The Weekend View

INTRO: Today marks the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Beliefs.  Established by the United Nations, this day calls the world to remember those who have suffered  because of their faith or conscience, and to renew the global commitment to protect freedom of religion or belief for every person. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Magdalene Govender, co -founder of the Southern African Leaders Coalition for Faith, Freedom and Justice

Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema has been re-elected for a second term. Results released by the election commission in the early hours of Tuesday this week , revealed that Hichilema received roughly around 60% of valid votes, compared to the 38 percent of his main challenger, Brian Mundubile.  His re-election gives him a fresh mandate to continue his economic programme, but also brings renewed expectations from voters, who say the benefits of that recovery have yet to reach their households. To unpack this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Tendai Mbanje , election and governance expert from the Uninveristy of Pretoria

Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo, says he will not be deterred and will continue to serve South Africa. His comment comes after the National Prosecuting Authority withdrew the fraud and corruption charges against him and his six others. The formal retraction happened during their appearance in the Pretoria Magistrates Court. Khumalo's legal representative is Sihle Hlongwane...

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) says it has identified regulatory failure in satellite spectrum licensing following an inquiry. The Authority says this has led to it drafting amendments to the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations of 2015, and the Radio Frequency Spectrum Fees Regulations of 2010. The Ammendments aim to enable direct-to-device satellite connectivity for all South Africans, including underserved communities. This means that connectivity will no longer just rely on terrestrial networks, but also satellites. This came out of the virtual public hearings on the Draft Amendment to the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations of 2015, and the Draft Amendment to the Radio Frequency Spectrum Fees Regulationso of 2010. Nothando Magudulela reports...

The ANC will finally announce its much-anticipated councillor and mayoral candidates for the November 4 elections in Sandton, north of Johannesburg, later this morning (Saturday 22 August). Close attention will be paid to those named as candidates for the eight metros and the 44 district municipalities or secondary cities. After the announcement of its mayoral candidates, party president Cyril Ramaphosa will unveil their election manifesto on Sunday. Ntebo Mokobo has the details...

Rugby's Greatest Rivalry kicks off in earnest on *TODAY at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, when South Africa and New Zealand meet in the first of four test matches. It is the 111th meeting between the two sides, and while the Boks may be considered favorites going into this game, a clash between these two sides will always go down to the wire. Earlier we caught up with our reporter, Simon Burke...

As we continue to highlight inspiring stories this womens month. The Phakama Women's Academy (PWA), has officially welcomed its Class of 2026, marking the 12th annual intake of 22 young women being prepared for the working world. These 22 students join a network of more than 200 young women who have graduated from the programme since its inception in 2014.  The Academy aims to bridge the gap between a qualification and the working world. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Tebogo Mabuza, Phakama Women's Academy lead and alumni

A new study by the Credit Association of South Africa (CASA) shows that  failure to review credit fee caps has reduced financial inclusion, strengthened illegal lending and is costing South Africa hundreds of billions in economic activity. Credit fee caps are legal limits set by governments or regulators on the maximum interest rates, initiation fees, and monthly service charges that financial institutions can charge borrowers. CASA says South Africa's credit fee caps have not been meaningfully reviewed since 2015.  To explain this further, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Leonie van Pletzen, CEO of Credit Association of South Africa (CASA)  

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) has announced its mayoral candidates for the 2026 Local Government Election. The Party' deputy president, Wayne Thring, is the ACDP's prefered candidate for the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Bishop Dulton Adams is the party's mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg. The ACDP president, the Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, made the announcement at the party's local government elections manifesto launch in Benoni, east of Johannesburg.

Meanwhile, the South African Communist Party (SACP) will also launch its election  Manifesto today at the Tshwane University of Technology in  Soshanguve Campus. Jon Gericke spoke to SACP Central Committee member and SACP Politburo Member Dr Alex Mashilo 

Forty years after the death of Mozambique's founding president and liberation icon Samora  Machel, Rhodes University will bring together members of the Machel family, prominent African thinkers and liberation veterans. The  two-day symposium will interrogate the contemporary meaning of Machel's ideas around social justice, anti-imperialism, education, cultural liberation, popular participation and Pan-African solidarity — and what these principles mean for the continent today. Jon Gericke spoke to Professor Siphokazi Magadla, Dean for the Faculty of Humanities at Rhodes University