The Daily Discourse

There has been calls for celebrity queen Somizi Mhlongo to be charged for intimidating a journalist. Two journalists sent questions to him and instead of answering, he apparently insulted them. Now we know that our country has a free media under a democratic state and the worry is that if this kind of behaviour is not dealt with in its infancy, then it may lead to hostility towards our profession....

On our business feature today we talk to a manufacturer of eye glasses. They are called VUES and describe themselves as an African eyewear retailer with the sole purpose of “protecting the naked eye they say. Let’s find out who they are and what drew them into this industry…. Guest: Jaxx Tshabala – Director at VUES Artified Opticals

Minister of International Relations Dr Naledi Pandor yesterday (Wed) through a virtual programme gave a brief reflection of South Africa’s tenure at the UN’s Security Council. The session was hosted by the London Chatham House with an audience made-up of diplomats, policy makers just to name a few. Next month South Africa will conclude its tenure as chair of the AU and to reflect on some of the hi...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has established an Inter-Ministerial Committee to be chaired by his deputy president David Mabuza to oversee the country's Covid-19 vaccine rollout program. He was speaking during the ANC Progressive Business Forum dialogue on the economy and the pandemic. The meeting was called among others to discuss vaccine selection, procurement and distribution. South Africa is plann...

Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, says his office has drawn up a new document for the National Command Council, asking for a change in restrictions for the province. Speaking during his weekly digital media briefing, Winde says it’s been 21 days since they engaged with the NCC and put forward proposals for restrictions when the province was in the midst of its peak. GUEST: Alan Winde – Premier of...

Former police security branch officer, Martin Naude, has denied any involvement in the death of anti-apartheid activist, Neil Aggett in 1982 at the then John Vorster Square police station in Johannesburg. Naude says he had interrogated Aggett from mid-December 1981 and last saw him alive on January the 9th the following year. He says he then returned to his hometown of East London. Aggett was foun...

Over the years we’ve been talking about pitbulls killing children and calls for them to be banned. But the owners always feel that their dogs can be controlled. The latest incident is of a 4-year-old child who was mauled to death by a neighbour’s pitbull. Let’s now to an owner of this breed and also get a legal perspective on what it is that people who live in an area where neighbours keep this br...

As a follow-up from last week, Bryan will today look at what individuals should do going forward to try and make sure that they are not in the same situation next January. With interest rates being so low, what alternatives are there to help pensioners living on a fixed income to help make ends meet? GUEST: Bryan Hirsch, Chairperson of Bryan Hirsch, Colley & Associates (Pty) Limited

The Economic Freedom Fighters is pushing forward with its agenda for the postponement of this year's local government elections and their merging with the general election of 2024. The party says it is has begun a process of engaging all political parties on its stance and although some are unconvinced, it may just have the heavyweight support it needs to push the matter through. Guest: Lulu White...

The Institute for Healing of Memories has raised their concerns at children who are sitting at home due to Covid-19 delays. They are worried that these kids may be exposed to abuse especially those who’ve experienced violence. Guest: Fatima Swartz – Director for Programs at the Institute for Healing of Memories (‘#thehandsofmen campaign is a continuous campaign against GBV, violence and nation bui...

The State Prosecutor leading the case against former Deputy Police Commissioner in the North West William Mpembe and three others argued that the men should be held responsible for the death of a mine worker who was shot during the Marikana Massacre in 2012. They are standing trial on of charges of defeating the ends of justice after Modisaotsile Segalala died while in police custody. The men alle...

The Southern Africa Resource Watch yesterday (Thursday) released their report into the impact Covid-19 had on the mining industry. One of the things they highlight is the devastating effects the lockdown had on small mining companies and the poverty it brought for livelihoods. They also applaud the mining companies for their role during the first wave in supporting SADC governments. Guest: Dr Clau...

Ugandan opposition leader, Bobi Wine, has over the weekend expressed fear for his life after his home was surrounded by the military. Wine lost the election against President Yoweri Museveni. He denounced the results as fraudulent and urged citizens to reject them. The government ordered that the internet be shut off on Wednesday, the day before the vote, and by yesterday (Sunday) it was still not...

Parents and guardians are preparing themselves for the possibility that they might, once again, have to provide home schooling for their children. The Basic Education Department has postponed the re-opening of schools by a further two weeks as the number of Covid-19 cases continues to escalate putting a strain on health care facilities. Many teachers have also succumbed to the virus. Some independ...

We speak now to Keri-Leigh Paschal, executive trustee at social impact initiative Nation Builder who wrote apiece about trends in the social investment space. She highlights lesson lessons learnt under the devastating impact of Covid-19 on NPOs and what they can do to overcome 2021. She now joins us on the line to share her wisdom…. Guest: Keri-Leigh Paschal, executive trustee at social impact ini...

Much has been said about the resources and support available to employees going through retrenchment processes to help them cope. But what about those tasked with implementing the company’s decisions? What help should the business offer those who have the responsibility to handle these matters at operational level, a situation that can cause them a lot of stress too as they deliver bad news to the...

Human Rights Watch yesterday released their World Report 2021 where they call on US President-elect Joe Biden to work with global leaders who they say have sought to shore up a defense of human rights around the world. They go on to say that after four years of Trump’s indifference and often hostility to human rights, the Biden presidency provides an opportunity for fundamental change. To find out...

The ban on alcohol has introduced some people to non-alcoholic beverages which is very good for up and coming entrepreneurs in the beverage sector. The demand for alternative vitamin-infused juices and probiotic-rich fermented teas is said to have grown. We speak now to someone who is the brewer of South Africa’s first certified organic kombucha… Guest: Alex Glenday - Director at Brew Kombucha

As schools are about to open, the Competition Commission is calling on parents to come forward if they suspect schools of directing them to buy only at certain retailors. The commission has been fighting this practice since 2017 and to tell us what has since happened then and whether school comply, Guest: Thembinkosi Bonakele – Commissioner at the Competition Commission

The debate around the administering of Ivermectin in the treatment of Covid-19 patient is growing as experts differ on the subject. Some believe that is should only be for animal use. Guest: Professor Colleen Aldous – Professor and Healthcare Scientist at UKZN Guest: Dr kgosi letlape - held leadership positions in south africa and global structures in the medical field

With just a day to go for Uganda’s presidential elections, opposition candidate Bobi Wine says the army has raided his home and arrested all his security guards. He blames the raid on president Yoweri Museveni, who is seeking his sixth term in office after 35 years in power. The elections taking place tomorrow (Thursday), what can we expect seeing how the opposition is treated in that country? GUE...

The Companies Amendment Bill has been delaying through the legislative process for about 2 years. If passed, some of the proposals are that public and state-owned companies will be forced to disclose the highest and lowest paid employee salaries. One wonders if this is necessarily a good thing though and to get a perspective on it, Guest: Prof Anita Bosch – Professor at the University of Stellenbo...

The mood is sombre at the SABC as the retrenchment process unfolds. The public broadcaster has continued to issue letters of redundancy and surplus to affected staff following the conclusion of last month's extended consultation process. The SABC says it has reduced the number of employees who'll be affected from 600 to just over 300. It says it has to reduce the wage bill to make the organisation...

As hospitals are battling to deal with Covid-19 patients, government is doing all it can to supply what health institutions need. The good thing is that innovators are also coming forward developing devices that may help ease the burden. The latest one is by a group of East London-based volunteers that includes doctors, engineers and entrepreneurs have come up with a device that will help to suppl...

The Eastern Cape government says it will launch a forensic probe into the finances of the troubled Amathole District Municipality. This will be the second forensic probe in the entity after the conclusion of one in 20-19. The move comes after the cash strapped district municipality announced it wouldn't be able to pay the salaries of its employees, councillors and traditional leaders for at least...