Early Breakfast with Africa Melane

A Republican, Jordan Blashek and a Democrat, Christopher Haugh from the United States, joined Africa Melane on the Early Breakfast show to talk about their journey across 44 states, covering 20 000 miles over a three year period to find common ground.

 Guests: Jordan Blashek and Christoper Haugh, authors of Union: A Democrat, a Republican, and a search for common ground.

Topic: Union: A Democrat, a Republican, and a Search for Common Ground

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According to Tracker SA's crime statistics between July 2019 and June 2020, hijackings are on the rise. This is on par with the release of the country's crime stats (last week) which indicated that hijackings went up by 13%.   Tracker's data was recorded from their more than 1.1 million installed trackers across the country.  There has also been a change in the day of the week and time of the day that a hijacking takes place. You now have a high chance of being hijacked between Tuesday and Saturday and less chance of being hijacked on a Sunday and Monday. During the week, people are more likely to be hijacked between 11 am and midnight, and lunchtime hours on a weekend.  The provinces and towns most affected; Gauteng, KZN, Western Cape.

Guest:  Ron  Knott-Craig, Executive: Operation Services at Tracker

Topics: Lockdown hijacking

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Health officials have warned that the country might see a second wave of Covid-19. The second wave could be stronger than the first one if South Africans do not practice social distancing , practice proper hygiene and wear their masks.  Meanwhile, a team of more than 40 health experts assembled by the World Health Organization will soon be in the country to guide the government in its response to the Pandemic.  Seventeen of them are due to touch down on Wednesday.

Topics: Covid-19: Second wave possible? 

Guest:  Prof Alex van den Heever, Chair in the field of Social Security Systems Administration and Management Studies at Wits School Of Governance

Host: Africa Melane, Early Breakfast

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Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize, this week noted this concern that kids are missing their regular immunizations. He said this is due to parent's fears that their children would be exposed to Covid-19 while at a health facility.   Speaking during a virtual gathering to mark World Breastfeeding Week, Mkhize assured parents that Covid-19 patients are kept separate from other patients. 

Topic: Prioritising immunizations

Guest: Dr. Nasiha Soofie, Medical Head at Sanofi Pasteur South Africa 

Host: Africa Melane, Early Breakfast

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Topic: From the Continent: Building New Solutions to Further Develop the African Economy

Guest: Sokhu Sibiya, Editor - Africa.com

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Sars has reportedly sent out about 3.1 million text messages to taxpayers whose tax returns will be automatically assessed this year.  They will calculate your results based on the information that they have at their disposal.  This includes information they received from your employer, medical scheme and retirement annuity. They present you with an amount (that'll either be negative or positive) and ask you to accept or edit your return on their digital channels.

Guest: Matthew Haddon, Director  at Simple Tax - Tax Consultants 

Host: Africa Melane, Early Breakfast

Topic: Scrutinise your auto tax assessment

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Topics:From the Continent: African countries open for tourists 

Guest: Sokhu Sibiya, Editor - Africa.com

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As events begin to open up, Cycling South Africa has put several safety procedures in place for riders to adhere to on race day.  Some of these include, having a valid membership to participate in any cycling events.  There will be no spectators or gatherings permitted at events. There will also be no prize giving after the event.  Under level 3, a number of events are planned from the first of September. The include; small batched events, road cycling, road criterium races, MTB XCO, MTB DHI, MTB Enduro, track cycling, and BMX events.

Guest: Ciska du Plessis Austin, President at Cycling South Africa 

Host: Africa Melane, Early Breakfast 

Topics: Cycling reimagined during Covid-19

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Black Is King is a 2020 musical film and visual album directed, written and executive produced by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé. The film serves as a visual companion to the 2019 album The Lion King: The Gift, a tie-in album curated by Beyoncé for the 2019 remake of The Lion King. 

Topic: Review: Black is King

Guest: Anele Mdoda, Host of the 947 Breakfast Club at 947

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The last few weeks have seen numerous allegations of corruption leveled against senior members of the ANC.  Presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko and her husband, Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku and his wife, a city of Johannesburg official, have been implicated in an R125 million rand personal protective equipment tender debacle. ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule’s sons have reportedly scored a contract in the Free State to the value of R2,7 million. Ramaphosa’s son Andile is also in hot water following claims he also secured an R6 million contract to modify minibus taxis to comply with COVID-19 regulations.

Guest: Ongama Mtimka, Political Analyst

Topic: Are there divisions in the ANC?

Host: Africa Melane, Early Breakfast

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