The Brenthurst Foundation Podcast

Many state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in South Africa are in trouble; some have been for a decade or more. What is happening, why are they still in use, and how can we rethink these delicate development tools? Learn more in this chat with Alan Hirsch. 

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With 68% of the Tanzanian population born after 1999, the role of the country’s youth is vital. However, does Tanzania’s past play an important role in their future? This week, Marie-Noelle speaks to Zitto Kabwe, the leader of the Alliance for Change and Transparency in Tanzania, to understand his ideas on the role which Tanzania’s history plays in the country’s future.

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Over the last 20 years, just 180,000 manufacturing jobs were created in South Africa. Going forward, what can be done to ensure higher employment rates within the country? This week, Marie-Noelle speaks to Haroon Bhorat on the ‘Better Choices’ that need to be made.

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In 1998, South Africa’s energy supply was in the pink. A low-cost, coal-fired fleet was producing surplus energy at one of the lowest prices in the world. Yet, by 2021, South Africa was in the grip of regular ‘load shedding’. So, how was a functional and effective provider of electricity turned into a failing corporation threatening the take the economy down with it? Listen to Marie-Noelle’s enquiry into what happened and what is required to address South Africa’s power issues in this chat with Ray Hartley. 

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In today’s episode, Marie-Noelle and Gareth Newham tackle the reason for the decline of South Africa’s crime and justice system. South Africa has persistently failed to adequately build the rule of law since the birth of democracy in 1994, and it shows. 

Gareth brings us into his world and shares those better choices that will improve policing and reverse the decline in public safety that started in 2012.

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In our episode this week, Marie-Noelle speaks with Andrew Murray, one of the authors of The Brenthurst Foundation’s latest book titled ‘Better Choices: Ensuring South Africa’s Future’. 

Here, they discuss all things related to service delivery within South Africa, particularly health and education services, exploring actions and ideas which actually make a difference.

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Since the Russian invasion began on the 24th February 2022, amongst many other atrocities, Ukraine and its people have been the victims of countless war crimes. Human rights activists such as Oleksandra Matviichuk have been bravely documenting these atrocities and working to defend the human rights of individuals who have been victims of these crimes. 

Listen this week as Marie-Noelle speaks to Oleksandra of the Kyiv-based Civic Organisation Centre for Civil Liberties on the importance of accountability and justice within the conflict with Russia.

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In our episode this week, Marie-Noelle speaks with Andrew Donaldson, Senior Research Associate at the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit at the University of Cape Town as well as one of the authors of The Brenthurst Foundation’s latest book titled ‘Better Choices: Ensuring South Africa’s Future’. Here, they discuss current social insurance institutions which exist within South Africa, as well as considering the ways in which these could be improved and developed.

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Parliament is the cornerstone of any functioning democracy. A centre of legislation and debate, its role is clearly defined during times of peace. But what happens when you’re at war?

This week, Marie-Noelle shares two powerful interviews from her recent visit to Ukraine. Hryhoriy Nemyria, First Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Ukraine, talks about the changing nature of a parliament on a wartime footing, while politician, activist, parliamentarian, former acting Governor of Odesa and soldier Solomiia Bobrovska looks to the development of female politicians in the country.

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Marie-Noelle's guest this week is Wandile Sihlobo, academic, Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) and author of Finding Common Ground: Land, Equity, and Agriculture.

Agriculture has long been a sector seen as a developmental cornerstone, creating jobs and driving economic growth. But how successful has it been? Sihlobo, who along with co-author Gracelin Baskaran wrote Better Choices chapter 'South Africa's Agriculture', argues here that in order for the agricultural sector to thrive, it requires a stable, predictable and conducive policy environment.

This episode is the latest in our 'Better Choices' miniseries, which sees Marie-Noelle chat to some of the authors from The Brenthurst Foundation's latest book, Better Choices: Ensuring South Africa's Future. Get your copy here: https://www.exclusivebooks.co.za/product/9781770107533 

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