The Daily Discourse

South Africa's rate of unemployment is at 40% in terms of the expanded definition and job-losses due to company retrenchments are continuing. South Africa is also reputed to have the highest level of inequality in the world. While the government has continued to fail to deliver on promises of job-creation, many unemployed people are creatively surviving and ensuring their own livelihoods while sim...

The Director of Accountability Now, Advocate Paul Hoffman, has questioned former chief of state protocol Bruce Koloane's promotion as the Ambassador to the Netherlands, this after Koloane pleaded guilty to the contravention of the military defence code for approving the Gupta plane landing at Waterkloof Air force Base. Yesterday the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture also heard how Bruce Kol...

Opposition parties in KwaZulu-Natal have called on the ANC to take decisive action on the on-going stalemate between the party and its members over the issue of eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede. The eThekwini mayor leave of absence is expected to end today - however the ANC remains tight lipped on whether she will be back to her office tomorrow or not. The ANC provincial leadership had instructed Gu...

The 2019/20 Science and Technology Budget will be presented by newly appointed Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande. The Department was merged with the department of Higher Education and Training in the 6th Administration. For more, Minister Dr Blade Nzimande now joins me here at the Iziko Museum, In Cape Town. GUEST: Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology

Newsmakers and Guest Experts offer their insights and perspectives into the national and global discourse on politics, economics, education, social matters and comprehensive dialogues on cultural diversity and other essential issues of public interest like, poverty alleviation, unemployment rate and health related issues.

The Talking Point is coming to you live from the live from Iziko Museum, In Cape Town, where the Department of Science and Innovation is showcasing a number of impressive projects and initiatives, giving a clear and practical perspective on how science, technology and innovation play a role in our society. Now the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory forms part of the South African National Space Agency...

From space weather to the taxi industry. The Department of Science and Technology's work integrates both natural and social sciences. This is illustrated by the Department's support for the Quicloc8 initiative. The technology company is proudly owned by a young black entrepreneur, Guest: Tshimangadzo Matamba Space weather researcher at the Space Weather Centre

Should we fully decriminalize sex work in South Africa? Currently, South Africa fully criminalizes sex work, for both buyers and sellers. It is estimated that around 150,000 women in South Africa are involved in prostitution, although some estimates put this figure much higher. This morning we are in conversation with Micky Meji, Leader and founder of the sex-trade survivor movement Kwanele, who i...

Time now for our regular Tuesday slot; Talking Finance with Bryan Hirsch. This morning we will look at the Importance of saving as Savings Month is in July each year and the objectives of this month is to promote debate around key aspects of saving. This morning we are going to discuss how we teach the next generation to fish… GUEST: Bryan Hirsch, Chairperson of Bryan Hirsch, Colley & Associates (...

Good morning, I am your host Ms Shadow Twala, standing in for Bongi Gwala. This morning the Talking Point is coming to you live from the live from Iziko Museum, In Cape Town, where the Department of Science and Innovation is showcasing a number of impressive projects and initiatives, giving a clear and practical perspective on how science, technology and innovation play a role in our society. This...

Good morning, I am your host Ms Shadow Twala, standing in for Bongi Gwala. This morning the Talking Point is coming to you live from the live from Iziko Museum, In Cape Town, where the Department of Science and Innovation is showcasing a number of impressive projects and initiatives, giving a clear and practical perspective on how science, technology and innovation play a role in our society. This...

Time now for our Monday feature, Legally Speaking. This morning we will look at rape law procedures in South Africa, the legal procedures when reporting a rape or sexual assault to the police, how rape cases are prosecuted. GUEST: Tshepo Seloane, who is a Criminal Lawyer.

We now look at the launch of the Financial and Fiscal Commission's (FFC) 2020/21 Division of Revenue Recommendations themed "Repositioning Local Government Public Finances", which takes place during a period of negative economic growth, increasing levels of poverty and inequality, with consequential severe distress to households. The following challenges have a huge impact on the revenue-raising a...

: Rwanda has surpassed South Africa as an investment destination on the African continent. It has rocketed past South Africa in the Economic Freedom of the World (EFW) annual report, to fill second position on the continent after Mauritius. This has led to that country being consistently one of the top five fastest growing economies in the world. This morning we are in conversation with Mpiyakhe D...

: Mpumalanga premier Refilwe Mtsweni -Tsipane says the province has measures in place to address the challenges facing the province, in particular youth unemployment. Premier Mtsweni -Tsipane says her government has launched a Youth Development Fund worth R250 million over a period of five years. Earlier on I spoke to Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane about what was at the heart of her State of the...

Time now for our regular Friday feature the Friday Wind Down, today the spotlight is on former electoral commission chairperson, Dr Brigalia Bam. Apart from her distinguished contribution to the upliftment of women and to democracy-building in South Africa, Dr Bam has also held various posts throughout the world. She was the Africa Regional Secretary and Co-ordinator of the Women's Workers' Progra...

Sudan's military leaders have reached an agreement with the opposition alliance to share power before holding elections. The two sides have agreed to rotate control of the sovereign council - the top tier of power where both want a majority. Reports say news of the agreement has sparked frenzied street celebrations. Sudan has been in turmoil since the military ousted President Omar al-Bashir in Ap...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has applauded the signing of an agreement to establish a statutory National Legislative Reform Authority in Lesotho. The Lesotho government and its opposition signed the agreement yesterday - to open Parliament to legislative reforms. While the agreement is being hailed a bold step to stabilize the political tensions there, the opposition is not making guarantees about th...

As per our promise yesterday; this morning we will continue our discussion on the Johannesburg High Court ruling in favour of the National Credit Regulator (NCR) against Standard Bank on debt settlement. The ruling prevents Standard Bank from deducting money from its customer's accounts to settle debts without their permission. GUEST: Nthupang Magolego- Senior Legal Adviser at the National Credit...

Anti-fracking organisation, the Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG), has welcomed yesterday's ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal - which found that Ministers of Mineral Resources do not have the power to make regulations for petroleum exploration and production. The regulations governed the exploration and production of petroleum - including shale gas through the use of hydraulic fracturing, or...

The National Association of Democratic Lawyers (Nadel) say the four commissions investigating allegations of corruption and state capture need to be broadened and not targeted at a few individuals. Nadel says there seems to be perceptions that the State Capture inquiry, the SARS commission, the Public Investment Corporation, PIC commission and the NPA commission are going after what they term “sof...

The South Africa Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is launching an investigation into the morality of a by-law in the City of Cape Town that compels homeless people to be fined for sleeping on pavements or erecting illegal structures. The City has begun issuing fines to the homeless community for obstructing pavements and erecting shelters in undesignated areas. The fines range from 300-rand to 1500...

The SABC workers' union BEMAWU is demanding answers related to the conditions the public broadcaster must meet before it can receive a bailout. Previously it emerged that one of the conditions would be staff retrenchments. However BEMAWU and other unions are opposed to any retrenchment of workers. BEMAWU has denied suggestions that the SABC is over-staffed. Yesterday Communications Minister Stella...

In a time of increased retrenchments and many young innovative entrepreneurs having doors shut on them - 10xe (an accelerator organization) say they have the solution to this. How are we upskilling entrepreneurs to ensure that they can create jobs for others? How do we accelerate entrepreneurs in times of increasing numbers on retrenchments? GUEST: S'onqoba Vuba - COO of 10xe (an accelerator organ...

We recently launched a new feature “Water is Life”. We did so cognizant of the fact that South Africa is a water scarce country and guided by research on the ever so present threat of global warming. This feature therefore looks at the role of water boards in water collection, preservation and distribution. We also look at service delivery at these water utilities - their ability to connect South...