The Weekend View

There are fears the the Middle East could soon explode into region wide violence after Iran's supreme leader vowed that the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah "will not go unavenged", after he was killed in Israeli air strikes on Beirut YESTERDAY. Hezbollah  confirmed the death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah, after Israel said it had killed him in an air strike. To help understand the situation on the ground, the dynamics of this conflict and whether diplomatic efforts can make a difference.  Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Lebanon's ambassador to South Africa, Kabalan Frangieh .

President Cyril Ramaphosa says plans are underway to build heroes acre to honour its stalwarts. Ramaphosa addressed the home-coming ceremony in Freedom Park in Pretoria on FRIDAY to honour liberation fighters who passed away in exile in Zambia and Zimbabwe. The remains of 42 struggle heroes have been brought back to the country. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to PAC Treasurer General and Veteran Jaki Seroke and Nocawe Mafu,  Deputy Chair of the Archives and Heritage subcommittee of the ANC   

It's another bumber sporting Saturday with the highly anticipated Betway Premiership clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. Kick off is at 3pm. TODAY's highlight is the Rugby Championship clash between the Springboks and Argentina in Mbombela, a match that promises to be historic for both South African rugby and lock Eben Etzebeth. The fixture will not only decide the tournament champion but will also see Etzebeth become the most capped Springbok in history, earning his 128th Test cap, surpassing Victor Matfield's record of 127. The Boks suffered a heart-breaking 29-28 defeat against the Pumas in Santiago del Estero last weekend ending South Africa's unbeaten run in the championship. Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus earlier THIS WEEK announced his matchday starting line up that included several key players who were rested for the previous match against Argentina. The match kicks off at 5pm. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Braam Van Straaten, a former Bok who played for the Springboks between 1999 and 2001

The MK Party has dismissed the decision of the Western Cape High Court stopping it's Parliamentary leader Dr. John Hlophe from serving on the Judicial Service Commission as politically driven. In a statement released YESTERDAY evening, the party says it will appeal what it called a 'horror' judgement. It says it will do whatever is necessary to prevent the sitting of the JSC scheduled for Monday 7th October 2024 without Dr. Hlophe..Hlophe, formerly judge president of the Western Cape division, was the first judge to be impeached in democratic SA's history. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to the Executive Director at the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC), Lawson Naidoo 

As part of celebrations to mark the soon to end Heritage month, the University of Johannesburg's Food Evolution Research Laboratory hosted a seminar to seek ways of decolonising South African cuisine. The seminar, held at the School of Tourism and Hospitality, was showcasing the nutritional benefits of indigenous foods, and encouraging their wider consumption. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Food Evolution Research Laboratory's director, Dr Hema Kesa 

Lebanon has warned that Israeli attacks on the country may lead to an "unprecedented" and "devastating" regional war. This after a top Hezbollah military commander was killed in an Israeli air strike on the Lebanese capital Beirut on Friday, in a major escalation that has added to fears of an all-out war. Lebanese officials said at least 14 people were killed and dozens injured in the strike that hit the densely populated Dahieh area. Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, vowed to inflict retribution after explosions of communication devices used by the group killed more than 30 people and injured thousands THIS WEEK. On Tuesday, thousands of pagers exploded, before hundreds of walkie-talkies did the same on Wednesday with multiple sources saying Israel's Mossad spy agency was targeting Hezbollah members. The walkie-talkie blasts killed 25 and injured at least 600. The pager explosions killed 12 and injured more than 2,800 Hezbollah members and civilians. Many of the injured had their hands amputated and eyes removed. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Ricky Mukonza , Associate Professor of Public Affairs at Tshwane University of Technology and Anthoni Van Nieuwkerk, Professor of International Relations at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs 

Humanitarian aid organisation, UNICEF,  says school-age children between 5 and 19 years old now account for 33 per cent of mpox cases in Burundi, presenting a new challenge as families prepare for the new school year. It says the rising number of mpox cases among children in Burundi, including children under five, is deeply concerning, and protecting them is its top priority. UNICEF is now scaling up efforts to address mpox as children head back to school across the country. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to France Bégin , Burundi Country Representative for UNICEF

Los Pumas secured a slim victory over the Springboks with a 29-28 win in a historic Rugby Championship match in Santiago del Estero, Argentina early THIS MORNING. The Boks were undefeated in the tournament until this game. The Boks needed a victory to secure the Rugby Championship title but will now have to hold off Argentina in next weekend's final game in Mbombela. Meanwhile here at home, a long-range penalty at the death by fullback Jordan Hendrikse saw the Sharks beat the Lions 16-14 in YESTERDAY's Currie Cup final at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. To look at these thrilling matches Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SAfm Sports anchor, Janet Whitton

The N3 has been REOPENED to clear traffic along Van Reenen as the snow that trapped motorists has reportedly claimed one life. The N3 Toll Concession released a statement LAST NIGHT saying N3 Route Services has now commenced to slowly escort stranded road users out of the area in the southbound lanes towards KwaZulu-Natal. It said graders and rescue teams are continuing to clear a safe passage for road users stranded in the vicinity of Swinburne/Montrose areas. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC reporter Nonjabulo Mntungwa-Makamu

September marks Heritage Month where South Africa celebrates the nation's diverse culture and rich heritage. This years, the commemoration is under the theme ,  Celebrating the lives of our heroes and heroines who laid down their lives for our freedom. This morning though, we highlight the importance of preserving and appreciating our heritage sites. To unpack this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr. Jane Mufamadi , the Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Park and Prof. Somadoda Fikeni , a specialist on heritage sites