The Daily Discourse

Tension is brewing in Libya as the UN-recognised Government of National Accord denounces Egypt's warning of military intervention in that country. They have labelled it as a "declaration of war". On Saturday, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi warned that if pro-GNA forces advanced on the strategic city of Sirte, this could provoke a "direct" intervention by Cairo.
Guest: Izak Khomo – Africa specialist at Channel Africa

The National Association of School Governing Bodies is said to be calling for the immediate closure of schools in the Eastern Cape, this after 204 learners test positive. This happened at Makaula Secondary School in KwaBhaca.

guest: Loyiso Pulumani-Spokesperson Education Department EC

South Africa's Unemployment rate is on the rise. According to the Quarterly Labour Survey released by Statistics South Africa yesterday, unemployment has increased to 30-point-1-percent in the first quarter of this year, from 29-point-1-percent in the fourth quarter of 2019. Stats SA data further indicates that the number of employed persons decreased by 38-thousand to 16-point-4-million, while the number of unemployed persons increased by 344-thousand to 7million in the first quarter of this year, compared to the fourth quarter last year. As the country is battling under the current lockdown situation, surely the next quarter is likely to be worse? But also looking at the trends, where is the country going wrong and why are we shedding so many jobs?

Guest: Resinga Maluleke - Statistician-General at StatsSA

President Cyril Ramaphosa is convinced that state-owned enterprises could play an integral role in driving the country’s economic recovery post-Covid-19. Our SEOs are not in the best of shapes and are often the ones that attract the attention of rating agencies. The president and Finance Minister Tito Mboweni are looking at a Zero-based budgeting approach.

Guest: Siya Biniza – Political Economist and Director at PESA (Political Economy Southern Africa)

We go now to Pietermaritzburg where An exchange of e-mails between State prosecutor - advocate Billy Downer - and KwaZulu-Natal Judge President - Achmat Jappie - is one of the issues former president Jacob Zuma's legal team may raise when he appears on corruption charges in the Pietermaritzburg High Court today. In the e-mails Downer proposed to Judge Jappie that Zuma's trial begin next year. Our reporter Vusi Makhosini is about to enter court as we cross to him briefly…..

Guest: Vusi Makhosini – SABC journalist in KZN

As we enter the different stages of the lockdown, building the economy is becoming a very serious matter not just for government, but the different countries around the world. Youth unemployment in particular is of serious concern. On the issue of youth unemployment, yesterday (Sunday) the Centre for Development and Enterprise released a report showing that bold reforms will be required. It also looks at some of the promises government has been making in dealing with this issue. As far as they are concerned, where are things going wrong and what solutions are needed?
Guest: Ann Bernstein - Head of the Centre for Development and Enterprise

A high-profile research organisation, Indlulamithi, has found that young people in South Africa are hopeful about social cohesion and inclusive growth in the country. Indlulamithi is used frequently by government and private sector to assemble scenarios about how the country's future may unfold. The organisation presented its scenarios 2030 in Pretoria and to give us some insights on the outcomes,

Guest: Prof Somadoda Fikeni – Co-founder of Indlulamithi

This morning we speak to Professor Mcebisi Ndletyana about a number of issues pertaining to the ruling party. Government at the moment is facing a lot of criticism in how they are handling the lockdown. Corruption also regarding the distribution of food parcels. SOEs on the verge of collapse leading to job losses. Where does one even start and how far can we trace the problem of corruption?

Guest: Professor Mcebisi Ndletyana - Professor of politics at the University of Johannesburg

The families of the Cradock Four, former TRC Commissioner, Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza, and the Pan African Bar Association of SA have welcomed the decision by the American Bar Association to cancel its earlier invitation to former President FW De Klerk to speak on racism and other matters. The last president of the apartheid government was to address the US association in a virtual meeting. But, this has drawn fierce criticism in the country. And, as our political correspondent, Ntebo Mokobo reports, this has long being coming...

NTSEBEZA-VS-DE KLERK

LINK: Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza now joins us on the line to give us his reasons for opposing de Klerk….

Guest: Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza – Former TRC Commissioner

Sunday being Father’s Day we thought to focus on men who are doing good. Interestingly, Nal’ibali has come up with a national reading-for-enjoyment campaign which will focus on fathers and father figures. It’s a way to show the powerful role men can play in their children’s lives, simply by reading and spending time with them. How will this help in strengthening the bond between fathers and their children? Also how important is it for fathers to get involved in this initiative?

Guest: Ben Rycroft - Head of communications at Nal'ibali