The Daily Discourse

September being Public Service Month, we thought to look at the state of public service in the country and whether it’s improving or getting worse. Sadly a story has emerged from Limpopo where a 24-hour service clinic had its gates locked resulting in a woman giving birth outside risking the life of the baby.   Guest: Zukiswa Kota – Head of Monitoring and Advocacy at the Public Se...

Some political analysts say that Friday’s Constitutional Court judgment against the IEC will definitely be huge blow to the governing ANC which supported the postponement of the local government elections. The ANC which supported a postponement and has struggled to register thousands of councillors expected to contest the municipal elections. It’s no secret that the ANC is in a lot of...

The news of the closure of iconic Liliesleaf Museum was greeted by shock nationally. Ironically the closure happens during Heritage and Tourism Month. Let’s remind ourselves about the historical significance of Liliesleaf as we listen to this report by Olebogeng Kgosilentswe.. Guest: Dr Unathi Sonwabile Henama – Tourism lecturer at the Tshwane University of Technology   Guest: Dr...

We speak now to mother and daughter team who are in the jewellery business. It’s called Isabella Jewellers and Refiners which is the brainchild of Isabella Kobela. She was trained in goldsmithing and rough diamond evaluation who trained as a gold-smith and rough diamond evaluation going it alone in 2008. She was later joined by her daughter Meiki Ngcengeni and as they say the rest is history...

We end the show by talking to the Association of B-BBEE Professionals as they are hoping to deal with some of the misconceptions around the policy.  September is also known as BEE Month and we thought to talk on the issue and remind ourselves as to why this policy was implemented in the first place and since its inceptions, how much changes has it brought with criticism that it benefited the...

Truth and Reconciliation Commission reparations bursary programme was set up to benefit victims and dependents of identified TRC victims. But sadly some of them are not happy with how the funds have been administered and not really sure what the money is supposed to be paying for. Let’s get to understand why some of the beneficiaries are unhappy and also hear from the Justice Department as t...

Over the years, economists and recruiters have been talking about how strict and heavy South African labour laws are. The biggest concern was on hiring and firing of staff as processes are too difficult for employers making them think twice before dismissing an employee. What impact is this having on employer/employee relations and what does it do for our reputation to international recruiters? To...

For our health feature today, our expert will deal with all your Covid-19 and vaccine related questions. The latest developments around this is that the National Institute for Communicable Diseases says it remains confident that despite the various mutations of the Corona Virus, vaccines currently being administered will protect against death and hospitalisation. On Monday night, the NICD announce...

Let’s tell you now about Ithala Development Finance Corporation Limited. Their aim is to drive economic development and empowerment, whilst remaining financially sustainable. The nature of their business includes: business finance, industrial and commercial property development and management, retail banking services, home loan products, and insurance services. What are some of their highlig...

Minister for Basic Education Angie Motshekga is calling on the religious sector, parents and other bodies to review their objections to the implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education. This follows reports of an increase in teenage pregnancies during the pandemic. Surely this is a huge point of contention for society as a whole, but then since youngsters are falling pregnant, what is...

This morning we focus on the Okhahlamba local municipality. They are one of the municipalities that scored a clean audit and praised by the Auditor General for maintaining good financial controls. What is it they are getting right and what can other municipalities learn from it? 

Following last week’s discussion on withdrawing ones retirement fund, today Bryan continues looking at how you should know if you have saved enough for retirement? Guest: Bryan Hirsch, Chairperson of Bryan Hirsch, Colley & Associates (Pty) Limited

On the final day of Women’s Month, we talk to a woman who managed to climb the corporate mountain in one of the most challenging male dominated industries. After completing her matric, she faced a financial hurdle which forced her to work and save funds in order to study. One of her beliefs is that a goal-orientated woman holds the power to break down barriers and become a trailblazer. Let&r...

The Black Business Council said that late payments to contractors and suppliers within a month, is delaying growth of black business. This they say has forced some businesses to shut down. As far as they are concerned, where does the problem lie and what sort of engagements did they have with government regarding this issue?   Guest: Gregory Mofokeng – CEO of the Black Business Council&...

We wrap up Women’s Month on a very sour note with the killings of women by their partners continuing in our country. The most recent gruesome murder was that of Nosicelo Mtebeni which is currently dominating the news. How then do we celebrate the month and look at ways to advance women if such incidents are still taking place? Are we perhaps preaching to the wrong people? Is it a question of...

The City of Johannesburg has extended its debt rehabilitation programme as more than 10 000 people have applied. Member of the mayoral committee for finance Matshidiso Mfikoe says that he city and its residents had fallen on hard times due to the Covid-19 pandemic and tough economic conditions in the country. To tell us more on the City’s finances and also why they have taken the decision to...

French President Emmanuel Macron says France and Britain will submit a resolution to an emergency United Nations meeting today (Monday) proposing a safe zone in Kabul in Afghanistan to try and protect people trying to leave the country after the Taliban takeover. Yesterday (Monday) American forces launched a drone strike in Kabul that killed what they say was a suicide car bomber suspected of prep...

As you’ve hear our conversation last Tuesday during the Municipal Watch feature where the issue of how much the councils are spending on drilling boreholes. My producers managed to bring on one of the companies that deal in this space to find out how the prices are determined. Let’s welcome… Guest: Collin Rice – Drilling Consultant and President of the Borehole Association...

The South Korean embassy yesterday (Thursday) donated equipment to Buhle, a non-profit organisation that raises funds to establish smallholder farms through training and support. Students who go through this programme are able to supply big supermarket chains with their crops. To tell us more on the significance of the donation and how it fits into the greater African farming development, we are j...

Yesterday (Thursday) the Maphosa Management Consultants hosted a virtual conference on inclusive and special education particularly the impact Covid-19 had on the schools. Those who have children with special needs know how difficult it is to access these schools and some of the play areas. One of the organisations that took part in the discussions was an NPO called A Chance to Play South Africa a...

The Consumer Goods and Services Ombud yesterday (Thursday) released its annual report for the period ending 28 February 2021. The report indicates that it experienced a 51.5% rise in consumer complaints, up from 9,529 in the previous period to 14,438 cases. Interestingly, complaints relating to goods, services and agreements constituted 90% of all complaints received. To find out more on their fin...

A recent study by the South African Medical Research Council and the Perinatal HIV Research Unit has revealed that female sex workers are exposed to extremely high level of violence.   Guest: Professor Rachel Jewkes - Lead Author of the Study and Executive Scientist at the South African Medical Research Council

The SABC is today unveiling a pop-up vaccination site as part of efforts to assist government reach as many people as possible. The site will offer walk-in and drive through services will operate until Saturday. This is a partnership with the Gauteng provincial government .   Guest: Madoda Mxakwe

A business woman has called on men to do more to end gender inequality in the workplace. Deidre van Rooy says this becomes particularly important in industries that are still male-dominated. So how do we get more men to uplift women?   Guest: Deidre Van Rooy - Head of Marketing and Communications at Altron Systems Intergration 

The Director of the cape-based Oakland Dairy Group says the agricultural sector should not be jeopardised by what he has described as dangerous ideology. Ian van Niekerk says he understands the need for land reform but expropriation without compensation is not the answer. He questions the impact that this move will have on food security and on the banking sector. He joins us now on the line&hellip...