The Daily Discourse

There has been reports doing the rounds about those people who live alone and the impact the lockdown is having on them. Some just don’t have friends or relatives they live with while others prefer being alone. Mentally how is the lockdown affecting them and what is it they can do to overcome?

Guest: Buyisile Mncina – Clinical psychologist

City of Joburg waste management company Pikitup has appealed on residents to sanitize the lids of their waste bins before collection. Pikitup continues to render waste collection services during the lockdown period. But now what about the worker? How safe are they seeing that people throw anything in the bin. How protective is their safety gear? Is it enough that we should sanitise our bins? What are their worries?

Guest: Koena Ramotlou – General Secretary of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU)

The South African Medical Association says it has requested Health Minister Zweli Mkhize to intervene in a dispute with the Limpopo Health Department over the forced quarantine of two doctors who tested positive for the coronavirus. SAMA alleges that the two doctors were forced into quarantine at the Modimolle quarantine site on Thursday when they had the means to self-isolate safely at home. SAMA chairperson Angelique Coetzee says they have lodged an urgent court application for an interdict.

Guest: Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa - Vice-Chairperson of the South African Medical Association

Last week we spoke to two South Africans who were stuck at the Malaysian airport. They could not enter the city, but also not able to come back home. Today talk to another South African, this time in Vietnam. He is an English teacher who is stranded in Hanoi without any source of income and says his savings are running out. He has been in self isolation for 68 days.

Guest: Ruben Gerber – South African teaching English in Vietnam

Earlier this year when we were broadcasting at the funeral of the late Dr Richard Maponya in Soweto, there was one particular hymn that was sang. It’s called Lizalise idinga lakho Thixo wenyaniso "God of truth fulfill your promise". Some articles say it was a prayer composed by Rev Tiyo Soga who is said to be the first black South African to be ordained and worked to translate the Bible and John Bunyan's classic work Pilgrim's Progress into his native Xhosa language.

Guest: Rev Dr Lungile Mpetsheni – General Secretary of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa

Eskom says it has experienced a significant reduction in demand for electricity during the nationwide lockdown. The power utility says electricity usage has dropped by up to nine-thousand megawatts since the lockdown began last week. This has allowed Eskom to operate without the need to implement loadshedding. What does all of this mean and how do they preserve this extra energy for the rainy days?

GUEST: Lelo Mdlhadhla – Independent Energy Advisor

Since the lockdown was pronounced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, government came up with different measures to assist with the impact it may have on the different sectors. The business sector has been the hardest hit with many owners calling radio stations for clarity over different issues.

Guest: Khumbudzo Ntshavheni - Minister of Small Business Development

Traditional healers earlier raised their concerns to government feeling left out in the fight against covid-19. What is it they are bringing to the table and as far as they are concerned what assistance can they give and looking back to indigenous knowledge systems, how did our ancestors deal with outbreaks?

FOCUS: Gogo Dineo – Sangoma, Spiritual teacher, life coach and professional African storyteller, Poet, dancer and facilitator

This morning we focus on Paediatric Drug Access. This is of great concern mostly to parents. Often doctors prescribe medicine that may not solve for a child, but many of us just accept and move on. Let’s get into the subject and get to understand what we mean by today’s subject and is it advisable to just by medicine for your child without consulting a pharmacist or doctor?

GUEST: Professor Natalie Shellack – Acting head of clinical pharmacy at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

Guest: President Kgosi Larmeck Mokoen - The Congress of Traditional Leaders of SA (Contralesa)