The Daily Discourse

Is antibiotic resistance a global health threat? As the world observes Antibiotic Resistance Awareness Week we are going to look at the dangers of antibiotics, their management and consumption. Antimicrobial-resistant infections claim 700 000 lives a year globally and by 2050 antimicrobial resistance could result in a loss of 10million lives a year, this according to the World Health Organisation…...

For the past two decades, South Africa’s state owned enterprises (SOE’s) have been beset with crises. This includes Eskom, SAA, PRASA and the SA Post Office and others. This has had a direct and negative impact on the country, especially the people and the economy. However, workers at these state owned enterprises have been subject to much stress due to the additional demands to their work and ong...

Fourteen thousand learners in Gauteng have still not been placed in schools for 2020. But the Gauteng Education Department insists that all students will be placed by the end of this month. GUEST: Gauteng Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi

This morning we start the show with Dr John Sargent co-CEO of BroadReach. He is a globally recognized innovator focused on developing the 4th Industrial Revolution technologies to radically improve healthcare delivery and catalyze broader development sector outcomes. We chat to him on a number of issues related to improving healthcare and also he is working with the NHI and doing some work in KZN....

The Global Learner Survey revealed a lot of interesting data about all related to transforming the global education sector. From the do-it-yourself mentality to keeping up with the 4th Industrial Revolution. One of the revelations is that 94 % of South Africans believe there is a need to keep learning throughout their career to remain relevant. What should we learn from this survey through a South...

Last week after our weekly discussion on African issues with Izak Khomo I asked you what areas you would like us to discuss for today’s feature. The responses we got varied from African leadership to the repeat of Zimbabwe. Well one country we hardly hear about is Madagascar. So we then decided to zoom into it and find out about their history and politics. Who are they? GUEST: Izak Khomo – Present...

Time now for our regular Tuesday slot; Talking Finance with Bryan Hirsch. We are heading into the frenetic final six weeks of the year, when we try to do everything that we haven't done during the year. One of the things that is often on our minds is whether we are going to get a bonus or not. The question is if you are lucky enough to get one, what can you do with it. GUEST: Bryan Hirsch, Chairpe...

There has been mixed reaction to the appointment of Andre de Ruyter as Eskom CEO as he isn't in position of an engineering qualification. However Director at SE Advisory and former member of the SOE Review Committee Dr. Bheki Mfeka says naysayers should have faith in de Ruyter's ability to turn around the power utility. GUEST: Lumkile Mondi, Senior Lecturer at the School of Economics and Business...

Independent Energy Expert, Ted Bloem has slammed the decision by the Eskom board and government for appointing a new Eskom CEO who is not in possession of an engineering qualification. It has been announced that Andre De Ruyter will take over as the CEO at Eskom from the 15th of January. De Ruyter is currently the CEO of NAMPAK - Africa's largest packaging company. The Public Enterprises Ministry...

There has been mixed reaction to the appointment of Andre de Ruyter as Eskom CEO as he isn't in position of an engineering qualification. However Director at SE Advisory and former member of the SOE Review Committee Dr. Bheki Mfeka says naysayers should have faith in de Ruyter's ability to turn around the power utility. GUEST: Duma Gqubule - Duma Gqubule - Executive Director, Centre for Economic D...

Trade union federation Cosatu, and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) say families of the 10 people killed days proceeding 16th August 2012 Marikana tragedy, must be compensated, just like the families of the 34 miners killed. The call was made during a rally jointly organised by Cosatu and NUM at Marikana in the North West. Num has also vowed to regain control as a majority union in the lost...

Time now for our regular Monday feature Legally Speaking where we speak about all issues pertaining to our law. This morning we will speak about divorce laws in South Africa, how to get a divorce, how to start the divorce process, on what grounds to divorce and we will also learn about the different types of divorces. Joining me for this discussion is... GUEST: Nokuphiwa Duma, who is a practicing...

While SAA is facing problems of its own from strikes to financial sustainability, Mango airlines is celebrating 13 years of existence. We take a short journey looking back to where it all began and how they have been riding the storm over the 13 years? What is their strategy and what keeps them going? GUEST: Nico Bezuidenhout – CEO Mango airlines

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says it's due to carry out verification exercises to check if South African Airways' personnel are qualified to operate aircraft. This follows allegations by some unions that reinstated SAA flights are being operated by short-term, unqualified personnel. SAA Management says it will take legal action against NUMSA and the South African Cabin Crew Ass...

Our guest is making strides in the Sepedi music genre. She recently won the Best Sepedi award at the Limpopo Music Awards. In some pages she is being referred to as her Majesty Motlanalo with her new single Sewela having been featured on an international radio station. Who is she and how does she describe herself? GUEST (Studio): Motlanalo – Sepedi songstress and winner of the Best Sepedi singer a...

Government has published a report looking at some of its achievements and failures in tertiary education for the last 25 years of democracy. The findings reveal an increase in a number of students graduating but also reveal an increase in a number of students graduating but also shows that University students are set up to fail due to inadequate student housing, which can decrease student pass rat...

As workers down tools at SAA from today (Friday) over salaries and other issues, we take the opportunity to understand how the principle of ‘No work no pay’ works. Unions have been struggling with the question of a secret ballot to decide whether workers should embark on a strike or not. What is it we as the public should know about all of this? GUEST: Advocate Tertius Wessels - Legal Director of...

The Institute of Race Relations yesterday released their report on the state of the LGBTQ community. They say that the views on this community are becoming more tolerant around the world. But in South Africa, they are not happy about the country’s reluctance of defending their rights in Africa. This follows Deputy President David Mabuza’s refusal to condemn those African states where the rights of...

AmaXhosa King Zwelonke Calvin Mpendulo Sigcau has died in an Mthatha hospital in the Eastern Cape aged 51. He ruled AmaXhosa nation for more than 14 years. He has been described as a peace maker and very passionate about developing rural communities. This morning we will get to learn more about King Zwelonke Calvin Mpendulo Sigcau, about rituals observed in the Xhosa culture in regards to when a k...

Speaking to Professor Lynette Denny who has been researching methods of cervical cancer prevention among poor women for 25 years. She says that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the country, after breast cancer, yet it is preventable through mass screening – and early detection saves lives. The other report is that it is significantly higher among black women in South...

The British Council's Creating Opportunity for South Africa's Youth (COSY) project has taken 80 young people between the ages of 18 and 25 through a 10-week entrepreneurship programme. To find out more on this and how it has benefited these youngsters. GUEST: Itumeleng Dhlamini, Project manager for the Creating Opportunity for South Africa's Youth (COSY) project

Government has been calling on the private sector to get involved in job creation and the empowerment of women and the youth. Well the De Beers Group and UN Women started a capacity-building programme to upskill 500 women micro-entrepreneurs in Limpopo. Well the women have now completed the programme and we find out what it entailed and what happens moving forward as we welcome… GUEST: Gregory Pet...

We looked at how a franchise works. We were Joined in studio by Tyrone Harding, who is the co-founder of Soft Coffee, a holding company to Hard Rock Cafe and Capello to speak about how to apply for a franchise and the necessary steps that go into owning a franchise GUEST: Jimmy Tembo, who is the brand manager of Soft Coffee, a holding company to Hard Rock Cafe (in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Sun City...

Trade unions NUMSA and the South African Cabin Crew Association have issued the South African Airways, SAA with a 48-hour strike notice over the planned job cuts at the national carrier and this means strike action will commence on Friday. The unions have been briefing the media in Johannesburg. SAA earlier announced its intention to restructure - and that could result in job cuts. Meanwhile the C...

Which is the best restaurant in South Africa? Well we will find out soon at this year’s 14th Annual Restaurants Association of South Africa (RASA) Rosetta Awards, which is considered as the most sought after restaurant award. The award celebrates talent, artistry and creativity. Few years back South Africa witnessed the worst ever listeriosis outbreak - in which at least 190 have died and close to...