The National Pulse

We look at the relationship between Non-Communicable diseases and COVID-19 as well as the link between food and health – including how current policies affect systems and access to healthy food. This given the fact that many people who have succumbed to the virus presented with multiple co-morbidities – the majority being Non-Communicable diseases. Guest: Lawrence Mbalati, Programme Manager @ Heal...

Following the phasing in of extra grades, we hear from the South African Democratic Teachers' Union who even pre the announcement of the return date had expressed concerns that many schools were still struggling with water, ablution facilities and space to exercise social distancing Guest: Mugwena Maluleke, General Secretary of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu)

Last week, the Progressive Student Movement threatened to shut down schools as from today if the department of education continued with its phased in approach to allow more grades to return to school. They insisted that the decision to send more kids back to school was premature. Today we speak to them to find out if their shutdown campaign was a success…. Guest: Kabelo Nthekiso, President General...

Today on Beyond Innovation we are in conversation Bojane Segooa, an academic, social entrepreneur, independent non-executive director and Chartered Accountant registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). She founded Innovation Africa Holdings - and one of the company’s flagship and leading product is a career guidance teacher training software that operates as a co...

The Congress of South African Trade Unions is calling for all public sector workers who perform essential services to receive risk allowances. Earlier Cosatu was picketing outside the KwaZulu Natal treasury offices. They are also demanding for package increments negotiated earlier with government. Guest: Sizwe Pamla – Spokesperson for the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu)

Meanwhile the Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, says she is appalled by the victimization and abuse of residents of Empolweni in Khayelitsha, by Cape Town law enforcement officers. She says the barbaric eviction of a resident, humiliated as he fought for his basic right to shelter, is unconscionable. Four law enforcement officials have been suspended for manhandling a naked man during...

Did the City of Cape Town break the law with the eviction of residents of Empolweni in Khayelitsha? We now speak to the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI), who are challenging the Department of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation to halt evictions and the demolition of any structure which has been or is being constructed for the purposes of residential occupation... Guest:...

The SABC has launched a new editorial policy. The national broadcaster's CEO Madoda Mxakwe says the new Editorial Policies launched today aim to protect editorial processes and journalists at the public broadcaster. The policy launch follows a three year consultation process to review policies in the organisation after wide-spread allegations of editorial interference during the tenure of Hlaudi M...

National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) intends to disburse funds via direct payments into bank accounts of students, instead of the Wallet or institutional disbursement that has been happening previously. This in an effort to stop fraudulent activity… Guest: Dr Randall Carolissen - The administrator for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)

NGO's - Sonke Gender Justice, Gun Free SA and others held a webinar to discuss a civil society campaign to lobby for a "new normal" in which alcohol availability is permanently reduced as a way of preventing alcohol-related harm, especially interpersonal violence, domestic violence, gender-based violence and Femicide. Since 18 March, availability of alcohol has been limited under the State of Disa...

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has passed the Civil Union Amendment Bill. The Bill prohibits marriage officers from objecting to marrying same-sex couples. Various organisations including Freedom of Religion South Africa made submissions to highlight the practical, alternative solutions to the problems identified, which would not require anyone to violate their conscience, religion and b...

The South African National Editors Forum has launched a relief fund for journalists who have lost their income due to the effects of the coronavirus. Two major publishing companies, Caxton Magazine Division and Associated Media Publishing closed their operations two months ago. SANEF says other smaller companies have also shut their doors in recent months leaving 700 people unemployed. Guest: Dr....

Zimbabwe Nurses' Association is calling on its members to boycott work, arguing that salaries that they earn currently can no longer meet their basic needs. The association, which represents roughly 15 000 state nurses, say they earn slave wages and that nurses in the country have been turned into paupers. Guest: Enock Dongo, President of the Zimbabwe Nurses Association

World News: Russian president Vladimir Putin has won a vote that could let him rule until 2036. 67-year old Putin who has already served for some two decades won a controversial vote to amend the constitution and reset his term limits, which could see him rule beyond 2024. Guest: Professor Irina Filatova, who is professor of the High School of Economics in Moscow and professor emeritus and senior...

Former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa board chairperson Popo Molefe concluded his testimony at the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture yesterday. The hearings which were halted in March due to the coronavirus lockdown and started hearing evidence this week. Molefe told the commission that the former administration under President Jacob Zuma failed PRASA. Molefe explained how i...

Municipalities have lost a total of 32-billion-rand in irregular expenditure, fraud and corruption. This according to the latest consolidated local government audit results for the 2018-19 financial year. Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu who has just released the report says this is an indication of a lack of financial controls in the municipalities. He now joins us on the line to look at the state of...

The Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution has expressed concern over Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng’s remarks pertaining to the legitimacy of the state of Israel saying it brings the judiciary in South Africa into disrepute. They also argue that Mogoeng’s utterances have undoubtedly embarrassed the Government and its international standing in respect of a key foreign policy...

The Eastern Cape Health Department says investigations are continuing into the discovery of a large number of used Coronavirus test kits, next to the N2. The discarded test kits were found by a passer-by between East London and King Williamstown. They were still in plastic sleeves and contained the details of persons from whom the sample was taken Guest: Sizwe Kupelo, Spokesperson for the provinci...

BSS: The Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance has accused ArcelorMittal South Africa for high levels of air pollution, environmental transgressions, lack of transparency and community consultation at its Vanderbijlpark operation in Johannesburg. The company which is Africa's steel-making giant was recently fined R3.64 million for allegedly violating three atmospheric emissions license conditions at...

Last week Tuesday, Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture and Environment delivered his department’s Budget Vote Speech where he outlined challenges faced by the agricultural sector during Covid19 and he joins us now to elaborate more…. Guest: Morakane Mosupyoe, MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture and Environment

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) says thy will review the number of declined Covid-19 grant applications. This after the agency received many grievances from applicants who had their R350 grant application declined. So how many unemployed people actually benefitted from this COVID-19 relief grant? Guest: Paseka Letsatsi, SASSA spokesperson

Unfair labour practices and the poor treatment of healthcare workers in South Africa have compromised the quality of health care in the country. This is according to a new report by the OXFAM. The report launched today reveals that country's healthcare system has been ill-prepared for shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic Guest: Dr Basani Baloyi, Inequality Programme Manager at OXFAM South Africa

Today, Mobile operator MTN Group launched its fifth-generation (5G) network, with 100 sites live across areas in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth. This after the release of temporary spectrum by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa earlier this year Guest: Mapula Bodibe, Chief Consumer officer at MTN SA

World News today: We hear from the University of KwaZulu Natal this after they have been applauded for having secured an advanced instrument called the ILEX Genehecker which will assist in conducting rapid testing for Covid-19. According to the varsity, the Ilex equipment gives a turnaround time of 6 hours as compared to the usual 24-hour turnaround time using existing equipment. Guest: Professor...

We now talk to 'Please Call Me' inventor Nkosana Makate, this following his recent court victory against Vodacom. Yesterday, the high court in Pretoria ruled that Vodacom must give Makate copies of financial records within 21 days. He joins us now to elaborate more….. Guest: Nkosana Makate "Please Call Me" inventor