The Daily Discourse

Yesterday alongside the 62nd session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, the 2017 -2018 Report "There Are Alternatives: Africa" was launched. It’s a report commissioned by the International Detention Coalition (IDC). It shows that alternatives to detention are already being used in 32 African Countries to great effect, with a lot of potential to be up-scaled for more cost savin...

According to Elaine who specialises in technology and innovation law, there is hope for women in the male-dominated tech field. The patent industry is built upon a deep understanding of technology and is still very much a male-dominated environment with a glass ceiling for women. Despite these challenges, South African women are going on to build successful careers in tech and innovation. Elaine h...

Climate change poses potentially enormous financial risks to companies, particularly those operating within certain sectors or in certain regions. For this reason, the Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative (CCLI) has been examining the legal basis for directors and trustees to take account of climate change risks under prevailing laws Guest: Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) Attorney, Christ...

The report “Grounding Growth: Finding the right balance between mining and the environment" - argues that South Africa must revise its complex environmental regulations if it is to achieve effective environmental protection, together with a thriving mining sector capable of boosting economic growth and social progress. The report notes that “environmental regulations are crucial in constraining ne...

On our Small Business feature this morning, we profile, "LETS KEEP FOCUS", a small business, based in the small mining town of Carletonville, in the Westrand. The company deals with deals with Mentorship, Construction, Public relations and Events management. The company seeks to create employment to eradicate poverty from within its community. For more on this we are now joined on the line by… Gue...

According to Damian Michael, the future of business efficiency lies in connecting people, and that more centralised IT services is paving the way. Sadly, not all businesses have access to resources or technology that enable them to compete with the big guys, and it’s this barrier to entry that Michael believes is failing them. He says end-users today have more demand and higher expectations, so co...

Recently former real estate agent Vicki Momberg. She was recently sentenced to a three year jail term (one year suspended) for the vicious racial abuse of black traffic officers and police emergency call centre operators attempting to help her after a smash and grab incident. The law is meant to entrench what society thinks is right. If it prescribes that racism, sexism or homophobia are wrong, th...

While South Africa has made significant strides in combating human trafficking, Deputy Justice and constitutional development minister, John Jeffery says that it's difficult to determine how prevalent human trafficking in the country is. He says adequate data collection and collaboration between stakeholders is needed to get a better grip on the problem. On The Talking Point this morning we will l...

The Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative unlocks R250m to support technology skills and job creation in South Africa. Focus: The Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative (CiTi) recently announced a significant scale up of its renowned CapaCiTi technology skills and job readiness programmes. CapaCiTi is now training young, unemployed South Africans in Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth a...

When job hunting, your CV is of importance. Writing a good CV can be one of the toughest challenges though, with most employers spending just a few seconds scanning each CV before sticking it in the 'Yes' or 'No' pile. How then do you make your CV stand out? Guest: Arend Willemse - CEO of CV Profs

Gupta-linked Mediosa says all allegations levelled against them in the media, surrounding their operations are patently untrue. This follows allegations that Mediosa received unlawful payments from the Departments of Health in the Free State and North West, in illegal tender processes. For more on this we spoke to Mediosa's Director, Inish Merchant... Guest: Mediosa's Director, Inish Merchant

Mayday 2018 and the new National Minimum Wage – Any cause for Workers to Celebrate? Welcome to our first “Workers on Wednesday” show for 2018. Next week, workers and their trade unions in South Africa and all over the world will be celebrating Mayday or Workers’ Day on the 1st of May (except for the USA). After the shake-up of South Africa’s trade union movement over the past three years, causing...

Earlier in the month, Auditor General, Kimi Makwetu announced his office's decision to terminate with immediate effect contracts with KPMG and Nkonki Inc with the government. Nkonki Inc's chief executive, Mitesh Patel, resigned after it was revealed that his 107-million-rand 'management buyout' of the black auditing firm 18 months ago was funded by Gupta family associate, Salim Essa. The demise of...

Has violence in South Africa become normative? Has it become the language most South Africans use to express their dissatisfaction and anger, emotions that often leads to the destruction of property and physical confrontations. Recently, violence broke out at soccer match at Moses Mabhida stadium on Saturday night. Kaiser Chiefs fans went on the rampage after their team lost two-nil to Free State...

On Wednesday 25 April, SAFTU, its affiliates and our allies in civil society, will be on the streets of South Africa in a general strike in protest against the biggest attacks on working-class people, the trade unions and the poor majority of South Africans since the end of apartheid. Guest: Mack Tshabalala – President of the South African Federation of Trade Unions

The protest action in Taung became violent in North West, with residents hurling stones at police officers at the scene. Police shot rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. Initially the march was said to be about non-delivery of services at Taung District Hospital. According to the Northwest Business Forum, We believe there are capable political leaders in the NW who can replace Supra immediately a...

In the past, on the last Tuesday of each month, we have always opened the line to general financial questions, This morning, we answer some of the questions: a. I am resigning from my job. What are my options? b. How do I calculate how much life assurance I will need? c. How can I double my money over five years? d. I have been paying monies on a monthly basis to investment funds for the last few...

Yesterday Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi visited the Mafikeng Provincial hospital in Mahikeng in North West, where he has come to assess the state of public health in the province. This is amid the ongoing NEHAWU strike of over two-months. The health-care challenges were compounded by community protests last week leaving even this hospital with skeletal staff. Three patients died in this h...

We unpack his stance on their appeal for the mining Charter. Guest: Minister Gwede Mantashe

Botswana has closed its border with South Africa following violent protests in the North West where residents are demanding the resignation of Premier Supra Mahumapelo. Shops owned by foreign nationals have been looted during the protests. Foreign nationals are now demanding an audience with the ANC leadership following the continued looting of their businesses, since violent protests erupted in t...

Two warders have been arrested for allegedly helping 16 prisoners escape from the Johannesburg Correctional Services facility, also known as Sun City earlier this month. Seven of the prisoners have since been accounted for. Two were killed in a shootout by police in KZN. On the Talking Point this morning we examine the recent spates of escapes from prisons In South Africa.... Guest: Singabakho Nxu...

Launch Of the Industrial Development Think Tank (Idtt) Study: Structural Transformation in South Africa: Moving Towards A Smart, Open Economy for All The industrial development think tank (Idtt) study: ‘structural transformation in South Africa: moving towards a smart, open economy for all’ research grapples with understanding the reasons underlying these weaknesses and considers the opportunities...

We get to know Zonke through her music this morning, and play her latest single tonight from her upcoming album, Growing in love. Guest(Studio) : Zonke Dikana – Musician

A culture of hyper-masculinity, particularly among black men, has created false misconceptions that depression is something that doesn't impact them. Research suggests that men are less likely to seek treatment for depression, due to perceptions that clinical depression is a "woman's disease". More often than not, men are taught to "man up," when faced with challenging and painful circumstances. T...

Twenty-three years ago my life changed irrevocably when I was involved in a car accident that left me paralysed and confined to a wheelchair. Since then I’ve been using the spoken and written word to motivate others” Says Musa. He has also published his fourth book. We ask him about his journey thus far. Guest: Musa E. Zulu - Writer, motivational speaker and an artist who has written two well-know...