Drama/Umdlalo womoya

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the South African economy will only grow by a projected 0.1% this year. It expects weak growth due to load-shedding, as well as the weaker commodity prices and external environment. However, the IMF expects growth to rebound in the medium term, although only to about 1.5% per year, with income per capita likely to stagnate. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Waldo Krugell is a Professor in Economics at the North-West University.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has hosted Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilda. The royal couple is in the country on state visit which will end on Monday. The Presidency says that the Belgian monarchy's first visit to South Africa demonstrates strong bilateral relations between the two countries. Members of cabinet as well as business representatives are part of the Belgian delegation.

EFF leader, Julius Malema is currently addressing members of the media from the party's headquarters in Johannesburg. The address, coming from Winnie Madikizela Mandela House in Marshalltown follows the party's National Protest on Monday. Yesterday, ANC's secretary general Fikile Mbalula also held a similar media briefing from Luthuli House where he labelled the EFF's 'National Shutdown' as a flop and failure. Malema has hit back saying the ruling party is detached from reality.

The DA led multi-party coalition in Tshwane says it believes it has the numbers to elect its own preferred mayoral candidate for the Capital. This as a special council sitting to elect a new mayor reconvenes today following its collapse on Friday. The Tshwane metro has been without a mayor since the resignation of former mayor Randall Williams in February. His resignation was followed by the election of former speaker Dr Murunwa Makwerela as the new mayor but his tenure was short lived after he too resigned following the faking of his insolvency rehabilitation certificate. DA mayoral candidate, Cilliers Brink explains the latest from the counsel sitting with SABC reporter Patricia Visagie.

Former president Jacob Zuma has accused the Helen Suzman Foundation of being selective with the truth in his case for the private prosecution of Advocate Billy Downer and journalist, Karyn Maughn. Zuma's legal counsel, Advocate Thabani Masuku says the Helen Suzman Foundation is masquerading as a friend of the court while having chosen to side and advocate for the two accused in the matter. Masuku elaborates

Data from Stats SA shows inflation is starting to trend on the upside again. Newly-released Statistics South Africa shows annual consumer price inflation increased from six-point-nine per cent in January to seven per cent in February this year. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Chief Economist at Efficient Group, Dawie Roodt

President Cyril Ramaphosa says it is about time that South Africa reflects on the Constitution, its efficacy and the extent it has served the aspirations of the people of South Africa. He was speaking at the launch of the three day National Conference on the Constitution at Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg. The conference currently taking place is hosted by the Justice and Correctional Services Department. The aim of the dialogue is to reflect on the past 25 years of the Constitution, Nation Building, Gender Equality, Youth Economic Empowerment, as well issues of Service Delivery and Social Stability to chart a way forward on the path towards building on the gains of democracy. During his address President Ramaphosa reflected on the purpose of the Constitution.

Presenter: Big Joe

Presenter: Big Joe

Presenter: Big Joe

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is working to ensure functional municipalities to help realise the achievements of the many promises made in the Bill of Rights. He was speaking during the Human Rights Day commemoration in the town of De Aar in the Northern Cape easrlier this afternoon. Ramaphosa said most municipalities are failing to provide the basic amenities including water and sanitation, refuse and housing because of lack of capacity. He says government's failure to provide such services is a violation of the people's rights which government ought to protect. The president says they are now working to improve the capacity of the personnel at these municipalities.

Electricity Minister, Kgosientso Ramokgopa says the recent low level of loadshedding are due to low demand in the country. Ramokgopa is on a site visit of the Kusile Power Station in Mpumalanga. His visit come at the back of relatively low to no loadshedding over the last couple of days. Minister Ramokgopa elaborates...

Former president of Azapo, Dr Mosibudi Mangena has called for a change of the mindset of the majority of black South Africans. This comes as the country marks what he terms as Sharpeville Day which government has adopted as the official Human Rights Day today. Dr Mangena has lambasted government's response to the National Protest led by the EFF yesterday, including the recent tensions and behaviour of both government and labour unions. Dr Mangena explains in the conversation with SABC News anchor, Desiree Chauke.

EFF members are gathering at Church Square in Pretoria as part of the National Shutdown, calling for the resignation of president Cyril Ramaphosa and an end to load shedding. Police presence has been heightened at Church Square where the EFF and various organisations are converging. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Abongile Dumako

EFF leader, Julius Malema, says the party will launch legal action against KZN Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi after he allegedly said police would use combat against protesters in today's national shutdown. Malema says the Constitution does not make provision for the use of force against demonstrators. This as the presence of police and SANDF soldiers remains high amid protest action across the country. The EFF-led protest is calling for the end to load shedding and for the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa. Malema addressed members and supporters in Pretoria..

Soweto Parliament leader, Nhlanhla Lux Dlamini's home was attacked in the early hours of this morning. Dlamini claims at least two bombs were thrown at his home. Meanwhile, Police Minister, Bheki Cele, says the matter has been handed over to the Hawks to investigate and has also made it clear that at this time he cannot link the bombings to the current protest.

Police have used rubber bullets to disperse protesters barricading several roads from Seshego to Polokwane in Limpopo. Protesters used stones, and burning tires to close the roads. Malls and other local businesses at Seshego Circle centre remain shut. Some business owners in the area say they are running at a loss due to the shut-down. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Mahlatse Phaladi.

Online publication GroundUp says it seen photographs of a man who closely resembles 'Facebook rapist' Thabo Bester shopping in Sandton City nearly two months after his reported death in prison. On Wednesday GroundUp reported that it has uncovered new evidence that reveals suspicious circumstances in the prison fire thought to have killed "Facebook rapist" Thabo Bester. Last year in May, the Department of Correctional Services announced that Bester had been found dead in his cell at the Mangaung Correctional Centre. The department reported that a fire had broken out and a dead body was found under a burnt mattress. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Groundup reporter, Daniel Steyn.

Labour Federation, SAFTU together with other working class formations are currently giving an update on preparations for the National Protest set for next week on Monday. This comes as sentiments over the protest continue to be divided. Dubbed a National Shutdown, the protest, led by the EFF is aimed at raising concern over the crippling rolling blackouts, high unemployment and the high cost of living including for president Cyril Ramaphosa to resign. SAFTU's general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi outlines demands ahead of Monday's protest.

The Film and Publication Board (FPB) has requested Twitter to take down a video that reportedly incites violence against those who will not participate in protest marches planned for 20 March. In a statement, the Film and Publication Board (FPB) says the video warns that any pupil wearing school uniform during the protests will be beaten up, as well as teachers and police officers. Film and Publication Board CEO, Mashilo Boloka says the FPB is concerned by the video.

Presenter: Big Joe

The EFF in the Tshwane region has just lay criminal charges against the DA mayoral candidate for Mayor in the City of Tshwane Cilliers Brink and party councillors Jacqui Uys and Katlego Makgaleng for electoral fraud in the election of the Speaker earlier this week. This comes after the DA had instructed its members to number their ballot papers, to prove that they voted for the multi-party coalition's candidate. The IEC declared the DA's 69 votes as spoilt and invalid. His also comes ahead of the ANC march in Pretoria tomorrow together with the council sitting to elect a new mayor. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi,

Police Minister, Bheki Cele, has assured all South Africans and the business sector, that Monday next week will be a normal business day. This in the wake of a planned national shutdown by the EFF and other interested organizations, calling for the resignation of president Cyril Ramaphosa, end in load shedding and the high rate of unemployment. Yesterday, EFF leader, Julius Malema, confirmed that the protest will go ahead as planned. And Cele says any form of disruption and intimidating of those who are not participating in the protest, will not be tolerated. He says it will be business as usual on Monday next week.

The SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) has refused to participate in the EFF's planned shutdown. The EFF vowed to shut down the entire country on Monday to protest against load shedding and to demand President Cyril Ramaphosa's resignation. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Santaco national spokesperson Bafana Magagula

A KwaZulu-Natal is reeling following the abduction of their 2-month-old baby by armed suspects his at baby's home in Welbedacht West in Chatsworth, south of Durban. Police in the province have confirmed that a kidnapping case is being investigated after the baby was snapped on Friday. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter Nonjabulo Mtungwa Makamo.

The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster says it is well prepared for any violent eventualities during the much-talked about National Protest led by the EFF together with various civic formations. The protest, dubbed a 'national shutdown' is aimed at calling for an end to the rolling blackouts, the increasing cost of living and joblessness including for president Cyril Ramaphosa to resign. Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says if people are not at work on Monday, it would be because they took leave on the day.

Presenter: Big Joe

Topic: Self esteem Guest: Mr. Doctor Mayisela

Presenter: Big Joe

A report was launched by Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla and the Health Ombud, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba. A report on the findings of an investigation into allegations against the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital has found that the hospital is unsafe, dirty and filthy. The investigation took just over a year to conclude and some of the complaints that led to the investigation suggested that the dignity of the patients at the hospital was not taken seriously. Professor Makgoba says the report also found that allegation and that Mkabayi was not at the hospital full-time,were true.

The Electoral Commission says the 69 votes of the DA that were cast for the Speaker of the City of Tshwane council were not counted as they violated the law and compromises the identity of the voter in so far as secret balloting is concerned. This comes as the DA is considering taking legal action against the Electoral Commission over this decision. The elections saw Tshwane councillor and African Transformation Movement member Mncedi Ndzwanana elected council speaker in the early hours of this morning. He defeated the DA led multi-party candidate Kholofelo Morodi from ActionSA. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to IEC's Gauteng Commissioner Thabo Masemula.

The DA within the City of Tshwane is seeking legal advice over the IEC's decision to declare 69 of its votes as invalid, spoilt votes during the election of the new Speaker of Tshwane, Mncedi Ndzwanana. Ndzwanana, from the African Transformation Movement beat the DA led multi-party candidate Kholofelo Morodi from ActionSA by 105 to 37 votes. The DA's 69 votes which were declared invalid would have given the DA led multi-party coalition a total of 106 votes to the 105 from the ANC and EFF led coalition. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to DA caucus chairperson, Councillor Jacqui Uys.

Presenter: Big Joe

Police in Makhado have launched a massive manhunt for a group of heavily armed suspects who attacked and shot at police transport six awaiting trial prisoners and helped them to escape. Udo Carelse spoke to spokesperson for the police in Limpopo, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo

Security has been beefed up at Greys Hospital in Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal as some members of NEHAWU are still picketing outside. Reporters on the ground say there are also concerns about mortuaries not being in service. Udo Carelse spoke to SABC reporter, Nonjabulo Makamu.