The Daily Discourse

Yesterday (Wed) Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize announced that 511 health workers tested positive for Covid-19. While that was happening, the Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of South Africa is demanding that the Marapong Health Centre, in Lephalale be sanitized following two staff members testing positive for COVID-19.

Guest: Kevin Halama – Spokesperson for the Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of South Africa

The South African economy could possibly go in to a depression if the current conditions continues the economy was in a recession already before covid-19 put a spanner in the works sending it into a tail spin. The national treasury and the Reserve Bank expect the economy to contract by as much as 6.1%, but others expect even worse. Tshepo Mongoai reports…

Guest: Sandile Zungu, President of the Black Business

The private sector continues to heed the president’s call to assist in the fight against Covid-19 and today we tell you about De Beers Marine. They have stepped in to use their 3D printer to make headbands for face shields for health workers at the Tygerberg hospital. Tygerberg is said to be treating the highest number of COVID-19 patients in the province while facing a chronic shortage of face shields.

Guest: Domingos Valbom – GM at De Beers Marine

The South African Breweries are cautioning the country against the banning of alcohol under the lockdown regulations. They are warning about the consequences America faced in the early 1900’s when alcohol was illegal. What exactly is their concern and why are they taking us to the history of the USA? Is it really that drastic?

Guest: Hellen Ndlovu - Director of Regulatory & Public Policy at SAB

Caxton has begun the process to withdrawing from magazine publishing. They are sighting the decline in circulation and advertising revenue. This is the latest media institution that’s closing down while others are pleading for funds to stay afloat. This is not good for journalists and the industry as a whole. What is going on?
Guest: William Bird – Executive Director, Media Monitoring Africa
Guest: Zizitho Mqingwana – Former journalist at Truelove and currently freelance journalist

The City of Johannesburg has begun a process of identifying destitute residents from Setswetla informal settlement in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, to move them into temporary houses. The area is intended for development. More than 5-thousand residents will be moved into the temporary houses just a stone's throw away from the informal settlement where they currently reside.

Guest: Mlungisi Mabaso - Housing MMC at the City of Johannesburg

MPs have raised their concerns about the high costs hotels are charging for being quarantine sites. The figure that’s been given is said to be more than R28 million so far.

Guest: Nolitha Ntobongwana – Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter yesterday announced that tax revenues are expected to fall by between 15 and 20 percent this year, which is about 285 billion rand. He says this was due to both the sluggish economy and the coronavirus lockdown. He was addressing parliament's joint committee during a virtual briefing on the Revenue Service's strategic plan and annual performance. He says the significant reduction in economic activity and the long term loss of economic capacity as some of the businesses will never be able to reopen are huge concerns.

Guest: Prof Keith Engel – CEO of the South African Institute of Tax Practitioners

As human beings, we fast for different reasons, from religion to good health. But now the Covid-19 pandemic has brought in a different dynamic to all of us. Experts are now warning that one should boost your immunity before fasting. Who is mostly at risk under the current conditions and what should they do?

Guest: Vanessa Ascencao - Health and wellness expert and nutritional consultant

We continue fielding your UIF questions as we could not take all of you due to time constraints. Please remember to keep your questions very brief and listen on the radio for answers.

GUEST: Makhosonke Buthelezi - UIF's communication and marketing manager