The Weekend View

Political parties have now submitted their election candidates lists, signatures and deposits to the IEC to ensure participation in the May 29 National and Provincial election. The IEC is currently in the process of verifying the information given by the parties before the candidate lists are made public. The process has however been blemished by leaks of some political parties' candidates lists on social media. The governing ANC had on Friday declared that it will make its candidate list available to the public TOMORROW*.(Monday).  Many are anxiously waiting to see who has made it on the lists. It will also indicate who are the movers and shakers particularly in parties that will be on the ballot for the first time. The ANC's top 7 has also reportedly flagged some senior members who should be removed from the party's national lists as a result of having adverse findings against them in Chief Justice Raymond Zondo's State Capture Report. This is the subject of our Sunday Morning discussion and Bongiwe  Zwane spoke to Political analysts, Dr. Levy Ndou from Tshwane University of Technology

Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban will  once again be pulsating with energy when the IFP launches it's 2024 election manifesto later TODAY under the theme "Let's do it for Shenge". South Africa's fourth largest party believes the country needs a chance to recover but requires the right leadership. It says it will present to voters a manifesto that puts South Africans first while offering the electorate an opportunity to vote for servant leaders who prioritise ethical and moral leadership. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to IFP MP and National Spokesperson, Mkhuleko Hlengwa 

While the world's attention is focusing on the desperate humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the World Food Programme THIS WEEK warned that the war in Sudan threatens to trigger "the world's largest hunger crisis". The WFP said on Wednesday that more than 25 million people scattered across Sudan, South Sudan and Chad are trapped in a spiral of food insecurity as the brutal civil war shows no sign of easing after 11 months of fighting. The UN agency warned that the humanitarian response is at "breaking point" and will remain so unless the violence comes to a halt. Fighting between the Sudanese Army and a rival group known as the Rapid Support Forces has left thousands dead and eight million people displaced. Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to Mohamed Gamal , the National Communications Officer for the World Food Programme in Sudan

 A 2023 report by the South Africa's Financial Services Regulation Board outlined a multitude of ways consumers are protected in the insurance industry.  According to industry experts , while this regulation was well received by the industry, many consumers still do not have the access to information on how they are protected by industry regulation. Many people know that there is a Consumer Protection Act, but don't know how it works, or how it can be enforced. As a result, consumers are often left with the short end of the stick, when they don't have to be.  Sebenzile spoke to  Saskia Stemmet, Executive Head of Legal and Compliance for Everything.insure 

The United States was earlier THIS WEEK  upbeat that talks on a ceasefire and release of hostages in Gaza could still reach an agreement between Hamas and Israel in time for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins TOMORROW. Negotiators from Hamas, Qatar and Egypt - but not Israel - were still trying to secure a 40-day ceasefire in talks in Cairo, Egypt but YESTERDAY Hamas announced that its delegation had left Egypt without agreement accusing Israel of thwarting efforts to conclude a ceasefire. Further talks are expected next week. This all unfolded as Gaza's humanitarian crisis prompted South Africa to once again ask the International Court court of Justice for new emergency measures that will allow aid to flow to Palestinian civilians who are facing starvation. Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to Anthoni Van Nieuwkerk, Professor of International Relations at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs...

The IEC's deadline for political parties and independent candidates who intends to contend in 2024's general election to submit their candidates list has come and gone. Last week,  the IEC warned independent candidates and political parties that if they miss the deadline and fail to comply with what is needed to be eligible to contest 2024's general elections there will be little or no room to negotiate. YESTERDAY the  newly formed Labour Party took the IEC to court in a bid to extend the deadline in the election timetable. The application was dismissed. The commission has also had to deal with threats of violence during the polls. This week, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party said there would be "anarchy" if the party were to be excluded from the ballot paper. Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to Masego Sheburi, IEC's Deputy Chief Electoral Officer for Operations 

The African Christian Democratic Party - ACDP - will today launch its manifesto for the 2024 National and Provincial election. Party leader, Rev. Kenneth Meshoe, is expected to unveil the manifesto at the Ellis Park Indoor Arena in Johannesburg. The party, which is a member of the opposition Multi Party Charter, says it's manifesto seeks to offer effective solutions for the many concerns people have asked to be addressed should they take over the reigns of government after the May 29 polls. Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to Rev. Kenneth Meshoe now joins me on the line 
 

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) YESTERDAY raided SAFA house in a search and seizure operation. The raid follows reports allegations of fraud and theft amounting to R1.3 million. For more Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale...

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing the future of work. It is estimated that 50 % of jobs that exist will disappear as companies adopt new AI-driven technologies. Education expert Dr. Alex Asakitikpi, Senior Researcher at The Independent Institute of Education's Varsity College warns that much more must be done to ensure that the public sector, and especially students in public schools and universities, are also empowered and equipped with the necessary AI skills and literacy. He adds that it is essential and urgent for SA's policymakers, educators and industry leaders to collaborate on integrating AI into all levels of the education system, as nobody should be left behind when preparing the youth for the AI-driven future of work. Sebenzile spoke to Dr Alex Asakitikpi 

The 11 parties in the Multi-Party Charter - MPC - THIS WEEK unveiled a plan they believe will make Eskom's years of underperformance and load-shedding a thing of the past. ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba presented the plan on behalf of the MPC which revolves around reforming Eskom, establishing an open energy market and ensuring a just transition to a renewable energy future. President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his speech at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban during the ANC's launch of its 2024 election manifesto, also spoke on the energy commitments to South Africans. He highlighted among others prioritising investment in expanding the transmission grid, installing solar water geysers in working-class and poor households and developing gas, nuclear and hydro-power projects for increased energy generation. The EFF on the other hand has laid out their path to ending load shedding within six months by among others investing in repairing the existing fleet of power generation, reducing the electricity demand of major electricity users and adopting clean coal technologies to enhance the energy availability factor. Today we ask : Are the election manifesto promises made by various political parties to address the electricity crisis capable of preventing / stopping load shedding? Biongiwe Zwane spoke to by Energy expert Adil Nchabeleng and Energy Advisor at Hohm Energy , Matthew Cruise