The African Transformation Movement (ATM) says the right to hold public office should only be reserved for native-born citizens. The party's comments follows an article by News24, In which the news site claims that they have seen a leaked intelligence report from the State Security Agency that there is a "high likelihood" that ANC MP Dr. Xiaomei Harvard might be sharing classified information with the Chinese Communist Party. The China-born politician was sworn in as an MP this year to occupy the parliamentary seat of late presidency minister Jackson Mthembu. Another controversial appointment was that of newly-elected Johannesburg mayor Jolidee Matongo, who received extensive criticism for being a son of a Zimbabwean migrant. Matongo is the former MMC for finance in the metro and was elected unopposed to replace Geoff Makhubo, who succumbed to complications related to Covid-19. The ATM say people with dual citizenship or who are not from South Africa shouldn't occupy positions of government as they will be privy to sensitive information and will always have loyalty to their mother country. On today's debate we will explore the contentious issue of "Naturalized citizens in public office".

GUEST: The African Transformation Movement (ATM), Mr Sibusiso Mncwabe

GUEST: Jackie Seroke, the Publicity and Information Secretary of the Pan Africanist Congress (Pac)

The Gauteng City-Region Observatory has launched its 6th Quality of Life survey results today. The results give insights into the overall wellbeing and quality of life of Gauteng residents in 2020/early 2021. The survey covered food security; environment; poverty, inequality and social mobility; GBV and violence; governance; transport; health; migration; access to services; community and social attitudes; and gender.

GUEST: Dr. Gillian Maree, Senior Researcher at the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO)

The City of Cape Town's mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith says master of ceremony Abongile Nzelenzele took no offence at his remarks on pronouncing his surname. JP Smith says he has called and spoken with Abongile and that he personally doesn't think there was any ill intent. Smith's inability to pronounce the surname of the MC, Abongile Nzelenzele has since sparked mixed reactions on social media; some say it was a light hearted joke about someone’s surname but renowned comedian and top comedy ventriloquist, Conrad Koch says "it's just a joke" is how racism works and how we squeeze it through...

GUEST: Mr Conrad Koch, Renowned double International Emmy nominated comedian and top comedy ventriloquist. His most famous puppet, Chester Missing has interviewed most of South Africa's political elite

The Independent Electoral Commission has just published its first quarterly report since the implementation of the Political Party Funding Act. George Mahlangu who is the current head of Political Party Funding at the IEC joins us now to explain how this Act will affect political parties in relation to elections. The Act requires political parties to disclose all donations above 100-thousand rand. 

Guest: Matsobane Nkoko, Manager of Political Party Funding

As we continue with our Political Party Funding discussion, we are now joined by Ongama Mtimka who is going to give us more analysis in terms of the Act and its impact on political parties.

Guest: Political Analyst, Ongama Mtimka

World News: We unpack the Human Rights Watch Report titled “Security Forces Dealt with Them’: Suspicious Killings and Extrajudicial Executions by Egyptian Security Forces.” The report reveals that Egyptian security forces have for years carried out extrajudicial executions, claiming that those killed had been killed in shootouts.

Guest: Ahmed Benchamsi, Director of Communications, Middle East Division @ Human Rights Watch

The Restaurants Association of South Africa, RASA have doubts that the government will be able to impose any sort of policy requiring the industry to demand proof of vaccination. RASA Chief Executive Wendy Alberts says this is because the government fails to even consult with the industry to find solutions to maintaining the integrity of the industry or supporting its sustainability.

Guest: Wendy Alberts, CEO of the Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA)

The iconic Mmabatho Palms Hotel in Mahikeng, North West, which is one of South Africa's oldest casino burned down during the early hours of Wednesday. There were numerous reports of people being trapped in their rooms during the fire; however no fatalities have been reported so far. Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform, Zoleka Capa who was a guest at the hotel had to flee from her room wearing her nightgown. Minister Capa has expressed concerned over the lack of emergency evacuation processes at the Mmabatho Palms Hotel.

GUEST: Ms Zoleka Capa, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform

The North West Health Department has confirmed that a fire has broken out at the Christiana Provincial Hospital. Health department spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane, says no casualties have been reported...

GUEST: North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha

The Democratic Alliance has laid criminal charges against the ANC for failing to pay staff members' their unemployment insurance fund, UIF contributions. This follows claims by disgruntled staff members at Luthuli House that since 2018 the ANC has been deducting UIF contributions from workers but not paying them over to the government.

GUEST: Michael Bagraim, DA’s lawyer

GUEST: Dakota Legoete, ANC spokesperson