The National Pulse

Today on Both Sides of the Story we ask, are there any limitations as to who should lend a hand during Covid-19? Our discussion is informed by the fact that recently, the KwaZulu-Natal wing of the MKMVA issued out a rallying call to its members to occupy the streets in an effort to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus. However, DA's Phumzile Van Damme objected to this, saying she hopes...

What is the role of Traditional Leaders in disseminating information to rural South Africans on the novel coronavirus? And how are traditional leaders dealing with the outbreak of the virus in their areas and ensuring communities under traditional leadership are adhering to the lockdown restrictions? Guest: Ikosi Sipho Mahlangu, the chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders

The Premier of Eastern Cape, Oscar Mabuyane has established an Economic Commission to assist the business sector in the province after the coronavirus lockdown ends. Guest: Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane's spokesperson Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha

Several motorists have been arrested in a joint operation between Jo'burg Metro Police and Gauteng Traffic Police over the weekend. Law enforcement officers held several roadblocks in Johannesburg and surrounding areas to ensure residents comply with Covid-19 regulations. Guest: Prince Mlimandlela Ndamase, spokesperson for Joburg mayor Geoff Makhubo

A U.K. animal charity known as Medical Detection Dogs which trains dogs to sniff out various diseases, including cancer, announced recently that it has begun training dogs to be able to detect people infected with COVID-19. Apparently their dogs are also able to detect subtle changes in temperature of the skin, meaning the dogs could know if a person had a fever. Guest: John Faul, Animal behaviour...

Last week we spoke briefly about the United Nations food agency having negotiated a humanitarian corridor to keep food aid flowing in Southern Africa after many countries shut their borders to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Up to 45 million people in Southern Africa face hunger following a devastating drought and two cyclones last year and there are growing fears the crisis could be...

Last week Friday, Nehawu took legal action against government to compel it to protect its members on duty and at risk of contracting Covid-19. Nehawu said it took this decision after numerous and mounting reports of the government’s failure to develop and implement a rollout plan that includes provision of personal protective equipment and sanitisers to health workers. Guest: Khaya Xaba, National...

Eskom is calling on community members to take ownership of the electricity network infrastructure by safeguarding it and reporting any crimes, including illegal connections and meter bypasses. This after the power utility witnessed an increase in the theft and vandalism of its electricity infrastructure in the Gauteng province even during this crucial Covid19 national lockdown. Guest: Motlhabane R...

The United Nations food agency has negotiated a humanitarian corridor to keep food aid flowing in Southern Africa after many countries shut their borders to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Up to 45 million people in Southern Africa face hunger following a devastating drought and two cyclones last year, and there are growing fears the crisis could be compounded by the outbreak of COVID...

Shabir Ahmed joins us to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on the mining sector. South Africa’s mining sector is particularly exposed to the spread of Covid-19. According to the Minerals Council of South Africa, the industry employs a workforce numbering almost 420,000, many of whom are underground on any given day. Guest: Shabir Ahmed, Industry Advisor for Mining at SAP Africa

North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro outlines steps and programmes that the North West Provincial Government is implementing to curb the spread of COVID-19 during the national lockdown. Guest: Professor Job Mokgoro, Premier of North West province

Eskom is calling on community members to take ownership of the electricity network infrastructure by safeguarding it and reporting any crimes, including illegal connections and meter bypasses. This after the power utility witnessed an increase in the theft and vandalism of its electricity infrastructure in the Gauteng province even during this crucial Covid19 national lockdown. Guest: Motlhabane R...

World News today: Time now for World News. We will look at Africa's fight against the spread of COVID-19 and its Impact on the continent. The coronavirus which was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization, WHO has forced countries around the world to take drastic steps such as national lockdowns to curb the spread. In March, Africa's COVID-19 cases by country were in the single...

The Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, has appealed to municipalities and private property owners to suspend evictions during the current national lockdown. Guest: Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation

We now speak to the department of Social Development which has issued a warning to NPO’s of a COVID-19 fraudulent scam that purports to “accredit and convert NPO certificate to NGO certificate to qualify for an international funding worth millions of rands”. To date, a number of NPOs registered in terms of the NPO Act (Act No. 71 of 1997) have fallen prey to this elaborate scam which seeks to frau...

SAFTU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has tested positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus. He now joins us to elaborate further on how he got exposed to the virus. Guest: Zwelinzima Vavi, General Secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions

C19 People’s Coalition has called on government to extend social grants in responding to the dire impact of COVID-19. One of their demands is for government to make provision of a basic income grant to the unemployed between the ages of 18 and 59 at an amount at least equivalent to the current disability grant of R1860. The organisation is also calling on the COVID-19 National Command Council to t...

Abahlali baseMjondolo are calling on government to put a moratorium on evictions during the lockdown. This after their members was reportedly removed from two Informal settlements (Azania in Cato Manor and Ekuphumeleleni) by the eThekwini Municipality. The shack-dwellers' movement says the evictions were extremely aggressive and violent and being carried out despite a special government gazette th...

The Mangaung Metro Municipality has implemented strict measures for handling remains of persons who die from COVID-19. It will be working closely with the Free State provincial Department of Health to educate funeral undertakers on the guidelines to follow when dealing with the remains of a confirmed or potential COVID-19 case. The municipality has the highest number of positive COVID-19 cases in...

The United Kingdom has started its 75 million pounds repatriation program to bring stranded British tourists back to the country due to the Covid-19 lockdown in most countries. It's understood the programme will give priority to vulnerable UK citizens particularly from "priority countries". So how will this programme work when routes are continually being closed due to increasing government restri...

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...