Drama/Umdlalo womoya

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.

The ANC says the Dr Petrus Molemela stadium has now been cleared for its 111 year celebrations to be addressed by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday. This is despite earlier reports that the just over 15 000 seater stadium was vandalized with no running water, no operational lifts, no VIP rooms with no electrical and safety certificates. Briefing the media on the preparedness to hold its annual January 8 celebrations at the stadium, the governing party said there was no sinister on the part of the municipality to raise the red flag on the safety of the stadium. Ntebo Mokobo has more.

Two men, accused of assaulting a Pretoria East man in a suspected racial attack, have each been granted 8- thousand rand bail at the Pretoria Magistrate's Court. Karel Prinsloo and Johannes Stassen are facing charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property and crimen injuria. The two allegedly assaulted Thato Lepinka and damaged his vehicle in a parking lot of the Willoway Shopping Centre in Garsfontein. Elvis Presslin spoke to SABC reporter Phumzile Mlangeni on what transpired in court.

Alleged Limpopo serial rapist linked to seven rape cases is back in the Bolobedu magistrate's court today. The 33-year-old man was arrested at the Tzaneen CBD after police received a tip-off. The police have been probing at least seven rape cases that were reported between 2015 and 2016. Police say he targeted hitch-hikers and shoppers. Elvis Presslin spoke to SABC reporter Justice Shipalana on what transpired in court today.

Tribute to Shadow Mbonani

The ANC says preparations are in place for the holding of its annual January 8 celebrations to mark its 111 years. Crafted in 1972 to celebrate the ANC's 60th anniversary, the then ANC President Oliver Reginald Tambo used the occasion to call for the building of a nation - a theme adopted to push ahead with the struggle for non-racialism and a democratic South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the governing ANC's 2023 January 8 statement at the Dr Petrus Molemela stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday. Our Political Correspondent Ntebo Mokobo looks at the history of the ANC January 8 Statement since the Tambo era.

Presenter: Big Joe

Activist and founder of the Callas Foundation, Caroline Peters, is challenging a law that prohibits publicly naming an accused charged with rape or other sexual offences before they have pleaded in court. Peters wants the relevant section of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) declared unconstitutional and invalid. She has filed her application in the Western Cape High Court against the Minister of Justice and Correctional services. Elvis Presslin spoke to Caroline Peters on what necessitated the initiative.

The Bolobedu Magistrate's court outside Tzaneen has postponed to Wednesday a case against a suspected serial rapist. The matter was postponed to allow the accused, Bonolo Seoka, to apply for legal aid representation. Seoka is facing two counts of rape and attempted murder after he was positively linked to the cases through DNA. He allegedly targeted hitch-hikers and shoppers between 2015 and 2016. Elvis Presslin spoke to SABC reporter, Justice Shipalana on what transpired in court.

The family of a 43-year-old woman who died after being mauled by two pit bull dogs in Vivo a farming town, in Limpopo, now wants justice. Melitah Sekole, from Ga-Makgato village, was attacked while walking from her rental place to work at Vivo on December 23rd and died at the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital last Friday. The owner of the dogs has been arrested and charged with culpable homicide. Mahlatse Phaladi reports.

A Prisoner rights activist will be approaching the South African Human Rights Commission to lodge a complaint of abuse of inmates by prison guards. The National Task Team of the Correctional Services Department has been carrying out an operation at the Boksburg prison searching for contraband, including cellphones. And in the process, some of the inmates were wounded when prison guards fired rubber bullets at them. Families of the inmates have described this as inhumane and are worried about the safety of their relatives. Tshepo Phagane has more.

Presenter: Big Joe

Presenter: Big Joe

Presenter: Big Joe

Organisers of the iconic Tweede Nuwe Jaar Minstrel Parade say they have put numerous safety measures in place as the event returns to Cape Town today. The carnival has not been able to take place for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Elvis Presslin spoke to chairperson of the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association, Muneeb Gambino.

January 2nd marks a year since the devastating fire that gutted the Old Assembly and new National Assembly buildings. Zandile Mafe who remains in police custody, is accused of starting the fire. The National Assembly building remains unsafe to enter as it was totally destroyed when the fire re-ignited on the third of January after 4 PM. Our Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent who was on the scene, recaps some of the moments and filed this report.

Political parties have vowed to intensify their efforts in holding government accountable in the year 2023. In delivering their New Year's messages, parties have called on South Africans to set their eyes on the 2024 elections. They say 2022 was marred by challenges that included load shedding, increases in food and fuel prices, gender-based violence cases and high unemployment rates among others. Zoleka Qodashe reports...

Findings from four-day work week pilot programme conducted in several countries by the organisation, 4 Day Week Global, have revealed that participating companies experienced increased revenue, while employees experienced a significant increase in health and well-being. According to the report, workers felt less stressed and burnt out and reported higher rates of life satisfaction. The pilot is expected to start in South Africa this year. Elvis Presslin spoke to Director of 4 Day Week South Africa Karen Lowe.

As the festive season draws to a close, scores of motorists are expected to hit the road, returning from their holiday destinations. Increased traffic volumes are expected with possible emergency situations. Elvis Presslin spoke to Simon Zwane , spokesperson for the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)

Officials from the Department of Correctional Service have been conducting raids at prison facilities to ensure safety and security this festive season. In a recent raid at the Drakenstein prison officials confiscated a number of illicit substances and other illegal items such as electrical wires, cell phones, chargers and cash. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Singabakho Nxumalo, National Spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services.

Police Minister General Bheki Cele has conducted the department's Safer Festive Season campaign in Gauteng. The campaign which will run through to the end of January next year aims to mobilise maximum resources to ensure that communities feel safe and secure this festive season and beyond. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Lirandzu Themba, Spokesperson for Police Minister Bheki Cele.

Missing Children South Africa says at least 23% of children who go missing are either never found, trafficked or found deceased. The organisation has teamed up with the SAPS in a call for parents and caregivers to be vigilant over the festive season. According to research done by the organisation 77% of missing children are found. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Bianca van Aswegen, National co-ordinator for Missing Children SA...

Members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have arrived at four Eskom power stations in Mpumalanga. The soldiers will be deployed at the Camden, Majuba, Thuthuka and Groetvlei power stations. Their deployment follows allegations of sabotage at the stations which led to escalating levels of loadshedding. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the deployment of the SANDF at several Eskom facilities over the weekend. SABC reporter, Eric Lubisi filed this report.

Women make up over 50 percent of the ANC's 80-member National Executive Committee. The NEC has been selected from the 252 names chosen during the branch nomination process for the 55th national conference. Young people also constitute a sizable part of the governing party's highest decision-making body. The Head of ANC Electoral Committee, Kgalema Motlanthe, announced the new members in Johannesburg on Wednesday. SABC Senior Politics Reporter, Ntebo Mokobo was there and filed this report.

As the festive season gets underway many South Africans will be looking to their stokvel savings to purchase groceries, fund vacations or pay for school essentials in January. However experts say while Stokvels continue to grow in this traditional form, the stokvel industry is taking on bigger and more sophisticated investments. Stokvels remain a popular saving and investment solution estimated to be worth around 50-billion-rand. SABC reporter, Naledi Ngcobo filed this report.

With just 24-hours before the KwaZulu-Natal government's extended deadline to relocate all flood survivors expires on December 22nd, families in a community hall in Ntuzuma say they have been neglected. Initially, the government promised that they would be relocated by December 15th, but this was subsequently extended by a week. Over a hundred families are still in this community hall. SABC reporter, Fanele Mhlongo filed this report.

Presenter: Big Joe