The Daily Discourse

Speaking out against corruption can come at a devastating personal cost. Just ask former City of Johannesburg senior manager and whistleblower Sarika Lakraj-Naidoo. In an emotional interview with us a few days ago, she laid bare the price she’s paid for blowing the whistle — disciplinary hearings, former colleagues allegedly giving false testimony against her, and financial ruin after...

Finding clothes you can actually afford in South African stores is becoming increasingly difficult. So, it’s little wonder that shoppers are flocking to online giants like Shein and Temu, where rock-bottom prices and the convenience of shopping from home are hard to resist. But that bargain hunt is coming at a cost — and local manufacturers and retailers say they simply can’t com...

10-billion rand's worth of relief that the Finance Minister  announced in terms of the Fuel Levy during his Mid-Term Budget. Minister Godongwana is implementing a cut to the Fuel Levy after fuel prices soared to an all-time high this month. Guest: Sharda Naidoo: independent Development Economist,    

Civil society organisation, Equal Education, is not charmed by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s Mid-Term Budget, delivered yesterday afternoon. The The organisation says the budget has remained  silent on a number of important issues. Guest: Sam Beynon: systems efficiency researcher at Equal Education,    

Former Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has been denied bail in his rape case — but the controversy surrounding him is far from over. Arrested at a Sandton strip club last month, Sibiya faces a string of serious charges, including the alleged sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl, the alleged rape of an 18-year-old, human trafficking and firearms law violations. Now, the s...

At two this afternoon, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivers the Mid-Term Budget Policy Statement. It’s more than just a mini-budget — it’s a reality check on the state of South Africa’s economy, government’s spending priorities, and what lies ahead for our public finances. The big question is: where is the money going, and what does it mean for South Africans?&n...

We usually have Brian Hirsch in on a Wednesday, buthis colleague, Sandy van der Zanden is in for him this morning. And we're asking the question: Beyond the Rand: Is Your Wealth Too South African? You earn in rands, own property in South Africa and invest in the local market. What happens to your wealth if the rand weakens or South Africa's economy struggles? Sandy van der Zanden:...

As fuel costs continue to climb, could New Energy Vehicles be part of the solution for South African drivers? We’ve explored biofuels, and now we turn to the global shift towards cleaner energy in transport. With markets like the EU and UK tightening regulations, South Africa may need to accelerate its own transition. The question is: are we ready?  Grant Locke: Managing Director, Volvo...

KwaZulu-Natal has secured R124.5 billion in investment commitments, smashing its R95 billion target and potentially creating more than 330,000 jobs. But Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli says the real test is turning these pledges into projects, economic growth and sustainable employment.  Thami Ntuli: KZN Premier,  

Ald. Aaron Maluleka: is the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Housing and Human Settlements in the City of Tshwane David Mahlobo: Deputy Minister, Department of Water and Sanitation    

Artificial intelligence is changing how music is made — but how much of a song is human, and how much is AI? TechCentral reports that SAMRO is now asking members to disclose AI’s contribution when registering musical works, including how much a human contributed. But there’s no minimum requirement for human input. To unpack the new regulations and what they mean for musicians, I&...

We often talk about corruption, but what happens to those who dare to expose it? Whistleblowing takes courage and a strong sense of ethics, but too often, doing the right thing comes at a devastating personal cost. Today, we hear from Sarika Lakraj-Naidoo, a former senior employee at the City of Johannesburg, about her ordeal and the price she has paid for speaking out.   

A new report commissioned by the Centre for Development and Enterprise warns that water shortages, infrastructure theft and emergency repairs are creating opportunities for organised crime to profit from municipal failure. To unpack the findings and what they mean for Johannesburg, we’re joined by CDE founder and Executive Director, Ann Bernstein.  

The Executive Mayor, Councillor  Nomvuyo Mposelwa is in conversation with Joanne Joseph reviewing the municipality's performance over the past 5 years

Policing and Security Strategist, Andy Mashaile speaks on the failures within the SAPS which have allowed for 248 convicted SAPS members who remain employed by the police service

Department of Education Policies Professor at Stellenbosch University, Prof Jonathan Jansen warns that South Africa’s Paris moment is not far away because of the frustration communities have with the state of public schools and education.  

The CEO of South African-facing Sun International, Ulrik Bengtsson speaks to Joanne Joseph about the company's plans to ban grant and NSFAS recipients from gambling on their online platforms.

Nonceba Mhlauli, Deputy Minister in the Presidency  

Census 30 OB: The role of the Statistics Council in ensuring census integrity, independence, and public trust Dr Nompumelelo Mbele, Chairperson of the South African Statistics Council

Risenga Maluleke, Statistician-General at Statistics South Africa

Mr Yu Yu, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative

General practitioner in Craighall park, Dr Karin Van der Merwe gives tips on how to avoid a heat stroke as heatwaves continue in several provinces across the country. 

Motorists in parts of Johannesburg are facing delays in renewing driving licences and vehicle licence discs after a contract expired before a replacement was in place. With services disrupted, questions are mounting over accountability and contingency planning. We ask the Department of Transport what went wrong, what’s being done to restore services, and when motorists can expect normal oper...

The world produces enough food, yet millions still go hungry. This World Food Day, we ask how innovation, smarter food systems and collaboration can make nutritious food more accessible, affordable and sustainable. What will it take to build a food-secure future where no one is left behind?  GUEST: Dr Phindile Cebekhulu-Msomi: Founder and CEO of Hazile Group and recipient of the 2025 Bold Fut...

Following the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the ANC’s candidate-list submissions, the IEC must now determine the way forward ahead of the November 2026 local government elections. What does the judgment mean for candidate nominations, and can the Commission ensure the elections proceed fairly and on schedule?  GUEST: Lulu White: Founder of Elections Management and Consulting Ag...