The Weekend View

The National Credit Regulator (NCR) is warning consumers to borrow wisely this January if they need to. With the festive season is over, the New Year upon us, sadly for so many cash strapped consumers the harsh reality of January expenses has become a rude awakening from their festive spending.  We spoke to Jimmy Golele, who is the National Credit Regulator's (NCR) Senior Education and Communication Officer

Israel has asked judges at the World Court to throw out the genocide case brought by South Africa, which has asked the U.N.'s top court to order an immediate end to Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip. In its response to accusations made before the court by South Africa on Thursday, Israel said the demands to stop its offensive against Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza lacked any merit.

Meanwhile...Speaking to journalists outside the ICJ, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola said Israel had failed to disprove South Africa's compelling case that was presented at the World Court. He added that self-defence is no answer to genocide as nothing could ever justify genocide. To discuss this case and the verdict likely to come out spoke to Patrick Kadima, International Law Analyst from Wits University and Anthoni van Nieukerk, Professor of International Relations at theThabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs.

On Thursday, thousands of people attended the funeral in Beirut of Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy Hamas leader assassinated in a suspected Israeli attack in the Lebanese capital. His assassination on Tuesday has raised fears that Israel's war with Hamas could spiral into a wider regional conflict that could involve Hamas' Lebanese ally Hezbollah and their powerful backer, Iran.  Arouri was killed in a drone strike in southern Beirut. He was a key figure in the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, and a close ally of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the EuropeanUnion's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, are currently on separate trips to the region to try to quell a spillover from the three-month-old conflict. To look at the threats of a  wider war in the Middle East we are joined on the line by Anthoni Van Nieuwkerk, a professor on International Relations at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs

The ANC turns 112 years old tomorrow and it will host its anniversary party celebrations in Mpumalanga next week Saturday. Party president Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the January 8th statement to thousands of ANC supporters at Mbombela Stadium. Ramaphosa is likely to also unveil the ANC's manifesto for the national and provincial elections set for this year. In our Sunday Discussion untry's we will examine some of the challenges facing the ANC as the party faces electoral uncertainty ahead of this year's crucial election. Joining me in this discussion is Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast, Political Analyst and Director of the Nelson Mandela University Centre for Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution and Dr. Piet Croucamp, Political Analyst and Senior political studies lecturer at North-West University...

There has been mixed reactions to the release of murder convict Oscar Pistorius. Pistorius was released on parole on Friday after serving 10 years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp in 2013. The disgraced Paralympian became eligible for parole in March last year after serving half of his sentence of 13 years and five months for the murder. Our reporter Phumzile Mlangeni filed this report and we then spoke to Acting Executive Director for the People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) Naledi Kuali

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has confirmed that it has received OUTA's investigation report into alleged corruption and mismanagement at the National Student Financicl Aid Scheme (NSFAS). OUTA says it is in possession of recordings of meetings between  NSFAS chairperson, Ernest Khosa and a representative of the NSFAS service providers who distributed funds to students. The recordings allegedly reveal kickbacks paid to Higher Education minister Blade Nzimande and Khosa by service providers, worth millions and a further one million Rand paid to the South African Communist Party.We spoke to SACP’s National Spokesperson Alex Mashilo

From increasing interest rates and high fuel and food prices, many South African consumers had a tough year in 2023. Recent data from Stats SA indicated that inflation declined in November 2023, but is there relief  for consumers on the horizon in 2024? To answer that question, we spoke to Professor of Economics at the North West University, Prof Waldo Krugell

Ministers of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan and Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that clarifies their respective responsibilities with respect to Eskom and the resolution of the electricity crisis. The MoU that has been approved by President Cyril Ramaphosa establishes a firm basis for a collaborative approach between the Ministers in exercising their assigned powers and functions. We spoke to Energy Analyst, Professor Sampson Mamphweli.

This period of the year is traditionally a time for families to spend time together, however it is not always festive for everyone for various reasons. Not everyone is lucky enough to have people they have been longing to have around them all year. 2023 has been a difficult and trying year for many people who for different reasons, be they be financial, social or personal,  are unable to be with their loved ones this time of the year. A recent survey by South African Depression and Anxiety Group - SADAG -  has also shed some light how this season can impact your mental health. For this conversation we spoke to Charity Mkone. a psychologist at SADAG, Tumz the narrator, a popular Social Media commentator, and Ruben Mosefuwa, a businessman and social activist…

A delegation of Christian leaders from around the globe, including a team from South Africa led by Rev Frank Chikane, are in Palestine where they will spend Christmas in Bethlehem.  This is in demonstration of solidarity with Palestinian Christians and all Palestinians in the occupied territories. This comes amid reports that churches across Palestine have cancelled Christmas. We spoke to  Rev. Susan Wilder in Bethlehem.  She is with the Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (USA)