The National Pulse

Food Forward SA, has received over R11m in financial and food donation support as part of a national roll-out to mitigate the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable groups’ nutrition. Guest: Andy Du Plessis – MD of FoodForward SA

Yesterday, Small Business Development minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni unveiled a scheme to assist spaza shop owners during the lockdown. However, Siya Ntuthela, specialist on spaza trading says, the relief measures announced by the minister are unfortunately not enough to rescue Spaza Shops from being swallowed by the tide of the Novel Coronavirus. Guest: Siya Ntuthela, CEO of fintech firm Zande PTY...

As part of the government’s measures to curb the spread of Covid-19. The department of justice has issued an instruction that will see alleged perpetrators of petty crimes who are arrested during the nationwide lockdown being released and warned to appear in court on a future date. Guest: Chrispin Phiri, Spokesperson for the Minister of Justice & Correctional Services

Duduza clinic in Ekurhuleni has been closed due to a nurse testing positive for COVID-19. The municipality's Executive Mayor Mzwandile Masina says two mobile clinics will be deployed to the area. To elaborate further on this, he now joins us on the line... Guest: Phakamile Mbengashe, Spokesperson for Ekurhuleni Mayor, Mzwandile Masina

The Aurum Institute says it’s deeply saddened by the passing of its Chief Scientific Officer for HIV Prevention, Professor Gita Ramjee who died of coronavirus (COVID-19) related complications. Professor Ramjee was a world-renowned scientist, who worked tirelessly to find HIV prevention solutions for women. She also served as a Chief Specialist Scientist and Director of the HIV Prevention Research...

BSS: Today on Both Sides of the Story we look at the issue of travel agents and frustrations experienced by travellers during Covid-19: Yesterday, minister of International Relations Dr Naledi Pandor called on travel agents not to exploit travellers and urged them to be appreciative of the circumstance of urgency and not use it for profit making. However, the CEO of the Association of Southern Afr...

Public Service and Administration minister, Senzo Mchunu, says government remains committed to implementing wage increases for public servants. This follows concerns raised by public service unions over the uncertainty about wage increases this month. Mchunu has stressed that the economy is facing pressure due to the coronavirus pandemic - as well as being downgraded to junk status by the ratings...

The National lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19 is threatening access to medical care, medicine and treatment for the transgender community. The 21-day lockdown has created Gender dysphoria; a feeling of anxiety among people who are transitioning from their assigned sex at birth to their preferred gender. For more on this we now speak to Sazi Jali, the Founder and Executive Director of TransH...

In responding to the need for clean water as the country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, the department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KwaZulu Natal has this week embarked on a mission to deploy more than 2300 static jojo tanks to communities in the province. Today MEC for Cogta in the province, Sipho Hlomuka was in Bergville, uThukela district where 140 tanks were deplo...

In conversation with Dr Kagisho Maaroganye about how to cope with stress and anxiety during the national lockdown. The psychiatric profession, represented by the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP), has urged mental healthcare users to be aware of early relapse signs, continue with prescribed medication and to keep therapy appointments. Guest: Dr Kagisho Maaroganye, South African Societ...

Minibus taxis will now be allowed to carry 10 or the maximum number of passengers provided they all wear masks during the 21-day nationwide lockdown. Guest: Thabiso Molelekwa, Santaco spokesperson

examine the behavior of our law enforcement officers during Covid19, asking – are they playing by the rules? Yesterday when addressing the nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa said “the role of law enforcement officers and security personnel, who are deployed to keep law and order during the lockdown, is to provide support and reassurance to the nation, not to cause harm”. Guests: Helmoed Heitman, De...

Golden Arrow Bus Services has accused the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) in the Western Cape of making "false and outrageous claims". This after the union who we spoke to yesterday, claimed the Bus service is defying directives of the national lockdown by trying to force workers to go to work. Golden Arrow Bus have disputed the claims and also rubbished reports that two bus...

The South African Drug Policy Initiative say the ban on the sale of alcohol and tobacco should be revoked. The Association which advocates for the legal regulation of all drugs say they agree with government's implementation of a compulsory lockdown in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, however, the prohibition on the sale of alcohol and tobacco will Impact those who have problematic drug us...

The International Women’s Forum of South Africa says the country’s downgrading by Moody’s and the 21-day lockdown will hasten job losses and exacerbate gender-based violence (GBV) at the time when the abused and abuser are locked in overcrowded conditions as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic. Guest: Ms Irene Charnley, President of the International Women’s Forum of South Africa

Home Affairs, Labour Inspectors and the South African Police Service has raided a company in Bedfordview, Johannesburg for failing to comply with the national lockdown regulations. The company reportedly locked their workers in a factory and not giving them Personal protective equipment to work. Illegal workers were also found during the raid. Guest: Advocate Michael Msiza, Provincial Chief Inspec...

Khayelitsha residents are on edge following the detection of the first Covid-19 case in the Cape Town township. In neighbouring Mitchells Plain, five cases were reported. Frantic residents are panicking about exposure to those who had tested positive. Questions have now been raised about how people in townships can self-isolate in a highly populated area.... Guest: Western Cape Minister of Health,...

Controversial poet and musician Ntsiki Mazwai has written an open letter to president Cyril Ramaphosa, outlining why she is against his decision to lock down the country. In the open letter Ntsiki accuses the president of appeasing the elite at the expense of the poor, who have no safety net to cushion their fall during this economic plunge, caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Guest: Ntsiki Mazwai, w...

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) in the Western Cape says bus company Golden Arrows is defying directives of the national lockdown. Numsa says the bus company is trying to force workers to ignore the lockdown by going to work. This after President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Guest: Vuyo Lufele, NUMSA's Regional Se...

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu says she is concerned about a lack of police visibility at some pay-points as the elderly and people with disabilities access their social grants during the coronavirus lockdown. She was speaking in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, where long queues have formed at social grant pay-points. The South African Social Security Agency has decided to pay the two...

First National Bank (FNB) today became the latest bank to announce debt-relief measures for its clients impacted by Covid-19. FNB says they will be offering debt repayment holidays of up to three months to its customers. But what will be the terms and conditions of this relief? Guests: Jacques Celliers, Chief Executive Officer of the First National Bank (FNB)

What is the role of Local Government during the national lock down? How are they creating awareness in townships on the dangers associated with COVID-19? Are some provinces doing better than others in combating Covid-19? These questions come in the wake of Khayelitsha becoming the first township to confirm COVID-19 infection. Guest: Parks Tau, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditio...

Today it’s day 4 of the national lockdown and as we continue to create awareness around Covid19. We look at KZN’s economic trends; the province is already feeling the negative impact of the virus, especially on tourism front. Guest: Nomsa Dube-Ncube, MEC for Tourism and Economic Development in KwaZulu-Natal

Cape Town’s largest township, Khayelitsha has recorded its first coronavirus (COVID-19) case. Thousands of families live in very close proximity to one another in the township and some households have as many as 10 people living together, making social distancing difficult. Water and sanitation is also a major problem. Many houses still don’t have access to water and one block of communal toilets...

Celebrating Excellence: Today we celebrate Professor Bonang Mohale, this following his appointment as Chancellor of the University of the Free State. Mohale is chair of Bidvest, former CEO of Business Leadership South Africa, and author of the bestseller ‘Lift As You Rise’. Guest: Professor Bonang Mohale, UFS new Chancellor