The Daily Discourse

Students at Unisa have embarked on several protest action in the past weeks. Some of the students' complaints centered on NSFAS allowances, issues of registration, a change of examination dates, marking of examinations and their respective exam results. Yesterday I spoke to Unisa spokesperson Martin Ramotshela and started off by asking him what are some of the concerns students have raised with th...

We are now in conversation with the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), following their tenth Conference in Midrand in Johannesburg. PAP is one of the organs of the African Union (AU) as set out by the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community (Abuja Treaty).The Parliament is intended as a platform for people from all African states to be involved in discussions and decision-making on the probl...

The National Health Insurance bill has been positively received by the stakeholders in the health sector, with a few objections from political parties. Health Minister Doctor Zweli Mkhize announced to the media in Pretoria that the long-awaited NHI bill has been tabled in parliament. The process of rolling out the NHI has been met with objections and criticism from opposition parties and the priva...

This morning we will continue our weekly discussion with the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), which is celebrating 20 years since its existence. Last week we spoke to Thabang Charlotte Mampane, the National Lotteries Commission Commissioner to talk about the milestones the NLC has achieved since its inception. This morning we are in conversation with Mr Philemon Letwaba, chief operating office...

As part of efforts to improve gender representation amongst investors, as well as to empower, educate and support women who are keen to achieve financial freedom through investing on the stock market, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange is hosting an investment conference this coming Saturday. Dubbed #JSE-She-Invests, this annual conference is hosted in partnership with Easy Equities, a local low-cost...

As we celebrate Women’s Month, we will speak to a number of women in the country who are doing very well in the different spheres of business. This is a very special month to zoom into the role women are playing in driving the economy and leadership in general. Today we feature a mother and daughter team who are in a very male dominated industry. How often do you come across women in the auto body...

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has refuted allegations by the supporters of eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede that the party is plotting to remove her from her position. Gumede is on leave following her arrest in connection with a 208 - million - rand Durban solid waste tender. The party decided to extend the leave of absence of Gumede and the Newcastle mayor, Ntuthuko Mahlaba who is facing a murder charge...

Coloured communities are expected to stage a "shutdown" protest In and around Cape Town tomorrow morning to demand government to expedite their housing demands. Residents say the government has paid little to no attention to their plight despite several calls to government. GUEST: Fadiel Adams, the spokesperson of Gatvol Capetonian

As part of the global celebrations Barbie is honouring Lerato "Lira" Molapo as part of their Shero program which started in 2015. Barbie is celebrating 60 years and when they were selecting their first African continent Shero, our own Lira quickly came to mind. GUEST: Lerato “Lira” Molapo - South African musician and entertainer

Since 2015, new rights that sought to improve the conditions of employment of contract and labour broker workers came into effect. These new rights were intended to ensure employment security and improved income for these precarious workers. It’s been nearly five years since the legislation came into effect and in today’s show we explore these labour law improvements and assess how effective they’...

Trade union federation Cosatu says they are concerned that if urgent action is not taken, unemployment in the country will continue to escalate. The federation says one of the interventions to address the jobs crisis it has raised at Nedlac includes the amendment of 189 of the Labour Relations Act to make it more difficult for employers to retrench workers. According to the latest Stats SA figures...

KwaZulu-Natal ANC Secretary, Mdumiseni Ntuli says the party's provincial executive committee will announce a decision on leaders in the province who are facing serious charges by the middle of next week. Yesterday the party announced that it has extended the leave of absence of both the embattled eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Zandile Gumede and the mayor of Newcastle, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba. Gumede i...

Time now for our Global perspective feature, this morning we profile the world's third-largest economy, Japan. The country is a democratic, constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government headed by a Prime Minister. The country is currently facing bitter trade row between South Korea. This morning we will get to know about Japan's economy, politics, tourism and history. For more this, we a...

As per usual on a Tuesday we will look at issues on the African continent. This morning the spotlight is on the Horn of Africa, which has been at the centre of global attention and headlines for several decades because of protracted armed conflict, severe food crises and large scale displacement. This morning on the Talking Point we will look at Peace and Stability in the Horn of Africa, its Probl...

Time now for our regular Tuesday feature; Talking Finance with Brendan Gace, the Head of Anchor Private Clients. Brendan is standing in for Bryan Hirsch who is currently away on vacation. This morning we are going to look at some of the biggest mistakes that millennials are making with their money? According to the experts, millennials are procrastinating when it comes to saving and creating a lif...

The South African Human Rights Commission say they strongly condemn the attack on law enforcement officials in the Johannesburg CBD. The Commission say Law enforcement officials have a duty to ensure law and order in our communities and that these attacks undermine the constitutional mechanisms that are designed to enhance our social fibre and maintain the rule of law. GUEST: Angie Makwetla, Commi...

Time now for our regular Monday feature Legally Speaking. This morning we are going to look at the Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill, which is up for public comment until the 9th of August. The bill proposes substantial changes, including a ban on smoking in any enclosed public space. To elaborate further on the Bill we are now joined by Savera Kalideen, Executive di...

The news of the resignation of SA Post Office CEO Mark Barnes was met with shack last week. He cited differences on forward strategy in relation to the structure of the group, in particular the location of Postbank. His resignation comes after that of the CEP’s of Eskom and the SAA. What is going on here is it a question of too much politics in the running of SOE’s or is it the boards that sit ove...

Nearly 2 million Muslim pilgrims are gathering in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. From my understanding this five-day pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for all Muslims who have the physical and financial ability to undertake the journey. But for clarity on the matter, I am now joined on the line by Moulana Yusuf Bosman, who is a Muslim religious scholar GUEST: Moul...

Is there a need for a Liberal Party in South Africa? We are now in conversation with Tony Leon, the Chairman of Resolve Communications who says we need "a liberal party - armed with courage, clarity, self-confidence, vision, and purpose", more than ever, especially this time of demoralisation and peril in our country. This is the core message of the 2019 Liberty Lecture - An Imperfect Fit? South A...

Cricket South Africa has parted ways with Proteas coach Ottis Gibson, including his entire management staff. This follows a disastrous showing by the team at the recent Cricket World Cup which was hosted and won by England. The Proteas finished seventh in the competition of the ten teams with only three wins to their name. Cricket enthusiasts have fingered poor tactics for the poor results while m...

Time now for our regular Friday feature, the Friday Wind Down, this morning we are profiling Mr James Selfe, who is the former federal executive (FedEx) chairman of the Democratic Alliance (DA). James Selfe, who held the position for the past 19 years, recently stepped down from his post to head up the party's governance unit. James's career in the DA, to date, spans over four decades. For more on...

Should we distribute condoms in schools? Sex education in school has always sparked heated debates, some say condoms in schools will prevent HIV/Aids and teenage pregnancies, while others say condoms are not 100% effective, which gives a false sense of security, others believe it interferes with family and religious beliefs, that parents should have a say when it comes to contraception. GUEST: Lis...

We continue our discussion on the clash between police and foreign national shop owners and vendors in the Johannesburg CBD. Joining us now is Ngqabutho Mabhena, the Chairman of the Zimbabwe Communist Party. GUEST: Ngqabutho Mabhena, Chairman of the Zimbabwe Communist Party

Calm has been restored in the Johannesburg CBD following violent clashes between protesters and police. According to reports foreign national shop owners and vendors in the CBD embarked on a violent protest when police wanted to confiscate fake goods they were selling. GUEST: Herman Mashaba, the Executive Mayor for the City of Johannesburg