The Covid Report

It has been over eight months since universities along with the students and the academic profession were forced to adapt to online learning, what are some of the challenges that you would say have persisted over the period? We speak to Prof Ahmed Bawa, the CEO of Universities South Africa, about the support for the students who do not qualify for NSFAS funding and whose parents cannot afford universities.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread rapidly across the globe, scientists expressed concern that people living with other underlying conditions like diabetes and HIV have had to worry about managing their current condition and how the coronavirus would affect them if they ever were infected. South Africa has gained experience in managing the HIV epidemic might allow for a strengthened response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 response is largely built on existing infrastructure, a wealth of scientific and medical expertise and community mobilisation to control the dual HIV and tuberculosis (TB) epidemics. On The Covid Report we speak to Seun Maphoroma from The South African National Tuberculosis Association. We also speak to McThomas Ntuli who has been living with Type 1 Diabetes who shares his fears and how he has managed his condition throughout the covid-19 pandemic.

The US has become the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic with over 9 million infections and rising and 228- thousand deaths. This all as the country prepares for a presidential election in November where incumbent Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden are vying for the 46th US president seat. Trump who tested positive for Covid-19 in September has been criticised for his response to the pandemic. Gamelihle Bovana speaks to the Associate Editor at Daily Maverick and a retired American diplomat

South Africa’s unemployment rate fell to 23.3% in the second quarter of 2020 from 30.1% in the previous period. It was the lowest jobless rate since the second quarter of 2009, as the country’s strict lockdown distorted labour force numbers with fewer people actively looking for employment. Meantime, employment fell by 2.2 million, the most since the survey began in 2008, with total employment dropping across all industries. On the #CovidReport we speak to Statistician General Mr Risenga Maluleke from StatsSA to give us more insight on South Africa’s unemployment rate amidst a pandemic.

NGO’s are facing a great number of challenges arising from internal weaknesses as well as limitations emanating from official frameworks and support mechanisms aimed at strengthening them. These play a critical role in advancing social change and transformation, but would their current funding model need to be addressed for them to make a sustainable impact in South Africa?

The COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdown has resulted in an economic slowdown which has disrupted every aspect of our society. This situation also has far-reaching implications for the role that non-profit organisations play in the lives of millions of South Africans. Today on the #CovidReport we hear from Clinical Director of the Teddy Bear Clinic, Dr Shaheda Omar. The Teddy Bear Foundation strives to protect children through prevention and intervention programmes.

The telecommunications industry has seen tremendous technological advances over the past few decades, with mobility, broadband and internet services growing in capability and reach across the globe.

The pandemic has demonstrated the critical importance that telecommunications infrastructure plays in keeping businesses, governments and societies connected and running. Because of the economic and social disruption caused, people across the globe rely on technology for information, social distancing and working from home.

The Covid-19 pandemic is likely to shape the advertising industry in the long-term. Businesses are prioritizing survival for now, but in the future will have to find new ways of brand-building. The change in people’s media and consumption habits will force a rethink of how best to do so. Paul van den Berg, Chief Evangelist at Oliver South Africa speaks to us on The Covid Report about the impact that the Coronavirus pandemic has had on the Advertising Communications industry.

South Africa’s economy recorded its worst slump in decades in the second quarter, when Africa’s most industrialised nation remained mired in one of the world’s strictest Covid-19 lockdowns. On the #CovidReport today we seak to Economist Khathutshelo Sikhitha to tell us more.

Dating is complicated and often clumsy even in the best of times, add in a mask, social distancing and fear of a highly contagious virus. It's no secret that the coronavirus pandemic has made nearly everything more difficult, including dating, our relationships with other people in our communities, our families and workplaces. On the #CovidReport today we speak to Clinical Sexologist and Relationship Expert Dr Eve.