The Daily Discourse

The North West province has recorded its first coronavirus related death on Monday. The province’s Health MEC Madoda Sambatha is warning residents not to be deceived by the low number of cases. Let’s talk now to the Premier to get his reaction and talk about how his province is handling the fight against the virus and the challenges they are faced with. Also how are they assisting the various entities financially?

Guest: Prof Job Mokgoro – Premier of North West Province

Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, earlier indicated that his government would consult to make their position clear that the entire province should move to Level Three. The Western Cape currently accounts for just over half the total number infections countrywide. Meanwhile, the President of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry Geoffrey Jacobs says some parties are using the national lockdown as an opportunity to score political points. He says aggrieved parties should seek other ways of being heard other than legal action ...

Guest: Alan Winde – Western Cape Premier

As the debate goes on regarding whether the country should be reopened for business to run, we thought to visit the latest Ipsos survey to establish how citizens feel about it. The survey looked at all aspects of life to get a sense of how we feel as a country on this issue. What is the extant of the spread and according to the revelations of the survey, what is the general feel?

Guest: Ezethu Mandelize – Service Line Manager: Public Affairs Ipsos South Africa

Across the world special attention is being given to medical staff as they are in the frontline of fighting the Covid-19. Different initiatives are coming up from the different sectors of society to show appreciation. This time around, the Evergreen Lifestyle Retirement which is part of property group Amdec, is driving a national campaign - #shaveforthebrave - that they say has gone global with over 4,5 million supporters and 400 heads shaved. The challenge is to either shave or dye your hair to show your support for our frontline heroes, thanking them for performing a service to help us during this lockdown period to be safe and healthy. We talk now to one of the participants of the initiative as we welcome..

Guest: Cobus Bedeker –CEO of Evergreen Lifestyle Retirement

Today we get to understand what medicolegal is all about. It pertains to the legal aspects of medical practice. As a member of the public, what should I know about it?

Guest: Tlaweng Lechaba – From Tlaweng Lechaba inc

Over the few months since the outbreak of Covid-19, we have spoken to so many experts who do things one never thought existed. Here is something called GIS mapping technology. It’s said to being key to limiting the spread of Covid-19 in South Africa by providing access to real time information and ensuring that vulnerable communities stay safe. Let’s find out now what it does exactly and how it helps in analyzing the relevant information needed by authorities…

Guest: Dr Dorman Chimhamhiwa – Head of Department: Geographic Information System and Planning at healthcare NPO Right to Care

Government has been announcing all sorts of funds and measures to help small and informal businesses under the lockdown. But so far there has been a lot of unhappiness as many have still not been able to access the funds. Informal traders are not making it as the movement of people is still restricted. We speak to them now to find out how the sector is keeping and what sort of challenges they are facing as we welcome…

Guest: Jerry Tlophane – Secretary-General of the African Council of Hawkers and Informal Businesses

As many businesses remain closed under the current lockdown regulations, experts are warning about the dangers of cyberattacks. Some operate virtually through platforms like Skype and so on. Just last week Parliament’s virtual meeting was hacked by pornographic images. For a business a cyberattack can have severe consequences and bring a business to its knees. What then should business go about protecting themselves?

Guest: Maeson Maherry – Chief Solutions Officer at LawTrust

The Department of Employment and Labour has revealed that that companies and organisations which were allowed to operate during level 4 of the lockdown are not complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Inspector-general Aggy Moila was not impressed and worried that non-compliance could further spread the virus. Last month Martin Kingston who is executive member of Business for South Africa spoke about the need for businesses to reopen….

Guest: Aggy Moiloa - Inspector-general at The Department of Employment and Labour

Last night President Cyril Ramaphosa told South Africans that consultations will take place on how level 3 of the lockdown will be implemented, possibly at the end of May. But so far there’s been mixed reaction to what the president said. He did acknowledge though that things have not really gone as planned since the lockdown…..

guest: Former Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa has expressed his views on last night’s speech