Guest: Dr. Simphiwe Dlamini - Lecturer at the School of Physiology at the University of Witwatersrand

At least ten million South Africans didn’t have enough food or money to buy food in 2019, according to Stats SA. Our next guest has conducted a study looking at the impact of food insecurity and mental health in the country. One of the gaps he indentified was our understanding on the impact of households’ coping strategies on mental health. Such strategies include eating less, borrowing or using credit, and even begging for food on the streets.

#AfricaUnlocked: Significance of April the 6th

April the 6th is one of the most significant historical day in our country. Yes we remember the unjust execution of NK cadre Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu, but it’s also the day Jan van Reebek landed at the Cape in 1652. It is also the day the Pan African Congress (PAC) was formed. With all of these developments in mind, we speak to David Letsoalo who calls himself a Sankarist. He has written an article where he talks about the loss of conscience of black leaders. One of the things he says is that it’s only through our consciences that we can bring about meaningful transformation on our journey to true liberation after the disappointment that followed the post-independence Afrika and, indeed, the “post-apartheid” South Afrika. He now joins us via zoom to talk on this issue and the significance of this day

Guest: Dr Kedi Motingoe - Child Psychiatrist and member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP)

Although statistics in South Africa are scarce, a study conducted in the Western Cape noted an increase of 76% in children with autism in schools. Symptoms present early in the child’s development and behaviours such as the way they learn, speak, play and behave in a social context. In reality, though these children are more often undiagnosed and ruled as ‘difficult, dangerous, bad-mannered, uncontrollable, a savant, introverted and is the result of poor parenting.

Guest: Simon Zwane – Spokesperson for the Road Traffic Management Corporation

Let’s turn our focus now on the state of our long distance buses and taxis. Some of the long distance buses and taxis on the road are in a very poor state. One often wonders how authorities deal with these taxis and buses. Also the awkwardness of having to stop the bus or taxi and not allow it to continue with the journey. What then do you do as a passenger caught-up in this? Is it your fault having seen how poor the bus or taxi looked? To speak on this and to share some of the worst they have seen on the road, we are joined on the line by...

Guest: Phakamile Hlubi-Majola - Spokesperson of NUMSA

Guest: Lwaphesheya Khoza - Department of Transport Spokesperson

As we head into the Easter Weekend, there is a bus strike that is looming as bus-passenger sector workers are demanding 7% increase, health insurance and the two year agreement. The trade unions have been in negotiations since January 2023 and trade unions lodged their dispute in February 2023.

There is a long-standing culture of bus strikes just before this holiday period and previous strikes have left commuters stranded. Since the COVID-19, the bus industry has struggled to recover as many operators closed, the quality of the service received has declined and the remaining entities have faced violent attacks over routes from the taxi industry. In this hour, we unpack how the state of public transport during peak period. We are joined by…     

Guest: Lumka Oliphant – Spokesperson for the Department of Social Development

This morning we speak to the Department of Social Development about some of the social grant categories the public don’t seem to understand. One of the issues they have highlighted is the Child Support TopUp Grant. What is it exactly and also as the Talking Point, we receive a lot of your queries from our listeners about not qualifying or being turned away when applying for social grants be it for foster care and so on. So this is your opportunity to understand and engage on this issue...

Guest: Lionel Makokotlela – Founder at Financial Wise Corner

This morning, we discuss the pros and cons when it comes to the administration of estate.

Guest: Dr. Aaron Motswaledi - Minister of Home Affairs

Yesterday, we had a caller who had asked a questions surrounding status of exemption permits in the country and the backlog that exists at the Department of Home Affairs. We have since received a call from the Department who has asked for the opportunity to clarify the process and take on queries. We are joined by...

Guest: Waldo Marcus - Head of Marketing at TPN Credit Bureau

The survey attributes the increase in vacancies to delayed inventory coming onto the market coupled with high rates of vacancies in rental stock with lower price points. All indications are that the residential rental market will be able to absorb the available supply of rental properties.

However, the increased cost of living is expected to weigh on the lower end of the market with high vacancy levels expected to continue. Vacancy rates tend to vary from province to province depending on factors such as semigration, property prices and job opportunities.

Guest: Prof Pitika Ntuli – Cultural activist and former anti-apartheid activist

Guest: Seth Mazibuko – Anti-Apartheid activist & community leader (formed part of the June 16 uprising)

The month of April has been adopted as Freedom Month because it is the month that where the country’s first democratic election took place in 1994. So as of today, we as the Talking Point will be embarking on a journey reflecting on the state of our freedom as South Africans up to the day of the elections. The idea is to look at what we should be appreciating when it comes to our hard earned freedom and also separating the politics and government corruption from our freedom. Wherever you are as a South African, how would you define the freedom you are enjoying today? To help us navigate this issue, we are joined by....