The Weekend View

Debate is raging over the potential renaming of some of Mpumalanga's most famous landmarks. The EFF THIS WEEK tabled a motion in the provincial legislature - to rename the Kruger National Park, The Kruger - Mpumalanga International Airport and a stadium in eMalahleni is stirring sharp political divides in the province. The EFF says that apartheid era names have no place in a democratic South Africa.  The EFF is proposing renaming Kruger National Park to Skukuza National Park, the airport to DD Mabuza International Airport, and the stadium to Veli Mahlangu Stadium. Others are however warning that renaming the Kruger National Park will have severe consequences for South Africa's tourism sector, as the park is synonymous with the country's tourism offering and, as a brand, its name holds immense value both locally and abroad. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Prof Elmarie Slabbert   director of Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES) at the North-West University. 

The Springboks will TODAY resume their Rugby Championship defence at home with a highly anticipated clash against Argentina at Durban's Kings Park Stadium. The match, which kicks off at 10 past 5 this afternoon, marks the Springboks' final home game of the season, which will undoubtedly spice up what will be a crucial clash, with both teams still in the running to win the title. Rassie Erasmus has retained largely the same line- up from the win over the All Blacks 2 weeks ago. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC rugby commentator Reiner Swart to look at today's game....

The Democratic Alliance - DA  - has announced Haniff Hoosen is its mayoral candidate for eThekwini metro in next year's local government elections. Hoosen served as a councillor in eThekwini before he was deployed to Parliament from 2007 to 2024. Announcing the candidate, DA leader - John Steenhuisen - said the party is ready to fix service delivery issues in the metro. He invoked the results of the recent by-election as an indication that the DA will do well in 2026. The DA won ward 64 with over 60 percent of the votes last week. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Haniff Hoosen 

Over two million South Africans have benefited from debt counselling since 2007, taking back control of their financial affairs and repaying over R120 billion to lenders. According to the National Debt Counsellors' Association (NDCA,this money flows back into the economy, generating economic activity. The association further adds that debt counselling is effective because it costs less than alternative methods, gets money flowing back into the economy and is the most pro-consumer option for responsible people to pay back debt, when their circumstances may not otherwise allow it. To unpack these benefits, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Benay Sager, chairperson at the National Debt Counsellors' Association (NDCA).

The Apartheid Museum in JHB is set to unveil a new exhibition titled Grave Injustice: The Unfinished Business of the TRC. The exhibition, to be opened on Heritage Day,(WEDNESDAY Sept.24) highlights the ongoing struggle for justice and reparations since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission concluded in 2003. In January, 25  families of apartheid-era victims filed a lawsuit against the government, seeking R167 million in constitutional damages for its failure to pursue justice. They also urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to establish a commission of inquiry into longstanding allegations of political interference in these cases. The exhibition, curated by the Apartheid Museum in partnership with the Foundation for Human Rights, is expected to shed light on the legacy of impunity and the urgent need for truth by sharing the powerful stories of the families and survivors who have led this decades-long fight for accountability. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Zaid Kimmie, Executive Director of the Foundation for Human Rights

There has been a flurry of reactions since Helen Zille was YESTERDAY picked as the DA candidate for Mayor of Johannesburg in next year's Local Government Elections. While some have described the nomination of the Chairperson of DA Federal Council as a master-stroke some have questioned whether she has the strength and stamina to lead a city as large and diverse as Johannesburg. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr. Ivan Meyer, DA's federal chairperson, a key figure in the selection of DA metro mayors and author and political analyst, Sanusha Naidu

KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lt General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has warned of a total collapse in the criminal justice system if no intervention is made. He took to the stand this week , as the first witness , in the much-anticipated Madlanga Commission. The commission which was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa is investigating allegations of corruption within law enforcement agencies. The commission is expected to deliver two reports within six months and will take place in three phases.  Lt General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi  has revealed explosive allegations of corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS). 

On this Sunday morning  discussion we look at the first impressions of the Madlanga Commission, what has come out so far as well as the political and security implications. To discuss this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Willem Els from the Institute for Security Studies and political analyst Prof Ntsikelelo Breakfast from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University 

September is Heritage Month and on Wednesday we mark Heritage Day.  This year's theme titled Reimagine our Heritage Institutions for a New Era, emphasises the importance of leveraging heritage as a foundation for building a dynamic, socially responsive, technologically innovative and economically inclusive future. Meanwhile, in an opinion piece Dr. Jane Mufamadi, Chief Executive Officer at Freedom Park says South Africa remains a country that captures the world's imagination. She adds that South Africa's journey, with all its contradictions, continues to fascinate, inspire through its resilience, creativity and hope and that Heritage is a powerful lens through which to understand this journey.  To unpack this, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  Dr. Jane Mufamadi, CEO at Freedom Park 

The Government of National Unity - GNU -  Clearing House Mechanism concluded a crucial meeting YESTERDAY during which it got submissions from the Good Party, Al Jama-Ah, and Democratic Alliance.  The GNU Clearing House Mechanism is meant to resolve policy disagreements within the 10-member Government of National Unity, and is chaired by Deputy President Paul Mashatile. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  Keith Khoza, Acting Spokesperson to the Deputy President

The SA Human Rights Commission in the Eastern Cape has subpoenaed Premier Oscar Mabuyane to appear before them to explain the deepening crisis of child malnutrition in the province. This after reports emerged THIS WEEK that 70 Eastern Cape children have died so far this year due to severe acute malnutrition, a situation the rights watchdog describes as "a shameful symbol of a national disaster". The Commission has also subpoenaed other stakeholders to detail how they are addressing the issue, which has long been a crisis not just in this province but countrywide. In 2024, Eastern Cape Province lost 107 children to malnutrition, the third highest in the country after KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. Many households face chronic food insecurity, lacking regular access to safe, sufficient and nutritious meals. This is compounded by high poverty and unemployment rates. To tell us more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr. Eileen Carter, the SA Human Rights Commission's Eastern Cape Provincial Manager