The Daily Discourse

We examine the reasoning behind Minister Motsoaledi’s plan to ban smoking in public places. Motsoaledi is of the view that smoking increases diseases and puts the health system under pressure with more patients needing care when they could have prevented it. On the other hand, SALTA is strongly opposed to the move, arguing that businesses in townships struggle to make a living as it is and these p...

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba last week announced that there has been a seven percent increase of foreigners entering South Africa over the festive season despite the new strict visa regulations introduced by the department. Some experts say this has resulted in the tourism industry adopting a positive outlook for 2016. How has this made the industry be positive?

Marius Strydom warns that South Africa needs to address the issue of unemployment urgently or risk encountering a populist uprising. He is arguing that South Africa needs a Minister of Employment who will stand or fall based on employment levels. According to him, the Minister of Employment should be empowered to co-ordinate all the resources within the cabinet to address the issue of unemployment...

Focus: Horses are said to be a hugely beneficial mechanism used in therapy sessions for individuals with a variety of emotional and mental health issues. This is according to Fiona Bromfield, Trustee at The Equinox Trust, a registered non-governmental organisation that specialises in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). The Equinox Trust team partnered with one of the psychiatric consultants and t...

On our SMME feature this morning we speak to Mark Beets, GM: Business Development at Entelect about his views and insights on methods and processes business should begin to look at as a means of surviving and being successful at disrupting their consumer services and product delivery. Where should they start seeing also that speed and convenience through technology has changed the way business is...

Solly Moeng warns of possible tax revolt threats. Moeng argues that there is a fast-growing community of disgruntled taxpayers out there who feel betrayed and who are of the view that the social contract has been broken and their trust eroded over time and therefore see no need to continue paying tax. Sandile Memela - Spokesperson at SARS Guest: Solly Moeng, Brand Reputation Management Adviser and...

For years complaints about young people idling have been raised by many communities around the world with no concrete answers. Then there are those who try their best to keep young people busy in their communities. But then looking at the current situation, what are some of the reasons behind young people idling? Are we doing enough individually to help?

Focus: Donald Trump has described his presidential bid a "war," and cited two of his "enemies" -- Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush. Trump has been making headlines for his controversial statements. Some polls suggest that he could make it as Republican presidential candidate. Just how likely is this and what could he bring to the United State Presidency? Guest: Dr Dinesh Sharma - Associate Research Pr...

Focus: In response to Oriel College’s decision to remove Rhodes plaque after a fervent campaign against it. Nigel Biggar, a theology professor at the university argues that Rhodes was prejudiced but not racist and that students seeking to remove his statue were no better than him. Cecil John Rhodes was a student at the college in the 1870s and a plaque dedicated to his legacy has been at the colle...

No one can dispute the fact that struggle songs are a fundamental part of South Africa’s political past and present. To attest to this, it is common knowledge that South Africa produced a number of high profile artists whose songs and poems became anthems for the fight for democracy. This morning we are joined by Dr Neo Lekgotla laga Ramoupi to discuss songs that shaped the liberation struggle. Ne...

In light of the instrumental role that young people continue to play in building the nation in their respective communities. This morning we discuss the importance of investing in young people and the benefits thereof. Guests: Faith Tererai (she moved from Zimbabwe to South Africa in 2004) Anthony Baatjies (a young man who was entangled in a lifestyle of gangsterism while in his teens)

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.

Are the Khoi-San first people of South Africa - Where do the South African Bantu people originate from, if the Khoi and Sans are the only tribes originally from SA?

Tlholo Mohlathe, Head of the SOMAFCO Trust To select winners for this year’s O.R Tambo Uhuru Africa Initiative. The SOMAFCO Trust developed and designed two new programs namely; The Start Up Legends (Entrepreneurs) and Spot A Legend (Music). Through these sub programs, they selected entrepreneurs and musicians who competed not only to get onto the tour but also for a financial prize. Right now we...

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 House of Representatives in the USA has approved legislation that would make it even more difficult for refugees from Syria and Iraq to enter the United States. Commentators say this is a major rebuke to the Obama administration’s refugee policy. With almost unanimous support from Republicans and 47 Democrats voting in favor, the House approved by 289 votes to 137 the American Security Against...

As Grade 12 learners are writing their final exams, fears are already being raised over their future. According to the Child Gauge 2015 report, released by the Children's Institute at the University of Cape Town, 51% of those aged between 20 and 24 are not employed or studying, while 21% are employed, 16% are still completing school and 12% are studying or training. Surely this is of great concern...

On Monday this week, Minister of Small Business Development Ms Lindiwe Zulu opened the South African leg of the Global Entrepreneurship Week in Sandton. This morning she joins us to talk about the state of entrepreneurship in this country and also to discuss challenges faced by entrepreneurs in general.

Over the past few weeks parliament’s workers have been protesting and picketing, demanding the settlement of long outstanding issues and grievances. In today’s show we get to the bottom of the workers’ grievances and what is being done to settle them

We learn more about the newly formed union, called the South African Liberated Public Sector Workers Union (SALIPSWU). What purpose will this union serve – are its services needed?

Yesterday, Wits University hosted the Carlos Cardoso Memorial Lecture. The lecture coincides with the 11th Power Reporting Conference which is the largest gathering of African investigative journalists. One of the guest speakers was Tobore Ovurie, a senior Nigerian investigative journalist who went undercover to expose human trafficking. What did she discover during her investigations and also wha...

Tshidiso Mokhoanatse explains why he is opposed to the SABMiller possible take-over deal. His party is demanding that black businesses be included in the whole value chain of SABMiller beverages. He joins us now to discuss this further….

Inspired by the #RhodesMustFall movement of South Africa, Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh who is currently studying at Oxford University in the UK is leading a group that is lobbying Oriel College to remove Cecil John Rhodes statue. They argue that Rhodes statue is an affront to the dignity of those who must walk past it every day. Given what transpired here in relation to the same issue a couple of months ago...

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.

As we marked Children’s Day on Saturday, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants has called upon companies to help in protecting the rights of children. In years past, the United Nations has been very vocal on the rights of children in the workplace. What is the current situation in South Africa and what role should companies be playing in this?