The Daily Discourse

Last week we received a call from two inmates based at the Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Centre, from a gentleman by the name Rasekwai who was calling on his fellow inmate’s behalf, Mr Nkomo. He was seeking advice for his health condition as. Let’s listen to what he had to say…. CLIP-PRISON-CALLER LINK: For a response on this and also to find out what sort of medical assistance the Department of...

Today Bryan looks at the cost of medical aid which makes up a large part of one’s expenses, however, before the end of the year members do have choices. Bryan is also giving a report back on the Means Test question from last week…. GUEST: Bryan Hirsch, Chairperson of Bryan Hirsch, Colley & Associates (Pty) Limited

There has been a positive response so far to the news that Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has gazetted amendments to the Electricity Regulations on New Generation Capacity. This will allow municipalities to embark on their own power generation projects. However, this only applies to municipalities with good standing. For a perspective on this, Guest: Nhlanhla Ngidi – Head of...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the Special Covid-19 Grant will be extended further by three months. The President was unveiling government's reconstruction and economic recovery plan during a joint sitting of Parliament. The plan consists of four priority interventions which include massive rollout of infrastructure, energy generation, employment stimulus and industrial growth. The P...

South Africa is in a far better position in terms of media freedom compared to Apartheid days. However the South African media industry still faces serious challenges including journalists being harassed by police and the community whilst covering news stories. The impact of Covid-19 on the economy has also resulted in some 700 journalists losing their jobs as media companies shut down operations...

The situation in Senekal has raised many issues about the state of agriculture and farming in the Free State. The MEC responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development met with some of the farming communities. The idea was to talk about forging a better working relationship with organized agriculture. The MEC now joins us on the line to talk about the challenges faced by farmers and how he plans t...

The Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture has no doubt revealed more than we thought. Witnesses have been giving explosive information of how money was embezzled by those in power through state owned enterprises. We have also seen a couple of arrests while the revelations continue. Sadly though, it’s again the whistle blower that’s being victimised. Something that’s raising fears that thi...

The intended beneficiaries of the corruption-tainted Estina dairy farm project in the Free State want to be compensated. The more than 250 million rand project is fully operational, but the would-be beneficiaries have been sidelined. Thabiso Radebe reports.. PKG-ESTINA LINK: Interestingly, the Free State members of the ANC and victims of both the failed asbestos and the Estina dairy project are ma...

Siyabonga Africa is a non-profit organisation that creates opportunities for unemployed, poverty stricken and destitute people helping them to find solutions to their problems and to tell us more, Guest: Sarah-Jane Brink - Senior Manager at Siyabonga Africa

Today mark World Food Day – a day dedicated to highlighting the impact of Food Security. Sadly, here is a story that will make you feel the extent of poverty in our own country. There’s a growing number of cases of child labour in rural areas of Mbizana in the Eastern Cape. Children as young as ten years old are used as child labourers for illegal sand mining in Hlolweni village. They carry spades...

Earlier this month we spoke Deputy DG for Land Reform Terries Ndove about some of the agricultural schemes they were introducing for emerging farmers. Then many of you called about land claims. We then put through a call for someone who will be able to deal with land claims. We welcome….. Guest: Nomfundo Ntloko-Gobodo – Chief Land Claims Commissioner

Agri South Africa has urged farmers and the community to act within the confines of the law during the court case of two murder accused in the Senekal Magistrate Court today Friday. The call follows threats of more chaos by farming community should the two accused get bail. Sekwetje Mahlamba and Sekola Matlaletsa are expected to apply for bail following their arrest two weeks ago. They are accused...

Closing off now with an uplifting story about the Market Photo Workshop and the Market Theatre Laboratory in collaboration with Raw Multimedia. They are conducting what they call the Re-Imagining Riverlea: A Participatory Arts Project. The aim of the project is to facilitate processes for community members of Riverlea to find, explore and represent their stories. To tell us more on this, Guest: Be...

As life goes back to normal with employees reporting for duty, labour experts are drawing the focus back to the Employment Equity Act and how government can impose and ensure that employers adhere to it. What are the loopholes in the act and why do some employers not comply? Guest: Teboho Motsoane - Skills Development and Employment Equity Specialist of Strata-g Labour Solutions

Earlier this week, the issue of the protection of whistleblowers was again raised by many of you around the fact that many are not protected. Some spoke about being fired after blowing the whistle. How then can we expect to deal with the issue of corruption if whistle blowers are not protected? What are we not doing right as a country when it comes to this issue? To help us navigate the subject, G...

This morning we talk to Celeste Margo Le Roux, she is the Co-founder and CEO of React24. They are a company that renders bespoke specialist maintenance services to the residential, industrial, commercial and retail markets. Where did it all start for her and what would she say are the biggest challenges for women in this industry? Guest: Celeste Margo Le Roux – Co-founder and CEO of React24

High expectations from the nation as President Cyril Ramaphosa will be addressing a Joint Sitting of Parliament later today to outline the country's economic reconstruction and recovery plan. Commentators and opposition parties want to know more about job creation and Eskom. Looking at the current state of our economy, what should we expect from the president? Guest: Mandla Isaacs – Political Econ...

Arthritis is one of those diseases one often associates with old-age, but lately people between 55 and 60 are starting to be affected by it. This is according to various experts around the world marking World Arthritis Day on Monday. What is it exactly and what are the symptoms? GUEST: Dr Mpoti Seboka – Rheumatologist working at Charlotte Maxeke and Olivedale Hospitals

This morning we focus on women in the Human Settlements value chain. What is the current state of women in this sector and how is the department making strides? Guest: William

Today being Tuesday, it’s time for our regular UIF feature where Tsiamo Molema addresses all your questions. Please remember to keep your questions very brief and listen on the radio for answers. GUEST: Tshiamo Molema – Manager for Monitoring and Evaluation in the Commissioner’s Office

The Government Communication and Information System, GCIS yesterday (Monday) held a webinar where they engaged with role players in the advertising industry around issues of racism and advertising. The topic was Racism and Racial Representation in Adverts. Why the need for such a discussion and how do we spot racism in an advert? Guest: Mathe Okaba – CEO of the Association for Communication and Ad...

This morning Bryan looks at the question of risk. Why should one take a Risk and what do we mean by it? GUEST: Bryan Hirsch, Chairperson of Bryan Hirsch, Colley & Associates (Pty) Limited

The Special Investigating Unit has reportedly stopped the Free State Health Department from making payments for personal protective equipment to service providers. The unit requested the department of health and treasury in the Free State to stop these payments as they say that it came to their attention that there were irregularities going on there and to tell us more on this. Guest: Kaizer Kgany...

We speak now to Leah Molatseli who wrote a book entitled #LegalTech Startups and Innovation. It’s aimed at making ordinary citizens gain greater access to justice. She joins us now on the line to explain the need for such a service and how it will work…. Guest: Leah Molatseli - Legal technology and innovation specialist and member of the University of the Free State Council

The Covid-19 pandemic is said to have left 72% of youth battling with depression as many are unable to find secured jobs. The survey conducted by the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation and its partners looked at young people who were already in a vulnerable situation before the lockdown. What does this mean for these young people and what are the most practical solutions turn thei...