now and on shelves this Monday 13th December. Last month, the multi-talented musician also won the Lifetime Achievement Award at GQ Man Of The Year Awards.

GUEST: Molife Kumona, Editor in Chief at GQ South Africa

About 17-million people have so far been fully vaccinated or received one of the two jabs in South Africa. The government is pushing for at least 70 % of the adult population being vaccinated by end of the year. Meanwhile, some of our listeners have raised concerns about some schools reportedly vaccinating children without their parent's permission. A few months ago, government announced vaccination programmes for children between the ages of 12 and 17 against Covid-19.

GUEST: Elijah Mhlanga, Spokesperson for the Department of Basic Education

The ANC in the Free State says it has learnt with disgust the threats levelled on SABC Lesedi FM current Affairs presenters by faceless people accusing them of causing the ANC to lose control of the Metsimaholo and Maluti-A-Phofung municipalities. The ANC says it is such threats on journalists that threatens freedom of speech in a democratic society. The message was sent to one of the Lesedi FM current affairs senior producer threatening that they will kill the presenters, kidnap and rape their children.

GUEST: ANC Freestate Interim Provincial Committee spokesperson, Oupa Khoabane

What is driving in South Africa like? Unpacking the research conducted by Compare the Market Australia which found that South Africa is the fourth worst country in which to drive.

Guest: Ace Ncobo, Former Safety Ambassador

As we observe Human Rights Day, we assess South Africa’s human rights track record during the era of Covid19. According to Amnesty International, Children continue to face significant inequalities and hardship in the public education system and they are also arguing that South Africa is not a safe place to live in.

Guest: Alicia Jooste, Amnesty International South Africa’s Activism Coordinator

Diepkloof community members have taken to the streets again to protest electricity cuts. This after Eskom disconnected electricity to 700 houses in Diepkloof Zone 3, accusing residents of illegal connections. For more on this we’re joined on the line by Mokhele, whose elderly parents have been affected immensely by the electricity cuts.

GUEST: Mokhele, whose elderly parents reside in Diepkloof

World News: 2021 has been a tough year for journalists and this is according to a press freedom monitoring group, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The non-profit organisation has revealed that the number of reporters jailed for executing their work hit a new global record of 293 and this is the sixth year in a row that CPJ has documented record numbers of journalists imprisoned around the world.

Guest: Professor Anton Harber, Executive Director of the Campaign for Free Expression