The Weekend View

The ANC must either renew itself or face the risk of perishing. These are the words of ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa who delivered the party's January 8 Statement at the Nelson Mandela Park in Khayelitsha in Cape Town on Saturday (11 January). The ANC's annual January 8 Statement comes at a time where the party has lost its electoral majority for the first time in thirty years. However, Ramaphosa believes that the ANC can claw its way back through renewal and unity. SABC reporter Sibahle Motha has more details and for  a critical look at the ANC's January 8th statement Elvis Preslin spoke to  Angelo Fick, Research Director at Auwal Socio-Economic Research Institute and Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu, Director of the Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy at Nelson Mandela University 

The news of the winding up of ArcelorMittal South Africa long steel business operations in Newcastle Works and Vereeniging , does not bode well for the South African industrialization agenda. This is according to Don Consultancy Group , Chief Economist , Chifi Mhango. The closure set to take effect at the end of January, will result in approximately 3,500 direct job losses, with industry experts warning of far more extensive damage to the broader economy. To unpack Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Don Consultancy Group (DCG) Chief Economist, Chifi Mhango.. 

The ANC's deputy Secretary General, Nomvula Mokonyane, says it is all systems go for the party's 113 celebration in Cape Town TODAY. The event, where ANC President Cryil Ramaphosa will deliver the party's January 8th statement, will take place in Khayelitsha, just outside Cape Town. Mokonyane spoke to the media after a site visit to the Mandela Park sports field, where the event will be held. The party expects 22-thousand supports to attend. Several marquee tents and other temporary structures are in the process of being set up for the day. SABC reporters Zalene Merrington and Sibahle Motha have the details

The National Financial Ombud Scheme has sent out a warning following a spike in fraudulent transactions due to the ease of use of tap-and-go bank cards.  The Scheme's bank division is now asking bank card users to be vigilant as fraudsters may try to use the tap-and-go function on cards and phones to make unauthorised transactions. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  Nerosha Maseti ,Lead Ombud for the Banking Division from the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO) 

Police in Johannesburg are still on the lookout for up to 30 men whom they believe escaped through a smashed window before police swooped on a suburban home housing trafficked foreign nationals. This after they managed to rescue 26 undocumented Ethiopian nationals who were being held captive without clothes at the house by suspected human traffickers. According to preliminary information from the rescued men, the group was held in the house in Sandringham, in northern Johannesburg without clothes or documents.  The Hawks were YESTERDAY appealing to the community of Sandringham and surrounding areas to report any sightings of the escaped naked people. Last August, police found more than 80 undocumented Ethiopians locked in a house in the same suburb in inhumane conditions and without adequate food and personal hygiene facilities. To talk to us more about the scourge of human trafficking and what happens to rescued victims, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Celeste Louw, Training Manager at TEARS Foundation, a crisis intervention, advocacy and counselling organisation

Gauteng traffic police are on high alert TODAY as holidaymakers continue to return to the province and their places of work this weekend. The N1, N3, N4 and N14 into Gauteng are expected to be busy throughout the day. Law enforcement say they will intensify focus on public transport and visibility. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Gauteng Traffic police spokesperson Sello Maremane 

The Border Management Authority - BMA - is THIS WEEKEND turning it's full attention to the northern border with Zimbabwe, a hotbed of illegal migration and goods smuggling.  The authority has pledged to manage the increase in the number of travellers returning to South Africa through the Beitbridge Border Post in Musina and is also using drones to prevent people from entering the country illegally. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to BMA Commissioner Dr Mike Masiapato who is in Beitbridge 

Many families had added cheer during the festive season when they welcomed new babies over Christmas and New year. But with the bundles of joy also came some unsavoury news that among the new mothers were scores of teenagers under the age of 16, with the youngest being a 12-year-old girl from the Eastern Cape who gave birth on New Year's Day. A 13-year-old also became a mother on Christmas Day in Limpopo. There was widespread outcry over the teenage moms with some attributing the trend to weakened family structures, lack of adequate sexual and reproductive health education, and the pervasive influence of modern technology on the youth. Others pointed at economic hardships that amplify the risk of teenage pregnancies in disadvantaged communities, the prevalence of violence against women and girls and the erosion of cultural institutions and practices that once emphasized the importance of purity and self-discipline. According to the UN children's agency, UNICEF, early childbearing can derail girls' otherwise healthy development into adulthood and have negative impacts on their education, livelihoods and health. To unpack this hot issue of teenage pregnancies further,Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, the Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities  and Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa - CONTRALESA - President,  Kgoshi Mathupa Mokoena.

Orlando Pirates secured a 3-0 victory over Stade d'Abidjan in their CAF Champions League group stage clash at Orlando Stadium in Soweto LAST NIGHT. A first-half strike from Relebohile Mofokeng and second-half goals from Patrick Maswanganyi and Deon Hotto earned the Buccaneers three crucial points at home. After beating the Ivorians, Pirates have ascended to the summit of the league table, amassing eight points from four games. This bolsters their chances of advancing to the knockout stages. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Mathews Mpete, SABC Sports Analyst 

The city of Cape Town will today host the iconic Tweede Nuwe Jaar Street Parade. Following the Klopse Jol at Athlone Stadium, the parade promises a spectacular display of vibrant costumes, ghoema beats, and electrifying performances as 20,000 performers from 18 troupes march from District Six to Bo-Kaap. With up to 100,000 spectators, this event celebrates Cape Town's rich cultural heritage, rooted in the 19th century. The Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association, in collaboration with the City of Cape Town and Hollywoodbets, says its all systems go for this unforgettable tradition. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Muneeb Gambeno, Director of the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA) ahead of the parade.