The Daily Discourse

The last day of the sixth parliament was on Tuesday the 21st of May. So we thought to talk to them about what happens in a period like this? What happens to the outstanding Bills that were not finalised and also what major changes take place? Ever wondered how seats are allocated after parties win elections? The process of swearing in new MPs? Quite a lot to deal with in the beginning of the new a...

In recent months, many experts have warned of a new international scramble for Africa that is emerging as global players seek to establish influence over key decision-makers. This comes at a time where 17 African member states are voting for new leaders in national ballots this year. Some academics are cautiously optimistic stating that the new scramble may presents opportunities for African natio...

We return to a conversation we started last week on the right to vote and responsibility to vote. Today, we turn our attention to the culture of voting, what citizenship means in 2024 and why it is still important to exercise the responsibility to vote - 30 years into democracy. We have brought back our panelists to conclude this discussion and allow our listeners to share their thoughts. Guest: P...

Over the weekend, there was a scuffle on the campaign trail in Seshego, Limpopo. Two of the people injured during a violent confrontation between ANC and EFF members at Juju Valley informal settlement in Seshego, Limpopo, say they are traumatised by the incident. The scuffle happened during the ANC's door-to-door campaign in the area on Sunday. According to the ANC in the Capricorn region, members...

This morning Bryan talks about the four stages. When you start saving after receiving your retirement benefits: The build-up phase. Where you are on the journey Important factors at retirement What pension do you buy. Guest: Bryan Hirsch, Chairperson of Bryan Hirsch, Colley & Associates (Pty) Limited

Our next guest has written an thought leadership article that unpacks the importance of investing in leadership development of a new generation in a bid to elevate the collective well-being of the continent’s future. At present, Africa has the world’s youngest continent with 70% of its total population under the age of 30 and presents an opportunity to take a seat at the table. Centred in Nelson M...

For more than a month, reports have been surfacing in the media that things are not too rosy in the Multi-Party Charter led by the DA. Some reports point to John Steenhuizen’s condemnation of parties campaigning in the Western Cape on the other hand there was a lot of criticism against the burning of the flag ad. So this morning we thought to talk about whether South Africa is ready for a coalitio...

We speak now to Heal-SA, a non-profit organisation that says it’s committed to dismantling mental health disparities. They have recently launched an initiative to provide free counselling services nationally to off-campus university students. One of the things they point out is that there is still stigma around getting mental health support. Guest: Mpadi Makgalo – CEO of Heal SA

So many of you our listeners share your frustrations through our show, be it crime, GBV, corruption, poverty, unemployment and other issues that are bringing the country down. So for today, we thought to go back to the concept of Ubuntu the way it’s explained by the late Emeritus Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu. Has his message fallen off deaf ears or have we as a country just conveniently forgotten abou...

Soothing us into the weekend today is a pan-Africanist collective called iPhupho-lika-Biko. They are led by composer Nhlanhla Ngqaqu who says that their music is rooted in spirituality and blackness. One would assume that they are talking about Steve Biko’s dream, but he explains it differently.  Guest: Pulane Mafatshe – Vocalist in the iPhupho L’ka Biko, a contemporary South African jazz group

The Knysna Municipality has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, from water shortages, breakdown of coalition, councilors using derogatory terms against each other and recently, the appointment of the Municipal Manager was ruled null and void by the Western Cape High Court. The council must now restart the process of finding a new Municipal Manager to replace which Ombali Sebola. There has...

During our open line this month, a listener asked our audience a critical question when it comes to the upcoming elections later this month and took a moment to reflect on various opportunities we had to exercise the right to vote: “How responsible are we as voters when it comes to our voting behaviour?”     Guest: Prof. Cherrel Africa  - Associate Professor in the Political Studies Department at...

Yesterday Statistics South Africa revealed that unemployment increased from 32,1 percent to 32,9-percent in the first quarter of 2024. The number of unemployed persons increased by 330-thousand to reach 8,2-millon in the first quarter, while the number of employed persons increased by 22-thousand to reach 16,7-million in the first quarter of 2024.  Guest: Dr Laura Fisher - Head of Institutional Ad...

Service delivery in our country is a very big issue especially at municipal level. Interestingly, there’s a party contesting the elections having formulated their strategy and name around service delivery. Under the name Forum 4 Service Delivery, the party refers itself as a civic political movement which was founded in 2015 to deal mainly with issues at grassroots level. This year they are contes...

eThekwini Municipality plays host to the Africa Trade Indaba and this event is an economic driver for the local economy. In last year’s edition, the trade show contributed more than R1 billion to the national fiscus and created 2 295 sustainable jobs.   The trade show is taking place at a time where the inner city is being revitalized to attract investment opportunities. Our next guest will share...

Listeners have been listening to me for years and this morning, I would like to put our listeners through a test called, ‘how financially healthy are you and what does financial security mean to you?’ While I do my opening, it will give you a chance to get a piece of paper and a pen out to make your notes and to do the test.   Guest(Studio): Bryan Hirsch, Chairperson of Bryan Hirsch, Colley &...

As part of the Africa Trade Indaba, the Business Opportunity Networking Day is an opportunity for stakeholders in the tourism industry to connect, share global tourism insights and advance knowledge sharing. The networking initiative is set up these four insight pillars: Unlimited, Discover, Connect and Grow.   To tell us more about their role in this initiative and the Precinct Ambassadors progra...

Tourism Kwa-Zulu Natal has been working to towards accessing investment opportunities to keep up with the global tourism trends and to set the province as a destination of choice. Our next guest has recently partnered with Collins Residential to build a new hospitality development to the value of R2 billion in northern Kwa-Zulu Natal which is set to create 800 direct jobs and 1500 indirect jobs to...

As we continue to take a closer look at political parties and their promises ahead of #Elections2024, we unpack the manifesto of the Freedom Front Plus who launched their Manifesto back in March 2024. The election manifesto calls for voters to take against the ruling party, pick up the broken pieces and start rebuilding the nation. The manifesto speak to land, employment equity, local government,...

Yesterday (Sunday) marked International Nurses Day with the different unions raising their own views on how the profession can be improved. Some state that poor health costs the economy billions as it affects productivity. Investment in the nursing staff is another critical point unions feel should be looked into especially now that government's   National Health Insurance (NHI) plan is at an adva...

In August 2023, the Road Accident Fund launched a Comprehensive Road Safety Programme for Youth and Learners. This programme involved educating learners in primary schools, special schools, and high schools about road safety. This was done through talks, industrial theatres performances and road safety simulations (edutainment). Later, community dialogues were held with unemployed and out of schoo...

We usher in the weekend by chatting to Amaeshi Ikechi. He is a Nigerian bassist whose career in the last 26 years is said to have found expression across different genres of music. From the pew of an African church (in the heart of Lagos), to some of the finest stages in Africa.  He describes himself as a musician with a special interest in Jazz and its fusion with the music of Africa.  Guest: Ama...

We received an anonymous call from a listener who alerted us to corruption within the Water and Sanitation Department in eThekwini Municipality. Back in 2022, the caller alleged that there was an emergency procurement contract worth R5 million paid into a business that was not tax compliant and no boereholes were built by the supplier. The supplier in question has said to be politically connected...

This weekend, the nursing fraternity will commemorate International Nurses Day under the theme: “Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care”. In South Africa, the nurse-to-patient ratio remains notably high, with 224 patients per nurse in 2022. This imbalance poses significant challenges to patient care, contributing to excessive workloads, heightened stress levels among nurses, extended w...

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaoron Motsoaledi joins us in studio to talk about some of the issues pertaining to his department. Also seeing that we are a few days away from the elections, his offices have been working beyond normal hours including Saturdays. Last month he also announced that Cabinet has approved the Final White Paper On Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection, something he s...