The Weekend View

South African consumers across the board find themselves increasingly under pressure due to the high cost of living and other factors outside their control, such as the increasing food and petrol prices. What's also concerning, is the shrinking budget allocation on essential items, such as education, healthcare and savings.  Where consumers do have a say though, is in how they spend their money, on purchases such as new vehicles, property or on credit cards. But the newly established National Financial Ombud Scheme urges consumers to think long and hard, taking into consideration the long term consequences should they not be able to service their debts and possibly face a repossession scenario down the line.  For more on repossesions and consumer rights , Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Nerosha Maseti, Lead Ombud for the Banking Division at the National Financial Ombud Scheme 

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to appoint his deputy president, ministers and their deputies soon. Ramaphosa has begun consultations on the appointment of a new cabinet after agreeing to form a broad coalition with opposition parties. The Government of National Unity (GNU),  includes parties such as the DA, IFP, Patriotic Alliance (PA), GOOD Party, the PAC FF Plus and on Friday the UDM became the eighth party to join.   There are also calls for Ramaphosa to cut by a third, the number of Cabinet posts.  Bongiwe Zwane spoke to political analyst, Sanusha Naidu 

As we celebrate Youth Day, it's a sharp reminder that South Africa has one of the highest youth unemployment rates globally, with 61% of those aged 15-24 and 40% of those aged 25-34 being very vulnerable. Young people face unique challenges when it comes to finding their place in the world.  Some of the challenges youth in South Africa face include high levels of unemployment, limited access to quality education, economic inequality, crime rates, and social issues, such as substance abuse and violence. Additionally, they may encounter psychological and emotional stressors related to these challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. This year marks the 48th anniversary of the 16 June 1976 student uprising in Soweto, when young people protested against the Bantu Education Act, which enforced Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools and apartheid laws that oppressed black South Africans. TODAYS'  commemoration is held under theme "Actively advancing socio-economic gains of our democracy".  Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Tessa Dooms ,  Political analyst  and Director of Programmes at the Rivonia Circle and Anele Satsha, Head of Economic Policy & Research and the SA Youth Economic Council (SAYEC)

The Healthy Living Alliance - HEALA - is warning that the obesity epidemic facing the youth of South Africa, inadvertently places them at risk of major non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, pulmonary diseases, strokes, certain types of cancer and type 2 diabetes. According to Discovery's 2023 ObeCity Index, more than 20 million South African adults (20 years and older) are obese, with 13% of children under the age of five also afflicted by obesity. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Eunice Montso, Policy and Programme Coordinator at the Healthy Living Alliance 

Research conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council in 2022 found that 30% of South Africans between the age  16 and older consumed alcohol. However, 90% of these drinkers engaged in binge drinking, meaning they sometimes consumed four or more drinks in one sitting. Meanwhile, non-profit organisation,  Aware.org says 50% of teenagers in South Africa drink alcohol.  One of the organisation's studies also showed that someone who starts drinking under the age of 18, which is illegal, is four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than someone who starts consuming booze after the age of 20. The Organisation is now taking this opportunity to address the critical issues affecting the youth with the special focus on underage drinking. To discuss this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Lebogang Mashigo, Senior programmes manager at Aware.org 

A new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has revealed that elephant poaching is on the decline.  The reduction of cases has been linked to the closure of key domestic ivory markets which has significantly reduced demand . On the supply side, the conviction of high-level traffickers across Africa and Asia has limited the flow of illegal ivory.   Wildlife organisation - Wild Africa Fund - has welcomed the news of the decline in elephant poaching but warns that the threat to Africa's elephants persists and says efforts must continue in reporting wildlife crime and saying NO to poaching. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  Wild Africa Fund CEO and co- founder Peter Knights 

For some analysis  on the new Cyril Ramaphosa GNU , Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  political analysts Sandile Swana and Dr Fikile Vilakazi...

Cyril Ramaphosa has been re-elected President of South Africa. He beat EFF leader Julius Malema by 283 votes. Malema received 44 votes and was nominated by the UDM. Ramaphosa was nominated by the IFP. The win paves the way for Ramaphosa to lead an ANC led government of national unity. The leaders of parties that constitute parliament following the 29 May have also congratulated Cyril Ramaphosa on becoming the next President of South Africa. The PAC did not give a message of congratulations to the president. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to J PAC Secretary General Apa Pooe....

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo will TODAY preside over the swearing in of the permanent delegates in the National Council of Provinces - NCOP. This follows YESTERDAY's swearing in ceremony of  the hundreds of Members of Parliament at the Cape Town International Convention Centre during the first sitting of the National Assembly of the seventh Parliament. To walk us through today's process Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  the council's secretary, Advocate Modibedi Phindela 

The Don Consultancy Group Chief Economist, Chifipa Mhango says the South African 2024 Election results have transformed the political landscape, and the challenge remains on transforming the economy.   The new South African government faces enormous domestic challenges, which are stimulating economic growth, job creation and confronting structural inequality. To unpack this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Chifipa Mhango