The Weekend View

President Cyril Ramaphosa is due to start a working visit to the United States TOMORROW and is expected meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington on Wednesday. The high-stakes meeting comes as tensions between South Africa and the United States have reached their lowest point in years. Trump has cut all U.S. financial assistance to South Africa, citing disapproval of the land reform policy and the genocide case at the International Court of Justice against Israel. This week the Trump administration also welcomed 49 Afrikaners it has granted refugee status after false claims that their land was being seized. The meeting will also be Trump's first with an African leader since he returned to office in January. To look at this visit and the complications it may encounter, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr. Kingsley Makhubela, Risk Analyst and Former South African Diplomat 

Economist Dawie Roodt says that most public South African universities should be closed, and that the government should allocate more funds to private institutions. He argues that they do not produce the required skills and that the quality of state-owned universities has declined. He says South Africa has one of the worst primary education systems in the world and that many of these institutions are poorly run. South Africa has nineteen public universities and seven universities of technology, totalling 26 state-owned institutions. Meanwhile, Prof Linda du Plessis, vice-principal and deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning at the North-West University has rebuked the call and says Dawie Roodt's statements fail to consider all the facts, focusing almost exclusively on the shortcomings of a handful of public universities, without acknowledging the many achievements in various disciplines. 

To look at this matter and what the way forward is , Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dawie Roodt, Chief Economist and Director at Efficient Group and Prof Linda du Plessis, vice-principal and deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning at the North-West University 

Researchers at the University of Pretoria have identified the gene that is responsible for diet-related obesity. By exploring the role of the novel gene, they have made a potential breakthrough in current knowledge about the cellular mechanisms that drive fat accumulation. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  Prof. Melvin Ambele of the University of Pretoria's Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine

The Office of the Chief Justice says it is working to review and strengthen internal controls to safeguard the credibility of courts through the prevention and early detection of fraud and corruption. This follows THIS WWEEK's exposure of alleged systemic corruption at the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in Mthatha. There are claims that court officials solicit bribes, some as high as 15-thousand rand from attorneys to perform routine administrative functions. Nine officials are accused of extorting bribes and work in various departments ranging from junior typists to senior managers. Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, conducted an oversight visit of the High Court, following these allegations. She has pledged to spare no effort to prevent, detect, punish and eradicate wrongdoing. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Zincedile Tiya, Secretary General of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers...

Incomplete projects, while profits escalate are some of the findings of a study by Mining Affected Communities in Action into some mining companies when looking at their Social and Labour Plans. The organisation found that 11 mining companies are not meeting the promises they made to improve the communities they are mining in. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Christopher Rutledge, MACUA  Executive Director

South Africa's second-hand car market is growing rapidly, with used vehicle applications now outpacing new vehicle applications by more than two to one, according to WesBank's 2024 data. While affordability is a major appeal, many buyers face unexpected risks – from odometer fraud and stolen or cloned vehicles, to rejected insurance claims due to undisclosed histories or limited cover. To provide expert insight into the critical role insurance plays in second-hand vehicle purchases and how consumers can protect themselves, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Herman van Heerden, Chief Executive Officer of PPS Short-Term Insurance 

As public institutions face mounting pressure to restore financial accountability and credibility, a new artificial intelligence platform, developed here in South Africans, has been unveiled to catch irregularities before they spiral into full-blown crises. The platform, called Audrey, monitors transactions and data in real time, flagging anomalies and potential compliance breaches within minutes. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Claude Chetty, co-founder of Audrey and CEO of Imagination Advisory and Technology

As winter temperatures drop, your skin could show it in dryness, redness, and even that lifeless, dull look. from heated indoors to icy outdoors, can damage your skin's protective barrier. Lauren Blythe, founder of Soliette, says a consistent skincare routine is vital. She advises a professional skin analysis, richer moisturizers, gentler cleansers, and hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid. She advises people that In winter, if your skin is drier, you tend to be a little bit more vulnerable to sensitivity, so you need to be guided on how often to exfoliate or which products to use. For more on this we are joined by Lauren Blythe, founder of SOLIETTE 

The rich cultural diversity of South Africa is beautifully reflected in its legal framework, particularly concerning marriages. The Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, 1998, holds a pivotal role in acknowledging and safeguarding the institution of customary marriages. While the importance of lobola as a customary practice cannot be denied, recent High Court judgments have highlighted that the validity of a customary marriage is not solely determined by lobola but includes a broader spectrum of factors. To discuss this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Cultural expert Professor Musa Xulu and Kholofelo Mashitisho , Attorney at Mashitisho Attorneys

Kaizer Chiefs have finally broken their decade-long silverware drought, defeating fierce rivals Orlando Pirates 2-1 in a pulsating Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Captain Yusuf Maart netted the winner in the 80th minute, capping off a spirited performance by Amakhosi. Earlier, Gaston Sirino converted a penalty before Pirates equalised through Evidence Makgopa. But on this grand stage, Chiefs secured their first trophy since 2015 delivering redemption, elation and a long awaited moment of pride for the club's Loyal supporters across the country. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Mthokozisi Dube Journalist and editor at Far Post an online sports magazine