Update@Noon

Cosatu President Sdumo Dlamini says they've put up measures to deal with possible disruptions at their two-day Special National Congress starting this morning at Midrand's Gallagher Estate. The meeting is convened at the request of a third of the labour federation's affiliates who say they are unhappy at the current leadership and its inability to implement programmes agreed to at the last ordinar...

Resident market analyst Clive Ramathibela talks about Asian stocks advance as investors weigh progress in Greece talks, China's exports rise in another sign of stabilizing economy and Australia's Prime Minister Abbott, Bans fund from wind farm investment

A young white initiate has just graduated from boyhood to manhood at Centane in the Eastern Cape. Seventeen year-old Estiaan Swanepoel says despite criticism over the initiation ritual, he chose to be a man by going through the Xhosa ritual. He was welcomed by locals and parents in a ceremony held at Centane. Nkululeko Nyembezi reports

Market update with Mohammed Nalla looks at Greece - no resolution over the weekend, China trade data better but stocks still volatile and Iranians may close a deal with major powers

News and Current Affairs Show hosted by award winning presenter Sakina Kamwendo, live on weekdays from 12 noon to 1 pm on SAfm 104-107fm

Taxi services were halted yesterday after National Taxi Alliance announced that more than 50 impounded taxis would be released and fines scrapped. The taxis were impounded during Operation Fiela following days of violence in which four people were wounded and some Autopax passenger buses stoned. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to a taxi operator in Mamelodi Phuti Tlhwaele...

Lewis Stores and Monarch Insurance are in hot water for allegedly selling loss-of-employment insurance cover to pensioners and self-employed consumers. The National Credit Regulator (NCR) has taken up the matter with National Consumer Tribunal for further investigation. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the National Credit Regulator's Secretary Lesiba Mashapa...

Divisions within the ANC-led tripartite alliance over e-tolls have played themselves out at the SACP's special national congress in Soweto. Labour federation Cosatu remains adamant that either the system be scrapped, or that government uses the fuel levy to maintain the roads. However deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that a higher fuel levy will have consequences for workers who largely...

Earlier this week on the forum@8 we discussed botched circumcisions and how do we curb it...Now, the Deputy minister of Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister Obed Bapela is in the Eastern Cape. Where a young man has lost his manhood and four others critically in hospital. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Deputy minister Obed Bapela...

1. With all the focus on Greece and Chinese markets this week, we haven't really spoken about indicators in the US. What is latest from the Fed and their plan to increase interest rates in the US? 2. At the last local MPC meeting, governor Kganyago gave a stern warning that we should expect local rates to increase sooner rather than later. Do you think that events of the last few weeks may change...

The Southern Africa Development Community Council of NGOs (SADC- CNGO) says it is alarmed by the current developments in Lesotho. The Council has also called for Lesotho's military chief Lieutenant-General Tlali Kamoli to immediately step down to give the country a chance at peace and stability. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Boichoko Ditlhake, Executive Director of the SADC Council of NGOs…

1. Asian stocks erased losses and U.S. equity-index futures climbed as some of the most heavily sold shares in Hong Kong and China rebounded 2. China's stocks rose in volatile trading, led by consumer and health-care companies, as the government battled to restore investor confidence in a market that's lost $3.9 trillion in less than a month 3. AMCU quits Gold sector negotiations 4. Thursday inves...

The South African judiciary will meet with President Jacob Zuma to discuss the recent attacks on it and for analysis on this matter Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Executive Secretaty for Council for the Advancement of South African Constitution Lawson Naidoo

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) has allegedly quit collective negotiations with Gold producers AngloGold Ashanti, Sibanye Gold, Harmony Gold and two other gold producers. Amcu has allegedly threatened strike action because there is no progress. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Gold producer's spokesperson Charmane Russell and Amcu treasurer Jimmy Gama

The Pretoria High Court has declared Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies' decision to award the lottery licence to Ithuba Holdings as invalid. This comes after previous lottery company Gidani approached the High Court in Pretoria seeking a judicial review of the manner in which the tender to Ithuba was awarded. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Ithuba's CEO Charmaine Mabuza

1. Yesterday morning we heard that trading had been suspended in more than half of Chinese stocks. Later in the day trading was suspended on the New York Stock Exchange for several hours due to "technical issues". Is there any link between here to purely coincidence? 2. Considering events in the rest of the world, isn't it then surprising that the JSE managed to claw its way back above the 50,000...

1. Asian stocks climbed and Treasuries fell amid speculation that Monday's sell-off in risk assets was overdone 2. Samsung Electronics Co. posted second-quarter profit that missed analysts' estimates as shortages of new smartphones made it harder to lure customers from Apple Inc.'s iPhone and cheaper devices made in China 3. `Banana Republic' Tag Haunts Australia 30 Years On

The Greek government plans to propose a new bailout deal with creditors at an emergency Eurozone summit in Brussels today. This comes in the wake of Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis' resignation, after the country voted to reject the terms of a bailout. Experts say the resounding rejection puts the country's euro zone membership into further doubt. For more Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Peter Draper,...

The case against former crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli has been struck off the roll at the Pretoria Commercial Crimes Court. Mdluli is being charged with fraud and corruption. National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku said the court scrapped the case because the police investigation had not been completed. For an analysis Sakina kamwendo spoke to Professor Shadrack Gutto from t...

Labour groups have rejected the initial pay offer made by the gold companies. The producers had proposed a five-year wage deal with annual wage increases of as much as 13%, plus a share of profits. Gold producers want to stem rising costs that have left half of the industry unprofitable. The National Union of Mineworkers is demanding an 80% increase in basic pay. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to acting sp...

Three of the four gold mining industry unions, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and Solidarity have rejected increases of between six hundred and fifty and one thousand rands for the former, and five percent for the latter, fixed for five years, that has been tabled by gold mining majors AngloGold Ashanti, Sibanye, Harmony Gold,...

A review regarding a limitation on fees and interest rates applicable for borrowings are up for comment. The Department of Trade and Industry published a Gazette Notice to proposes changes to maximum rates for unsecured credit. Research studies and statistics show that South Africa has a worrying high level of over-indebtedness. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Department's deputy director-general for...

· With all the focus yesterday on Europe and its petulant teenager, we didn't talk about China. What has been happening in that market over the last few days? · What impact has that had on commodity markets? · Speaking of commodities, NUM has rejected the opening offer of employers in the gold mining industry wage negotiations. The two sides appear to be miles apart. Are we heading for a repeat of...

1. Asian stocks fell, with the regional benchmark index set for its biggest drop in more than a year 2. China suspended initial public offerings, while brokerages pledged to buy shares and state media urged investors not to panic as officials intensified efforts to stop the steepest plunge in equities since 1992 3. Why the Greeks Matter now?

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa has dismissed reports that 13 new locomotives imported from Spain are too high for local rail conditions. Prasa was responding to a Sunday newspaper report that the diesel locomotives worth 600 million could damage overhead electrical cables. The locomotives were reportedly bought despite warnings that they were unsuitable for South African conditions. Mea...