The Daily Discourse

A significant shift from the Jehovah’s Witnesses on blood transfusions. The religious group has changed its position, allowing members to make their own decision about whether to accept certain blood components when medically necessary. The Health Department has welcomed the move. So, what does this change mean for patients and healthcare workers?  Guest: Aaron Motsoaledi: Minister for...

Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has spent another weekend behind bars, as disturbing allegations emerged during his bail hearing in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court. Sibiya faces five charges, including rape, sexual grooming of a minor and human trafficking. The case now turns to whether he will be granted bail.  Guest: Karyn Maughan: News24 legal specialist...

The Auditor-General is raising the alarm over irregular spending in South Africa’s public higher education and training sector. Irregular expenditure has jumped from 176-million rand to 466-million rand in the past financial year. The findings come from the AGSA’s Budgetary Review and Recommendations Report, presented to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Tr...

Climate change is increasingly being described as a health crisis — and now Wits researchers and international partners want the World Health Organization to formally declare it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. They argue that the health impacts of climate change demand a coordinated global response, particularly to protect the world’s most vulnerable people.  G...

Thanks to a R341-million donation from alumnus Chris Seabrooke, the university is preparing to build a new Cultural Precinct designed to serve not just students, but the wider community. So, what will this new cultural space bring to Johannesburg? Let’s find out. Guest: Peter Bezuidenhoudt, Wits University Director: Development,

That’s why the newly refurbished emergency department at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital in Johannesburg matters. The refurbishment was sponsored by FirstRand Group, and we’re joined by its Head of Social Investment to talk about the project and the support it will provide to women and children.  Guest: Kone Gugushe, Head of Social Investment at FirstRand Group

Well, it appears that pressure may have paid off. Eskom has now extended its waiver on registration-related charges for small solar systems — and this time, until further notice.  Guest: Wayne Duvenage, OUTA CEO

We received a voice note this week from a listener in Makhanda who’s deeply concerned about shortages of chronic medication. Before we go any further, let’s hear what she had to say. We then decided to follow up and find out what’s behind these shortages, and what’s being done about them. Joining us is Khadija Jamaloodien, Chief Director of Health Products Procurement at th...

We started a series last week getting to know the team of young chefs that make up Team Masakhane which is set to represent South Africa in the Culinary Olympics in Luxembourg.  Guest: Elizabeth Ncube, a graduate of HTA School of Culinary Art currently working at the Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa

Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, TUT ViceChancellor & Principal tells Bertha Charuma that the world or work is as confused as Higher Education Institutions on what skills are needed to increase employability of graduates.  

SABC Group CEO, Nomsa Chabeli explains to Bertha Charuma what the future of jobs look like for the public broadcaster.     

Bryan Hirsch, Financial advisor at Bryan Hirsch, Colly and Associates  answers the following

Advocate Brenda Madumise: Director Wise 4 Afrika & GBV Activist and  Matshidiso Lencoasa, public finance specialist and member of the Budget Justice Coalition react to  President Cyril Ramaphosa's GBVF speech and plans to tackle the scourge.  

Senior Director in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal at Tshwane University of Technology, Tseliso Mohlomi speaks on the integration of AI in daily lives to limit people doing mundane work so they can spend time with family. Mohlomi also shares that artisanal skills like plumbing will still be pivotal in the future. 

CEO of Sentech,  Tebogo Leshope is in conversation with Bertha Charuma and looking at what Artificial Intelligence means for the broadcast industry and the skills required to keep South Africa ahead of the tide when it comes to technology.   

GUEST: Benedict Maaga

GUEST: Julian Rademeyer: Organised crime researcher

GUEST: Ms Jane Ntsoele: Gauteng Health, Assistant Manager Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Women's Health Programme

The Commission for Gender Equality, the South African Human Rights Commission, and the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities are about to hold a Joint National Inquiry into how the anti-GBV system operates in South Africa. Joanne Joseph is inconversationwith Tsietsi Shuping, HoD of Legal at the Commission for Gender Equality.

Artist and curator, Johan Stegmann speaks on the an exhibition at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, "We the good guys" which is a counter-exhibition opposing the notion of white genocide and crosses planted in the US.

Adjunct professor at the University of the Free State Business School, Christo van der Rheede says the over-reliance on grants in South Africa will not make the country prosperous.

90% of teachers are citing burnout and heavy workload as the challenges they face at work. Joanne Joseph is in conversation with Danolien van den Berg from the Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysersunie (SAOU) and Media Liaison Officer for the Department of Basic Education, Terence Khala on this concerning statistics.

The IEC's General Manager for Electoral Matters, James Aphane is in conversation with Joanne Joseph about who qualifies to apply for a special vote and the possibility of casting your vote at home.

As voting day approaches, the political violence also tends to rear its ugly head. Joanne Joseph is in conversation with Ivor Chipkin, co-founder and Director at New South Institute on it.   

Kenyan President, William Ruto has yet called for Africa to have two permanent seats on the UN Security Council. Joanne Joseph is in conversation with Dr Kingsley Makhubela, Former South African Ambassador and African Diplomacy Analyst on them matter