The Weekend View

Orlando Pirates head into today's Carling Knockout final at Peter Mokaba Stadium determined to end a 14-year drought in the competition. The match which kicks-off today at 18:00,  Polokwane is sold out and expected to be packed to the rafters. Buccaneers captain Nkosinathi Sibisi says the long wait has fired up the squad, while coach Abdeslam Ouaddou credits their recent momentum to hard work and strong fan support. However, Marumo Gallants will arrive with full confidence after knocking out several big teams on their way to the final. Both sides insist they are ready for battle in front of a capacity crowd in Polokwane. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC sports reporter Vincent Sitsula 

The Chief of the South African Navy, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese recently came under fire following his criticism of National Treasury's decision to reduce funding for the country's naval state security operations. Speaking to members of the navy, Lobese made a frank and candid assessment of the South African Navy and an admission that borders are porous due to underfunding. He added that while South Africans ensure that their doors and gates are locked, in order to keep intruders out, South Africa's shorelines have become a haven from criminals trafficking in humans and drugs. Lobese's assessment enlisted heavy criticism from the Defence department with some observers calling the condemnation unfair.   For a look at what the actual budget is for the Navy and what is informing budget cuts , Jon Gericke spoke to Defence Analyst and Associate Editor at The Daily Friend, Ricardo Teixeira

The Activists and Citizens Forum has described alleged criminal cartel kingpin, Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala's appearance before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee, as a waste of time and tax payer money. This comes after Matlala concluded his 2 days of testimony before the committee as members of Parliament investigate allegations of corruption and political interference in the country's justice system. The Forum has also accused Matlala of misdirecting the interaction with Parliamentarians with the aim to protect people who are behind his lavish lifestyle. The committee, has wound up it's work foreo this year but will continue  until the 20th of February next year.  For a look at what the committee has been able to achieve since it's inception, Jon Gericke  spoke to political analyst, Professor Bheki Mngomezulu and Acting Director of the Center for Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution at Nelson Mandela University, Prof Ntsikelelo Breakfast

 The Springboks finished the 2025 season in style with a 73-0 demolition of Wales in Cardiff YESTERDAY, inflicting a record home defeat on their hosts. It was the second worst defeat in Wales' history behind the 96-13 hammering handed out by the Springboks in Pretoria in 1998.
Meanwhile in continental soccer, Kaizer Chiefs snatched a last-gasp 1-all draw against Egyptian giants Zamalek in their CAF Confederation Cup Group C encounter at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane YESTERDAY afternoon.  To review these intriguing matches, Jon Gericke spoke to Simon Burke, SABC sports reporter 

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says Wales will get a well prepared South African side when the two sides meet in Cardiff on Saturday in the final match of the international season. The Springboks are shooting for a second successive unbeaten end of year tour, and enter their final match of the year as the overwhelming favourites against Wales. Meanwhile in continental soccer....Mamelodi Sundowns earned a valuable Champions League away point after they played to a goalless draw with Algerian side MC Alger at the Ali La Pointe Stadium LAST NIGHT. While Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso appears happy with the result, this is not what Rulani Mokwena was looking for as Alger are struggling with one point from two matches. Sundowns may be overtaken at the top of Group C by Al Hilal who take on Saint-Éloi Lupopo tomorrow. Chiefs will TODAY host Egyptian side Zamalek FC in the second game of the Group D encounter at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane this afternoon.  To look at these matches, Jon Gericke spoke to Mathews Mpete, SABC soccer analyst 

As the renewal season for medical aid cover draws to a close, consumers have been urged to thoroughly study what their current medical aid covers and what the competition is offering for the same price bracket. The sector's renewal window opens every October and closes in December, with members notified of the upcoming year's changes and their medical aid's plans for the next financial year. The expected premium increases come as many households grapple under the pressure of rising food, electricity, and fuel prices. For more on what consumers should look out for, Jon Gericke spoke to Head of  Research at the Board of Healthcare Funders, Charlton Murove 

The Council for the advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) has criticised the criteria used to select candidates for the position of National Director of Public Prosecution, saying the advisory panel tasked with selecting the next NDPP focused too much on legal practitioners handling high-profile cases, while discriminating against those in lower courts. Six candidates have now been shortlisted to move forward to the next stage of interviews. The list includes names such as Advocate Nicolette Astraid Bell, whose previous work includes her role as Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape and Chairperson of the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime, Advocate Xolisile Jennifer Khanyile.  The appointment of a new NDPP comes at a crucial time for the justice system, with high expectations for the office to ensure accountability within the country's prosecution services. For a look at how the recruitment process normally looks like and how it can be improved, Jon Gericke spoke to Research and Advocacy Officer at Judges Matter, Mbekezeli Benjamin

Acting Police Minister, Professor Firoz Cachalia says the biggest takeaway from the latest quarterly crime statistics is the clear picture they provide of crime trends across the first half of the 2025/26 financial year.  Cachalia made these remarks during the release of the Quarterly Crime Statistics for the first and second quarters of the 2025/26 financial year at a press briefing in Pretoria. He says the statistics remain an important tool for measuring progress and guiding the country's crime‑fighting response and in restoring public trust in the police is critical. The data is critical for identifying hotspots, adjusting policing strategies and improving accountability within the criminal‑justice cluster and tackling gang violence. For more on the crime stats, Jon Gericke spoke to National Police Spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the decision to allow a group of 153 Palestinians nationals into the country was driven by compassion, however their status is still being reviewed. This comes after the Border Management Authority initially denied entry to the group due to incomplete documentation. According to the BMA, the Palestinian passengers were not allowed to disembark from the aircraft as they did not have the customary departure stamps in their passports. The passengers were later allowed to disembark after nearly 12 hours on the tarmac, after Home Affairs received a commitment from Gift of the Givers that it will provide the passengers with accommodation during their stay in South Africa. The handling of the flight and the arrival of the refugees have raised serious questions about government communication and coordination. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for African Diplomacy and Leadership at the University of Johannesburg, Dr Oscar van Heerden

United States (US) President Donald Trump has rolled back tariffs on over a 100 food products, including such staples as coffee, beef, bananas and oranges, in the face of growing anger among American consumers about the high cost of groceries. He signed an executive order on Friday allowing a range of food products to escape his sweeping tariffs. The move comes as his administration faces mounting pressure over rising food prices. The US is an important market for South African citrus fruit and other agricultural products and there were huge concerns when Trump's tariffs came into effect earlier this year.  We asked Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, what he makes of the tariff rollback and whether South Africa can derive some benefit.  This is what he said