In 2018, South Africa introduced Africa’s first major tax on sugar-sweetened beverages based on grams of sugar. The tax now stands at about 11% of the price per litre. Recent Research shows that excess sugar, particularly in liquid form, is a major cause of obesity and is a risk factor for diseases like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, many common cancers and tooth decay. To tell us more about this study, I am joined by…

Guest: Karen Hofman, Professor and Programme Director, SA MRC Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science – PRICELESS SA (Priority Cost Effective Lessons in Systems Strengthening South Africa), University of the Witwatersrand

guest: Zanele Stole

EFF has opened a criminal case against public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan after he allegedly questioned Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng on Judge Pillay’s performance for a Constitutional Court position (and according to Mogoeng, this happened a few years ago)however the Economic Freedom Fighters are arguing that this can’t be allowed to happen.

Guest: Vuyani Pambo - EFF National Spokesperson

The Good Party is calling for the Western Cape DA leader and MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela to resign from the provincial legislature or be fired by the Western Cape Premier Alan Winde for allegedly lying about his qualifications on his CV.

Guest: Bret Herron – Secretary General of the Good Party

Yesterday, Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize announced that South Africa has decided to suspend giving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as a precautionary measure following the Food and Drug Administration’s decision in the United States to pause the use of the vaccine while very rare blood clot cases are examined.

Guest: Prof Helen Rees - SAHPRA CHAIR

Any teacher found guilty of sexual misconduct will be banned indefinitely from teaching in any South African school. This according to new employment rules from the department of basic education. The new batch of terms and conditions of employment was gazetted last week Friday by Education Minister Angie Motshekga.

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

Today marks ten years since Andries Tatane was shot and killed by police officers during a service delivery protest in Ficksburg in the Free State province. Tatane was a 33-year-old South African citizen who was among four-thousand protesters demanding the delivery of basic services such as water. Seven police officers accused of his murder and assault were acquitted in the Ficksburg Regional Court in March 2013. Tatane's family is yet to recover from their tragic loss
GUEST: Seipati Tatane, who is Andries Tatane's sister

MEC for Community Safety in Mpumalanga, Vusi Shongwe clarifies his controversial comments about land seizure of white farmers. The MEC was reported to have said “the land of white farmers who abuse black farm workers must be confiscated”

Guest: Vusi Shongwe, MEC for Community Safety in Mpumalanga

The scourge of bullying in schools is back in the spotlight. This after a girl from Mbilwi Secondary School, in Sibasa outside Thohoyandou in Limpopo, reportedly committed suicide after a video of her being assaulted by another school girl went viral. Earlier our producers spoke to Limpopo MEC for Education, Polly Boshielo, who is liaising with local authorities to establish whether the girl's death is as a result of the bullying incident.
GUEST: Limpopo MEC for Education, Polly Boshielo

In conversation with MEC for education in KwaZulu-Natal, Kwazi Mshengu about the findings of probe into overcrowded camp. Upon hearing about the conditions of the boot camp last year, the MEC directed the head of department, Dr Enoch Nzama, to conduct an investigation in order to establish as to why dozens of matric pupils were crammed into a tent during a boot camp held in Umzinto on the KZN south coast last year.

Guest: Kwazi Mshengu, MEC for Education in KwaZulu-Natal