The Daily Discourse

As you may have heard in the beginning of the week that the Mpumalanga Education Department has suspended classes at Witbank Technical High School in Emalahlni. This follows a clash by parents and community members outside the school, demanding that the school be closed due to claims of racism and discrimination. It is believed that the protest was sparked by a fight between a white and black pupi...

We speak now to Kgaugelo Mogapi who is the Managing Director of KELE Engineering and Construction. She is praised to be one of the successful start-up stories. She is part of Anglo American Platinum's inclusive procurement programme where she maintains and repairs air-conditioning systems in mobile equipment across their site. Where did it all start for her and why this particular sector? Guest: K...

The Gauteng High Court has ruled that South African arms companies that may have supplied weapons to countries in conflict which were used against civilians be made public. This is a major victory for Open Secrets and the Southern African Litigation Centre who took the matter to court. Guest: Michael Marchant – Head of Investigations at Open Secrets

Guest: Hannah J. Dawson - Senior Researcher, Southern Centre for Inequality Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. Guest: Ayanda Kota – Member of the Unemployed People’s Movement Guest: Senzelwe Mthembu – Researcher at the Centre for Social Development in Africa Guest: Marcia Ramodike – Author of ‘From an Empty Pride to a Full Price’ (A book on Black tax) Guest: Morongwa Mothiba – CEO of...

As you heard last night from President Cyril Ramaphosa that the country is officially on alert level 3. The president said that hospital admissions are increasing daily as infections rise. The different sectors were worried that some of the provinces may be shut as well as the liquor sector, but instead he just cut down the days. To get an overall view on the latest announcement, we are joined on...

Let’s take you to the Mnquma Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape. It’s one of the municipalities that are said to have improved in the 2018/19 financial year. What is the current state of service delivery and financial standing? Guest: Councillor Sthembiso Ncetezo – Executive Mayor for the Mnquma Local Municipality Guest: Mike Qunta - Resident Guest: Nonceba Madikizela-Vuso – Spokesperson for t...

Darius Tabane talk to us about reaching one’s full potential. He wrote a book entitled When I grow up which he wrote during the lockdown. One of the things he points out in the book is about positively influencing other people. What is that one thing he would say pushed him towards greatness and what is it that holds a lot of people back? Guest: Darius Tabane –Author of When I Grow Up

Today Bryan educates us about uunderstanding the difference between healthy and unhealthy debt…. GUEST: Bryan Hirsch, Chairperson of Bryan Hirsch, Colley & Associates (Pty) Limited

More than half of students at institutions of higher learning in South Africa feel that hard lockdown has jeopardised their academic pursuits. This came out of the results of a study done on the impact of COVID-19 on students in the Post School Education and Training Sector. Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzimande launched the report at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in the Western...

Last week while addressing the National Council of Provinces, President Cyril Ramaposa was asked a question around dealing with the environment, especially issues of pollution. Pollution in our country is something that environmentalists keep warning against especially the damage it causes in our rivers and ocean. Also a lot of illegal dumping is happening in many of our communities. Guest: Barbar...

The pharmaceutical industry has become key in this period of Covid-19 as they are looked upon to give direction in the manufacturing and distribution of vaccines. COO of the Innovative Pharmaceutical Association of South Africa has written a pieces where he says the solution lies in their industry’s partnership with government. As far as he’s concerned, how then do they deal with issues of pricing...

G7 nations have committed to sharing one billion vaccines doses by next year - but President Ramaphosa has said he believes a TRIPS waiver is still the best way to get the world vaccinated against Covid-19. South Africa was invited to join this year's Summit in the UK as a guest. But despite not being able to come away from discussions with a TRIPS deal signed and seas, President Ramaphosa says So...

The National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa is not happy with the amendments to the Electricity Regulation Act announced last week by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Their worry is that since private entities will be allowed to produce their own power of up to 100MW, this could mean less revenue for Eskom. To get an understanding of what it is they would’ve liked the president to do regarding E...

Covid-19 is impacting the well-being of children. Not only are children being infected with the virus, but the disease is also affecting their psychological well-being. Experts say many children are developing anxieties and depression after losing parents and relatives to the virus. Tshepo Phagane compiled this report

This Sunday marks International Albinism Awareness Day and sadly though that even in 2021 we are still seeing incidents where they are killed. Nompilo Dladla is presenter of an upcoming documentary entitled Soneni, what have we done? She’s on a mission to educate society about albinism. Let’s speak to her and others living with this condition to talk abo Guest: Nompilo Dladla – Ambassador of Albin...

Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola this morning (Friday) gave an update on the ratification of the treaties regarding extradition and mutual legal assistance between South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Guest: Ronald Lamola – Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

Police have disarmed and arrested a man after a two hour hostage drama in the Durban CBD. It took place in a pension office on the 13th floor of a building. The suspect is said to have been armed with a firearm and an explosive device that was strapped to his body. Bystanders say the man was angry when he entered the building and said he was going to demand his pension. Let’s speak now to the PSA...

As we mark International Level Crossing Day today, a bakkie driver died about three days ago in the Western Cape after his vehicle collided with a train. Last month two people died in the Free State when their vehicle collided with a train. Guest: Richard Bucksey - Systems Configuration Manager at Traxtion

On our Labour Talk feature this morning we look at the new tax rules for employee travel and meals. Employees won’t be happy to hear that any amount that is reimbursed over R139 and above this limit per day is fully taxable. Guest: Tarryn Atkinson – Deputy Chair of SAICA’s National tax committee and head of employees tax and benefits at Firstrand

We all know by now that our country is facing a serious water shortage with some provinces painting a very bleak picture. Well, this morning we thought to speak to Royal HaskoningDHV, a global independent engineering and project management consultancy that has been dealing with water supply issues among other things. They are of the view that South Africa needs to think innovatively about ways of...

For our SMME feature this morning we feature Kedibone who is CEO of Ramtsilo Trading. She is in the business of construction with her sister and they have developed bricks using recycled plastic. Who thinks about something like this and how did the idea come about? Guest: Kedibone Tsiloane - CEO of Ramtsilo Trading

This morning we focus on the window to our souls, our eyes. How many of us actually take care of our yes or is it that one thing we only worry about when we can no longer see clearly? Guest: Rita Teka – Optometrist based in Pretoria

The Institute of Race Relations is warning that the proposed changes to the country’s gun laws will place women at greater risk of gender-based violence. To get an understanding on which aspects they are talking about and also get the perspective of a woman gun owner, we are joined on the line by…. Guest: Amy-Claire Morton – analyst at the Institute of Race Relations Guest: Tshepi Mmekwa - Spokesp...

The Democratic Alliance says while it welcomes the placing of Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on special leave, President Cyril Ramaphosa should have suspended him. The President's decision comes as Mkhize is facing allegations of his involvement in the irregular Digital Vibes contract. This is a very important development as this department is very crucial especially during this Covid-19 period. Mma...

Today the spotlight falls on the Msunduzi Municiplaity. They have been battling power outages, reports of poor service delivery, filth in the city and financial problems. What is the current state of the municipality and how are they planning to turn the situation around? Let’s hear now from our panel as we welcome…. Guest: Mzimkhulu Thebolla – Executive Mayor at Msunduzi Municipality Guest: Sabel...