The Daily Discourse

A new task team comprising of mining companies and several government officials from the Limpopo command council has been formed as an additional step to tackle covid-19 cases in the mining industry. The sector has reported seven cases of covid-19 since the phased re-opening of mines. Mining companies met with Premier Stan Mathabatha in a virtual meeting yesterday and to tell us more on this and what exactly the task team will be doing,

Guest: Stan Mathabatha – Premier of the Limpopo Province

On Friday, we received a text message from anonymous regarding food parcels. This is what it said: “Good morning Cathy please assist the voiceless there is a village in the Bushbuckridge municipality under ward 38 called Clara food parcels are being distributed to ANC members only, the CDF is heavily populated by the ANC members and it is corrupt, people live in poverty and it is so sad to see this kind of leadership, how would a community develop in this kind of leadership. Human rights must work to uplift human dignity please investigate it and assist those without a voice. Well. We managed to get hold of the ANC in that area to respond to these allegations. What do they have to say?

Guest: Sasekani Manzini – ANC Mpumalanga Provincial Spokesperson

Let’s go to the Eastern Cape now where a group of young people from a location called Lawley got together and raised funds to buy food parcels for the needy.

Guest: Thobela Maki – Member of the Youth of Wesley Village

Justice and Correctional Services Minister, Ronald Lamola last week announced the parole of some prisoners which he says is expected to reduce overcrowding in prisons by 12-point-five-percent. President Cyril Ramaphosa had authorised the parole release of 19-thousand prisoners in response to a call by the United Nations for countries to reduce their prison populations.

Guest: Singabakho Nxumalo – Spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services

The Trade & Industrial Policies Strategies also known as (TIPS) is an independent, non-profit, economic research institution. They have raised a lot of questions around the high infection rate of Covid-19 in the Western Cape. One of the points they make is that from the 2nd to the 5th of May, the province accounted for three quarters of new COVID-19 cases in the country, although it makes up only a seventh of the population. What have they picked up and where would they say the problem lies?

Guest: Neva Makgetla - Senior Economist at the Trade & Industrial Policies Strategies

The lockdown situation in the country has caused a lot of problems for every sector in the world. We have been bringing you the different aspects and complexities with experts to explain how to deal with each situation. Today we talk property as there’s growing frustration from landlords and tenants. Some people are not able to relocate or move homes because of lockdown regulations. Some can’t pay rent as they lost their jobs. Let’s listen to Diane Clark, a tenant who finds herself in limbo after paying full rent on new premises but is unable to move out because this is not allowed under lockdown regulations…

Guest: Phumla Nkosi – Senior Partner at Mathebula Attorneys

As we continue bringing you stories about institutions helping those who are in need under the current lockdown, we turn our attention on educational matters. The Independent private school network SPARK Schools is partnering with the Ignite Education Fund in what they say is to ensure the ongoing education of learners whose families have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. How does this work and how does one qualify?

Guest: Nobuhle Ncube - Head of Strategy and Growth at SPARK Schools

On our health segment today we explore all about Hemorrhoids. According to health journals, Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lowest part of your rectum and anus. What causes them and how can one prevent having them?

Guest: Dr Thabo Mothabeng - General Trauma and Intensive care surgeon

Yesterday we spoke to Cllr Mlungisi Mabaso who is Housing MMC at the City of Johannesburg about the process they have embarked of moving destitute residents of the Setswetla informal settlement into temporary houses. But as expected, some were not too happy with this development.

Guest: Sandile Mavundla – Member of the #TotalShutDownAlex

Around this time of the morning we talk about business. No doubt that business is the hardest hit sector in the world under the Covid-19. Large corporates may not feel the pain directly, the biggest worry is the small players. Some of whom are survivorlist businesses that employ a few people. What now for them? Is it enough that government wants to give them small bailouts? If I’m a small business, how much of a loss can I take under the current lockdown?

Guest: Xolisa Nqodi – Managing Director of Shesha Tuks