The Weekend View

Leaders of different political parties attending the SACP sponsored Conference of the Left have called for unity of purpose to change the living conditions of the poor and the working class. More than 300 delegates are attending the three day meeting underway in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg. Bogniwe Zwane earlier caught up with SACP's National spokesperson, Mbulelo Mandlana and first asked him about Day 1 of the conference...

National Assembly Speaker, Thoko Didiza, has strongly denied allegations that she met with President Cyril Ramaphosa's legal team amid Parliament's preparations to establish an impeachment committee following the Constitutional Court's Phala Phala judgment. The issue surfaced during a meeting of the Subcommittee on the Review of Assembly Rules, where DA parliamentary leader, George Michalakis, suggested that if such meetings had taken place, the Speaker may need to recuse herself to protect the integrity of the process. Bongiwe Zwane caught up with both Constitutional Law expert, Advocate Lufuno Nevondwe together with political analyst, Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast...

Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane has warned that South Africa's fight against crime is far from over, ordering police nationwide to intensify intelligence-led operations and track down dangerous suspects linked to a series of high-profile crimes. Authorities are pursuing leads in the armed robbery at the home of former Cabinet minister Naledi Pandor, the mass murder of eight people in Khayamandi, Stellenbosch, and the killing of a couple whose bodies were discovered in the Pafuri section of Kruger National Park. The couple's vehicle remains missing. Bongiwe Zwane caught up with national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe...

South Africa has no shortage of governance frameworks, oversight structures or audit processes.. Yet week after week, the headlines continue to expose procurement failures, weak consequence management, governance breakdowns and financial misconduct across both the public and private sectors. According to the Institute of Internal Auditors of South Africa,  the real issue is not a question of whether governance frameworks exist, it's about whether institutions are acting decisively when risks and failures are identified. To unpack why governance in South Africa often fails at the point of enforcement, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr. Sizwe Nyenyiso, Board member at the Institute of Internal Auditors 

Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has announced the establishment of a Police Advisory Panel, which will assist with among others, the implementation of the recommendations from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The panel will be chaired by the former South African Revenue Service (SARS) commissioner, Edward Kieswetter. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to policing expert, Eldred De Klerk

INTRO: The National Prosecuting Authority has filed an application for leave to appeal contempt of court order and a warrant of arrest issued against prosecutor Mkhuseli Ntaba in the case involving businessman and taxi boss Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni and others. The case, involving Sibanyoni, businessman Bafana "King of Sky" Sindane and two co-accused, was struck off the court roll on Monday following Ntaba's absence. They faced charges of extortion and money laundering. In a statement released on Friday,  the NPA said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the Mpumalanga Division formally filed an application for leave to appeal the severe sanctions imposed by the Magistrate...Bongiwe Zwane spoke to legal expert, Mpumelelo Zikalala 

INTRO: In an effort to align skills development and the evolving job market South Africa has started the process of phasing out outdated qualifications introduced at colleges before 2009. This will affect more than 1,100 qualifications. The process is led by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), the Department of Higher  Education and Training (DHET) and the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr. Makhapa Makhafola, Chief Operating Officer for South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises are preparing for the 3rd edition of the EmpowaEntrepreneurs Funding Summit set to kick-off in Randburg next week. SME's often hit bumps when it comes to access to funding, as well as securing support or even partnerships that will help sustain their businesses. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Thulisa Sosibo, Managing Executive at EmpowaEntrepreneurs

As AI becomes integrated across various sectors consumers have a right to know when they are 'talking' to a machine. This is according to Michele van Eck, Associate Professor in the School of Law at the University of the Witwatersrand. Banks, insurers, retailers and service providers now have AI voice agents capable of mimicking human conversation with remarkable accuracy. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Michele van Eck, Associate Professor in the School of Law at the University of the Witwatersrand 

The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has warned this week that while the NHI has been legally enacted, South Africa’s healthcare system faces structural and digital challenges that could affect its implementation. To discuss this further Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, the South African Medical Association Chairperson and Barry James Mitchell, NEHAWU Parliamentary Officer of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU)