The Daily Discourse

Joanne is in conversation with Group Executive for Eskom Renewables, Rivoningo Mnisi about the power utility launching a clean energy generation wing  

After a distressed student contacted us about funding and accommodation problems linked to a National Skills Fund-supported aviation programme, we started digging. What emerged is that the NSF has terminated its contract with service provider Phila Jordan Capital, citing alleged repeated breaches. The fallout has left students searching for answers about their studies, funding, and future.  T...

A major change could be coming to the taxi industry. The Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association is introducing cashless payments, meaning commuters may soon be able to tap a card instead of scrambling for the exact fare. It’s a move that could modernise how millions of South Africans pay for their daily taxi trips.  Nceba Enge, CODETA chairperson Vuyisile Majola: Head: In...

Former Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi joins us to reflect on South Africa's longstanding migration challenges, including efforts to manage undocumented immigration, strengthen border controls, and address the growing influx of migrants entering the country. We'll discuss the measures implemented during his tenure, the obstacles the government faced, and whether enough was done to tackle th...

A fresh twist in the case involving Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge. After a judicial tribunal found him guilty of misconduct and the Judicial Service Commission escalated the matter to gross misconduct — a finding that could lead to impeachment — Mbenenge is now challenging both decisions in court. The case stems from allegations by former judges' secretary Andiswa Mengo t...

If you own a home and receive a SASSA grant, this conversation could affect you. Last week, one of our listeners, Mike, contacted us after receiving a much smaller pension grant than he expected. After working his entire life and recently retiring, he couldn't understand why the amount was so low. We took his concerns directly to SASSA, and this morning they've provided an explanation. The answer...

Gavin Kelly, CEO of Road Freight Association Cabinet has finally pulled the plug on South Africa’s controversial e-toll saga, scrapping billions of rands in historical debt and confirming that motorists who refuse to pay will not face prosecution. But while unpaid bills are being wiped clean, those who faithfully paid their e-tolls won’t be getting a cent back. The Road Freight Associa...

G20 future Jobs Summit

President Cyril Ramaphosa is attempting to strike a delicate balance on one of South Africa's most contentious issues: migration. He unveiled a series of measures aimed at tightening immigration controls, but cautioned against growing anti-migrant sentiment, warning that frustration must not turn into hostility. The EFF's Sam Matiase and the IFP's Mkhuleko Hlengwa speak to Joanne Joseph on their t...

Wits Professor gets prestigious international award for Science Wits University’s Dean of Health Sciences, Professor Shabir Madhi, is set to receive the prestigious Maxwell Finland Award for Scientific Achievement in the United States later this year. He joins Joanne Joseph to speak on this feat. The award is presented by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, it is regarded as one...

With Local Government Elections set for 4 November, there's growing concern that many young South Africans are tuning out of the democratic process. The South African Local Government Association, SALGA, says youth participation remains worryingly low and is using Youth Month to change that. Councillor Lucky Sele, Salga youth Commission Chairperson joins Joanne Joseph to give more details of their...

Anxiety is often seen as a women’s health issue, but the numbers tell a different story. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group says one in five men experience anxiety. Yet many men suffer in silence, reluctant to seek help or talk about their mental health. Experts believe women are diagnosed more frequently not necessarily because they experience anxiety more often, but because the...

Calling all South African writers! If you've been dreaming of seeing your work in print, this could be your opportunity. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, together with the Academic and Non-Fiction Authors’ Association of South Africa (ANFASA), has reopened applications for the DSAC Publishing Hub. Since its launch three years ago, the initiative has helped bring numerous local stor...

Yesterday, the Eastern Cape Department of Basic Education told us it had closed schools in three districts as a powerful cold front moved in, bringing heavy rain and dangerous weather conditions. Since then, the rain has not let up. Rivers are rising, roads are being submerged, and parts of the province are already experiencing flooding, raising concerns about the impact on communities, infrastruc...

For many South Africans, failing service delivery has become more than just a frustration — it has become a legal battle. Faced with crumbling roads, persistent water and electricity outages, blocked stormwater drains and deteriorating municipal services, residents' associations and ordinary citizens are increasingly taking municipalities to court — and in many cases, winning. But whil...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has awarded two Stellenbosch University academics the nation’s highest civilian honours, recognising their groundbreaking contributions to science and society. Among them is world-renowned bioinformatician Professor Tulio de Oliveira, whose pioneering work in tracking and identifying COVID-19 variants placed South Africa at the forefront of global pandemic response...

Guest: Dr Buhle Makhanya: psychologist Parenting Corner: Privileged Children: Did we over provide as parents?  

Crime stats recently revealed that the incidence of kidnapping in Johannesburg has gone up five-fold. But it's not just a Johannesburg phenomenon. The entire province is affected, with The Sowetan telling us that 27 kidnappings occur in Gauteng every day. So what, or who exactly is behind this surge? Guest: Prof. Jacob Mofokeng: Crime and security expert, Department of Criminology and Security Sci...

The Daily Maverick has now reported that 761 social workers are being forced to cover the whole country, while thousands more are needed to assist children who attend public schools countrywide. Recently, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube admitted that her department just doesn't have the money to afford more social workers. Guest: Trienie Drotschie, CEO of Tutela Guest: Celeste Honewill, De...

If you were a student beneficiary of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, it may be worth looking into whether you overpaid your study loan, and could be entitled to a refund. NSFAS is busy trying to trace all the beneficiaries to whom it loaned money for their studies before 2010. Guest: Ishmael Mnisi: The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Spokesperson  

Financial Corner: Why should South Africans consider investing offshore rather than solely onshore Guest: Bryan Hirsch, Financial advisor at Bryan Hirsch

The South African National Defence Union is taking the Defence Department to court over the awful conditions in which soldiers are being put up at the military base in the Western Cape, iKapi. We were told of leaking roofs, makeshift beds, toilets that don't flush and other unhygienic conditions that have marked their stay there. Guest: Chris Hattingh, DA member of the Joint Standing Committee on...

My Broadband is reporting that hundreds of millions of rand have been spent in trying to turn the South African Post Office around. More than 321-million has been spent on practitioners and support staff, since the Post Office became insolvent in 2023 Guest: Khusela Diko, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Communications

Child Protection Week: The University of Cape Town has been engaged in an important study on sexual violence against boys. Dr Neziswa Titi from the Department of African Feminist Studies says violence against boys is not rare in South Africa. Who is most often implicated in the sexual abuse of boys? Guest: Dr Joan Van Niekerk, Consultant in Child Rights and Child Protection