The Daily Discourse

We go down to the Free State at the Boitumelo Hospital in Kroonstad. Staff there are said to be protesting demanding that the hospital be shut down after several of their colleagues tested positive for Covid-19. Guest: Lesego Mogorosi – Nehawu’s Branch Chairperson in Kroonstad

The lockdown restrictions have affected many industries around the country. Funerals in particular have changed drastically as government has put a limitation on the amount of people who should attend. For some, this may allow them to save money as people will be few and costs will be less. Guest: Andrew

Last night President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the reopening of the beauty industry. He says that it was important for the government to reopen personal care services in an effort to empower the women who work in South Africa's hair salons, beauty shops, and spas. Guest: Mariska du Plessis - Northern Gauteng divisional manager at the Employers Organisation for Hairdressing, Cosmetology and Beauty

Since the lockdown started, many employees were allowed to work from home. Some reports suggest that productivity was high at the time, but lately it’s becoming problematic for employers to monitor those who are working from home. But, don’t despair if you are a business person who is battling with issues of accountability from your staff as someone came up with a working solution for you… Guest:...

The National Director of Public Prosecutions advocate Shamila Batohi, yesterday welcomed raids at premises in Gauteng and Limpopo in connection with the looting at the VBS Mutual Bank between 2015 and 2018. The Hawks executed warrants of arrest for four of the eight suspects of which three are to hand themselves over to police soon. The 8th suspect is said to be in quarantine due to Covid-19 and w...

The gruesome murders of women in our country has again highlighted the country’s problem of gender-based violence. We are all asking the same questions as to what drives these men to do such horrible acts to their partners? Why the brutality? Can we really put our finger on it? We’ve been speaking to lobbyists and other groups and this time around we would like to hear from government on the issue...

As you may have heard comments by the uncle of Tshegofatso Pule, who was killed while eight months pregnant at the time. During the funeral Tumisang Katake saying he will no longer take cases where suspects are accused of gender-based violence. But then it raises questions of whether lawyers can refuse to take a case? Guest: Tumisang Katake – Practicing lawyer and uncle of Tshegofatso Pule Guest:...

As government is preparing to let us know what the next move is after level 3 of the lockdown. The term that’s doing the rounds is Advance Level 3 which many people especially the affected industries like beauty and hospitality as they are the hardest hit. Guest: Wendy Alberts - CEO of the Restaurants Association of SA

The lockdown has made things worse for young people seeking jobs. Many of them are trying to either be self-employed or apply for jobs in the dwindling market. Where should we point our finger to in terms of the unemployment rate in the country? Is our economy strong enough to absorb youngsters? What about the qualifications they study for, are they marketable? Do they bring the desired skills req...

In the sound bite you’ve just heard from former president Nelson Mandela, he reminds young people of the selflessness of the youth of 1976 and calls on young people to soldier on. But looking at today’s situation on the ground, how should we describe the role played by young people in shaping society? The country is now gripped by issues of gender-based violence. Young women are being killed while...

Let’s bring it to today and talk about young people and politics. How much of a role are they playing in shaping the history of the country? The emergence of the EFF, how has it helped in gearing up young people in playing more meaningful roles in the politics of this country? Guest: Xolani Dube – Senior Researcher at Xubera Institute for Research and Development Guest: Nompumelelo Runji-Political...

The Eastern Capes MEC for Economic Development Mlungisi Mvoko has reached out to one of the communities living with disabilities. Under the current lockdown many of them are said to be hardest hit. The MEC supplied the Thembalethu Deaf Project with a custom-repurposed container for their daily use. How did their plight come to his attention? Guest: Mlungisi Mvoko – MEC for Economic Development in...

Some labour federations and experts say in light of the impact of the Coronavirus, South Africa should consider having a 24/7 economy as a new normal. They say this will result in more shifts, less infections at the workplace and ultimately lead to the creation and saving of jobs and help spur growth. Generally labour unions are in favour of the idea… Guest: Zamikhaya Maseti – Political Economy An...

Saturday was international Albinism Day and we thought to put it on our agenda this morning as the stigma around them continues. In our country we are still seeing incidents of them either being killed for rituals or strange beliefs. Let’s talk now to someone of champion’s the issue and talk about why we are still seeing these incidents and how do we change the mindset? Guest: Reality Theophilus –...

Two taxi associations based in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, have threatened a total shutdown if there's no clear indication on when they will get the COVID-19 relief payment. On Friday A.T.A and Armsta taxi associations announced that taxi fare hikes were imminent and would be effective from the first of next month. The issue at heart is that of subsidies. What is the best way for government...

Let’s tell you now about the Sibikwa Arts Centre, they are an NGO that keeps underprivileged children in the Eastrand. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, funds depleted. But this has not stopped them from giving hope to the children around their area. How have they been doing and what sort of service do they provide? Guest: Phyllis Klotz - Artistic Director at Sibikwa Arts Centre

If you’ve been following the news you would have heard how many companies both big and small were forced to close. We always worry about the employee losing their jobs. Some business are operating even though they are making a loss. But then if you are a business owner, where do you start? What do you say to your employees? What are the legalities around this? Is it enough to just tell employees t...

The moment has finally arrived for the two Mikes to face each other on air to talk about issues that they don’t see eye to eye on. These are mostly on economics and politics. But what sparked the idea for the debate was the issue of the Cuban doctors. Guest: Mike Masina – (Mike in Middleburg) Guest: Mike Clark – (Mike in Newlands)

The DA says residents of the City of Tshwane will continue to suffer irreparable harm while the legal battle for control of the capital city continues. Gauteng MEC for Co-operative Governance, Lebogang Maile, has filed an application to appeal yesterday's Pretoria High Court Judgment at the Supreme Court of Appeals. The high court ruled that the metro council could sit to elect a new mayor pending...

The Constitutional Court has declared the Electoral Act unconstitutional - meaning independent candidates are allowed to contest for national and provincial elections without being a member of a political party. The case was brought by civil society organisation the New Nation Movement and others. They sought to have the Electoral Act declared unconstitutional as it did not make provision for indi...

The Constitutional Court has declared the Electoral Act unconstitutional - meaning independent candidates are allowed to contest for national and provincial elections without being a member of a political party. The case was brought by civil society organisation the New Nation Movement and others. They sought to have the Electoral Act declared unconstitutional as it did not make provision for indi...

The Constitutional Court has declared the Electoral Act unconstitutional - meaning independent candidates are allowed to contest for national and provincial elections without being a member of a political party. The case was brought by civil society organisation the New Nation Movement and others. They sought to have the Electoral Act declared unconstitutional as it did not make provision for indi...

As they country is slowly going back to normal level by level according to government’s stipulations, business is also looking at how to pick up the pieces. Investors are looking at where to put their money as the different sectors are doing their best to get back up. Property is one of the recommended investments that are seen as solid also helped by the drop in interest rates. But where is the b...

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane yesterday expressed shock at the brutal killing of Tshegofatso Pule, who went missing on 4 June 2020. Pule who was eight months pregnant was found stabbed and hanging from a tree in the veld. The big question is what possesses someone to do something like this and when are we going to stop seeing inci...

Men are said to increasingly prefer robotic surgery for prostate cancer. This reportedly has benefits such as faster recovery and a quicker return to normal activity. Apparently robotic surgery achieves improved cancer control, continence and potency. Guest: Dr Hugo van der Merwe – Urologist at the Urology Hospital in Pretoria