Employed South Africans have a lower take home-salary than a year ago. According to the latest BankservAfrica Disposable Salary Index (BDSI), the average disposable salary is growing at only 1 percent above inflation. To explain more on this Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Chief economist at economists.co.za, Mike Schussler

1. Asian Stocks Rise as Japan Rally Counters Drop in Mining Shares
2. Uber Won New York Fight, but Remains a Flashpoint in the Inequality Debate
3. Old Mutual, PIC selling out of Lewis stores following the credit conspiracy
4. Thursday investment theme: Anchor Capital

It's been 3 years and 8 months since South African Stephen McGowan was kidnapped by militants in Mali. Now the humanitarian organisation, Gift of the Givers says it's trying to help negotiate his release. The organisation's Imtiaz Sooliman says they've sent a negotiator to Mali in an attempt to make contact with McGowan's kidnappers. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Chairman and founder of Gift of The Givers, Imtiaz Sooliman

Global mining company Glencore has announced that its subsidiary, Optimum Coal Mines, is going ahead with the closure of some of its operations. This will see 380 families left without an income. The National Union of Mineworkers said earlier it would to consult with its lawyers to fight the retrenchments. For a reaction Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Deputy General Secretary of NUM, William Mabapa

Security upgrades at President Jacob Zuma's homestead in Nkandla, in northern KwaZulu-Natal are not worth the more than 200-million rand of taxpayers' money spent on them. That's according to the Chairpreson of the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee on Nkandla, Cedric Frolick. The Committee conducted an in loco inspection of the upgrades to the president's home. It found evidence of gross inflation of prices, shoddy workmanship and a waste of taxpayers' money in the controversial security upgrades. Zanele Buthelezi reports

Government's short to medium term job opportunities have restored the dignity of poor South Africans who have never worked in their lives. This according to the Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa. He visited the beneficiaries of government's Public Employment Programme initiative in Orange Farm south of Johannesburg. Unemployed young people at the Orange Farm Skills Centre are running a food garden with a soup kitchen to feed the poor in the community. The centre also has a computer laboratory which has benefited over 3000 learners. Ntebo Mokobo reports.

During our Forum at eight discussion yesterday with veteran journalist Joe Thloloe on the life of struggle hero Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, some of our listeners voiced their concerns that the history of Sobukwe is not being taught adequately at the Robben Island Museum, claiming that there is very little interest by the museum to tell his story and to respond to this Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Robben Island Museum Chief Executive Officer Sibongiseni Mkhize

1. Inflation numbers that came out yesterday
2. The challenges Anglo American faces at its 2 subsidiaries Kumba and Amplats
3. Updates on US earnings

Prasa chairperson Popo Molefe says he's confident that police investigations will reveal details of a plot to kill him. Molefe has opened a conspiracy to commit murder case, saying threats are being made on his life. AM Live host Sakina Kamwendo speaks to Popo Molefe.

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2. Australia core consumer prices rise 0.6%
3. More debt traders seen at risk as European banks report results