Last week, we started our conversation on the state of schools in the province. This followed complaints highlighting deteriorating buildings, shortages of classrooms, asbestos fixtures, and a lack of access to sufficient water and basic sanitation. We have heard from school governing bodies and teachers’ unions who have had to endure these conditions. According to the Department of Education in the North West, it does not have sufficient budget to address over 640 complaints relating to poor infrastructure in public schools. Today, we hear their side of the story.

Guest: Shela Makwela - Acting Chief Director: Infrastructure at the Department of Education (North West)

Guest: Kelebogile Asegae - Chairperson of the School Governing Body for Gabobidiwe High School

Guest: Seetleng Lehihi - SABC Journalist (North West)

Focus: Police Minister, Bheki Cele has given Gauteng Police Commissioner, Elias Mawela 48 hours to arrest those behind the murder of Soweto resident, Kgomotso Diale. Diale was shot and killed during a march by the residents of Pimville who were protesting against cable theft. Five other people were wounded. Let’s take a listen to what he said to the residents yesterday…

LINK: Let’s speak now to one of the community leaders about the cable theft problem they are facing…

Guest: Thabang Moloi – One of the community leaders in Pimville

Guest: Isaac Mangena – Spokesperson of City Power

This month, graduation ceremonies from across the country have filled our timelines and newsfeed. The University of Witwatersrand will confer honorary doctorates to five luminaries who have made indelible contributions to the country and shaped our society. One of those being honoured at this ceremony is Navi Pillay. She is being recognized for her work in human rights and international criminal law. She has played a critical role in developing jurisprudence on freedom of speech and hate propaganda. She has served in the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the International Criminal Court, and as a United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. To share her story and what this honour means to her

Guest: Navanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay – former Justice

Earlier this week, a mortar fire attack struck the houses of Parliament in Mogadishu. This attack took place as newly elected parliamentarians held a joint session to plan ahead of the presidential elections. Al-Shabaab has taken responsibility for the attack stating that their intention was to target the over 300 representatives. There are also looming questions surrounding the power struggle between President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble. To help us navigate this issue

Guest: Abdirizak Ali Osman - Deputy Chairperson of the Somali Community Board of South Africa

This past Sunday marked World Haemophilia Day and we thought to focus on it for today’s health feature. It is classified as a rare condition that affects the blood's ability to clot. Some medical journals say that it is usually inherited and affects men the most. The major challenge is for those with children as they cannot stop bleeding because their blood lacks adequate clotting factor. To educate us on this

Guest: Prof Marius Coetzee - Associate Professor in the Department of Haematology and Cell Biology at the University of Free State

In Limpopo, the department of basic education released a circular that prohibits teaching assistants for studying further or finding part-time work during the course of their contracts. The appointment of teaching assistants forms part of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative. To unpack the intentions of the Department in this action

Guest: Lala Maje - National Project Manager of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative at the Department of Basic Education

LINK: This decision has sparked criticism from trade unions and school governing bodies alike. Trade Unions challenged the Department for allowing teaching assistants to study further whilst School Governing Bodies decried that the province can ill-afford terminating contracts when overall academic performance is poor. To help us understand the concerns of the unions

Guest: Nomusa Cembi – National Media Officer of South Africa Teachers Union

Guest: Yolanda Dyantyi - Former Rhodes University student

Guest: Nomzamo Zondo - Executive Director of SERI-SA

The KZN Floods have damaged water infrastructure at Umgeni Water and has left residents without drinking water.For more on this we are joined on the line by…

Guest: Dr. Gideon Groenewald - Hydrologist and member of the Gift of the Givers

Guest: Gasant Abarder - Manager: Media, Marketing and Communications at University of the Western Cape (Written in his personal capacity)

Guest: Yolanda Makhanya - Branch Manager for Kwa-Zulu Natal at Food Forward South Africa