The Weekend View

Mixed reactions expressed on NHI

The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has warned this week that while the NHI has been legally enacted, South Africa’s healthcare system faces structural and digital challenges that could affect its implementation. To discuss this further Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, the South African Medical Association Chairperson and Barry James Mitchell, NEHAWU Parliamentary Officer of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU)

Soccer Fever Awaits South African Top Teams

Orlando Pirates will look to dispel any doubts on who will be crowned the 2025/2026 Betway Premiership when they host Durban City at the Orlando Amstel Arena *TODAY. The Buccaneers hold their fate in their hands as they currently sit in second position on the log, with two games in hand and three points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have completed all their fixtures. Meanwhile, Sundowns has shifted their attention to the CAF Champions League First Leg Final against AS FAR Rabat from Morocco at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday. Bongiwe Zwane caught up with SABC sports reporter, Vincent Sitsula...

Mixed Reaction To The Latest Supreme Court of Appeal Ruling on Asylum Applications

The Constitutional Court this week overturned a Supreme Court of Appeal ruling, by finding that people whose asylum applications have been rejected cannot submit new applications.This means people whose claims are finalised and rejected cannot reapply for refugee status. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber argued that the current system has allowed asylum seekers to abuse the system. This ruling relates to a case brought forward by two Burundian nationals who argued they had become "sur place" refugees. Sur place refugees are people who became refugees after leaving their country.  Bongiwe Zwane caught up with Dr Dale McKinley of Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia

National Consumer Commission Raises The Alarm On 113 Untraceable Companies

The National Consumer Commission is warning South African consumers to steer clear of 113 untraceable companies in the country, saying that they risk losing money. The NCC updated its list of untraceable suppliers this week, adding 20 new companies to the 90 previously listed. The newly identified suppliers are based in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape, with some operating entirely online, making it even harder for consumers and authorities to track them. The NCC warns consumers to exercise extra caution when dealing with these suppliers. Bongiwe Zwane caught up with the NCC spokesperson Pheto Ntaba...

Health Experts Warn of a Surge in Counterfeit Drug Use and Distribution

This week the Gauteng Department of Health warned members of the public against the use of unverified and unregulated injectable substances for body enhancement and sexual performance purposes. According to the department, this follows two cases identified in the Ekurhuleni region.  The cases are currently under investigation, and they involve two individuals who presented themselves at a public health facility with severe complications, including organ failure, following the use of unregulated substances obtained through informal channels.  In another matter ...  The global shortage of Glucagon-like peptide-1 or GLP-1 such as the weight-loss and diabetes drugs like Ozempic,  has caused an influx of compounded versions to fill the supply gap. According to Professor David Katerere from the Tshwane University of Technology, counterfeit medicines are a huge problem in many African countries.  Bongiwe Zwane caught with Professor Katerere who is research platform chair for pharmaceutical and biotech advancement in Africa at the Tshwane University of Technology...