The Weekend View

Today is Africa Human Rights Day.The day marks the coming into force of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the founding treaty of the African Human Rights System more than 40 years ago. The African Charter affirms the continental legal architecture, the pan-Africanism conviction that fundamental rights and freedoms should apply to all human beings. For more we spoke Ras Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs ......

Several world leaders will today attend the Cairo Peace Summit in Egypt to discuss the ongoing escalation of the conflict in Israel and the Gaza Strip, the urgent need for humanitarian support and make a call for the resumption of the peace process. Among them will be President Cyril Ramaphosa. The leaders of the US and UK earlier this week visited Israel and were both clear in their support of Israel's war against Gaza. Here at home president Ramaphosa condemned all violence against civilians but also stressed South Africa's support of the aspirations for self-determination of the people of Palestine, not endorsing any particular leader or faction. He also declared South Africa's willingness to play whatever mediating role that might advance lasting peace. John Stremlau, Professor of International Relations, at WITS University believes Ramaphosa's offer to mediate in Israel must not be ignored. Prof Stremlau joins us on the line

 Eskom says Unit One at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station will be synchronised to the grid by end of this month. The power utility has stated that the steam generators on the unit have been successfully replaced and it will soon start supplying electricity to the national grid.We spoke to energy Expert and a Professor of Physics at the University of Johannesburg, Professor Hartmut Winkler... 

South Africa TODAY plays two World Cup matches on two continents as the Springboks and Proteas seek glory against England in Paris and Mumbai. At 10h30 this morning the Proteas will face England in an ICC Men's World Cup encounter. The South Africans will be looking to redeem themselves after Tuesday's loss to the Netherlands. And at 9 pm in Paris the Springboks will clash against old rivals England in the 2nd Rugby World Cup semi final. The match will decide who will face New Zealand in the final next week. The All Blacks won a resounding 44-6 against Aregentina LAST NIGHT.   SAfm Sports anchor Janet Whitton joins me on the line to discuss these crucual games...

Pro Israeli and pro Palestinian groups in South Africa THIS WEEK held separate protests in cities across the country. Holding flags and banners with messages of solidarity with either Israelis or Palestinians, they marched to express their anger with the war. As the death toll from the war mounts, people and organisations in Africa are wading into heated debates surrounding the conflict - with the continent split, as different nations take opposing sides. Some countries are sympathetic to Palestinians while others like Kenya, Zambia, Ghana and the DRC have firmly aligned with Israel's position. While South Africa is the pillar of Israel's trade with the African continent, there is growing pressure from civil society for government to take a clearer position in favour of either Palestine or Israel. Among the groups that  took to the streets this week is the Palestine Solidarity Campaign which protested outside the Israeli consular office in Cape Town on Wednesday. It's coordinator, Prof. Usuf Chikte now joins us on the line.....

The anticipated full ground offensive into Gaza by the Israeli army is dominating global news this morning following yesterday's announcement by the Israeli military that it is planning an attack by land, air and sea.  This as more than a million Palestinians in the northern half of the Gaza Strip faced yesterday's Israeli deadline to relocate to the south. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that his country's heaviest bombardment ever of Gaza in recent days was just the beginning of the "next stage" of what could lead to a ground invasion. Hamas on the other hand has threatened to kill one hostage for each time an Israeli air strike killed civilians without warning. Reports say Israel's military recovered a number of bodies of missing Israelis in a ground raid on Gaza on Friday. More than 1,300 people were killed in Israel last weekend when Hamas fighters crossed the border to attack civilians and soldiers. Over 2,200 people have so far been killed in Israel's aftermath  bombing campaign of the Gaza Strip.  

To discuss the Israel- Hamas war and explore whether the current military action can resolve the Israeli Palestinian conflict as well as the feasibility of a political settlement we will speak to the South African Zionist Federation and the South African Jews for a Free Palestine.... First let's go to the central Israeli town of Modi from where I'm joined on the line by Rolene Marks, the National Spokesperson for the South African Zionist Federation. We also spoke to  Allan Kolski Howitz,  Spokesperson, for  the organisation  - South African Jews for a Free Palestine 

 The Springboks will tonight line up against hosts France in their eagerly anticipated Rugby World Cup quarter-final at the Stade de France in Paris at 9 pm.  With a place in the semi-final up for grabs, many are expecting the match-up to be contested with all the ferocity and quality of a final. The Springboks have selected an experienced team to meet Les Bleus who have lived up to the expectations so far as they claimed the top spot in Pool A. England are also set to square off against Fiji in another of TODAY's encounters.  And in quarter final matches played yesterday Argentina and New Zealand sailed through to the semi finals...To look at today's's matches we to SABC rugby commentator, Renier Swart...

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation  - Dirco - YESTERDAY confirmed that two South Africans have been killed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas..Hamas fighters kidnapped at least 150 people and took them into Gaza during attacks on Israel which started last weekend and has killed 1,300 people. More than 1,500 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched retaliatory air strikes, which continue. For more on the this we are joined on the line from Israel by journalist, Jonathan Swartz and Chairperson and Founder of Gift of the Givers, Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman

Former President, Thabo Mbeki has accused the governing ANC of paying lip service to efforts to renew the party despite resolving to do so at its 2017 conference. The diagnostic report delivered by the then Secretary-General, Gwede Mantashe said the ANC faced diminishing public trust as members of the party faced allegations of corruption and the party was confronted by factionalism. The 2022 conference reaffirmed the 2017 conference resolution. Despite this, Mbeki says, nothing has happened to renew the party. He was addressing mourners at the memorial service of the late anti-apartheid activist, Aziz Pahad at the University of Johannesburg in Auckland Park earlier THIS WEEK.  The party is scheduled to hold its NEC meeting this weekend and Mbeki's public utterances may feature strongly in discussions amongst members of the party's highest decision making body. Here is the former president. We spoke to  president of the ANC's Veterans League, Dr Snuki Zikalala...

Education quality assurance council, UMALUSI says they are ready for the upcoming matric exams. More than 720-thousand candidates have been registered to sit down for the grade 12 exams which are set to start on the 30th of this month  until the beginning of December.  UMALUSI has also issued a stern warning against  cheating during the upcoming exams. The council briefed the media yesterday on the state of readiness of the public and private assessment bodies to manage and conduct the 2023 matric exams. Meanwhile this schooling year has not been without it's challenges and to find out whether teachers share UMALUSI's readiness for the national exams we are joined on the line by Basil Manuel, Executive Director of  the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa - NAPTOSA - ..