The Weekend View

With load-shedding suspended since Thursday, Eskom says we are not out of the woods yet as a significant risks to the power system remains and load-shedding could again be implemented at short notice. The power utility says the recent loadshedding was due to some power units going offline due to breakdowns. However energy expects have criticised Eskom's poor maintenance planning with claims of systems not being serviced as per regular 7 year cycle on things like oil. Energy Expert Ted Blom says plant explosions and unit breakdowns are happening faster than maintenance work

In our ongoing roundtable discussion ahead of the local government we host the National freedom party. Who are dedicating this election to their later leader Zanele Ka Magwasa Msibi. But after missing out on the last local elections what make the party tick and what are they promising to do for you you.

The City of Johannesburg's plan to take over distribution from Eskom faces several costly hurdles, including R7.5 billion in outstanding consumer debt and R4 billion to take ownership of distribution infrastructure. Electricity supply has turned into a critical election issue in Gauteng, where communities have borne the brunt of 'load reduction' by Eskom

The eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal says there has been an alarming rate of new HIV infections among girls and young women between 13 and 19-years old. The municipality has launched a programme to help reduce the rate of HIV infections and sexually transmitted diseases. adding to the problems.... Many people also stopped their HIV treatments when health services were disrupted by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The recently updated Food Poverty Line Indices report shows a growing or worsening state of poverty in South Africa... With the poverty line now sitting at R624 per capita a month... And if you consider that ther average child support grant sits at 460 per month per child or that the Emergency SRD grant sits at R350 rand per month..., then it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that both of them sit below the Food Poverty line in this country... Year on year...the average cost of a basket of food....for the average household... In SA has also increased by R361 a month... An increase of almost 10 percent... SO how do the poorest of South Africans afford to eat... And what is this reality doing to the levels of inequality in South Africa.

We spend the hour with the African Transformation Movement...A Party defining itself as an African Humanist Party.....They launched their manifesto in Mtata yesterday.

The Metro Mall B in the Johannebsurg CBD, situated at corner Simmonds and Bree streets is uninhabitable but yet nothing is being done about it, this is according to the five association that occupy a taxi rank popularly know as Bree. According to SWUTA, an association representing all five association at the rank, the building has been deemed uninhabitable by a team of specialists appointed by the City of Johannesburg and Joburg Development Agency back in 2014. SWUTA says there are no functioning ablution facilities. No sewerage or drainage systems in place. The building shudders and sways every time a taxi goes up a ramp. The concrete slabs are full of water and are deteriorating at a rapid pace. The entire building has water leaks on every level.

With a recent report showing a staggering 23000 of Gauteng teens falling pregnant since the start of Covid 19, Global comapnay Organon has embarked on a world wide campaign to improve awareness and to enabe young people to make informed choices on their sexual and reproductive health. The campaign seeks to provide solutions by educating women about their contraceptive options.

The community of Khutsong near Carletonville in the west of Gauteng, says the improved service delivery they fought for when they objected to being incorporated into the North West, is falling short of expectations. The Merafong City Local Municipality under which Khutsong falls, was part of the North West from 2005 to 2009. But it was reincorporated into Gauteng through a constitutional amendment, following violent protests in Khutsong township. Tshepo Phagane reports on a new multi-million-rand RDP housing development that has left residents disappointed and angry about the quality of their new homes.

AfriForum is heading to the Constitutional Court in an attempt to force Parliament to change South Africa's referendum legislation. The civil rights group wants government to give premiers legislated powers to call for a referendum. This it says is one of the ways to accomplish its mission to give the Western Cape greater autonomy. To further discuss this we speak to Afriforum CEO Kallie Kriel.