Let’s kick off the show by talking about the Municipal Structures Amendment Act. It is hailed as something that will ensuring newly elected officials are held accountable during their term of office. According to researchers, one of the things it’s aimed at doing is to empower the municipal council speaker with additional functions to ensure that the council effectively fulfils its various responsibilities. To help us understand this Act, we are joined on the line by….

Guest: Prof Jaap de Visser – Director at the Dullah Omar Institute at the University of the Western Cape

It appears that coalition governments are the future as political parties struggle to get a clear majority at local government level. Analysts warn that all indications are that even after today’s election, parties will be forced to co-govern as was the case previously. However, these arrangements have often gone wrong in many municipalities. The emergence of scores of new parties has also complicated the situation. So, how can parties manage coalition governments such that citizens are not denied access to basic services due to battles among the different parties? What are the alternatives? For more on this we are joined on the line by...

Guest: Bheki Mngomezulu - Professor of Political Science and Deputy Dean of Research at the University of the Western Cape

Guest: Dr. Lubna Nadvi - Political Scientist and analyst at the University of KwaZulu-Natal

Guest: Grant Masterson - Head of Programmes at the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa

Some of you might have gone voting already. But what happens now that you’ve put that cross on the ballot paper? What does your vote translate to and most importantly, how do you hold the person or party you voted for accountable? For more on this we are joined on the line by…

Guest: Sheilan Clarke – Communications Officer at My Vote Counts

Today marks the start of Domestic Worker Week which is used to highlight the plight of these important yet vulnerable workers. In South Africa all workers are protected by the law, however, this particular group, often isolated, does not always enjoy these rights. They were also not spared by the devastating impact of covid-19 with hundreds having lost their jobs. President Cyril Ramaphosa who addressed a Cosatu event last week said that efforts are underway to ensure that the minimum wage of domestic workers is increased. For more on this we are joined on the line by…

Guest: Pinky Mashiane – Co-Founder of the United Domestic Workers of South Africa

Political Economy analyst Daniel Silke has warned that today’s elections could change the status quo. He says it is very difficult to predict which way people will vote and says the situation will likely be messy leading to smaller parties being kingmakers. Silke has also warned of a low turnout. For more on his reflections, he joins us now on the line…

Guest: Daniel Silke – Political Economy analyst

The four Moti brothers who were kidnapped last week in Polokwane, Limpopo are yet to be found. They were dragged out of a vehicle being used to take them to school by a group of armed men. Their driver was unharmed. The boys are aged between 6 and 15. In a recent incident…A three-year old boy was kidnapped in Bainsvlei in the Free State ON Monday also by men carrying arms who are said to have been looking for his father. This has brought the plight of missing children under the spotlight. For more on this we are joined on the line by…

Guest: Bianca Aswegen – National Coordinator for Missing Children South Africa

Those in the townships and soccer supporters would know our guest better. In the prime days of apartheid, she will be performing in the township. She was given the name Thandeka because people just loved her so much. She’s one of those legendary musicians who knows how to work a live crowd at a festival leaving you with no choice, but to dance…

Guest: PJ Powers – South African legendary musician

Higher Education minister, Blade Nzimande, says applications for National Student Financial Aid Scheme season for 2022 are open from the second of November to the seventh of January. Dr. Nzimande says funding to universities and TVET colleges has increased from 20-billion rand in 2018 to 42 billion rand this year. He says the system has been improved to minimise delays and speed up the process of allocating funds to deserving students. To answer some of the questions you may have, we are joined on the line by…   

Guest: Kagiso Mamabolo – Spokesperson for NSFAS

Experts are calling on parents to do their best to support their children during exam times particularly at matriculants. Thousands of learners started their final year assessments yesterday. Psychologists say parents must create a conducive environment for studying. So, what can parents do to assist their children? For more on this we are joined on the line by…

Guest: Jogini Packery - Counselling Psychologist and Head of Campus at the South African College of Applied Psychology SACAP

With just a few days to go before the elections, research company Ipsos says it is expecting a low turnout which will be dominates by the elderly. This despite calls for young people to go to the polls in their numbers. The company says it expects only 14 million of the 42 million eligible voters to cast their ballots, to show up on the 1st of November. To give a breakdown of what this means we are joined by...

Guest: Marie Harris – Director: Public Affairs at Ipsos