The Focal Point

SAFM  |  Podcast , ±7 min episodes every 8 hours  | 

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Latest News, Trends, and light features for an afternoon commute- Business, Traffic, Weather and Sport

ENGLISH South Africa Government

24

JAN

10am

Minister Sisulu has announced several interventions which include injecting R220m to address the water crisis in QwaQwa

6 min

The Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe has announced several interventions which include injecting R220m to address the water crisis in QwaQwa. Sisulu, visited the challenged area of QwaQwa in Free State and she was accompanied by local municipality political leadership as well as other relevant stakeholders in the province.

Guest: Sputnik Ratau, Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation

24

JAN

10am

Latest in Qwaqwa

7 min

At least 61 people have been arrested following a wave of violent service delivery protests in QwaQwa in the Free State. Residents have been protesting over water shortages in QwaQwa, Harrismith and Kestell. Fourteen suspects have appeared in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate's Court. The remaining group will appear later. Several shops were looted and buildings vandalised. The situation in some parts of QwaQwa remains volatile.

Guest: Ishmael Modiba – SABC journalist in the Free State

24

JAN

9am

Mining deaths drop

6 min

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has announced that the number of workers killed at South African mines has dropped in what they say is the lowest on record. The stats revealed that last year’s fatalities are sitting at 51down from 81 a year earlier. Is this a reason to celebrate?

Guest: David Msiza – Chief Inspector of Mines at the Department of Minerals and Energy

24

JAN

9am

Preliminary investigations revealed many inconsistencies in Enock Mpianzi's death that forced MEC to suspend principal

8 min

Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi says preliminary investigations have revealed many inconsistencies that have forced his department to suspend the principal of Parktown Boys High School in Johannesburg. Investigations revealed that the school went on an unauthorized Grade 8 camp at the Nyathi Lodge in the North West. This is where 13-year-old Enock Mpianzi died during a water activity last week.

Guest: Panyaza Lesufi, Gauteng MEC for Education

24

JAN

9am

Diepsloot protest: Police minister Bheki Cele today met with community members in Diepsloot

9 min

The community earlier demanded that he addresses them after they took to the street in protests of the death of police officer, who was shot and killed allegedly by a foreign national who was wanted in a case of attempted murder and house robbery. They reportedly attacked both the local mall and foreign owned spaza shops.

Guest: Lirandzu Themba – Spokesperson for Police Minister Bheki Cele

24

JAN

8am

US and China signed a phase-one agreement to ease tensions, paving the way for another stage of trade negotiations

7 min

This week, the US and China signed a phase-one agreement to ease tensions, paving the way for another stage of trade negotiations. Some experts argue though that the deal relies heavily on China's goodwill and includes forced purchases of US goods and protection for intellectual property rights and forced technology transfer.

Guest: Dr Martyn Davies - Managing Director of Emerging Markets & Africa at Deloitte Africa

24

JAN

8am

DA’s Motion To Remove Public Protector Has Been Approved By The office of National Assembly Speaker

8 min

The office of National Assembly Speaker Ms Thandi Modise has approved a motion received from the Chief Whip of the Democratic Alliance requesting that Parliament initiate proceedings for removal of Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

Guest: Moloto Mothapo, Parliamentary spokesperson

24

JAN

8am

World News: UN study has found that poverty has reached unprecedented levels in Zimbabwe

5 min

On World News today we focus on Zim food crisis: A UN study has found that poverty has reached unprecedented levels in Zimbabwe, with more than 70% of Zimbabwean children in rural areas living in poverty. The report, compiled by Unicef and the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, shows high levels of privation in rural areas, where 76.3% of children live in abject poverty.

Guest: Eddie Cross, Zimbabwean economist

24

JAN

8am

Neil Aggett’s inquest

9 min

Former Truth and Reconciliation Commission commissioner, Yasmin Sooka shares thoughts on Neil Aggett’s inquest that is currently underway. Sooka has been working with former apartheid cops and she is calling on remaining members of the former Security Branch to come forward and tell the truth, saying "even minor information is important".

Guest: Yasmin Sooka, Executive Director @ Foundation for Human Rights & former TRC Commissioner

23

JAN

10am

How will the revelations at the Zondo Commission of inquiry affect KZN’s political heavy weights?

16 min

How will the revelations at the Zondo Commission of inquiry affect KZN’s political heavy weights? This week, the commission of inquiry into state capture started hearing testimony on the so-called ‘Amigos case’ implicating KwaZulu-Natal African National Congress (ANC) politicians, namely; Mike Mabuyakhulu and Peggy Nkonyeni. The case relates to tenders for the supply of water purification and oxygen plants to KwaZulu-Natal’s health and local government departments.

Guest: Xolani Dube, Researcher and political analyst from the XUBERA Institute for Research and Development

23

JAN

9am

Gender activists came out strongly against the ANC over the reported barring of ANCYL spokersperson Sizophila Mkhize

4 min

Gender activists came out strongly against the ANC over the reported barring of spokesperson Sizophila Mkhize from entering the venue of the party’s NEC lekgotla. The move received criticism on social media and other platforms. This time around, Sonke Gender Justice says it is appalled by this and would like the ANC to publicly condemn all those who were involved.

Guest: Patrick Godana - Eastern Cape Provincial Manager at Sonke Gender Justice

23

JAN

9am

The South African Communist Party (SACP) is picketing outside the US Embassy in Pretoria

8 min

The South African Communist Party (SACP) is picketing outside the US Embassy in Pretoria - calling for an end to tensions between Iran and Washington. The demonstration is in response to America's recent military attack in Iraq - that killed Iranian top General, Qasem Soleimani. Washington blamed Soleimani for masterminding attacks by Iran-aligned militias against US forces in the Middle East. Iran responded to the killing of Soleimani by launching missile strikes on US targets in Iraq -although no US soldiers were killed.

Guest: Solly Mapaila - The SACP's Deputy General Secretary