Drama/Umdlalo womoya

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is on a three-country trip to Africa, as Washington continues its unrelenting condemnation of Moscow for its war in Ukraine. She is leading a new diplomatic push by the Biden administration that aims to show the continent that the United States is a true partner. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Prof John Stremlau from the department of International Relations at the University of Witwatersrand.

Two senior officials from the Lepelle-Nkumpi local municipality in Limpopo are expected to make their first appearances in the Polokwane Special Commercial Crimes Court on corruption charges. One of the pair was initially due in the same court this morning when proceedings were delayed following the arrest of his co-accused. The first suspect was arrested on Saturday after he allegedly received R30 000 gratification fee from a complainant, in exchange for awarding a tender. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Michael Makungo

The trial of a man accused of killing seven women is expected continue in the Polokwane High Court in Limpopo. Themba Dube is facing seven charges of murder, rape and kidnapping, as well as one charge for contravening the Immigration Act. The bodies of the women were found dumped in different locations in and around Polokwane in 2021. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Kokesto Motau.

A member of parliament and former ANC Youth League secretary in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda Region in the North West, is expected to appear in the Orkney Magistrate Court. He was arrested on Friday for allegedly killing his wife last November in Kanana township near Klerskdorp. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Zeblon Maine.

Presenter: Big Joe

African National Congress President, Cyril Ramaphosa says he has requested that Eskom consider postponing the implementation of the latest energy tariff increase. The National Energy Regulator (NERSA) recently approved Eskom's electricity tariff increase application by 18-point-six-five per cent for the 2023-2024 financial year. Speaking following the ANC PEC meeting in Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday, Ramaphosa added that government would not close down the Kusile and Medupi power stations as the country has spent far too much money on the two power stations.

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National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has commended a multi-disciplinary team for the arrest of six men believed to be part of a syndicate that has been terrorising business owners in Gauteng. The suspects have been linked to at least 16 cases following surveillance operations led by Crime Intelligence Officers and Organised Crime members. The group was arrested after a businessman was rescued in Johannesburg. During the arrest police confiscated five luxury vehicles, twenty cellphones and thirty portable GPS tracking devices. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

At least 7 people have died due to heatstroke with at least one on a ventilator and recovering in the Kakamas Hospital in the Northern Cape. Local doctors have expressed serious concern as all of the deceased are farm workers working on local fields. The Kakamas area has been experiencing soaring temperatures of over forty degrees with the situation being exacerbated by water challenges in the area. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Reginald Witbooi

South African Post Office is reportedly planning to cut worker's salaries by up to 40% from next month, as the entity's financial troubles continue to mount. Workers were recently up in arms after the post office failed to pay over R600-million in medical aid contributions. The entity is one of many State Owned Entities on the verge of collapse, with growing calls for government to intervene. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Post Office CEO, Nomkhita Mona on the state of SAPO

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More than 1.2 million learners return to school in the Western Cape this year. Education MEC in the province, David Maynier says although they have admissions pressure, additional classrooms have been added to their schooling system.

The KwaZulu-Natal Education Department has committed to assisting parents and unplaced learners who were displaced during the April floods and relocated to other areas. This as millions of learners in coastal areas began the 2023 academic caleder on Wednesday. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Fanele Mhlongo

The Eastern Cape Department on Wednesday indicated that the province is aiming to place all unplaced learners by the of the month. This after the Independent Examination Board's (IEB) matric class of 2022 achieved a pass rate of 98.42% for the National Senior Certificate, slightly higher than last year's pass rate of 98.39%. Abongile Jantjies

The City of Johannesburg's electricity entity, City Power has embarked on an operation to disconnect businesses, resident's properties and government institutions that continue to owe the municipality millions of rands in electricity debt. The utility is currently disconnecting customers who owe the Alexandra depot over R363 million. Earlier, technicians disconnected the Nigerian Consulate General in Illovo as well as the Catalyst Hotel in Sandton. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to city Power spokesperson, Isaac Mangena.

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A Kimberley man accused of rape and assault will remain in custody after the Galeshewe Magistrate's Court postponed his case to Monday next week. It is alleged that the 40-year-old assaulted his wife before raping her. It is expected that another charge will be added for the alleged rape of the step daughter. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter Neria Hlakotsa

As South Africans attempt to come to terms with the elevated levels of load shedding, the latest International Risk Survey conducted by Financial services company, Allianz has identified electricity constrains as the biggest risk to South Africa's economy for 2023. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to CEO of Allianz Group in South Africa, Thusang Mahlangu about the aim of the survey and what it revealed about SA.

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula says there was a 13.9% decrease in the number of fatalities experienced on the country's roads last festive season, as compared to the previous year. Mbalula announced the 2022/2023 festive season fatalities statistics on the N1 Grasmere toll plaza, south of Johannesburg. The minister says over 1400 people died during that period.

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The country's agricultural sector is requesting for farmers to be put on a different load shedding schedule. The sector says that due South Africa's energy crisis , the country will lose its food security in the next 24 months. AgriSA says this is something government can not ignore. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Christo van der Rheede , Executive Director at Agri SA

The South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has granted President Cyril Ramaphosa an urgent interim interdict application against the private prosecution by former president Jacob Zuma. The full bench of the high court delivered its judgment on the matter after it heard arguments last week, from Ramaphosa and Zuma's legal teams. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to legal analyst, Mpumelelo Zikalala for his reaction to the court's ruling.

Residents of Kroonstad in the Free State have taken to the street in protest against a range of issues including a lack service delivery and the electricity challenges. The Moqhaka Local Municipality, under which Kroonstad falls, says among the changes oulined by the community, is the municipality's 60/40 rationing of electricity for accounts in arrears for 90 days and above. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the spokesperson for the Moqhaka Local Municipality, Dika Kheswa about some of the concerns outlined in the community's memorandum of grievances.

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Guest: Akona Makalima World Cup bound female Referee Presenter: Big Joe

Presenter: Big Joe

Presenter: Big Joe

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Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has been monitoring the first day of school in Diepsloot in Gauteng as inland schools begin the 2023 academic year. She has pleaded with parents of learners who have not yet been allocated places at schools, to give the department least ten days in which to address the problem. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Horisani Sithole on today's proceedings.

Parents at some Quintile One schools in Malamulele have accused local schools of refusing to issue their children with stationery. They say the schools are demanding a once-off payment of 550 rand before issuing stationery to learners. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Michael Makungo

The resignation of the Mayor of the embattled Ditsobotla municipality in the North West hardly 24 hours in office has set tongues wagging. This after Itumeleng Elizabeth Lethoko was elected into the position leaving the municipality without a mayor. Yesterday's sitting came after postponements and delays in swearing in councillors after the by-elections. Lethoko,was herself convicted of fraud and breach of the Municipal Finance Management Act in 2015. Patriotic Alliance deputy president Kenny Kunene says they had hoped to turn the municipality around. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter Zabilon Maine.

Postbank has appealed to grant beneficiaries to ignore rumours circulating that the SASSA gold Card has been changed and no longer working. Postbank suspended ATM withdrawals on SASSA gold cards in December leaving some Social Relief of Distress grant recipients frustrated. Postbank says there was a system glitch which has since been resolved and beneficiaries can continue to access their money at ATM's, retailers as well as over the counter at the Post office branches. 29 million South African citizens receive grants from SASSA. Amina Accram filed this report.

Gauteng MEC, Matome Chiloane says parents should exercise patience with the department over the placement of both Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners. This comes a day before the start of the 2023 academic year for inland provinces. The Gauteng Education department earlier said they received over 290-thousand complete applications. MEC Chiloane who last year replaced the current Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi in this portfolio explains where the Online Admissions is at currently..

Parents at some Quintile One schools in Malamulele are accusing local schools of refusing to issue their children with stationery until they have made once off payments. This comes as thousands of learners are expected to return to school following the festive season break. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Michael Makungo

Presenter: Big Joe

The Tembisa Magistrate's Court has postponed the extradition case against a Mozambican kidnapping kingpin to the 16th of January. The 50-year-old suspect is alleged to be linked to multiple kidnappings in South Africa and Mozambique. A task team pounced on the man on Saturday evening at an upmarket estate in Centurion. Police seized a 9mm licensed firearm, fourteen 9mm cartridges and five cellphones, among other items. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Sashin Naidoo

Last month, a number of grant beneficiaries did not receive their R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant from the South African Social Security Agency and Postbank. This was due to some technical glitches during the November and December period which affected the timely payment of beneficiaries. SASSA and Post bank are back on track and many recipients received their January payments with no glitches. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Moabi Pitsi, Acting SASSA Spokesperson and Daddy Mabe of #PayTheGrants

Honoring Shadow Mbonani

It is that time of the year where parents are busy preparing for the opening of schools. One of the stresses that emerge at this time is the cost of uniforms and stationery. Uniforms set parents back thousands of rand. But parents are not completely left to fend for themselves. The Competion Commission has been investigating the matter and in 2021 published national guidelines on school uniforms. The guidelines stipulate that schools should follow a competitive bidding process when appointing suppliers for school uniforms and learning-related items. General secretary at the National Association of School Governing Bodies, Matakanye Matakanye says parents are not completely powerless when it comes to the issue of high cost of uniforms. Elvis Presslin spoke to Matakanye Matakanye, general secretary at the National Association of School Governing Bodies

Instability continues to be the order of the day in the Lichtenburg-based Ditsobotla Local Municipality. Contract workers have downed tools 'cause they haven't been paid their December salaries. Some are essential service workers. Protesting contract workers have blocked the municipality's entrance and scattered municipal documents all over Lichtenburg town. SABC reporter, Tebogo Phakedi filed this report.

Police have also launched a manhunt for suspects after five people were shot at in Eldorado Park south of Johannesburg last night. Two of the victims were certified dead on the scene. Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, says the motive for the shooting cannot be confirmed at this stage, although it is suspected to be related to gangsterism in the area. Elvis Presslin spoke to Eldorado Park Community Activist , Charis Pretorius about the community's plight.

Police say four suspects believed to be responsible for a shooting incident that took place in Westbury on 31 December 2022 were arrested yesterday in Westbury. Residents of Westbury, have vowed to continue to camp outside the Sophiatown police station, until police put an end to the ongoing gang related violence in the community. Residents have been camping outside the police station since November last year. This follows an increase in shooting incidents in the community. Last year alone, more than a dozen people were shot and killed, while several others were wounded. Many innocent bystanders also lost their lives after being caught in the crossfire of the ongoing gang war. SABC reporter Sashin Naidoo filed this report.

Honoring Shadow Mbonani

There have been growing calls for a government agency to be established to oversee the protection and compensation of whistle-blowers and their families. Many murders of those who've exposed malfeasance and corruption remain unresolved. Two prominent cases are those of Moss Phakoe, a North West anti-corruption activist, and Gauteng health official, Babita Deokaran. Phakoe was gunned down outside his Rustenburg home in 2009 after exposing corruption at the local municipality. Deokaran was assassinated for revealing corruption and malpractices at the Tembisa Hospital last year. Phanuel Shuma

ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula says the president is busy applying his mind on a possible cabinet reshuffle, following the ANC's National Elective Conference. The conference which took place in December and resumed today, saw the likes of Deputy President, David Mabuza unable to get re-elected into the ANC National Executive Committee. The list of failed contenders to the NEC also includes some cabinet ministers. Elvis Presslin spoke to SABC reporter, Abongile Dumako

Policies around the renewal of the ANC and adoption of the step-aside rule in the ANC constitution will be top on the agenda for ANC in the Northern Cape as the 55th national conference continues. Meanwhile, deputy chairperson of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, Nomagugu Simelane, says delegates will use the continuation of the party's national conference to discuss party policies. Elvis Presslin spoke to Angelo Fick, Director of Research of the Auwal Socio-economic Research about what should be expected as the conference resumes.

ANC president Cyril Rampahosa has called on ANC members to exercise discipline to bring a conclusion of its 55th National Conference today. The virtual conference is held over two days ahead of the party's January 8 celebrations on Sunday. Ramphosa says the core of the tasks identified by Conference in December is the need to restore relationship with the people of South Africa.

Honoring Shadow with Walter Mokoena

Small businesses in townships and rural areas around the Durban metro say the festive season boost their turnover as patrons opted to enjoy themselves at local establishments. However they say flood damage and stage 6 load shedding affected their turnover. Nonkululeko Hlophe has this report

Farmers Associations say it will take months for the agricultural industry to reap the benefits of fuel price decreases. Farmers have battled to stay afloat in light of continuous fuel price increases. Fuel prices decreased significantly, with Petrol prices decreasing by R2.06c per litre, while diesel prices decreased by over R2.60c per litre, following the appreciation of the Rand against the US Dollar, which led to a lower contribution to the Basic Fuel Prices on petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin. Zebilon Maine reports.