Moneyweb@Midday has tackled several significant news stories over the past year. As we approach the end of 2024, here are some memorable interview highlights, especially concerning the SA visa backlog and pivotal political developments.

Herman Mashaba’s shift in perspective revolved around the Action SA leader reversing his previous backing for the death penalty in South Africa. At first, Mashaba supported capital punishment as a solution to the nation’s disturbing murder rates. Yet, after discussions with experts and considering the potential inequitable impacts on marginalized communities, he came to realize that flaws within the justice system could lead to unjust consequences.

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You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

In the segment titled EFF Shake-up as Shivambu quits, we discussed Floyd Shivambu, the former deputy president of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), announcing his departure from the party to join former President Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP). This transition has significantly reshaped the political arena in South Africa and continues to have a lasting effect.

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You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

This discussion, titled Zuma’s expulsion: What it means for Ramaphosa’s leadership, delved into the potential ramifications of this event on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s power and the dynamics within the ruling party.

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You can listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

In the segment Homeward bound: Why are almost 30% of SA expats returning?, we explored the phenomenon of South African expatriates returning home, featuring insights from senior brand strategist Mongezi Mtati. The discussion emphasized motivations behind this return migration, including the desire for familial connections and the struggles of isolation experienced while living abroad.

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber provided updates on initiatives to address the department’s visa backlog. He mentioned that over 100,000 applications have been processed, successfully reducing more than 30% of the backlog, and outlined future strategies to enhance efficiency. This was discussed in the segment titled Home Affairs working at speed to reduce queues and visa backlog.

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

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