The Weekend View

Social grants agency SASSA's CEO Thokozani Magwaza says he would also like to present his side of the story to the Constitutional Court. This after Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini filed her affidavit last week. While last month's concourt ruling over grant beneficiaries personal details was very clear, beneficiaries continue to have money withdrawn from there accounts. This was broug...

Wesbank a division of FirstRand Bank Limited has been referred to the National Consumer Tribunal for alleged breaches of the National Credit Act. This followed an investigation into its debt collecting practices. Nthupang Magolego, Senior Legal Advisor at the National Credit Regulator (NCR)discusses this issue...

Mark Heywood, Sanusha Naidoo and Sdumo Dlamini discuss the anti-Zuma marches which took place yesterday. Organizers of the protest march by civil society groups calling for president Jacob Zuma to resign say they're planning for action to exert more pressure on him. Thousands of protesters marched to the Union Buildings to voice their plight about the state of affairs in the country. COSATU, which...

Memorial service for late ANC stalwart Ahmed Kathrada has degenerated into yet another bashing platform against president Jacob Zuma's leadership in government. Several speakers including SACP second deputy secretary solly mapaila, Kathrada's widow Barbra Hogan and Former Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan. Elvis Presslin speaks to SACP Deputy President Solly Mapaila & Political analyst at UNISA P...

Archbishop Emeritus Njongonkulu Ndungane, Political analyst, Ralph Mathekga and economist Dr Chris Malikane speak to Elvis about the reshuffle. There has been mixed reaction to the removal of finance minister, Pravin Gordhan and his deputy. The ANC and President Jacob Zuma seem to be at loggerheads on the firing and hiring of some new ministers and deputy ministers.

Many people believe it is vital to teach their children about money issues from an early age. Every year between the 27th March and 2nd April we highlight Global Money week, which focuses on issues such as money, savings and creating livelihoods. Eunice Sibiya, Head of Consumer Education at FNB talks to us about this...

A group of Khoi Activist have embarked on a march on foot from Port Elizabeth to Bhisho to lobby for the removal of the word coloured from the statutes of South Africa. One of the marchers Crawford Fraser tells us more about their cause and Social Commentator Dr Leonard Martin giving us insight into the term "coloured"

The South African labour market now officially has a new labour union federation. This after ousted Cosatu general secretary and one of the new federation founders Zwelinzima Vavi, shared the news of the South African Federation of Traded Unions(SAFTU) now being a legal entity with a letter from the labour department. The news will be published in the government gazetted at the end of the month.

Community activist and social commentator Dr Leonard Martin a resident of Eldorado Park and Dr Hugo van der Merwe, Director of Research at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation discuss mob justice killings and the reasons behind them

Doctor Fatoumata NAFO-TRAORE says at least 50% of livestock has died in Kenya due to the drought. The ICRC and Kenyan Red Cross have commissioned a joint project to assist residents receiving water at a reduced cost

African leaders say access to safe water and adequate sanitation need a collaborative effort from all sectors for success. Several African ministers responsible for water delivery in their countries, are meeting at the World Water Summit in Durban. The meeting has advocated for the treatment of used or waste water to address water scarcity challenges, especially in Africa. Dr Anthony Turton, an ex...

Tommy Nel, head of credit at FNB home loans discusses how consumers can use their home loans to its full potential...

Gauteng police are expected to make more arrests following a series of gang rapes on female taxi commuters around Johannesburg. Three people have been arrested for the alleged crimes. Victims interviewed say they were picked up by men in a white and grey Quantum minibus taxi. In the latest incident a woman was allegedly robbed and raped after boarding a white Quantum minibus with her 10-year-old s...

Acting national Police commissioner, Kgomotso Phalane confirms that Nkosinathi Msimango, the alleged mastermind behind the burglary at the offices of the chief justice in Midrand last week handed himself over to Boschkop police station in Pretoria. The lawyer representing the two men who were suspected of being behind the burglary at the Chief Justice's office, denies that his clients are linked t...

Nathi Mncube, the spokesperson for the judiciary and Athlenda Mathe, the spokesperson for the Police Commissioner, Khomotso Phahlane speak to Weekend AM Live about the robbery of 15 computers in the Human Resources unit at the office of the Chief Justice in Midrand. A task team has been set up to assist in the processing of the crime scene. The team is being led by deputy provincial commissioner o...

Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande was unable to deliver his speech after the EFF and students' organisation SASCO traded blows at the Higher Education Convention. Retired judge Dikgang Moseneke, The convenor of the Higher Education Convention, says he called off the meeting in Midrand to ensure the safety of participants. Nzimande describes the action as disappointing...

The SACP held a meeting with the ANC leadership earlier in the week to discuss the differences between the two parties. Reports say the party wants to leave the Tripartite Alliance to contest the national elections on its own in 2019. It is expected that when the party hold its conference in July, members will vote on the matter. SACP's second deputy general secretary Solly Mapaila...

Evidence shows that a tax of 20% on sugary drinks can lead to a reduction in consumption of around 20%, to prevent obesity and diabetes. This according to the World Health Organisation. It also estimates that over 10 years, a tax on sugary drinks of 1 cent per ounce in the United States of America would result in more than US$ 17 billion in healthcare cost savings. Spokesperson for Health Living A...

The South African Airways Pilots' Association (SAAPA) says the national carrier is quickly reaching a point where its survival is in question. It says while pilots remain committed to their work, morale is low. Captain Glen Smith, a member of the Association's Executive committee and also heads up the pilots' working group on development and transformation discusses the issue of transformation at...

UDM leader, General Bantu Holomisa and David Lewis, the executive director at Corruption Watch chats to Elvis Presslin about the Constitutional Court judgement.

SAA chairperson Dudu Myeni is still studying legal papers , this after The South African Airways Pilots' Association (SAAPA) announced that it will start legal proceedings to have SAA chairperson Dudu Myeni declared unfit to hold office. The Association says it will be collaborating with lobby group the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) in the legal action. SAAPA says they believe SAA is in di...

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa wouldn't be drawn on whether he thinks Social Development minister, Bathabile Dlamini should resign. CPS's Serge Belamant explains the negotiation between it and SASSA, while Political/economic analyst, and Inside Labour columnist Terry Bell gives his view on the saga

National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete has confirmed receipt of a letter from Communications minister Faith Muthambi, informing parliament of her intention to take the SABC inquiry report on judiciary review. The National Assembly approved the report this week. It recommends for Muthambi to be fired for her role in the degenaration of the public broadcaster. Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Motha...

Professor of Politics at the University of Johannesburg Kwandiwe Kondlo analysis the issue of land in South Africa. This following the unsuccessful challenge in parliament over expropriation of land without compensation this week...

In a surprising turn of events, Social Development Department's Director General, Zane Dangor resigns and SASSA together with CPS decides on an agreement ahead of the looming deadline for the payment of social grants. We speak to the Department's spokesperson, Lumka Oliphant as well as Zane Dangor. Professor Tessa Hochfeld tells us what the non payment of social grants means for the country and in...