Update@Noon

Victims of women abuse believe that 16 Days of No Violence against Women and Children campaign has no effect in the rural villages of the Eastern Cape. This emerged during a recent Imbizo held in Bityi oustside Mthatha organised by various departments. They say abuse cases continue unabated in far flung rural areas. They believe the solution lies in concrete partnership between law enforcement age...

1. The market was generally strong yesterday, although it did decline into the close. But it seems the oil price is on a slippery slope - what caused the latest slump towards $40? 2. The slowdown in China has been one of the major factors driving commodity prices lower this year, but the other factor has been the strength in the US dollar. How much longer must SA, and other emerging markets, endur...

The bail hearing of five learners from Efata School for the Blind and Deaf in the Mthatha magistrate's court in the Eastern Cape has been characterised by a number of challenges . They face a charge of murder after the body of deputy principal was found in her house on the premises. The suspects have denied making statements to the investigating officers, alleging that a sign language interpreter...

Convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius returns to the High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday after the National Prosecution Authority's successful appeal. Last week, the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein overturned his culpable homicide conviction. The National Prosecuting Authority says the matter will be formally postponed so that a date for sentencing proceedings can be set. Neo Makwiting filled t...

Skywise is looking for people to invest in the airline. This follows the latest suspension of the airline's flights by the Airports Company of South Africa for unpaid take-off, landing, parking and related service charges by Skywise. Sakina Kamwendo speaks to the airline's Co-Chair of the airline, Tabassum Qadir.

According to a weekend newspaper, the Department of Basic Education is set to review the influence the teacher union and the School Governing Bodies have on the appointments made. This follows an investigation into jobs-for-cash which was instituted last year. The task team appointed to look into the matter will be handing over its findings to the Minister of Basic Eduction, Angie Motshekga, in tw...

Nerina Visser, Strategist at ETF SA looks at the JSE ended the week on a very negative note last week by erasing all of its gains for the year, the expectation of increasing rates in the US continues to weigh on emerging markets, including South Africa and the China-Africa.

Oscar Pistorius has been found guilty of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) overturned the Pretoria high court judgement. It found that Judge Thokozile Masipa incorrectly applied the principles of dolus eventualis. Judge Eric Leach found that failure by Judge Masipa to take into account the evidence of police ballistics expert Major Chris Mangena, must be r...

1. Asian stocks slumped as disenchantment with the European Central Bank's stimulus decision reverberated across global markets 2. All 10 industry groups in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index fell, with technology companies including Samsung Electronics Co. leading the drop 3. SA will survive a ratings downgrade if it goes ahead

Parliament's presiding officers have come out in defence of police action against striking NEHAWU members. Speaker Baleka Mbete and NCOP chair Thandi Modise said they had to act when the work of parliament was being hindered. They were both addressing the Cape Town Press Club. Joseph Mosia reports...

President Jacob Zuma says the 6th China-Africa Forum starting in Johannesburg today is a business meeting of equal partners and not a gathering called to ask help from China. The president and over 50 other African leaders will meet with their Chinese counterpart Xi Jin Ping and his government and business delegation later this morning. They will discuss development and ensure a more secure and mo...

President Jacob Zuma says the 6th China-Africa Forum starting in Johannesburg today is a business meeting of equal partners and not a gathering called to ask help from China. For more Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Dr David Monyae, Co- Director at the University of Johannesburg's Confucius institute

1. Again the South African Chamber of Commerce released its November Business Confidence for November, things are not looking good at this stage. 2. MTN's fine in Nigeria has been reduced to $3,4billion. Is it now palatable? What will be fine mean for Nigeria's finances going forward? 3. We often talk about how over indebted households are. Are we perpetuating the culture of indebtedness? Should w...

Former child star Ricardo Groenewald has been remembered as a perfectionist and hard worker during his memorial service in Cape Town last night. Ricardo became a household name following the release of his hit song "I Love You Daddy" in 1987. He was eight at the time. Thandiswa Mawu report

The strike at waste management company, Pikitup has ended. This comes after an intervention by Gauteng Co-operative Governance MEC Jacob Mamabolo, who brokered a deal between municipal union Samwu and Pikitup management. Jamaine Krige reports...

Management of budget airline, Skywise will brief the media This morning, this after the Airports Company of South Africa suspended its operations for failing to pay airport fees. Angry passengers were left stranded following the suspension yesterday. Two-hundred jobs could be lost if the airline does not get back in the sky. Eight-thousand passengers remain uncertain of their festive season travel...

The Nelson Mandela Foundation is this week celebrating the life and times of Nelson Mandela. This week marks two years since Tata Madiba's death and joining in on the celebrations is Britain's Prince Henry. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation , Sello Hatang

markets analyst Clive Ramathibela TALKING POINTS 1. Asian stocks declined, led by technology and material companies, after U.S. manufacturing unexpectedly contracted, clouding the outlook for the Federal Reserve's interest-rate outlook 2. U.S. stocks slipped as crude plunged past $40 a barrel, sparking a slide in energy producers 3. Setas to be absorbed into higher education department, with skill...

A new pill for treating TB in children has been unveiled at the 46th Union World Conference on Lung Health currently underway at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The child friendly TB medicine, is regarded as a major milestone in the fight against childhood TB. Lulama Matya reports.....

World leaders are continuing their deliberations on Climate Change in Paris, France, for COP21, a conference on climate change that will, for the first time, work toward a legally binding and universal agreement to curtail the threat of global warming. With any luck, the 25,000 delegates from governments and agencies around the world, will arrive at an agreement that could mean better days are ahe...

There is still no resolution to the on-going Pikitup strike which has left Johannesburg in a dump. The strike, which is estimated to be costing the city 2 million rand a day continues. Johannesburg's mayoral committee member responsible for the environment and infrastructure, Tshidi Mfikoe, says she is not impressed by Samwu members who are taking part in the illegal strike.

Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions Nomgcobo Jiba has filed a replying affidavit to a DA motion in the Cape Town High Court to have her suspended pending an inquiry into her fitness to hold office. Jiba says she has not done anything that requires the president to suspend or institute an inquiry against her. Joseph Mosia reports...

1. A few months ago, the Security Exchange Commission penalized Hitachi for inappropriate practices in their arrangement with Chancellor House, around Eskom. Now the AfDB is following suit. What does this mean for a fight for against corruption? 2. China and SA signed deals yesterday aimed at boosting trade and investment between the two countries. What does this translate to? Is it sufficient to...

The case against a high ranking ANC official who is facing a charge of murder, will return to the Winburg magistrates' court in the Free State next Friday. Thirty-six year old Thato Maphobole was arrested on Sunday for allegedly killing his 26 year old wife and setting her body alight at a dumping site. He is a director of corporate services at Tokologo Local Municipality. Thabiso Radebe reports.....

About 25 Kenyan political activists were arrested in Nairobi as they attempted to reach State House in Nairobi, President Uhuru Kenyatta's official residence, to hand over a petition demanding an end to corruption in the country. Earlier, the activists held streets protests in the city demanding that President Kenyatta acts and fires those involved in corruption. They also want the Kenyan governme...