President Jacob Zuma has defended his decision to fire Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene. In an interview with the SABC the president dismissed reports that his decision was irrational after replacing Nene with former Merafong Mayor Desmond Van Rooyen. President Zuma was forced to rescind his decision after negative reaction from the markets which saw the Rand crashing. Presidential Correspondent Tshepo Ikaneng has filed this report..

AbaThembu king Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo's eldest son - Azenathi has been confirmed as acting king of the AbaThembu nation. This goes according to AbaThembu monarch, King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo 's earlier wishes.Family members and traditional leaders from AbaThembu districts attended a meeting yesterday at Bumbane Great Place outside Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. Fundiswa Mhlekude reports..

Mohammed Nalla from Nedbank Capital looks at the Rand as it reaches another record low and Chines data continues to deteriorate.

Associate Professor and Dean at the Centre for Higher Education Development at the University of Cape Town, Suellen Shay, says there is ample evidence that the 2015 matriculants are not ready for university. She says in assessing learners' preparedness, two measures have to be taken into consideration. These are the National Senior Certificate, and the national Benchmark tests. Shay says these two instruments are vital for universities to make decisions regarding admissions. She now joins us on the line to explain why learners preparedness is important.

Trade and Industry minister Rob Davies has confirmed that all outstanding issues threatening the renewal of AGOA agricultural trade benefits between South Africa and the United States - have been resolved. Davies has told a news conference in Pretoria the salmonella issue has been concluded and the South African market is now open for 65-thousand tons of US poultry imports. He says the US has signed all documents and he is now awaiting a formal announcement from President Barack Obama. Amina Accram reports

Government's student financial aid scheme, NSFAS, has set aside one-point-four billion rand for student registrations. NSFAS says they hope to assist about 400-thousand students to register. A record number of matrics sat for their final exam last year. The Higher Education Department is expected to flesh out more details of government's financial assistance next week. Zalene Merrington reports

Nadir Thokan, Investment Analyst at 27Four Investment looks at comments made by Goerge Soros about market conditions feeling like 2008, possible listing of state owned Saudi Aramco and returns slowing for listed property sector.

As the ANC gears up for its 104th birthday celebration tomorrow, it is business as usual in Nkaneng township near the koppie where 34 miners were killed in 2012. Some residents say they are reluctant to attend the governing party's bash as they are still recovering from the tragedy. The ANC is holding its national rally in Rustenburg - three years after the Marikana police shooting. Our reporter Patrick Dinta visited Nkaneng and filed this report.

Trade and Industry minister Rob Davies has confirmed that all outstanding issues threatening the renewal of AGOA agricultural trade benefits between South Africa and the United States - have been resolved. Davies has told a news conference in Pretoria the salmonella issue has been concluded and the South African market is now open for 65-thousand tons of US poultry imports. He says the US has signed all documents and he is now awaiting a formal announcement from President Barack Obama. Amina Accram reports

The governing party the ANC - is in a celebratory mood as it marks its 104th anniversary today. The continent's oldest liberation movement is celebrating in the mining town of Rustenburg in the North West. Over 120-thousand people are expected to attend the festivities. It will be delivering its annual January 8 statement - with high expectations on how to resolve the country's pressing challenges. Our presidential correspondent Tshepo Ikaneng looks at some of these.