The National Briefing

Stephen Grootes wraps the news stories of the week with Political analyst Ms. Tessa Dooms GUEST: Political analyst Ms Tessa Dooms

Why is tree diversity important? Stephen Grootes speaks to Bio-Mathematician Stellenbosch University Prof Cang Hui who says more diverse trees will help control climate change and restore natural forests… GUEST: Prof Cang Hui, A bio-Mathematician from Stellenbosch University

Cape Town housing activists are rejecting the R4bn River Club development. The project plans to use 20% of the residential floor space for affordable housing. Guest: Jonty Cogger, attorney at Ndifuna Ukwazi

The Independent Electoral Commission has announced that the average voter turnout of yesterday’s by-elections in 14 wards in seven of the country’s provinces stands at just over 40.6%. GUEST: Sy Mamabolo, CEO of the Independent Electoral Commission IEC

President of the Black farmers association Dr. Lennox Mtshagi has accused South African Health Products Regulatory Authority of only allowing white farmers to get licenses to grow dagga. Speaking to Stephen Grootes SAHPRA CEO Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela dismissed the allegations Guest: Dr Boitumelo Semete Makokotlela- CEO of SAHPRA

Former cabinet minister Tokyo Segwale made claims about large funds of money that was supposed to come into SA -which was then looted. But Treasury and the SA reserve bank say Mr. Sexwale is a victim of a scam. Stephen Grootes spoke to BUSA CEO Cas Coovadia GUEST: BUSA CEO Cas Coovadia

South Africa will fork out R65m on hiring 24 Cuban engineers to assist the department of water and sanitation with certain projects. Departmental spokesman Sputnik Ratau told Stephen Grootes the country will get value for its money GUEST: Sputnik Ratau, Spokesperson for the Department of water and sanitation

1.5 million Children are still not getting school meals every day according to Equal Education. Stephen Grootes spoke to Equal Education's Researcher Stacy Jacobs GUEST: Stacey Jacobs, researcher at Equal Education

Australia has cancelled two infrastructure deals with China. Stephen Grootes spoke to University of Johannesburg International Relations expert Professor Siphamandla Zondi on what this entails for the two countries with strong economic relationship GUEST: University of Johannesburg International Relations expert Professor Siphamandla Zondi

Guest: Kelvin Watt – Director of Nielsen Sports SA Guest: Bethany Culbert – Social Media Manager for the Liverpool Supporters Club in Pretoria Guest: Sifiso Skenjana Chief Economist IQ Business

Guest: Trisha Cooke’s, CEO of I-Innovate, a STEM Education Specialist

NEASA says Parliament must remove Section 43, and Government must urgently find measures to rebuild the integrity of the Fund and to ensure it operates efficiently Guest: Gerard Papenfus - CEO NEASA

Guest: Ganief Hendricks - Al Jama-ah Leader Guest: Bret Herron - The Good Party General Secretary Guest: Rev Kenneth Meshoe – ACDP Leader Guest: Dennis Bloem – Cope Spokesperson

Guest: Lynette Maart - Nation Director of Black Sash

The black farmers association of SA to protest today because it says that black farmers are being prevented from getting licenses to farm cannabis Guest: Dr Lennox Mtshagi-President of the South African Black Farmers Association

Interim Provincial Committee of the North West ANC suspends the former premier and the former provincial leader Supra Mahumapelo of his membership of the party. Guest: Prof Barry Hanyane – Associate Professor from the North West University

Guest: Velenkosini Hlabisa IFP President Guest: Siviwe Gwarube – DA National Spokesperson Guest: Pule Mabe – ANC National Spokesperson Guest: Bantu Holomisa – UDM Leader

Judge Hlophe to participate in interviews for the appointment of Judges in the Western Cape High Court even though he’s been found guilty of gross misconduct Guest: Mbekezeli - Benjamin - Research and Advocacy Officer at Judges Matter

The NPA says an inquest into the deaths mentally ill patients who were removed from the Life Esidimeni Centre and then died in unlicensed NGO’s will begin in July Guest: Ulrich Roux- the founder and managing director of Ulrich Roux & Associates

In the UK the country’s vaccination programme continues as they are dealing with more than four point four million cases Guest: Sanusha Naidu - Political Analyst from the Institute for Global Dialogue

Guest: Elijah Mhlanga - Spokesperson Department of Basic Education Guest: Mary Metcalfe - Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg Guest: Matakanya Matakanye – General Secretary of the National Association of Governing Bodies’ Guest: Paul Colditz - CEO of Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools

ABSA confirms that it’s CEO Daniel Mminele is leaving the group after being in charge for only sixteen months - because of a dispute over strategy Guest: Khaya Sithole – Tresurer of the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals (ABSIP)

Guest: Mthobisi Mkhaliphi – SABC Reporter Guest: Bongani Hlatshwayo – Piet Retief Community Leader

uest: Herman Mashaba – ActionSA President

The University of Cape Town now has to start recovering from the devastating fire which forced students to be evacuated from residences Guest: Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng - University of Cape Town vice-chancellor