The Weekend View

The World Food Programme is sounding the alarm that time is running out to prevent starvation in Darfur, Sudan where intensifying clashes around El-Fashir are preventing efforts to deliver life-saving humanitarian aid. In a briefing from Nairobi to Correspondents in New York, WFP Spokesperson for Sudan Leni Kinzli said civilians in the region were already facing devastating levels of food insecurity and hunger due to fighting between the Rapid Support Forces backed by their militias and the Sudanese Armed Forces, exacerbated by bureaucratic hurdles. The U.N. warns that the recent surge in fighting in El-Fashir was undermining efforts to reach at least 1.7 million people amid reports that children were already dying from malnutrition. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

A massive increase in the number of vacant teaching posts should be a significant concern for every parent of a school going learner. This is according to Paul Esterhuizen, CEO of School-Days who also believes that the high number of vacant teaching posts is a self-inflicted one and South Africans need to hold ministers accountable. Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga recently revealed that in the last three years, vacancies in teacher posts had grown 28%, from around 24,000 to more than 31,000, despite unofficial estimations that there are at least 30 000 qualified teachers who are struggling to find employment. The Department of Basic Education has issued an order allowing schools to hire temporary teachers to address the vacancies.  Meanwhile , National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) says government is not doing enough to stimulate the economy and that part of the issue is that the government tends to not act on its commitments.  To discuss this further Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Paul Esterhuizen, CEO of School-Days and Basil Manuel ,  Executive Director at the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) 

The 2024 City Nature Challenge is in full swing THIS WEEKEND during which a series of nature walks and events have been organised throughout the challenge which started on Friday and ends TOMORROW. Originating as a friendly competition between San Francisco and Los Angeles in the US in 2016, the challenge has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, with cities across the globe joining forces to observe and document the natural world in urban environments. 24 South African cities and regions are participating in City Nature Challenge 2024. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Ednah Sekwakwa, Deputy Director for Marketing and Communications at the South African National Biodiversity Institute - SANBI - .

South Africa's journey toward democracy began in the early 1990s with the end of the apartheid era. This era marked a significant shift in the country's political landscape, with the setting aside of racial segregation and acceptance of multiracial democracy. On April 27 1994, the first democratic elections were held after which Nelson Mandela, became the first black president. This election was the first in which citizens of all races were allowed to participate. TODAY marks the 30th anniversary of the democratic elections and in these 30 years, from the euphoria of freedom to the realities of today, the path traversed has been one of triumphs and tribulations, progress and setbacks. Some have described the country's democratic history as two halves: 15 years of progress and development, where life got demonstrably better for the majority of the population and 15 years of democratic and developmental backsliding.  To explore where SA currently stands 30 years after democracy Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to founder member of the UDF and former cabinet minister Valli Moosa and Political Analyst, Sandile Swana.....

Thirty years since the dawn of democracy in South Africa and in a year of national elections, UNICEF South Africa has just released a manifesto calling for children and young people, to be put front and center in the country's development. Under the theme -  'Manifesto for Every Child in South Africa 2024: Time to PROTECT and PRIORITIZE, the manifesto urges government, the private sector, academia and civil society to engage in and strengthen efforts to protect and prioritize children and build a safer, fairer, and better South Africa for every child. Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to  Christine Muhigana, UNICEF South Africa Representative

 Mamelodi Sundowns' search for continental glory came crumbling down LAST night after the they lost 1 -nil against Tunisian giants Esperance in the second leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final played at Loftus Versfelfd Stadium in Pretoria LAST NIGHT. Esperance went into the game with a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg in Tunis last weekend. Esperance will go head-to-head in two legs of the final against two time champions Al Ahly next month. There is however a silver lining for the Brazilians as they have qualified for the World club championship.. Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to Janet Whitton, SAfm Sports Anchor 

As South Africa marks 30 years of Democracy TODAY, SABC News is gearing up to launch a programme dedicated to marking this important milestone. In the build-up to the first episode of the SABC News' Democracy 30 Project, The Weekend View looks at what South Africa looked like in the days leading to 27th April 1994. Despite incidents of violence and bomb blasts in certain parts of the country, police still assured citizens that it was safe to go and vote in the first democratic polls. Speaking to the SABC, then Police Commissioner, Johan van der Merwe, said police had put measures in place to ensure that polling stations and citizens were safe….

The Mayor of New York City Eric Adams has hoisted South Africa's flag at a ceremony marking the 30 years of freedom and democracy in the Big Apple. The event, hosted by the Consulate General of South Africa and the Mayor's Office for International Affairs, saw the country's colours emblazoned in lower Manhattan with music and entertainment that was unmistakably Mzansi. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

Mamelodi Sundowns went down 1-nil against Tunisian giants Esperance in the first leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final played in Tunis LAST NIGHT. The two clubs are battling for a place in the final of the Champions League in a two-legged affair. The return leg will be played at Loftus Versfelfd Stadium in Pretoria, next Friday. On top of that -- Sundowns and Esperance are also fighting for a place in next year's revamped FIFA Club World Cup. Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to  SABC Sports Analyst Mathews Mpete for reflections of the game...........

Tributes continue to pour in for the struggle stalwart Dr Motsoko Pheko who passed away on Friday at the age of 93. The former PAC leader was a renowned lawyer, author theologian, academic and historian.  Dr Pheko served as the party's member of parliament for ten years, and served in different portfolio committees including Foreign Affairs and Safety and Security. President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the passing of the struggle icon.
Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to Apa Pooe, Secretary General of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania