World News: We hear from Mark Klusener on why Turkey's competition authority has decided to open an investigation into WhatsApp over a new policy update that requires users to share more data with its parent company, Facebook. This move has been widely criticised by the international community
Guest on the line (Turkey): Mark Klusener, Executive Producer for TRT World News in Turkey

Popular messaging app WhatsApp has received mass criticism from users for updating its privacy policy. The new terms compel its some two billion users to agree to share their data, such as their personal information and location, with its parent company Facebook and its subsidiaries. The decision has since seen users moving to rival messaging Apps such as Signal and Telegram.
GUEST: Advocate Pansy Tlakula, Chairperson of the Information Regulator of South Africa

The cash-strapped Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape says it needs urgent government financial assistance. This after the municipality announced that it would be unable to pay salaries of workers, councillors and traditional leaders for the months of February, April, May and June. 1 641 municipal workers and 56 councillors and traditional leaders serving in the council will be affected.
GUEST: Abongile Janjies, SABC reporter in the Eastern Cape

Some doctors across the UK have been vaccinated against the Covid-19. But some of the locals there are still hesitant to get vaccinated due to mounting fears and panic on the side effects of Covid vaccines. This afternoon we will speak to a UK-based doctor, Dr. Craig Oranmore-Brown, one of the frontline health and care staff who were recently vaccinated against Covid19...
GUEST: Dr. Craig Oranmore-Brown, UK-based Specialist critical care physician

The ANC wants a review of laws surrounding the sale of alcohol in the country as they believe this will somehow assist in curbing violence and crime. This was revealed by President Cyril Ramaphosa last week when delivering the party’s January 8 statement.

Guest: Dr Susan Goldstein: Deputy Director @ Priceless & Board member of the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance

World News: In conversation with Professor Mammo Muchie on why the talks between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan on the filling and operations of Ethiopia’s dam on the Nile River have failed. Tensions have been high in the Nile basin ever since Ethiopia broke ground on the dam in 2011.
Guest: Professor Mammo Muchie, African analyst & Research Professor on Innovation studies at Tshwane University of Technology

COVID-19 has drastically changed the cost, logistics and cultural practices conducted at funerals and cremations. The pandemic has highlighted the persistent struggle against the ever-increasing demand for burial space due to the surge in Covid-19 deaths. This problem has forced major cities to find a balance between providing accommodation for the living and the dead. Other factors exacerbating the situation is South Africa's population growth, migration to urban areas for employment and the influx of foreigner nationals has put huge pressure on land in urban areas. Adding to the problem is a cultural resistance to the practice of cremation. We speak to Dr. Nokuzola Mndende, Director and Found of Icamagu Heritage Institute about this cultural resistance

GUEST: Dr. Nokuzola Mndende, Director and Found of Icamagu Heritage Institute

Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Xolile Nqatha, who reportedly was supposed to attend a homecoming ceremony of 25 initiates at Kubusi Village in Qumbu, cancelled his visit to the area. Under the new Covid-19 regulations families are prohibited from hosting Traditional Homecoming celebrations until further notice.

GUEST: Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Xolile Nqatha

Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Xolile Nqatha, who reportedly was supposed to attend a homecoming ceremony of 25 initiates at Kubusi Village in Qumbu, cancelled his visit to the area. Under the new Covid-19 regulations families are prohibited from hosting Traditional Homecoming celebrations until further notice.

GUEST: Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, Chairperson of Contralesa in the Eastern Cape

The South African Medical Association (SAMA) says the procurement and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine should be done in a transparent manner. The association has commended the country for securing the vaccine and committed to working with government to ensure that healthcare workers are immunised
GUEST: Dr Angelique Coetzee, chairperson of the South African Medical Association, SAMA