The Human Sciences Research Council yesterday (Wed) held a Youth Day webinar where they shared a proposed alternative model to the one announced by Higher Education Minister Dr Blade Nzimande. The group driving the discussion call themselves the Public Universities with a Public Conscience. If you’ve been following developments around the minister’s proposal, one of the difficulties was the on-line learning as some academics believed that it may not serve those who don’t have.
Guest: Dr Fikile Vilakazi – Lecturer in Public Policy and Political Science at UKZN

We go down to the Free State at the Boitumelo Hospital in Kroonstad. Staff there are said to be protesting demanding that the hospital be shut down after several of their colleagues tested positive for Covid-19.

Guest: Lesego Mogorosi – Nehawu’s Branch Chairperson in Kroonstad

The lockdown restrictions have affected many industries around the country. Funerals in particular have changed drastically as government has put a limitation on the amount of people who should attend. For some, this may allow them to save money as people will be few and costs will be less.

Guest: Andrew

Last night President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the reopening of the beauty industry. He says that it was important for the government to reopen personal care services in an effort to empower the women who work in South Africa's hair salons, beauty shops, and spas.
Guest: Mariska du Plessis - Northern Gauteng divisional manager at the Employers Organisation for Hairdressing, Cosmetology and Beauty

Since the lockdown started, many employees were allowed to work from home. Some reports suggest that productivity was high at the time, but lately it’s becoming problematic for employers to monitor those who are working from home. But, don’t despair if you are a business person who is battling with issues of accountability from your staff as someone came up with a working solution for you…

Guest: Oran Cohen - Founder of online people management platform called GWork

The National Director of Public Prosecutions advocate Shamila Batohi, yesterday welcomed raids at premises in Gauteng and Limpopo in connection with the looting at the VBS Mutual Bank between 2015 and 2018. The Hawks executed warrants of arrest for four of the eight suspects of which three are to hand themselves over to police soon. The 8th suspect is said to be in quarantine due to Covid-19 and will appear in court in due course. The suspects are facing 47 counts of various criminal offences and are expected to appear at the Palmridge Regional Court today. We go to Limpopo now where many of the victims are. Our reporter Rudzani Tshivhase has been covering the story since it broke and he is currently on his way to speak to other victims as he joins us on the line….
Guest: Rudzani Tshivhase – SABC journalist in Limpopo

The gruesome murders of women in our country has again highlighted the country’s problem of gender-based violence. We are all asking the same questions as to what drives these men to do such horrible acts to their partners? Why the brutality? Can we really put our finger on it? We’ve been speaking to lobbyists and other groups and this time around we would like to hear from government on the issue as we welcome…

Guest: Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize – Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

As you may have heard comments by the uncle of Tshegofatso Pule, who was killed while eight months pregnant at the time. During the funeral Tumisang Katake saying he will no longer take cases where suspects are accused of gender-based violence. But then it raises questions of whether lawyers can refuse to take a case?
Guest: Tumisang Katake – Practicing lawyer and uncle of Tshegofatso Pule

Guest: Advocate Anthea Platt - Deputy Chairperson of Legal Practice Council

As government is preparing to let us know what the next move is after level 3 of the lockdown. The term that’s doing the rounds is Advance Level 3 which many people especially the affected industries like beauty and hospitality as they are the hardest hit.

Guest: Wendy Alberts - CEO of the Restaurants Association of SA

The lockdown has made things worse for young people seeking jobs. Many of them are trying to either be self-employed or apply for jobs in the dwindling market. Where should we point our finger to in terms of the unemployment rate in the country? Is our economy strong enough to absorb youngsters? What about the qualifications they study for, are they marketable? Do they bring the desired skills required by the market? What is it they put on their CVs when applying for jobs?

GUEST: Mandla Lionel Isaacs-Political Economist and MD at Zehuti Advisory

GUEST: Sharon Chigede – Head of Recruitment at Lulaways (An employment agency for young people)