It’s part two of our conversation with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on the benefits of indigenous plants. Dr Nomusa Dlamini takes us through the CSIR processes in terms of how they conduct their research on African medicines and several other South African herbs and formulations.

Guest: Dr Nomusa Dlamini, Principal researcher in agro processing and food cluster & acting manager for the food safety program at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Authorities in the Eastern Cape have expressed concern about the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases at schools. According to the department of education in the province, the number of learners infected so far with Covid-19 is at around 1 341.

Guest: Sihle Mnguni, Acting DDG for Corporate Services: Eastern Cape Department of Education

The people of Zambia have spoken. The Electoral Commission of Zambia announced Hakainde Hichilema’s victory over incumbent President Edgar Lungu earlier today. Hichilema secured a stunning landslide victory as he got 2,810,777 votes against Lungu's 1,814,201. However he has his work cut out for him, as his supporters are looking to him to increase employment and cut out corruption.

Guest: Hilda Akekelwa, Channel Africa correspondent based in Livingstone, Zambia

South Africa has a shortage of organ donors and a lack of education is making the organ transplants list even longer. August is the National Organ Donation Awareness month and campaigns have been launched to educate people about the importance of becoming donors. The Organ Donation Foundation says COVID-19 had an immediate and devastating impact on transplant activity as the infection became more widespread throughout the world with South Africa being the most severely affected in Africa. The shortage has also been further exacerbated by religious and cultural taboos around organ donation.

GUEST: Samantha Nicholls, from the Organ Donor Foundation (ODF), a non-profit and public benefit organization

UIF officials suspended over alleged irregularities in the disbursement of relief funding meant to support businesses and employees during the Covid-19 lockdown have returned to work after their suspensions were lifted this according to acting Commissioner of the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), Advocate Mzie Yawa.

GUEST: Acting Commissioner of the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), Advocate Mzie Yawa

Game Store is offering a 10% discounts to its shoppers who have vaccinated against Covid-19. Game's "Vax Appreciation Wednesdays" campaign will start on the 18th of August, and run until 15 September. For more on the Initiative, we're joined on the line by Ms Katherine Madley, Game Vice President of marketing...

GUEST: Ms Katherine Madley, Game Vice President of Marketing

On Tuesday, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta met with Somali Prime Minister Mohammed Hussein Roble to mend bilateral relations between the two countries. Relations between these two nations have been marred by increasing tensions stemming from security and maritime border disputes. But how genuine was the meeting and what came out of it?

Guest: Abdirizak Osman, Somalian Political science student based in South Africa

Today is the deadline for public comments on constitutional amendments that once approved will make it possible for South Africans to expropriate land without compensation. 

Guest: Dr Mathole Motshekga, Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee to Initiate and Introduce Legislation Amending Section 25 of the Constitution

According to World Health Organisation, air pollution is the third world leading cause of death worldwide. Bringing it home, South Africa should be very worried, particularly because most recently - Johannesburg recorded high levels of air pollution since the start of August and in some parts of the city, air quality levels measured have reached unhealthy and hazardous status. But what causes deterioration of air quality in Johannesburg?

Guest: Nhlanhla Sibisi, Climate and Energy Campaigner @ GreenPeace Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has told the State Capture commission that the ANC's deployment Committee does not get involved in the appointment of Individuals who head state organs. Testifying before the Commission earlier on, President Ramaphosa was questioned about the degree of authority that comes from the ANC's deployment committee in the naming of preferred judges the party wants appointed. In his response, Ramaphosa maintained that appointments were not done by the deployment committee...

Guest: Dr Dale McKinley, who is an Independent Political Analyst