The Daily Discourse

Today, we focus on the manifesto of the GOOD Party who launched their election manifesto last month in Johannesburg. This is their second manifesto since its formation in 2018 and won two seats in parliament in their maiden election campaign in 2019 national elections. In their second election campaign, the party has shared their concise thirteen page manifesto with overarching theme of good gover...

For more than a year, we have been receiving calls from some of our listeners in the North West Province around the area of Matlosana telling us about corruption at that particular municipality. The latest is that the North West ANC Provincial Executive Committee has decided that the Executive Mayor of Matlosana Local Municipality in Klerksdorp, James Tsolela resign from his position sighting alle...

Earlier this year, the US House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs passed a review of bilateral relations with South Africa. This review takes place less than 12 months before South Africa hears if their status in AGOA is renewed. This follows questions that have been raised surrounding Pretoria’s non-aligned stance in their foreign policy  on Palestine and Ukraine. There have also b...

Our next guest is making history as she forms part of the first cohort of independent candidates running in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections set to take place on 29 May 2024. Her campaign sets to address the gap that exists between government and the people. She seeks to abolish the tender system; fight corruption in the public service; address transformation in the workplace; strengthen...

We end the show by speaking to Hlanganisa Community Fund for Social and Gender Justice. Yesterday (Wed) as part of marking 30 years of the country’s freedom, they held an event aimed at addressing the problems around gender-based violence and women's rights. They refer to themselves as an innovative intermediary grant maker aimed at strengthening social accountability and promoting human rights in...

This morning, Bryan is discussing why should working South Africans be concerned with equity markets moving up and down.  Guest: Bryan Hirsch, Chairperson of Bryan Hirsch, Colley & Associates (Pty) Limited

In South Africa, 9.1 million young people are not in education, employment or training. Many of our listeners who have shared their reflections on freedom and the 30 year milestone, not being able to access economic opportunities means that they are unable to tangibly hold the fruits of freedom. As we continue our series of discussions, we want to have a conversation surrounding the right to work,...

As we continue our series of discussions on Freedom, one of our callers observed that we have not had a conversation surrounding how our sentiment around Freedom not being fulfilled has to do with our disillusionment with the implementation of Democracy as a vehicle to realize our rights and elevate the quality of life. Guest: Prof. Louise Vincent - Professor of Political Studies at Rhodes Univers...

The problems at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme seem far from over. Last week Higher Education Minister Dr Blade Nzimande dissolved the board with immediate effect. But sadly, on the ground students and universities are battling to deal with the problem of funding as some of the funds have still not been released. Yesterday (Sunday), Dr Nzimande explained his reasons for dissolving the b...

Our next guest hails from a lineage of rich musical heritage, being the niece of multi-instrumentalist and lead vocalist of Afro fusion band Harari, Selby Ntuli. She has blazed her own path being one of leading figures in a new generation of South African music that reflects crosscultural jazz. She is globally recognized for her work that is influenced in Spoken Word, Electronic and Jazz. She has...

Today, we focus on the manifesto of the Inkatha Freedom Party which launched its 13-point plan last month in Durban. Since then, it has held its provincial manifesto launch in Ulundu, KZN this week. In their programme of action, the IFP seeks to end loadshedding and reassess the role of state-owned enterprises. The party seeks to prioritize citizens for employment as well as business opportunities...

A few months ago, we received a message from the Amagqunukwebe traditional community in the Eastern Cape. They fall under the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality. They sent us very heart-breaking pictures of school children crossing rivers where there are no bridges. Non-existing roads where cars are stuck in mud with community member having to pull or push them out. They have pleaded with the municipalit...

We continue with our Freedom Month coverage, this time looking at the plight of persons with disabilities. What are their general views on the state of services to them and how would they describe how the needs of people living with disabilities are receiving attention 30 years into our democracy? Also seeing how the different political parties are campaigning, how important would they say their i...

Today on our Citizens Corner we talk to the IEC and their partnership with the Information Regulator. You may remember that the two institutions were in the news after the regulator received two security compromise notifications from the IEC following an unauthorised release of the confidential ANC and uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party’s candidate lists for the 2024 national and provincial elections.  ...

Yesterday, the Minister of Electricity provided the Nation with an update on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan. Some of key updates provided to the public, the Ministry shared its plans to finalize proposals with the National Transmission Company on the funding model for expanding the energy grid. The Ministry has also noted that aggressive planned maintenance which has led to 600 few h...

This morning, Bryan is discussing the common mistakes that investors make and unpacking the myth that if you take on more risk in the short term, you will be rewarded with greater returns.  Guest: Bryan Hirsch, Chairperson of Bryan Hirsch, Colley & Associates (Pty) Limited

According to the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA), South Africa has witnessed over 40,000 crimes impacting supply chains in the past year alone, based on data from the South African Police Service (SAPS). Criminal incidents considered in these cases not only happening at the ports but also on the road. These offenses include truck hijackings, cash-in-transit robberies to common robb...

South Africa has 11 official languages and that linguistic diversity illustrates the social value of multilingualism as a cornerstone of our national identity. For example, we see it in how our leaders are polyglots for example, President Cyril Ramaphosa often reciting speeches in four or more languages.  Sometimes, pronunciation can become a barrier in how we are understood and it plays itself ou...

Last week, we kicked off a series of Freedom Month discussion on the journey towards 30 years of democracy. Many listeners reflected and shared the challenges of remaining optimistic, especially pinpointing their exclusion from the economy and the impact of perpetual landlessness. Some listeners have asked a question surrounding how we characterizes, measures and defines freedom at 30 years. In th...

We close the week now with one of the country’s greatest base guitarists, Aus Tebza. She’s one of those who don’t need much of an introduction as she’s played for so many of our top musicians.  Guest(Studio): Aus Tebza (real name, Tebogo Sedumedi) – South African Singer and Bassist

Our next guest is a liberation movement with its roots in the Black consciousness movement and the work of Stephen Bantu Biko. AZAPO has called for One Azania, One Nation that is enshrined in human solidarity, dignity and economic prosperity as it launched their manifesto ahead of the 2024 national and provincial elections. AZAPO has pointed out that despite 30 years of democracy in South Africa,...

Last week we focused on issues of a tribal dispute where people bought land from someone who was said to not be the rightful owner in an area called Mamahule in Limpopo. The issue brought to light many other issues pointing to what can go wrong and what the laws are around the purchasing of tribal land. So for today, we speak to the National House of Traditional and Khoi Leaders to get their take...

Cost of Living & if consumers can tighten the belts Focus: The start of April has been heralded tariff hikes which took effect this week: petrol and energy. These increases will have an impact on the cost of living as inflation will take up the price of food.  Further, major municipal metropolitans may increase rates and taxes. Given this backdrop, salaries remain stagnant with no real prospec...

Continuing our build-up to the elections with the IEC, today we are focusing on how the electoral body is safeguarding the integrity of the elections. Obviously in any election, many of the parties would want to get a significant amount of the vote and often it is the electoral body that will be scrutinised the most to make sure that the management of the system is accurate. In our country’s histo...

Yesterday (Tuesday) Judge Sulet Potterill delivered judgment in the urgent interdict application launched by National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula over her pending arrest.  The judge said that it would not be competent for courts to interdict arrests as it would lead to the collapse of the criminal justice system. The Speaker sought the intervention of the court to prevent the state f...