The supermarket chain Checkers recently launched a cashier-less supermarket. The new automated store does not need cashiers and has no checkout points. Ayabonga Cawe, a development economist, Columnist, MD of Xesibe Holdings and hosts MetroFMTalk on Metro FM says this is a strategy by Checkers not just about reducing labour costs, but primarily gathering more customer data through extensive monitoring and surveillance of customers.

GUEST: Ayabonga Cawe, a development economist, Columnist, MD of Xesibe Holdings and hosts MetroFMTalk on Metro FM

There has been a sharp increase in COVID-19 infections in schools in the Northern Cape, as compared to the previous 3 weeks. The provincial Department of Education recorded 526 new Covid-19 infections, which includes 54 educators, 439 learners and 33 support staff at schools.

GUEST: Northern Cape Education MEC, Zolile Monakali

The Democratic Alliance, DA has revealed its mayoral candidates ahead of the local government elections. Nqaba Bhanga has been announced as the DA's mayoral candidate for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. Other candidates are Geordin Hill-Lewis for the City of Cape Town, Randall Williams for Tshwane, Mpho Phalatse, Johannesburg, and Refiloe Nt'sekhe in Ekurhuleni.

GUEST: John Steenhuisen, MP and Leader of the Democratic Alliance, DA

Former Fees Must Fall activist Bonginkosi Khanyile will remain in custody after his case was postponed to Thursday 26 August for bail application. 31 year old Khanyile is facing five charges; including incitement to commit violence, two for illegal gathering and two charges for not wearing a mask. Khanyile was arrested by Hawks on Friday in one of the higher learning institutions in Johannesburg and was escorted to KwaZulu-Natal where he was detained. But Bonginkosi Khanyile's family believes he was arrested for calling for the release of former President Jacob Zuma. For more on this, we're joined on the line by family spokesperson Philani Nduli...

GUEST: Philani Nduli, spokesperson for Bonginkosi Khanyile's family

On Saturday, Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced that his administration is going to initiate talks about compensation for victims of Gukurahundi massacre that took place in the 80s when Robert Mugabe was in power.

Guest:  Siza Dlodlo, Director of Uloyiko

The HAWKS in the Northern Cape have arrested the acting head of the provincial Department of Health and its Chief Financial Officer. The arrest followed allegations of irregularities of the awarding of Personal Protection Equipment and the contravention of the PFMA - at an estimated amount of 43-million-rand. They are scheduled to appear before the Kimberley Magistrate’s court later today.

Guest: Reginald Witbooi – SABC journalist in Kimberley, Northern Cape

The dismembered body of a female East London student has been found stuffed in a suitcase in Quigney. A homeless person reportedly flagged down police on patrol yesterday morning to inform them that a body had been found in a suitcase. The suitcase contained some of the woman's body parts, while her head was reportedly found in a cupboard in her home

GUEST: Eastern Cape Police spokesperson, Brigadier, Thembinkosi Kinana

GUEST: Mudiwa Albert Chinaire

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, NUMSA Gender Unit as part of Women's Month, today held a discussion on the Gender Wage Gap. Last year Stats SA's Inequality Trends found that women earned on average 30% less than men in the same jobs. Women make up 45% of the work force and yet their salaries are grossly inferior to men. The gender wage gap has now been further exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

GUEST: Ms Ruth Ntlokotse, Second Deputy President at National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, NUMSA

Elijah Mhlanga gives us an update on whether the department of basic education will indeed scrap the October school holidays.

Guest: Elijah Mhlanga, Spokesperson for the department of basic education

On World News today, we look at the impact of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) on Africa’s agricultural sector. CABI scientists have conducted the first comprehensive study on this and they say the invasive species cost Africa’s agricultural sector an estimated R990bn a year.

Guest: Janse Rabie, Head of natural resources at AgriSA