The Daily Discourse

We look at the state of home affairs, about five weeks ago when delivering her department’s Budget Vote Speech – Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize revealed that her ministry was working on repositioning the department, to ensure that they are able to deliver fully on their mandate. So this morning she joins us to outline her vision for the department and she will also discuss present and future challenges...

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.

Martin van Staden explains why he thinks South Africa needs ‘Radical Criminal Justice Reform’. Van Staden wants government to abolish victimless crimes, which include prostitution, some traffic offenses, dealing in drugs and contravening exchange regulations. Guest: Martin van Staden, Legal researcher

What is the function of the South African Reserve Bank and how does it maintain financial stability in the country? Reliable archive material tells us that the South African Reserve Bank was established in 1921 as the central bank of South Africa in terms of a special act of Parliament. The Reserve Bank was mainly set up because of the need to issue uniform banknotes and to prevent the over-issue...

Neo is of the view that the genesis of the question can be found in the colonial and apartheid legislation on education and the universities. He also argues that post-1994, the Nelson Mandela presidency and the government of national unity had too many challenges and that a serious national dialogue about the practicalities of a paradigm shift away from “criminal offence”, in education broadly and...

In conversation with the newly appointed Human Settlements Ombudsman, Mr Themba Mthethwa. The Ombudsman’s role is to deal with all complaints that either the construction sector or the general public may have against the department or any of its entities. Guest: Mr Themba Mthethwa, Human Settlements Ombudsman

We often hear how many people battle to pay for their children’s education and how the private sector is called upon to help. Well more and more organisations are coming forward looking for that deserving young person to help. This time it is the Student Sponsorship Programme that says they are looking for scholars who have the potential to be developed into academically excellent and emotionally...

Former cabinet member and ANC cadre, Charles Nqakula says writing his autobiography has been a long but fulfilling journey. Nqakula will on Tuesday 13th June 2017 launch his book: "The People's War - Reflections of an ANC cadre", at the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town with his wife, Minister of Defence, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. Bongi Gwala had a discussion with him about the book… Guest: Charles...

Ahead of the AU Summit to be held in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia 3-4 July, global advocacy body called One says it will be calling upon African leaders to make the strategic investments which will make sure that we harness the demographic dividend rather than reap a demographic disaster among the youth. What in particular are they concerned with? Guest: Nachilala Nkombo - Interim Africa Executive Dire...

Brenden Gray argues against the notion that excellence, quality and school success flow from school discipline. According to him, discipline is not indicative of school success but of educational failure. Guest: Brenden Gray, Head of the graphic design department at the University of Johannesburg’s faculty of art, design and architecture and a doctoral candidate at the university’s Centre for Educ...

Africa Month may be over, but the dialogue continues. The Department of Arts and Culture continues with hosting colloquia under the theme, “The Year of OR Tambo: Building a Better Africa and a Better World” to celebrate the legacy of OR Tambo and to promote African Unity. One of the acclaimed speakers is none other than Prof Ngugi wa Thiong’o. Guest: Prof Ngugi wa Thiong’o – World acclaimed author...

As the country is still battling to lift the standard of mathematics to that of the global community, we turn our attention to the accounting profession. Just recently the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants appointed Mareka Chabedi as Education Manager for South Africa and one of his views is that if there are economic activities in rural areas, then there will be no reason for individ...

Alabama’s Attorney General, Steve Marshall is in the country representing the Conference of Western Attorneys General. He is here for an Oral Advocacy training program in conjunction with South Africa’s Attorney General’s office. What are the main objectives of this gathering and what does it mean for the general public? Guest: Steve Marshall - Alabama’s Attorney General

The ANC declared this year as the Year of OR Tambo as he would have turned a 100 years of age had he lived today. In light of this, the National Heritage Council of South Africa together with its partners; are hosting the first public discussion, Oliver Tambo Centenary Talk, at Freedom Park under the theme “Celebrating the Life and Legacy of OR.” What is the purpose of this talk how is it aimed at...

The month of May marks 26 years of Somaliland’s independence from Somalia in 1991. However the country is still battling to be recognized internationally and currently going through a severe drought. They have their own currency, army and parliament, but this means very little in their fight for recognition which has also affected the much needed aid. What is it that is hindering their fight for i...

Today on ‘Living with it’, we talk we talk to Elon Mogale about morbid obesity. He says he is being discriminated against because of his weight. What sort of challenges does he go through on a daily basis? Guest: Elon Mogale – Living with Morbid obesity

Benjamin Mfaba tells us about the objectives of the upcoming Gcwala Ngamasiko Cultural Festival that will take place in two-day’s time. This annual Pan-African festival forms part of Africa Month celebrations. Guest: Benjamin Mfaba, Programme Director, Gcwala Ngamasiko Cultural Festival

South African jazz musician Mandla Mlangeni has been crossing our borders taking jazz on the road with the aim of promoting the arts. Under the banner of Afrikan Freedom Principle, Mlangeni is collaborating with other musicians to find out how the different types of collaborations can be articulated into educational models for aspiring musicians. He has just returned from Mozambique and joins us i...

Focus: Adam Hanieh joins us to speak on the themes covered in his book “Lineages of Revolt: Issues of Contemporary Capitalism in the Middle East”. His book analyses the recent development of Gulf capitalism through to the aftermath of the 2008 economic crisis and it presents a novel theoretical interpretation of this important region of the Middle East political economy. Guest (studio): Dr Adam Ha...

Today on ’Living With It’, we are joined by someone living with Multiple Sclerosis, or MS – a long lasting disease that can cause problems with vision, balance, muscle control, and other basic body functions. Guest: Tina Angelos

Yesterday deal makers gathered in Cape Town to talk about some of the risks involved in investing in energy projects on the African continent. One of the issues on the table was to look at the Trump presidency and the impact it has on the continent. How do they view the playfield on the African continent when it comes to energy investments? Guest: Andrew Moorfield - Head of Natural Resources, Exot...

Professor Mammo Muchie is known for his passion for Pan-Africanism and the continent’s self-worth. Even though he concurs that there are many African identities, his argument is that this should not prevent Africans from forging a collective vision for the continent just as the Indians have been able to do. The question he asks is whether the Pan-African hour has come? What is he basing it on? Gue...

On ‘Living with it’ today we look at bipolar. This is one of those conditions we hear about a lot in the media. But do we really understand what it’s like to live with it? Guest: Mbali Kgosidintsi – Living with Bipolar

Last year, Statistician-General Pali Lehohla revealed that the rate of spousal abuse had risen over the past five years, with 11% of assault and murder of women at home rising to 31% in 2015. He said the drivers of contact violence across all sectors included inequality, jealousy and financial matters. Anger, drugs and alcohol also played a major role. Guests: Pule Goqo, Brothers for Life Ambassad...

Issues of youth unemployment dominated discussions at the Pan-African Parliament with the body’s president calling on representatives from the various member states to improve the situation. Poverty and crime also featured highly on the agenda. But then what sort of plans are there from the parliament itself to work with the various countries in turning the situation around? Guest: Yusupha Jobe –...