Update@Noon

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

EFF leader Julius Malema says African leaders must stand up and defend Bashir from being arrested by the International Criminal Court. Malema says the ICC is only targeting African leaders. He was addressing delegates at the launch of the party's student wing at the University of Limpopo's Turfloop campus outside Polokwane

The North West provincial government has dismissed reports that the province has been renamed to Bokone Bophirima. Bokone Bophirima which translates to North West in Setswana is listed on the provincial government's official website. Afriforum is campaigning against the name change, saying it came as a "big shock" as there was no public consultation. Initially a proposal was made to rename the pro...

1. S&P affirmed South Africa's credit rating on Friday evening 2. Greek debt talks deadlock dampens risk appetite 3. Eyes on US Federal reserve this week Wednesday as interest rate hike looms

The justice department is preparing for arguments in the High Court in Pretoria, amidst reports that Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir had already left South Africa last night. However, it could not be verified. Al-Bashir's reported departure came against an order by the High Court in Pretoria made earlier yesterday afternoon, compelling South African authorities to not allow the Sudanese presiden...

Cabinet has decided to look into the objections to the new visa regulations. The inter-ministerial team will address the consequences caused by the implementation of the new travel laws last month. The regulations require children to have an unabridged birth certificate as well as a passport when leaving or entering the country. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to acting Cabinet Spokesperson Phumla Williams

Asian market update and analysis with Clive Ramathibela: Asian stocks climbed, erasing a weekly decline, while bonds in the region rebounded as investors weighed the outlook for monetary easing in the region and gradual U.S. tightening, Twitter CEO to leave soon as pressure continues to mount for him to exit, and the IMF walks out during the Greek saga meeting as the European union gives ultimatum...

16 year old Pretoria student says she was forced to cancel a trip abroad after she could not locate her father who according to the new visa regulations, has to provide consent for her to travel. Vuyina Nguye says she was due to travel to China to participate in a competition that could open new doors to her future. The regulations require children to have an unabridged birth certificate as well a...

The South African Army has embarked on an intensive programme to recruit young, white South Africans into the military. The Chief of the Army, Lieutenant-General Vusumuzi Masondo, has appealed to the media to help in the national drive to bring under-represented communities into the armed forces. Last month, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said too few whites were joining the SANDF. Sakin...

Economic news and analysis with Nerina Visser of ETF SA Mining and manufacturing production stats released yesterday points to ongoing sluggishness in the South African economy, finance minister Nhlanhla Nene say GDP growth of 2% is "attainable and realistic", despite the electricity shortages and the African Union Annual Summit is currently taking place in Sandton ...

Convicted fraudster, Shabir Shaik, is considering working again after his medical parole conditions were relaxed. But the 57 year old doubts that he will be able to find suitable employment given the fact that he is still being restricted to the Durban area. Shaik has told SABC News that he needs to be able to leave the country to work, but that he doubts he will ever be allowed to do so after the...

The prevalence of HIV infections is highest among sex workers and truck drivers in Africa when compared to the general population. According to a study by the health network - North Star Alliance - the infection rate among sex workers and truck drivers is 40 percent. This study was presented yesterday at the 7th AIDS Conference in Durban. Nonjabulo Mntungwa reports

South African CEO's are fast losing confidence in their ability to do business. This is because Eskom is struggling to keep the lights on. The Merchantec CEO confidence index released yesterday (Wednesday) showed that many CEO's believe the general public are not getting the full story behind the national power crisis, the true state of the power stations and their level of deterioration. Sakina K...

1. Asian stocks climbed a second day amid optimism Greece will forge a debt deal, while Australian debt fell after stronger jobs data 2. Japanese stocks rose for the first time in five days 3. South Africa's Q2 business confidence eases to 43 points , CEO's upset! 4. Thursday Investment Theme: Trading CFD's ( Contracts For Difference )

Amnesty International has intensified its action in fighting gender equality and women empowerment. Under the slogan: "Universal access to sexual and reproductive rights, a non-negotiable for achieving gender equality and women's empowerment", a team of experts ranging from ministers, commissioners, legal experts and community activists have met ahead of the African Union Summit to address these s...

The South African National AIDS Council says hundreds of HIV positive South African women have been sterilized against their wishes, because of their HIV status. For more on this Sakina Kamwendo spoke to CEO of the South African National AIDS Council Dr Fareed Abdullah…

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa says the benefits of the new e-toll dispensation are beginning to be felt. He has told Parliament the idea of having a referundum on e-tolls is not being considered, adding that government sometimes has to take unpopular decisions for the benefit of its citizens. Lulama Matya filed this report

1. Asia Stocks Swing as Energy Producers Rise 2. A-Shares Delay With Regulator Working Group and CNNP suspended for reaching high levels 3. The U.S. Economy Can't Hire Health-Care Workers Fast Enough

The African Union is reviewing country contributions and searching for alternative funding methods as it strives to claim its independence by not relying on foreign donors. Several alternative forms of funding have been proposed that could see ordinary Africans in some countries paying the AU bill. On other issues that will be discussed at the summit, Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Chris Landsberg, Prof...

The African Union is reviewing country contributions and searching for alternative funding methods as it strives to claim its independence by not relying on foreign donors. Several alternative forms of funding have been proposed that could see ordinary Africans in some countries paying the AU bill. On other issues that will be discussed at the summit, Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Chris Landsberg, Prof...

MSCI announced the much awaited result of their annual market classification review last night. At stake was the status of Chinese A shares, which is currently NOT included in MSCI indices. What was decided and what can we expect now? · Anglogold-Ashanti sells one of their mines for R10bn and the share price jumps by more than 10%. What about this deal did the market like so much? · Another big mo...

To shed more light on the plight of organ donation in South Africa Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Samantha Nicholls, Executive Director of the Organ Donor Foundation...

Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande says he intends to introduce new college funding system.

Market Analyst Clive Ramathibela looks at Asian Markets; 1. Asian Stocks Drop on China Data, and the Won Gains With Oil raising 2. Hong Kong Wants Stock Trading Limits to Combat Fat Fingers, Rogue Algorithms 3. Telkom results impress as they will pay dividends for the first time since 2011

The South African Revenue Service, SARS, is planning to take its former spokesperson Adrian Lackay to court over claims of defamation. In a letter written to parliament, Lackay accused the revenue service's commissioner, Tom Moyane, of forcing him to lie to the public. We speak SARS employment relations executive, Luther Lebelo