As South Africans across the land enjoy a day off with loved ones, it's easy to forget the true meaning behind why President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the 15th of December as a public holiday. To help us remember the true reason for this esteemed day, SAfm Sport Anchor, Jon Gericke takes us on a short trip down memory lane.

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

1. South Africa's new R105-billion green ammonia project is going to be a big boost for the Eastern Cape.  

2. A Johannesburg-listed mining company is recovering valuable copper from old mine dumps in Zambia.

3. South Africans need to work together to grow the local mining sector, which has been shrinking since 1994.

Martin Creamer will be taking a well-earned break and will be back at the Coal-Face again on Friday, the 19th of January 2024.

87% of people murdered in South Africa are men. That's according to a study by the University of Cape Town and the South African Medical Research Council. The study reveals that South African men are significantly burdened with homicide. The country has one of the highest homicide rates, six times the global average. Men are killed eight times higher in the 15-44 age group compared to women in all age groups. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Dr Morna Cornell, senior researcher at UCT's School of Public Health.  

Law enforcement officers have been deployed to strategic areas throughout Mpumalanga to ensure the safety of members of the public, motorists and passengers.  The Road Traffic Management Corporation, the provincial Transport Department and Health launched their safety plans anticipating high traffic volumes on the N4, N12 and other major provincial roads. Provincial police Commissioner, Semakaleng Manamela visited the Lebombo Border Post with Mozambique to assess the state of readiness. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Simon Zwane, spokesperson for the Road Traffic Managament Corporation... 

President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently delivering a keynote address at the SAPS passing-out parade in the Northern Cape, where 1400 newly trained officers will be certified ready to fight crime. In total 10 thousand new police recruits are getting their pass-out from training across seven provinces this week. The new recruits will be deployed across all provinces in an effort to boost the fight against crime. Ramaphosa congratulated the recruits on their success.

Economic activity in South Africa decreased in the third quarter of 2023 as real gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 0.2% following a revised expansion of 0.5% in the second quarter. This is according to the newly released Quartely Bulletin by the South African Reserve Bank which outlines the current state of the economy in terms of spending, impact of interest rates, inflation, growth and investment.  The report also shows that growth in labour productivity in the formal non-agricultural sector slowed further from 0.6% in the first quarter of 2023 to no growth in the second quarter as year-on-year employment growth exceeded that in output. To unpack this, Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Iaan Venter, Head of Business Cycle Analysis Unit at the South African Reserve Bank 

 Northern Cape Premier, Zamani Saul has received backlash on social media platforms following his tweet on Tuesday where he announced that 540 flushing toilets will be constructed at a cost of R120 million, in an effort to eradicate bucket and pit toilets. X users questioned the budget of the project, with some demanding a breakdown of this cost. However, some Campbell residents who are using bucket and pit toilets have welcomed the announcement, stating that the project will also create employment. SABC News reporter, Karabo Siyoko filed this report.

Parliament's Powers and Privileges Committee has heard that three Economic Freedom Fighters MPs blatantly disregarded and disrespected the authority of the Speaker. This is according to the initiator of the hearings into the behaviour of  Veronia Mente, Khanya Ceza and Nazier Paulsen. The committee heard closing arguments based on the evidence that was brought during hearings into an incident that saw the MPs disrupt a session with President Cyril Ramaphosa. The evidence includes video footage of the events that unfolded during Ramaphosa's oral reply session, where the trio was removed form the Good Hope Chamber for disrupting proceedings. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Mercedes Besent.

Two suspects who were arrested on charges of human trafficking after they were found boarding a bus with 14 undocumented children have appeared at the Kimberley Magistrate's Court.  The accused were arrested last week Tuesday in Kimberley after they were seen travelling with the children between the ages of 6 and 14 years. The children, believed to be from Zimbabwe,  were rescued from the pair and are currently kept at a place of safety around Kimberley. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Clement Matroos.

Health Ombudsman Professor Taole Mokoena and Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla have expressed outrage at the actions of two nurses from a clinic in Motherwell, Nelson Mandela Bay. This comes after the nurses sent a raped teenager, Zenizole Vena, who was in desperate need of medical attention, to walk to a police station. Vena died a few hours later. Health Ombud Professor Mokoena has asked for a disciplinary hearing and that the nurses be reported to the South African Nursing Council.  Mokoena say the nurses negligence contributed to Vena's death. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Health Ombudsman Professor Taole Mokoena