The National Department of Health is expanding its vaccination drive to offer a third booster shot to South Africans who have had two Pfizer vaccinations.  The boosters are being administered six months after eligible recipients received their second primary shots. The third booster jabs come in the wake of the rapid spread of the latest Covid 19 variant, Omicron, which has the ability to evade vaccine and infection-induced immunity. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr Lesley Bamford, a specialist and acting Chief Director in the National Department of Health.

 Tributes are continuing to pour in following the death of human rights activist and Anglican Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu yesterday. Tutu has been describes as a pillar in the fight against the apartheid system in the country. Tributes to the Nobel Laureate and his devotion to speaking truth to power have been flooding in from all across the world. The 90-year-old died t his Cape Town home on Boxing Day. The country will observe a week of events to mark the his passing, including two days of lying in state before his official state funeral on 1 January in Cape Town. Elvis Presslin spoke to Independent Political Analyst, Sandile Swana

A family in the North West province is still trying to come to terms with the arrest of their 20 year relative who allegedly hired hitmen to kill her parents and siblings  in December 2016. The woman appeared in the Brits Magistrates' Court earlier this week . She is facing five charges of murder, together with the two alleged hitmen. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to family spokesperson Peter Ratlhagane

A massive new $4-billion green ammonia/hydrogen export project is planned for Nelson Mandela Bay. Construction of the world’s greenest platinum group metals plant is under way in North West province. The mining industry this week backed Eskom’s plans to lease land for renewable energy generation. Sakina Kamwendo presents another update from The Coal-Face with Martin Creamer, publishing editor of Engineering News and Mining Weekly.

 Eskom might plunge the nation into darkness this festive season over compliance with emissions standards. The power utility may be facing an energy crisis as a result of being forced to take power plants offline. That is after the environment department rejected Eskom's application to allow it to continue with current status quo. Eskom is battling to meet the required Minimum Emission Standards regulations. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Eskom's spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha...

The Gauteng High Court has ruled that former National Commissioner of Correctional Services Arthur Fraser's decision to place former president Jacob Zuma on medical parole was unlawful. This follows Zuma's 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court, after he refused to continue to appear before the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to legal journalist at Media24, Karyn Maughan and Legal Counselor at the Helen Suzman Foundation, Anton van Dalsen

 A UN envoy this week urged South Africa to make use of the funding available for energy transition. Mining companies this week committed themselves to full contract and tax openness to combat corruption. Exploration geologists this week urged South Africa to unlock its amazing jewel box of mineral deposits. Sakina Kamwendo presents another Update From The Coal-Face with Martin Creamer, publishing editor of Engineering News and Mining Weekly...

The manufacturer of Howe Instant Noodles has denied allegations that their products are unsafe for consumption.  This after the National Consumer Commission (NCC)  said that it has reasonable suspicion to believe that Grandisync CC, the supplier of Howe Instant Noodles, supplied goods that posed a potential risk to the public following the deaths of three children in the Eastern cape.  Sakina Kamwend spoke to Attorney for Grandisync CC, Hennie Huismen

A family in the North West Province, near Vryburg is in agony following the rape of their 10 year old daughter.  The family says that they opened a case of rape at the Vryburg police station  last month; on the 7th of November however the known suspect has not been  arrested and there has been no developments or feedback on the case. The police have allegedly told the family that this is not the case they are dealing with so the family must be patient.  Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the 10 year old's aunt who could not be named her to protect the victim. 

 Public service and administration minister Ayanda Dlodlo has urged South Africans to commit to fight corruption as a country. Ayanda Dlodlo delivered the keynote address at the commemoration of International Anti-Corruption Day. The day provides an opportunity for political leaders, governments, legal bodies and lobby groups to join forces against corruption. For a look at what the impact of rampant corruption has been on the country, Sakina Kamwendo spoke to researcher at the Public Service Commission and lecturer at the Tshwane University of Technology, Kgabo Morifi.