The University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Social Change and Human Sciences Research Council’s (HSRC) Developmental, Capable and Ethical State (DCES) division conducted an online survey among South Africans with the overarching aim to determine public perceptions of the economic, social and political impact of Coronavirus on life across the country. The survey was conducted online, using the #datafree Moya Messenger App and through links from social media adverts on Facebook and Twitter.

Guest on the line: Solly Moeng - a brand reputation management advisor and CEO of strategic corporate communications consultancy DonValley Reputation Managers.

Whilst most matriculates are celebrating the end of more than a decade of studying, others are nervous, anxious or afraid whilst waiting in anticipation for their final Matric Results to be released in January.

Home Education Provider, Brainline, says many students struggle with the idea of disappointing their family and friends.

"At this point, you have done everything possible to ensure success; all the late-night study sessions, extra classes and missed social events have to be worth the sacrifice."

Guest on the line: Vanishaa Gordan - Projects Manager at the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG)

Guest on the line: Dr Mpumelelo Ncube- HoD & Senior Lecturer Dept of Social Work University of the Free State

Tamelyn Geneview Bock is the official winner of Miss Wheelchair SA 2021, who will represent South Africa at Miss Wheelchair World in Mexico in October 2022. The aim is to create awareness around 'Beauty without Barriers' and change the perception, narrative, and image of disabled women in South Africa

Bock was in shock when her name was announced, but she is ready to take on the journey to remove barriers facing people with disabilities and is overjoyed to be the voice for Miss Wheelchair South Africa.

Guest on the line: Tamelyn Geneview Bock is the official winner of Miss Wheelchair SA 2021

Guest on the line: Russell Vollmer spokesperson for Universal Accessibility Hub

The Festive Season is officially the slowest period for business because a lot of activity comes to a halt at this time of the year. That is why entrepreneurs need to use this time to reflect, plan and recharge for the following year. This time of the year is also synonymous with delayed or non-payment by clients.

This happens because the year-end functions start in the first week of December, which puts everyone on holiday mode. This causes a great deal of work to be shoved aside for the following year; unfortunately for some SMMEs this means their payments as well. The delays or non-payments adversely affect SMMEs because the only time anyone can expect a payment again if not done now is the end of January the following year – which might feel like a whole year to some struggling hustlers.

Guest on the line: Miranda Lusiba is the Founding Director of Strangé Consulting - a boutique PR Agency specialising in Communications, Freelance Writing, Media Relations, Reputation Management and Media Training.

Guest on the line: Aida Coertse -the spiritual master coach.

The #R10GoesALongWay movement, in partnership with the Fundi Foundation – a South African non-profit organisation (NPO), launched the second phase of its crowdfunding initiative in November 2021, which sets out to help even more students overcome South Africa’s ongoing tertiary registration fee crisis.

As part of its second phase, the initiative, started by influencer, Lasizwe Dambuza, calls on South Africans to help university students who can’t afford their registration fees for the next academic year by contributing as little as R10 towards the initiative. Vuma, South Africa’s leading fibre provider was one of the #R10GoesALongWay 2.0 launch event’s first sponsors on-board, enabling more community members to connect to the initiative and donate.

Using the same crowdfunding technique as the previous round, which raises small amounts of money from many individuals, the initiative aims to help countless students in their efforts to register for their next year of study and go on to start the career they’ve worked so hard towards.

Guest on the line: chief marketing officer of Fundi Foundation - Mala Suriah

In July this year, the University of Cape Town (UCT) launched an online high school, and in doing so became the first university on the African continent to extend its expertise and impact to the secondary schooling market through an innovative online modality.

The public response has exceeded all expectations, indicative of the global need for innovation in the education sector. Across South Africa’s cities and towns, and the African continent, parents, learners and teachers have shown interest in this revolutionary education offering, with applications closing on 8 000 learner applications for January 2022.

 Guest on the line: Yandiswa Xhakaza - UCT OHS Principal

On International Human Rights Day (10 December 2021), the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI), on behalf of its faith members, sent an Open Letter to government to make known their disapproval of Shell’s seismic surveys on the Wild Coast, as well as government’s ongoing pursuit of an economy driven by fossil fuels.

“COP26 has just finished and here South Africa – the 12th-biggest emitter of carbon, globally – allows Shell to conduct potentially-harmful seismic testing, in search of more GHG-emitting oil and gas. How can this be when the company was just recently ordered to “slash its greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 compared with 2019 levels”? As a global force, Shell already has a disturbing track record of environmental and societal damage, and we refuse to allow the company to repeat its numerous atrocities here,” says Cele Esau, a Christian faith leader from the Cape Town Unitarian community.

Guest on the line: Wayne Du Plessis - from the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI),

Guest on the line: Dr Moshokoa, Evelyn Mmapula, is a healthcare practitioner, specialising as an Urologist & Surgeon