The Daily Discourse

Today (Wed) the murder case against two former apartheid era police who are accused of bombing four Cosas members, Eustice Madikela, Ntshingo Mataboge, Fanyana Nhlapo and Zandisile Musi resumes in the Gauteng High Court. The interesting part about this case is that prosecutors have included crimes against humanity charges against the accused for the first for the first time in South African histor...

In our shortened health feature this morning we get to understand the new COVID-19 Omicron variant which is said to be far more transmissible, compared to previous variants. What is it exactly and what should we as the public know about it? Also how different is it from what we know and how effective are the vaccinations against it? Guest: Professor Thumbi Ndungu  -Deputy Director at the Afri...

We’re broadcasting live from CSIR International Convention Centre where the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) is hosting this year's Science Forum South Africa. To find out why this event is important and what sort of work are our scientists busy with, we are joined in our make-shift studio by..   Guest(OB point): Dr Phil Mjwara - Director General of the Department of Science a...

As we mark World Aids Day today (Wed), we turn our attention to where we are currently in terms of treatment and awareness. Some experts say that the Covid-19 pandemic has overshadowed the fight against HIV and aids. The disease has been with us for many years, what has changed since and what is out attitude around it? For a perspective on this, we are joined on the line by… Guest:  Ph...

  Focus:   Scientists working with the government have predicted that a fourth wave of coronavirus infections could begin in December. As part of government’s efforts in this regard, the CSIR has developed a platform that monitors human mobility to better understand movement patterns across specific areas, such as virus hotspots, high-risk and vulnerable areas, as well as monitor l...

A few months ago, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), authorised local biotechnology company, CapeBio to locally manufacture rapid Covid-19 PCR test kit. The development has been described as the most important achievement for South Africa, as this kit will contribute towards reducing reliance on imports, while making it easier for the country and the rest of the conti...

The country has been facing a lot of water shortages with authorities blaming all sorts of things except themselves. In some municipalities it’s the question of poor service delivery while some blame residents for wasting water. Let’s use this time now to try and understand where the problem of the water crisis lies as we welcome…. Guest:  Prof Mike Muller - V isiting adjun...

As it is the last Tuesday of the month, this programme is always devoted to answering questions that have been submitted to me during the month. I pick out all those questions of a similar nature and deal with them on the last Tuesday of the month. Guest: Bryan Hirsch, Chairperson of Bryan Hirsch, Colley & Associates (Pty) Limited

A survey by PPS has revealed that the majority of tertiary students are concerned about the country’s future over the next five years due to prevalent corruption, soaring unemployment and the economic devastation caused by COVID-19. But the interesting thing according to our guest is that many of them choose to see the silver lining and are determined to grab the opportunities presented by t...

On our personal development feature this morning we look at what makes certain companies desirable to work for. Employer branding agency Universum Global has named some of the country’s most attractive employers. What is it they are doing right to be attractive to prospective jobseekers? Also me as a jobseeker, how do I make myself fit that company’s brand? To talk to us on this issue,...

    President Cyril Ramaphosa last night expressed his dissatisfaction travel bans against South Africa and other African countries have been instituted by the US, the UK, Canada, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Mauritius. He said that there was no scientific proof that led to these countries taking the upsetting decision. Let’s take a listen to what he said….   Guest:...

Let’s speak now to Adv Tseliso Thipanyane about the National Action Plan to combat xenophobia racism, and discrimination. This plan was launched in 2019 as an important step towards addressing the widespread human rights abuses arising from xenophobic and gender-based violence and discrimination that continue to plague South Africa. We talk to him today about the progress report on the imple...

Mining unions are worried about the impact the lockdown is having on their sector and also the vaccination campaign in dealing with the pandemic. One of the things they highlight the value chain and how it affects the overall economy. To talk to us on this issue, we are joined on the line by…    Guest: Phillip Vilakazi – Deputy President of the National Union of Mineworkers

A total of R11-billion in new funding has been allocated by National Treasury for the next phase of the Presidential Employment Stimulus in the 2021/22 financial year. Part of its aim is to support community-based organisations to create employment at greater scale, on terms that contribute to the common good – often building on their existing efforts. This is part of building a ‘whole...

Our guest for today is described as someone who has an elegant yet edgy style of performance, smooth and distinct. He digs deep into his soul and approaches each song with a truth and sincerity that is refreshing. Well, let’s find out for ourselves as to who Sfiso Khanyile is and what his musical journey entails…   Guest: Sfiso Khanyile – Singer and song writer

Sadly it’s that time of the year where the world observes 16-days of activism against the abuse of women of children. We turn our focus on a partnership between 1st For Women and the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation aimed at putting pressure on policymakers for accountability and the implementation of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. As far as they are concerned, what...

Let’s tell you now about the three bills passed by government recently which are aimed at bringing justice to victims of GBV and femicide. The seek to address some of the issues raised by women who marched on the 1st of August in 2018 against the gender-based violence which has plagued the country and to educate us on these bills and also find out what difference they are expected to bring,...

Communications Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni is today (Friday) officially switching off the last transmitter in the Northern Cape to mark the successful digital migration of the province. Earlier in the week she said that the country is firmly on the path of Broadcast Digital Migration and also that government is committed to meeting the 31 March 2022 deadline. To give us a sense of where we are w...

The organisation Fetola says building the circular economy which involves recycling could boost the economy as it contributes to the GDP. It says sustainability makes good business sense. It has now developed accelerator focused on this economy. For more on what this is and how it will work we are joined on the line by… Guest:  Catherine Wijnberg – Founder and CEO of Fetola

A research article published recently in the Women’s Report by Stellenbosch University Business School states that it will take much more than the law to change perceptions that women’s paid work is less important than what they do at home. It says the country needs a growing economy in order to create more jobs. Women formed a large group of people who lost jobs during the covid-19 lo...

Today in the SMME feature we speak to the Small Enterprise Development Agency about the work they do. The organisation’s role is to implement government’s strategies for this sector. For more on how they assist small to medium businesses we are joined by… Guest:  Nomso Kana – Deputy Chairperson of the SEDA Board

The University of Cape Town’s academic enterprise is now being managed entirely by females. This follows the appointment of Professor Elelwani Ramugondo as Vice-Chancellor: Transformation. The University says this and other appointments show its commitment to transformation and excellence. Guest: Professor Mamokethi Phakeng – Vice Chancellor: University of Cape Town

Bloem Water has confirmed it has received a 20-million- rand from the Mangaung Metro Municipality in the Free State as part payment of the 270-million-rand debt that the metro owes. The water-utility imposed supply restrictions on Mangaung due to non-payment. The embattled municipality failed to keep up with its monthly instalment as agreed in a December 2020 settlement. To find out what the lates...

Professor of vaccinology at Wits University Shabir Madhi says they will only know whether the country is approaching the fourth wave of coronavirus infections if the positivity rate reaches more than ten per cent for two consecutive weeks. Earlier the National Institute for Communicable Diseases said the coronavirus positivity rate had increased yet again to three-point-four per cent. There has be...

Yesterday (Tuesday), the South African United Business Confederation in collaboration with The Joe Slovo Foundation, the UJ and other partners held virtual conference on Gender Based Violence and its impact on the economy. Our guest says that employers of survivors and victims can no longer leave the GBV problem to civil society groups and the police. What would she like to see employers do in dea...