The Daily Discourse

Over the few months since the outbreak of Covid-19, we have spoken to so many experts who do things one never thought existed. Here is something called GIS mapping technology. It’s said to being key to limiting the spread of Covid-19 in South Africa by providing access to real time information and ensuring that vulnerable communities stay safe. Let’s find out now what it does exactly and how it he...

Government has been announcing all sorts of funds and measures to help small and informal businesses under the lockdown. But so far there has been a lot of unhappiness as many have still not been able to access the funds. Informal traders are not making it as the movement of people is still restricted. We speak to them now to find out how the sector is keeping and what sort of challenges they are...

As many businesses remain closed under the current lockdown regulations, experts are warning about the dangers of cyberattacks. Some operate virtually through platforms like Skype and so on. Just last week Parliament’s virtual meeting was hacked by pornographic images. For a business a cyberattack can have severe consequences and bring a business to its knees. What then should business go about pr...

The Department of Employment and Labour has revealed that that companies and organisations which were allowed to operate during level 4 of the lockdown are not complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Inspector-general Aggy Moila was not impressed and worried that non-compliance could further spread the virus. Last month Martin Kingston who is executive member of Business for South A...

Last night President Cyril Ramaphosa told South Africans that consultations will take place on how level 3 of the lockdown will be implemented, possibly at the end of May. But so far there’s been mixed reaction to what the president said. He did acknowledge though that things have not really gone as planned since the lockdown….. guest: Former Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa has expressed his view...

As the lockdown progresses, time is running out for graduations as ceremonies are usually done around this time of the year. The University of Johannesburg has come up with a way not to spoil it for those who are meant to graduate now. They will unveil a virtual graduation ceremony, this week where its 13 000 graduates will have the opportunity to don graduation attire in the comfort of their own...

The Department of Basic Education has warned schools not to open until they get the go-ahead from the department. The warning comes after reports that some schools were preparing to reopen prematurely without the official schedule from the minister. Let’s hear now from the independent schools as to what their position and concerns are under these circumstances as we welcome…. Guest: Lebogang Montj...

The National Union of Mineworkers in North East Region says it is highly disturbed by a mine keeping a Covid-19 case secret. The claim that the Mogalakwena Mine which is situated next to Mokopane Town in Limpopo was hiding the case and only revealing it now. How did NUM come to hear about the case and what other mines in that area are doing the same thing? Interestingly, just yesterday (Tuesday) w...

Former communications minister and umKhumto Wesizwe General Siphiwe Nyanda has raised some concerns about the way government is leading the fight against Covid-19. One of the things he says is that some of government's regulations to curb the spread of the coronavirus didn't make sense". Guest: General Sphiwe Nyanda - Former communications minister and umKhumto Wesizwe General

Sonke Gender Justice has welcomed the release of petty criminals by Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola. The advocacy group as a co-coordinating member of the Detention Justice Forum, has been calling on government to consider the high levels of overcrowding in South African prisons and the high risk of co-morbidity due to disproportionate rates of HIV and TB among incarcerate...

As much as companies and individuals come forward to help in the fight against Covid-19, there are those people who would like to play their part, but don’t really know how. You know that feeling where you want to help, you want to assist NPOs or some other organisation but also worried about the lockdown rules. Guest: Keri-Leigh Paschal - Executive trustee of Nation Builder

Good news for residents of Johannesburg is that the City Johannesburg is looking at ways to review its rates and municipal service charges. It says that this is part of their expanded social package programme to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus on ratepayers. How will it work and who qualifies? Guest: Councillor Jolidee Matongo – MMC for finance at the City of Johannesburg

There’s been a huge outcry on social media after a video surfaced of a father trying to prevent two KwaZulu-Natal traffic officers from removing his screaming child from a gated complex. This they say is because the child allegedly contravened a lockdown rule. The video shows two KwaDukuza traffic officers walking into the complex, in Salt Rock on the north coast. Having watched the video, or hear...

Last week we saw long queues of people waiting for social grants and food parcels. The unfortunate ones went back home empty-handed. But then have you ever wondered what sort of mood this creates at home? Well, non-government organization, Khulisa Social Solutions is pioneering what they call a family peace-making programme for vulnerable individuals and communities. What is it they have noticed f...

In these torrid times the investment decisions are influenced often by irrelevant reasoning. This morning we are going to talk about the most common mistakes investors make. GUEST: Bryan Hirsch, Chairperson of Bryan Hirsch, Colley & Associates (Pty) Limited

A new task team comprising of mining companies and several government officials from the Limpopo command council has been formed as an additional step to tackle covid-19 cases in the mining industry. The sector has reported seven cases of covid-19 since the phased re-opening of mines. Mining companies met with Premier Stan Mathabatha in a virtual meeting yesterday and to tell us more on this and w...

On Friday, we received a text message from anonymous regarding food parcels. This is what it said: “Good morning Cathy please assist the voiceless there is a village in the Bushbuckridge municipality under ward 38 called Clara food parcels are being distributed to ANC members only, the CDF is heavily populated by the ANC members and it is corrupt, people live in poverty and it is so sad to see thi...

Let’s go to the Eastern Cape now where a group of young people from a location called Lawley got together and raised funds to buy food parcels for the needy. Guest: Thobela Maki – Member of the Youth of Wesley Village

Justice and Correctional Services Minister, Ronald Lamola last week announced the parole of some prisoners which he says is expected to reduce overcrowding in prisons by 12-point-five-percent. President Cyril Ramaphosa had authorised the parole release of 19-thousand prisoners in response to a call by the United Nations for countries to reduce their prison populations. Guest: Singabakho Nxumalo –...

The Trade & Industrial Policies Strategies also known as (TIPS) is an independent, non-profit, economic research institution. They have raised a lot of questions around the high infection rate of Covid-19 in the Western Cape. One of the points they make is that from the 2nd to the 5th of May, the province accounted for three quarters of new COVID-19 cases in the country, although it makes up only...

The lockdown situation in the country has caused a lot of problems for every sector in the world. We have been bringing you the different aspects and complexities with experts to explain how to deal with each situation. Today we talk property as there’s growing frustration from landlords and tenants. Some people are not able to relocate or move homes because of lockdown regulations. Some can’t pay...

As we continue bringing you stories about institutions helping those who are in need under the current lockdown, we turn our attention on educational matters. The Independent private school network SPARK Schools is partnering with the Ignite Education Fund in what they say is to ensure the ongoing education of learners whose families have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. How does this work...

On our health segment today we explore all about Hemorrhoids. According to health journals, Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lowest part of your rectum and anus. What causes them and how can one prevent having them? Guest: Dr Thabo Mothabeng - General Trauma and Intensive care surgeon

Yesterday we spoke to Cllr Mlungisi Mabaso who is Housing MMC at the City of Johannesburg about the process they have embarked of moving destitute residents of the Setswetla informal settlement into temporary houses. But as expected, some were not too happy with this development. Guest: Sandile Mavundla – Member of the #TotalShutDownAlex

Around this time of the morning we talk about business. No doubt that business is the hardest hit sector in the world under the Covid-19. Large corporates may not feel the pain directly, the biggest worry is the small players. Some of whom are survivorlist businesses that employ a few people. What now for them? Is it enough that government wants to give them small bailouts? If I’m a small business...