Tributes are pouring in for world-renowned jazz musician and opera singer - Sibongile Khumalo. She died from stroke-related complications at the age of 63. The Soweto-born singer - affectionately known as Ma'Mngoma - passed away yesterday. For more on her life, we now speak to one of her close friends, fellow musician Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, legendary South African musician.
GUEST: Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, legendary South African musician

Former minister in the presidency Jackson Mthembu will be replaced as an MP by Dr Xiaomei Havard, a member of the ANC in Gauteng. Meanwhile some South Africans have taken to social media under the hashtag #NoChineseInSAParliament to raise their concerns and frustrations regarding the swearing-in of Dr Harvard, a Chinese national. They say a South African citizen should have been appointed for the position.

Guest: Dr Xiaomei Havard, member of the African National Congress. She is also the Co-President of South Africa-China Famous Female Business Council and the President of the Africa Federation of Chinese Women in Commerce & Industry
GUEST: Professor Dirk Kotze, Who is a professor of political studies at Unisa

What do you make of serious allegations that the government, through the State Security Agency's "Operation Lock", paid apartheid hitman Eugene de Kock R40,000 every month after his parole? The revelations came from testimony at the Zondo Commission by two current State Security Agency spooks "Mr Y" and "Ms K", whose Identities have been protected for obvious reasons. So how does Cosatu feel about the fact that their alliance partner may be supporting the upkeep of De Kock, who once testified before the TRC that he had followed orders from his handlers to bomb Cosatu House.
Guest:

The South African Social Security Agency, SASSA is refuting fake social media misinformation and claims about the expiry of the SASSA-SAPO Card. SASSA says the information has caused wide spread panic among beneficiaries and that this might be one of the reasons they are experiencing overcrowding in local SASSA Offices
GUEST: Sassa spokesperson, Paseka Letsatsi

What do you make of serious allegations that the government, through the State Security Agency's "Operation Lock", paid apartheid hitman Eugene de Kock R40,000 every month after his parole? The revelations came from testimony at the Zondo Commission by two current State Security Agency spooks "Mr Y" and "Ms K", whose Identities have been protected for obvious reasons. So how does Cosatu feel about the fact that their alliance partner may be supporting the upkeep of De Kock, who once testified before the TRC that he had followed orders from his handlers to bomb Cosatu House.
Guest: Thabiso Zulu, KZN corruption whistleblower and friend of slain ANC KZN youth league member Sindiso Magaqa

On Wednesday, the Presiding Officers of Parliament announced that given the current COVID-19 regulations, this year’s State of the Nation Address will be different, with no imbongi (praise singer) and many other activities associated with the event. However, Contralesa is not impressed by Parliament’s decision as they view indigenous South African poetry as conduits of history – they are arguing that the rich oral poetry practice of the African communities of South Africa is being undermined. But how significant is imbongi in our democratic space?
Guest: Kgoshi Mokoena, President of Contralesa

Earlier today, the Independent Electoral Commission assured South Africans that they are ready to implement the Political Party Funding Act that will come into effect on the 1st of April. The commission also revealed that they are currently considering a proposal that was tabled by the EFF to merge local government elections with provincial and national elections.
Guest: George Mahlangu, Chief Executive: Political Party Funding at the Independent Electoral Commission

World News: We speak to Zimbabwean investigative journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono, who was released on bail on Wednesday after spending three weeks in prison. Chin’ono was arrested earlier this month and charged with communicating falsehoods after he tweeted that police had beaten an infant to death while enforcing COVID-19 lockdown regulations.
Guest: Hopewell Chin’ono, Zimbabwean investigative journalist

The department of health says there is no need to cover the coffins of people who died of Covid19 in plastic wraps or mark them with biohazard stickers prior to burial. The department issued a statement following reports it received about the practice of wrapping coffins with plastic. To elaborate further on this, we are joined by….

Guest: Murdock Ramathuba, National Director for Environmental at the Department of Health
Guest: Vuyo Mabindisa, Spokesperson of the South African Funeral Practitioners Association

The family of businessman Shonisani Lethole who died in the Thembisa Hospital last year and the Justice for Shoni campaign are demanding the immediate suspension of the hospital's CEO. The family held a virtual press conference today after Health Ombud, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, released his findings on Lethole's death last year. The Ombud had found that Lethole had received sub-standard care and has recommended that the Gauteng Health department institute a disciplinary inquiry for negligence against 19 staff members, including nurses and doctors. Before his passing, Lethole had tweeted Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, about being starved at the hospital.
GUEST: Patricia Lethole, the mother of businessman Shonisani Lethole