The Weekend View

Mozambique remains tense with the country's largest hospital saying at least three people were killed and 66 others injured during clashes between police and protesters on THURSDAY over a disputed election. The fatalities add to at least 18 people killed in earlier protests since the October. 9 poll, which the opposition claims was rigged. Some groups have given a higher toll, with Mozambique's Centre for Democracy and Human Rights reporting 34 deaths overall. Thursday's protests were the biggest Mozambique has ever seen against Frelimo, the party that has ruled Mozambique since 1975 and was declared winner of last month's election by a landslide.  For the latest on the situation Bongiwe Zwane spoke to local journalist Clemente Carlos in the capital, Maputo...

The Southern Africa Association of Freight Forwarders  - SAAFF -  is calling on SADC to move immediately to lead mediation talks, restore law and order and stabilise trade operations at the Port of Maputo and the Maputo corridor which are critical to the regional economy. That association says the political conflict in Mozambique is taking  a heavy toll on South Africa with the temporary closure of the Lebombo border intensifying the crisis.Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SAAFF representative, Barbara Mommen

While most people understand how and why a Will is needed, very few know what happens when it comes to administering and executing a Will.  This is where banks and other financial institutions come in but can they be trusted with Wills and Estates and do they have your best interest at heart.  To unpack this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Banzi Mcasa, an advocate for financial security and generational well-being and Founder of Future Planner

Fourteen years after a statue of AmaZulu King Shaka was removed from Durban's King Shaka International airport, a new R4.5 million likeness was unveiled on THURSDAY.  The previous statue had to be removed from display after the Zulu royal family expressed dissatisfaction with the way in which the late King was portrayed. They felt the statue reduced King Shaka to a "herd boy" rather than the warrior leader and founder of the AmaZulu nation. Unveiling the statue, President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed it as a symbol of unity, integrity and leadership for all South Africans. To find out if the new statue hits the right notes Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Professor Gugu Mazibuko, from the department of African Languages at the University of Johannesburg

Botswana's new President-elect Duma Boko THIS WEEK did the unthinkable. For more than 50 years, opposition politicians have dreamt of unseating the mighty Botswana Democratic Party, but only Boko has made that a reality at the third attempt. The crushing manner of the victory of his Umbrella for Democratic Change - UDC- party came as a surprise, including it seems to Boko himself, who admitted being shocked by the numbers. Boko's ascendancy to the presidency is  a major blow for the Botswana Democratic Party -BDP - and outgoing president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, who was elected in 2018 and had been confident of securing a second term.... Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Makaloba Makaloba, political analyst from Botswana a

Legal uncertainty over the recent issuing of Muslim Marriage Certificates in the absence of legislation continues to spark debate. The Women's Legal Centre says the Home Affairs Department cannot simply convert a marriage concluded under the Marriage Act into a Muslim marriage. As Mercedes Besent reports, Home Affairs recently announced that it had granted the first batch of 33 Muslim Marriage Certificates in the history of South Africa.

Voters in the US go to the polls in 2 days to elect their next president. The question that will be answered after Tuesday's election is - will America get its first woman president or a second Donald Trump term? With national polls too close to call the result can go either way.  To look at the US election and what a Donald Trump or Kamala Harris win means for South Africa and Africa,  Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Brooks Spector, Associate editor at Daily Maverick and retired US diplomat AND Gilbert Khadiagala, Emeritus Professor of International Relations at Wits University .

The Southern Africa Tourism Services Association - Satsa - THIS WEEK  urged travellers to Mozambique to exercise caution and postpone their trips amid reports of potential protests in the country. The association warned that travellers to Mozambique might experience interruptions at the Lebombo/Ressano Garcia Border Post, potential business disruptions and possible protest action especially in Maputo. The unrest stems from the recent disputed election won by the governing party, Frelimo.  Internet watchdog NetBlocks has confirmed that restrictions to WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram began on Thursday, while there has been disruption to mobile data soon after election day on 9 October. For an update of the advisory, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SATSA COO Hannellie Du Toit 

The ANC's Babalwa Lobishe was on Thursday elected as the new mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality while his former boss, Gary van Niekerk, is now her deputy. The pair swapped roles after they both briefly resigned to allow the new election to take place at a special Council meeting. Both were swore-in in their new positions just a few hours later. This shake-up was imminent as the ANC has long been eyeing reclaiming the mayoral chain from van Niekerk. While some have welcomed the swap others are not impressed saying the change will not improve service delivery to the metro's 1.2 million residents who have long complained about crime, water and electricity. To answer to these concerns Bongiwe Zwane spoke to the new executive mayor of the NMB municipality, Babalwa Lobishe

Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana tabled his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement on Wednesday. Reactions from stakeholders varied, with the rand and bond yields weakening following the announcement. YESTERDAY , The South African Federation of Trade Unions said it was disgusted by the mid term budget statement and that the Minister has re-committed to the path of extremely painful austerity measures.  Meanwhile , Section 27 says the Budget Policy Statement is a critical test of the Government of National Unity's  commitment to turning campaign promises into life-changing reality. The law centre says the MTBPS presented on WEDNESDAY underscores the government's commitment to maintaining the status quo, leaving the health and education sectors underfunded. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  Matshidiso Lengoasa, Budget Analyst at Section 27