The IEC is briefing the media shortly on the state of readiness for the upcoming 2024 general elections. The briefing follows President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement and subsequent gazetting of the election date. During the briefing, the Commission will unpack key aspects of the Elections Timetable, which will include the certification of the voters' roll, the publication of voting station details, the submission of candidate nominations and applications for special votes amongst other issues. IEC Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo had this to say.

The Coal-Face with Martin Creamer, publishing editor of Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

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The world's first woman-owned phosphate mine is scheduled to be opened in South Africa this year.

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The Department of Mineral Resources and the IDC have launched a fund to help junior miners to explore.

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Power aggregators are emerging fast to accelerate South Africa's transition to clean electricity.

The East London Regional Court has sentenced Enyobeni Tavern Owners, Siyakhangela and Vuyokazi Ndevu to a fine of five thousand rands each or 100 days in prison. They were found guilty of selling or supplying intoxicating liquor to persons under the age of 18 years. The tavern based at Scenery Park in East London, made headlines in 2022 after 21 young people mysteriously died inside the tavern. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to reporter Sidima Mfeku.. 

The Secretary General of the African National Congress, Fikile Mbalula has lambasted the Democratic Alliance for the opposition party's attempt to have the courts declare the ruling party's long-standing policy of cadre deployment, unconstitutional. Speaking during a media briefing in eThekwini ahead of the party manifesto launch at the Moses Mabhinda Stadium in Durban, Mbalula has accused the DA of fighting transformation in the guise of constitutionality.

The Executive Mayor of Mangaung Metro in the Free State province, Gregory Nthatisi says the municipality will probe further into allegations of corruption relating to ghost employees within the metro. Nthatisi says harsh measures will be taken in dealing with the matter following a report that has revealed that municipality has been paying bogus workers who have never worked a single day.  Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Executive Mayor of Mangaung Metro, Gregory Nthatisi on how the issue came to light. 

With the announcement of the election date of May 29 by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the date likely to be promulgated in the next few days, it is full steam ahead for the elections, one of the biggest stories for the year. The 2024 Elections coincide with South Africa's celebration of 30 years of freedom and democracy. The public broadcaster is mandated to deliver on the event. Earlier on I caught up with the SABC Group Executive for News and Current Affairs Moshoeshoe Monare to explain SABC News' election rollout plans and shows....

Members of the South African Federation of Trade Union are expected to march from the Cape Town CBD to Parliament ahead of 2024 Budget Speech by Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana. The federation has echoed growing calls for Godongwana not to announce budget cuts during his budget speech. This is his final budget speech before the dissolution of the sixth Parliament, ahead of the 2024 general elections. SAFTU says austerity measures continue to deepen inequality, poverty and unemployment. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SAFTU general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi

The National Assembly is set to vote on the proposed impeachment of suspended Judge President John Hlophe and retired judge Nkola Motata this afternoon. This after the Western Cape High Court dismissed an urgent court application for an interim interdict sought by Hlophe, against the voting impeachment process, pending the outcome of the review application he has since submitted at the Constitutional Court.  Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter in Parliament, Abongwe Kobokana.

The South African Ambassador in the Netherlands, Advocate Vusimuzi Madonsela, says the delay in ending the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel has resulted in the cycle of violence. Madonsela has told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that the occupation has lasted for over 50 years in defiance of  international law. South Africa and at least 50 other countries and several international organisations are taking part in the public hearings in The Hague, as the UN General Assembly seeks an advisory opinion from the World Court on Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. Madonsela highlighted the importance of the occasion. 

The official unemployment rate was at 32,1 % in the fourth quarter of 2023. According to data released by Statistics South Africa, the unemployment rate among the Black African population group remains higher than the national average and other population groups, at 36,1%. This as, Anglo American Platinum has announced that it is set to cut three-thousand-700 jobs in South Africa as the mining company attempts to improve performance. Amplats says it aims to cut jobs after a sharp drop in platinum metal prices, which had led to a collapse in profits last year. We are now joined on the line by Labour Lawyer and Analyst Michael Bagraim