POWER Talk

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has indicated that it is likely to amend the role and responsibilities of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA). This decision follows ongoing issues with slow and inefficient service delivery, where essential equipment such as iPads have taken up to three to six months to be delivered to government departments. SITA, which is responsible for providing and maintaining IT services for government departments, as well as procuring IT-related equipment, has faced increasing criticism due to these delays. Lerato Mbele was joined by Gopal Reddy, Acting Managing Director at State Information Technology Agency. 

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Retailer Pick n Pay has received backlash for featuring American rapper William Leonard Roberts II, popularly known as Rick Ross, in its latest promotional advert after reportedly closing 32 supermarkets nationally. The ad, which also stars comedian Schalk Bezuidenhout, uses DJ Khaled's hit song All I do is win, which features Rick Ross, among other artists. Social media users have expressed disapproval at the retailer's decision to feature an international artist, particularly one who is not known to have any connection to the brand or the country. Lerato Mbele was joined by Groovin Nchabeleng, advertising & marketing guru and CEO of Blueprint Group as well as Nkgabisheng Motau, co-founder & chief creative officer at Think Creative Africa.

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SHOULD individuals be allowed to fund political parties up to R15 million per year, despite risks of significant influence over the country’s political agendas? This is among the key issues being challenged in the Western Cape High Court over the next three days concerning the Political Party Funding Act which currently allows “excessive individual donations of up to R15 million per year, and grants the President unchecked discretion over funding limits”, among others. Lerato Mbele was in conversation with Michael Atkins, independent election analyst and Mpumelelo Zikalala, founder and director of Zikalala Inc. 

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Detained Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye has begun a hunger strike as his time spent in detention awaiting trial nears three months. Besigye, 68, was charged in a military court with possession of pistols and attempting to purchase weapons abroad - accusations which he denies. Besigye's trial was initially postponed until January - it is now unclear when the court case will begin. Lerato Mbele spoke to Oryem Nyeko, Ugandan researcher at the Human Rights Watch and Tapiwa Chadya, afro-expert in Democracy, Governance and Human Rights.

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In the next coming days, all eyes will be on the upcoming 2025 Budget speech considering the direct and indirect impact it has on investors and companies alike. South Africa’s economic climate has changed significantly since the October medium-term budget policy statement. Then, South Africa’s currency and asset prices were basking in the euphoria and optimism that followed the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU), the dissipation of country-specific political risk, and the rand was trading at R17,60/$ as opposed to R18,79/$ in May 2024. Lerato Mbele spoke to independent economist, Duma Gqubule, parliamentary co-ordinator of COSATU, Matthew Park and budget analyst at Section27, Matshidiso Lencoasa.

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As we unpack some of the main Sunday news headlines, Lerato Mbele is joined by Prof. Sam Koma, governance expert and political analyst.

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The AU stands at a critical juncture in its history. Never has there been such an urgent demand for visionary leadership to steer the continent to its rightful place globally amid the ongoing geopolitical shifts and other challenges. One key institution that is critical in helping to realise this ambition is the AU’s secretariat, the AU Commission, which is charged with implementing the union’s daily activities. Its leadership plays an important role in advancing the AU’s agenda.  Lerato Mbele was in conversation with Tendai Mbanje, project officer, Centre for Human Rights at University of Pretoria and Prof. William Gumede from the Wits School of Governance.

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From modest beginnings in Pretoria West in a working class black home, Donald Nxumalohas always had a vision, one which is rooted in the past but looks to the future. The junior school he attended in inner city Pretoria had been a hospital in the Anglo-Boer War and he remembers being drawn to the school's unique tiles and pressed ceilings. Antiques fairs became a hunting ground: artefacts from the past held stories which could be retold and reconfigured. A career in design was inevitable.

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Busi Mabuza currently serves as the Board chairperson of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of South Africa; which is the largest development finance institution in sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to her appointment as the IDC Board chairperson, Ms Mabuza served as a Non-executive director on several corporate boards.  She’s a respected business leader whose prior professional experience in asset management and private equity is reflected in her passionate service to private sector and government led initiatives aimed at transforming South Africa’s economic and social landscape.

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Students at universities across the country protested and disrupted classes on Monday amidst an ongoing student housing crisis. Universities are unable to provide enough housing for all students in need. Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers is assisting students at several campuses in the Western Cape, including CPUT and UWC, with blankets and hot meals saying that a humanitarian crisis is brewing. Bongi Gwala was joined by Dr. Phethiwe Matutu, CEO of Universities South Africa, Freeman Nomvalo, NSFAS administrator, Ali Sablay, project manager of Gift of the Givers and Hendrick Makaneta from the Foundation of Education and Social Justice. 

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