The Weekend View

Government says the recently published national state of disaster regulations relating to the electricity crisis are aimed at minimising the impact of loadshedding on livelihoods, the economy, small businesses, policing functions, and health services, among others.  The regulations were published this week, more than two weeks after President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the electricity crisis a national state of disaster during his state of the nation address.  At a media briefing in Pretoria YESTERDAY, various ministers gave some details of how and in which areas the regulations will be applied in their respective departments.
We spoke to Independent Political Economist, Dr Dale McKinely

Another case of cholera has been confirmed in Gauteng, bringing to six the number of laboratory confirmed cases in the country. The latest case is that of a 19-year-old woman from Emandleni informal settlement in Benoni east of Johannesburg. The patient was identified by the Outbreak Response Team during contact tracing where over a thousand people were reached. This follows the death of a 24-year-old Benoni man with no travel history last week. The health department says while there is no need for the public to panic, it is concerned about the rising number of cases. For more we are joined on the line by Gauteng Health Spokesperson Motalatale Modiba...

Education is the key to a great future, but, like all good things, it comes at a steep price tag.  For many graduates, this means shouldering part of the national R16.5 billion student debt and starting a working life with this financial burden. John Manyike, Head of Financial Education at Old Mutual says graduates must have knowledge of better managing student loans so that they are not held hostage by student debt. 

Another cabinet member, Gwede Mantashe, this week added his voice in challenging former Group Executive of Eskom, Andre de Ruyter, to name the minister he alleged is involved in corruption at the power utility.  Earlier this week, De Ruyter made startling revelations during a television interview relating to entrenched corruption at Eskom implicating the ANC. Appearing before Parliament's Portfolio Committee to discuss matters around the Independent Power Procurement Programme -- the Mineral Resources and Energy minister called on de Ruyter to name the ministers he was referring to.

Meanwhile, South Africa's energy crisis continues with constant and long rolling blackouts, disruption of daily life and this week's sudden and acrimonious resignation of Eskom's Chief Executive Officer, Andre de Ruyter, added another layer of instability. President Ramaphosa recently placed the country under  a "state of disaster"  due to the energy problems with a minister of electricity yet to be appointed. Now questions remain: Has South Africa reached the ultimate energy crisis level? Have we arrived at the worst or can we sink even deeper? Can there be a successful turnaround at Eskom following the appointment of an acting CEO? For this Sunday Morning discussion we are joined by Professor Sampson Mamphweli who is the Head of the Energy Secretariat at the South African National Energy Development Institute,SANEDI, as well as  Khustaz Mtwentwe who is the spokesperson for civil society organization "Stand Up SA"

 Vote counting is under way in Nigeria's tightest presidential election since military rule ended in 1999. Saturday's voting was marred by long delays at polling stations, as well as scattered reports of ballot box snatching and attacks by armed men. And some parties have raised alarm over allegations of irregularities, which could lead to a disputed outcome. Tens of thousands of polling stations are counting the results, which will be collated and sent to the electoral headquarters in the capital, We spoke to Lenny Taaba from the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa - EISA.

The Judicial Conduct Tribunal into former PRASA interim board chairperson, Judge Tintswalo Nana Makhubele's conduct has been adjourned until May. Makhubele is accused of breaching the separation of powers principle by serving as a judge of the High Court while being chairperson of Prasa. Civil society organisation #UniteBehind lodged a complaint with the Judicial Service Commission three years ago, accusing Makhubele of gross judicial misconduct following her controversial term at Prasa. The Tribunal had earlier set aside three days to hear the complaint. We spoke to Mbekezeli Benjamin, Research and Advocacy Officer at Judges Matter, a civil society project that monitors the judiciary in South Africa.

Voters in Africa's biggest economy and most populous country, Nigeria, head to the polls this morning to elect a new president and lawmakers, in what is set to be a close contest amid rising frustration over cash and fuel shortages, unprecedented insecurity and surging inflation. President Muhammadu Buhari, who will complete his constitutionally allowed two terms in May, is not on the ballot. Voters will also choose new senators and members for the House of Representatives. Governorship races follow on March 11. A total of 18 candidates are vying for the presidency. We spoke to Prof Chris Isike, a Nigeria expert from the University of Pretoria.

Global financial crime watchdog the  Financial Action Task Force - FATF  has added South Africa to its grey list group of countries under special scrutiny to implement standards to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing. Being added to the grey list is a reputational knock for the country, which has been trying to address shortcomings identified by the FATF. Critics say the government left it too late to start addressing the FATF requirements. Analysts say the grey listing  means SA clients at international financial institutions will be subject to enhanced due diligence checks. It also complicates SA's attempts to access funding and support from multilateral development institutions and official lenders. We spoke to Prof. Jannie Roussouw from Wits Business School 

Ceremonies took place across Ukraine yesterday to mark the first anniversary of the Russia's invasion. President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a message of defiance to his people vowing Ukraine will do everything to win the war while NATO leaders pledged continued support for Ukraine. On 24 February 2022, Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine, hoping to take over the country in a matter of days. The conflict has become the worst in Europe since World War Two with military officials estimating casualties on both sides at more than 100,000 killed or wounded. We spoke to Denys Reva, a Security  Researcher  with the Institute for Security Studies.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is anytime now expected to unveil his new cabinet that will drive and fulfill the agenda he set out in Thursday's State of the Nation Address. The speech centered on finding solutions for key issues facing South Africans, among them the load-shedding crisis, reducing unemployment, poverty, and the rising cost of living as well as combating crime and corruption. He announced that he would expand his Cabinet by appointing a minister of electricity to the Presidency to take full responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the electricity crisis response, including the work of the National Energy Crisis Committee. The President has been under pressure to reconfigure his Executive amid the growing challenges in South Africa.  It remains unclear when and how he will reconfigure and announce a new cabinet as Ramaphosa is playing his cards close to his chest. When he was asked by reporters on Friday he only said the matter is still being processed. Sebenzile Nkambule spoke to Dr. Pali Lehohla, Director of the Economic Modelling Academy and former Statistician-General of South Africa, and Chris Hattingh Head of Policy Analysis at the Centre for Risk Analysis ......