The Daily Discourse

This morning Lionel is dealing with more of the questions you sent to him on various issues…. Guest(Studio): Lionel Makokotlela - Founder of Financial Wise Corner

Our next guest is challenging us to have an honest conservation on language use since the dawn of democracy. He argues that the government is elevating some languages and neglecting others through its policy. He takes readers back to the CODESA negotiations to paint a picture of the initial spirit of the Constitution's sixth section. He unpacks the importance of shifting our linguistic landscape 2...

The recent killing of a German tourist in Mpumalanga has again raised fears of the negative impact this could have on tourism in the country. Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has assured the international community that South Africa is safe while Police Minister Bheki Cele said that police are on top of things when it comes protecting tourists. But, since the incident took place, many tourism bodie...

As stage 2 loadshedding returns, cabinet ministers and their families will not feel the impact of scheduled power outage. President Cyril Ramaphosa's 68 member cabinet are not only exempt from loadsheding but also fitted with generators to the tune of R1,3 million last year. According to the new regulations implemented in the ministerial handbook, the executive does not have to pay for electricity...

 Muneyi’s music has been described as a gift from the gods, a healing experience as he connects the listener to his own narrative of Tshivenda folktales and modern sounds. Inspired by his Makhulu (Grandmother), his community upbringing, a love for language, vulnerability, human behaviour and personal experiences. His music has an ability to transcend language and connect to one's heart and soul. I...

One of the eight projects under the Water and Sanitation programme is the Learning Academy. The Learning Academy was developed to create more employment opportunities while also bridging the skills gap which exists in the water and sanitation sector. The Learning Academy has awarded 800 learners with bursaries to pursue careers while 3500 schools have been supported through the programme. Guest: S...

As the WSEP comes to a close today, there have been hundreds of pupils sharing their innovative ideas on water throughout the week. Representing schools from around the country, we have asked them to share what they have learned and their experience at the Water and Sanitation Education Programme.   Guest:Unam Halam Guest:Faith Klassens 

Focus: Today (Friday) being International Day of Decent Work, we thought to use the opportunity to define what the term means. When unions talk about the subject, they often mention things like working hours, the right to strike, the right to leave, benefits, equality in the workplace and so on.   Under the current economic climate, many overlook basic employment conditions due to being desperate...

Since 1996, the Water and Sanitation Education Programmed has aimed to cultivate water saving culture hoping to ultimately change the mindsets, attitudes and behaviours of water users for a sustainable water resources management across the country. In 2015, the programme was recognised for its achievement by the United Nations and awarded the "Water for life best practice" Award. To help us unpack...

We are joined by one of the beneficiaries of the WSEP who has become a professional in the water sector. Recently, she was nominated a Youth Advocate for the 2023 United Nations Game Changer Challenge.   Guest: Margo Adonis - Scientific Technician at the Department of Water and Sanitation (Beneficiary of the Learning Academy)

The Home Affairs ministry seeks to digitise 350 million inactive and active paper records consisting of birth, marriage, death and amendments. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Njabulo Nzuza will deliver the keynote address this morning on the country’s path towards digitisation as part of the broader Modernisation Programme. The seminar will focus on the journey the Department has traversed in its...

As focus slowly turns towards the 2024 election, the state of participation in our democratic processes is at an all time low. In the 2021 Local Government Elections, voter turnout dropped 10% compared to the 2016 edition. With confidence waning in politicians and political parties, the advancement of democracy may be stifled if this trend continues and the credibility of election outcomes may com...

Drunk driving is one of the biggest threats to road safety in South Africa. Research indicates that 50% of people who die on the road have a blood alcohol concentration of above 0.05 gram per 100 millilitres. With these statistics, many organisations are spending a lot of money on anti-drinking and driving campaigns to combat it. However, the exercise is pointless if enforcement of the current dri...

Focus: The Bloemfontein High Court on Monday declared the Mangaung African Cultural Festival illegal. The festival is hosted every year in Bloemfontein. The case was brought by DS Consortium, which argued that the tender to host the annual cultural festival, awarded to C-Squared, was fraudulent. The tender is worth R16.8-million. To get an understand of what actually happened and whether the festi...

On Monday a story broke of a mother who abandoned her baby near a stream in Dawncrest, north of Durban. She left the baby with a the milk bottle and nappies. What stood out was the note she left which read: “Hi. You might be wondering why I dumped my baby. Don’t wonder, just help her if you can or call authorities don't judge me. I have spoken twice with social workers, they are delaying to assist...

Focus: As we begin Breast Cancer Month, we thought to revisit the issue as more men and women continue to be affected by it. The Breast Imaging Society of South Africa is calling on everybody to self-examine their breasts and not wait for a partner or doctor to find out for them. To talk more on this especially now that it also affects men, Guest: Prof Jackie Smilig – Chair of the Breast Imaging S...

Focus: This morning Lionel is helping understand the Road Accident Fund and what it is that you need to know about it. Also the fact that you no longer need a lawyer to claim. He now joins us in the studio… Guest: Lionel Makokotlela - Founder of Financial Wise Corner

 In this week’s newsletter, President Cyril Ramaphosa recognized a major milestone surpassed by the Presidential Employment Stimulus program as it reached over a million young people. One of the hallmarks of its success has been the teaching assistant programme which has employed over half a million young people across 22 000 schools. However, this only tells one side of the story and does not ref...

Last week workers at the Mogalakwena local municipality blocked entrances with construction vehicles. This was in protest of them calling on the municipal manager Morris Maluleke to coming to work. Last month the Limpopo high court found that Maluleke’s appointment was unlawful hence the unions are calling on him to vacate his position. To find out what’s going on there and why Maluleke is still r...

This morning, Bryan shares the benefits of having a retirement annuity… Guest: Bryan Hirsch, Chairperson of Bryan Hirsch, Colley & Associates (Pty) Limited

Our next guest led the largest longitudinal study on the continent, following the lives of 3000 children born in 1990. The aim of the study presented the journey, aspirations and challenges of the country that was being created before their eyes. The outcomes of that study form part of a new published book that provides insights into five major themes of child development in relation to the South...

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu is calling on relatives who are looking after orphans to apply for a CSG top-up at their nearest SASSA offices. This she says is an amount of R240 which is an addition to the standard amount that is usually paid to you. To help us understand these amounts and how one qualifies,  Guest: Lumka Oliphant – Spokesperson for the Department of Social Development

Matjhabeng Local Municipality is currently hosting an Economic Development Summit in collaboration with the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and Infrastructure South Africa. The Summit, which will be between the 29th and 30th of September 2022 is a means to attract investment and diversify the local economy focusing on agriculture, tourism and industry. The Summit is being attended by national ministries su...

As part of our Heritage Month coverage, this morning we get to understand the story of the Maqoma chiefdom. We speak to Ncedisa Maqoma who is speaking on behalf of Zukiswa Kona who is heir to the Maqoma chiefdom, but because of her gender, there has been resistance purely based on the fact that she’s a woman Earlier this month the family was celebrating 149 years of his passing. Even though the is...

President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday (Thursday) again denied allegations of money laundering in the Phala Phala issue. He insists that the money was proceeds of game farming. The president was answering questions in the National Assembly. Not having scientific proof of what the nation thinks about the answers he’s giving on the matter,  Guest: Solly Moeng - Brand reputation management adviser and M...