The National Pulse

Guest: Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, Commissioner at the Commissioner for Gender Equality

This morning, South Africa reported its first two deaths from COVID-19, hours after the country started a three-week curfew to stem the virus’ spread. According to the ministry of health, these two deaths occurred in the Western Cape; one at a private hospital and the other at a public hospital. Guest: Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, MEC for Health in the Western Cape

ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe has confirmed that he has tested positive for coronavirus. His results came back this afternoon Guest: Wayne Thring – ACDP Deputy President and Member Of Parliament

It's the first day of South Africa's national lockdown and many workers are required to stay at home for three weeks in line with a Presidential decree to fight the spread of the Coronavirus in the country. On the eve of the country lockdown, the Department of Employment of Labour cautioned employers NOT to make their employees pay for the national sacrifice with their leave benefits. But is seems...

While South Africans start the 21-day countrywide lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus, for some, isolating at home presents additional risks, on top of avoiding possible CoVid-19 infection. According to the National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSM) one of its main concerns is the potential for increased violence against women and children, who may be forced to endure isolation wit...

Guest: Hlengiwe Makhathini, NEF Divisional Executive for Venture Capital and Corporate Finance

Civil society organisation, TransformRSA wants President Cyril Ramaphosa and his administration to roll out a communication and awareness strategy in townships and rural areas until mid-April as the country is tackling the spread of Covid-19. Guest: Adil Nchabeleng, President of TransformRSA

Post Angie Motshekga’s press briefing, we hear from the Equal Education - they are concerned that the closure of schools for an extended period of time will have dire consequences for many learners, particularly those from poor and working-class households. Guest: Noncedo Madubedube general secretary of equal education

A group of Communication professionals working alongside government have established a special website for Covid-19, to ensure a flow of accurate information. CovidCommsSA has been setup to translate and produce informational material on the Covid-19 outbreak in South Africa. Guest: Chris Vick, communications specialist

The South African National Blood Service has expressed concern that their supplies may run low as the country prepares for a 21 day shutdown. The Blood Service has called on South Africans to continue donating blood even during the 21-day lockdown. So how will donations work given the new restrictions? To answer this we're joined on the line by... Guest: Silungile Mlambo, spokesperson of the South...

Sex workers are urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to consider them as lawful employees and help them during the national lockdown. In a statement, released yesterday, the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (Sweat) and the National Movement of Sex Workers said: “We are not sure who exactly will be prioritised in the plans laid out by the president as he says ‘we are going to support people...

Is South Africa ready to deal with the high-risk medical waste generated by the spread of the coronavirus? Thashnee Budram from Averda, integrated waste management provider to government and industry, explains the steps taken to manage hazardous medical waste, which are now being applied to the waste resulting from the Covid-19 quarantines. Guest: Ms Thashnee Budram – general manager (healthcare)...

Zimbabweans are panicking following news that doctors and nurses have downed tools in protest against non-availability of personal protective clothing in the main hospitals. Doctors and nurses are demanding special protective clothing and risk allowances to deal with the risk. Guest: Masimba Ndoro, Vice president of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association

In conversation with Sandile Zungu about the role of business in combating Covid19. The Black Business Council and other companies and business associations, have established a Project Management Office aimed at ensuring collaboration with government, and to use the available business resources and capacity to support public sector initiatives. Guest: Sandile Zungu – President of the Black Busines...

Guest: Dr VVO Mkhize, an Honorary Lecture in the School of Religion Philosophy and Classics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, founder & President of Umsamo Institute

Boko Haram extremists have killed at least 50 Nigerian soldiers in an ambush near Goneri village in northern Yobe state. The incident was the first major attack on the military forces this year by Boko Haram which has waged terror attacks in the West African country for over a decade. Nearly 3 million have been displaced and over 50,000 killed in the violence, according to a report by the country'...

These movements have addressed a letter to the Presidency of South Africa and the Covid-19 National Command Council, calling for an end to the issuing and execution of all eviction orders for the entirety of the pandemic. Guest: Nomzamo Zondo, Executive Director at Socio Economic Rights Institute of South Africa

Meanwhile, Lobby Group Afriforum says the ANC abuses COVID-19 to push racist agenda against SMME's. AfriForum says "the criterium of the emergency funding package for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises should be set aside, which stipulates that only black-owned businesses would qualify for financial relief". Guest: AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel

The department of Traditional Affairs in the Eastern Cape has advised a Nelson Mandela Bay traditional surgeon to respect the provincial government's decision to suspend circumcision related ceremonies due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Mike Kopisani, who circumcises hundreds of boys during winter and summer seasons has vowed to carry on with his practice. Guest: Eastern Cape Cooperative Gove...

Jonathan Shutte shares thoughts on how families can best protect their loved ones living with dementia during these trying times of Covid19. Whilst dementia-related diseases do not necessarily directly increase the risk of contracting COVID-19, what we know for sure is that dementia-related behaviours, increased age and common health conditions that often accompany dementia, will increase the risk...

World News today: Spain has reported a 32% spike in new deaths from the coronavirus, bringing the country total to 1,326 fatalities, the second highest in Europe after Italy. The number of infections across the country also shot up to 24,926, while the capital Madrid remains the hardest hit in the country. Guest: Marta Garrich, political analyst

The minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development Ms Thoko Didiza has assured South Africans that the supply of food will not be interrupted during the 21-day national lockdown. Her ministry has also set aside at least R1.2bn to assist the sector and ensure that there is sustainable food production during and post the coronavirus outbreak. You may recall that yesterday, Agri SA releas...

Nelson Mandela's grandson, Ndaba, has revealed that he has tested positive for the coronavirus. Ndaba becomes the latest in a long line of well-known names to reveal that they have contracted Covid-19. He joins us now to tell us more about his condition… Guest: Ndaba Mandela

The Restaurant Association of South Africa says it is negotiating with government and banks for relief efforts to ensure the survival of restaurants and small businesses due to the economic strain of COVID-19. The association says this past weekend alone, the industry lost millions of rands due to liquor restrictions and crowd control guidelines. Guest: Wendy Alberts, CEO of the Restaurants Associ...

Despite South Africa having no confirmed Coronavirus related death yet, funeral undertakers say they are treating each body as a potential case and are taking all the necessary safety precautions. They also try and discourage families coming into the funeral parlour to wash the body of the deceased person as is common practice in most traditions and cultures. Guest: Lawrence Konyana is the vice-pr...