The Daily Discourse

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...

Simphiwe Masiza is CEO of Empowerwox Leadership and Transformation and he has recently launched his book entitled Pitcher at the Fountain of Wisdom. It’s a collection carefully selected sayings from around the world, with unique insights from Simphiwe Masiza who highlights the wisdom found in each saying. Guest: Simphiwe Masiza – CEO of Empowerwox Leadership and Transformation

Last week many of you raised the issue of funeral policies and what one should look at when choosing. Well Bryan will specifically look at this today and the value they add when it comes to your finances….. GUEST: Bryan Hirsch, Chairperson of Bryan Hirsch, Colley & Associates (Pty) Limited

You still remember that chanting a few years ago? Well, we speak now to Pauli van Wyk who has revealed new developments in the VBS story. The latest from her is that Brian Shivambu who is brother to the EFF’s Floyd Shivambu has agreed to pay back R4.55-million in favour of Vele Investments which was the majority shareholder in VBS Mutual Bank. Guest: Pauli van Wyk - Investigative journalist at Dai...

The South African PRM Youth made their submission for the African Peer Review Mechanism as the country will soon undergo its second review. They have identified nine governance issues to be included in their submission. Some of those include social cohesion and security. Just as background, the submissions were compiled by young people and civil society organisations during the course of 2020 and...

The secretary general of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, has expressed outrage at the killing of a large number of civilians in Burkina Faso over the weekend. Officials there say more than 160 people have died after an attack by so called Jihadists on the village of Solhan near the borders with Mali and Niger was the worst in recent years. In Nigeria, 88 people are said to have been killed in...

A report into the economic impact of the sugar tax has revealed a negative impact on the industry and the economy. The report has revealed that 16-thousand 621 job have been lost which resulted in a R653 million decline in investment into the economy. To get a perspective from industry on this, we are joined on the line by.. Guest: Lawrence Mbalati – Head of the Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA)

As South Africa faces a potential third wave, government is being urged to speed-up the process of vaccination. President Ramaphosa recently announced the move to an adjusted level two lockdown amidst fears of a potential third wave in the coming weeks. At the rate we are going, how likely is government to achieve its target of vaccination and we as a nation, should we be worried? Guest: Shabbir M...

Many of you have been calling into the show to talk about the impact nyaope is having on communities and lives of young people who become addicts. Well this morning we thought to bring the subject on board and try to understand where the problem lies and why it’s so popular in our townships. Let’s listen to this report from Malhaku Komani who spoke to some of the addicts and Tembisa and filed this...

The South African Medical Association has this week made their presentation in parliament reaffirming their stance on the NHI. They were presenting their submission to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health where they said that while they support some provisions, others lack essential detail which has far-reaching consequences for NHI implementation. Guest: Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa – Member of t...

Many cyber experts have welcomed the President’s signing of the Cyber Crimes Bill with some saying it’s the correct response to the current dangers we are finding ourselves in. One of the things experts are highlighting is that the bill criminalises the distribution of “harmful” data messages on social media apps. One wonders how many social media users understand what this means? Guest: Verlie oo...

Eastern cape MEC for Social Development on Tuesday launched her campaign called Sisonke Sizaphumelala Campaign to deal with the effects of Covid-19. She is also incorporating it with the Child Protection Month initiative as many children are said to be starving in her province. What new thing is she bringing to turn the situation around? Guest: Siphokazi Lusithi – Eastern Cape MEC for Social Devel...

A study the University of Stellenbosch Business School that looked into how organisations should deal with a crisis has highlighted how an employee-centred approach is good for employees, and for organisations too. It goes on to say that uncertainty, insecurity, fear and anxiety can impact negatively on employee productivity and engagement. To engage further on this, we are joined on the line by…....

Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan, says once a new equity partner is appointed, South African Airways will have to stand on its own and cannot expect any financial assistance from government. Gordhan says negotiations with the prospective strategic equity partner are at an advanced stage and that the decision will be announced in the next four to six weeks. Joseph Mosia reports... Guest:...

For our SMME feature this morning we speak to Allon Raiz, CEO of business incubator, Raizcorp. This is the back of the release of the unemployment figures as more young people are being urged to start their own businesses. We speak to him as someone who is involved in incubation to talk about the difficulties faced by those who enter the space of entrepreneurship and what it is that they should kn...

The Black Business Council held its summit yesterday calling for 70% of the economy to be transferred into black hands by 2030. They go on to say that transforming the economy should be a priority for the government and its social partners as it tries to take the country into a recovery path from the Covid-19 pandemic. As far as they are concerned, where does the problem of transformation lie and...

Today we focus on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. According to medical journals, it is a mental illness that causes repeated unwanted thoughts or sensations or the urge to do something over and over again. Guest: Prof Renata Schoeman – Psychiatrist in orivate practise and head of the MBA in Healthcare Leadership at the University of Stellenbosch’s Busines School