The Daily Discourse

Time now for our regular Thursday feature Health Talk, this morning we are going to look at Cardiovascular disease, which is among the top three causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa. Shocking statistics by medical professions have revealed that close to 225 people in South Africa die every single day as a result of heart diseases. This morning we are in conversation with Dr Mfundo Mathenjwa, a Cardiologist at the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria and at the Netcare hospital in Krugersdorp in the Westrand, to speak about steps that one can take to reduce their chances of developing cardiovascular diseases.

GUEST: Dr Mfundo Mathenjwa, a Cardiologist at the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria and at the Netcare hospital in Krugersdorp in the Westrand

Today is Universal Health Coverage Day. On 12th of December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed a resolution urging countries to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage (UHC). This morning we are in conversation with Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize about the National Health Insurance Bill (NHI). The NHI Bill has received much criticism around the practicalities of its implementation. But Dr Mkhize says the NHI aims to improve quality health care for all citizens.

1. Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, The Chairperson of the National Assembly's Health Committee, who will play a pivotal role in deliberations over the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill. He is also the former MEC for health in KwaZulu-Natal

2. Dr Eugene Brink, a Strategic Adviser for Community Affairs at AfriForum

3. Khaya Xaba, the National Spokesperson for the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union, Nehawu

4. Dr Tshego Gopane, from the Black Business Council

5. Dion Mhlaba, the Chief Financial Officer at RH Bophelo Limited

6. Dr Johann Serfontein, A member of the Free Market Foundation Health Policy Unit

This morning we talk about Forgiveness Redefined. It’s a book which tells the honest and healing story of Candice Mama. She came face to face with notorious apartheid assassin Eugene de Kock who killed her father Glenack Masilo Mama. Where does one even start when receiving an invitation to be in the same room as Eugene de Kock?

GUEST: Candice Mama, who is a forgiveness advocate and happiness activist

Yesterday I nearly hit a beggar at one of the traffic lights. Without sounding unfair to them, but they are becoming an obstruction on the road as one tries to concentrate. We look now the situation regarding people begging at the traffic light and also women who are using children to get sympathy from motorists. Where does the problem lie and what do the by-laws say?

GUEST: Lumka Oliphant, spokesperson for the Department of Social Development

While the most notable trends affecting labour during 2018 included the consolidation of the division of the trade union movement with the development of new federation, SAFTU, along with the signing into law of several amendments in labour law that were perceived to be anti-labour, this year’s major trend must be the continued recession and constant job-losses due to retrenchments and the threats to jobs in the beleaguered state owned enterprises like Eskom, Transnet, PRASA and SAA. In today’s WOW show, the final one for 2019, we assess the experiences of the past year for labour and what 2020 holds in store for workers and their trade unions. With us to discuss this we have

GUEST: Phindile Kunene, who is the Senior Curriculum and Materials Developer for the Tshisimani Centre for Activist Education

GUEST: Terry Bell, Veteran Labour analyst

President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to take drastic steps to prevent state-owned companies from failing. His statement comes after government announced the dissolution of the PRASA interim board and the placement of the SOE under administration. Cash-strapped and heavily indebted, state companies including South African Airways (SAA), power utility Eskom, defence firm Denel and PRASA have become a major headache for Ramaphosa as he seeks to reverse years of stagnant growth. Last week SAA was placed on voluntary business rescue. Where did we go wrong with our SOEs? Is Government to blame?

GUEST: Moeletsi Mbeki, who is a Political economist

The Talking Point is coming to you live from the Vereeniging Civic Theatre, in the Vaal Triangle in Gauteng. The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa will be delivering a lecture in Sharpeville to mark the 23 years of the signing of the Constitution under the theme: "Living the Values and Promises of a Constitutional Order." The signing of the Constitution was assented into law by late former President Nelson Mandela in Sharpeville 23 years ago. The Constitution, a delicately balanced document intended to lay the foundations for a new South Africa as the country rebuilt itself after 40 crippling years of apartheid. Minister Nathi Mthethwa has now taken to the podium to give the keynote address.

Guest: Yunus Chamda – Former Mayor of the Lekoa Vaal Metro

Time now for our regular Tuesday feature "Focus on Africa", today the shine the spotlight on ourselves. Yes! This morning we will be profiling South Africa as a country. As per usual our resident expert on the matter, with In-depth knowledge of the African continent, Izak Khomo will be joining me in shine the light on our beautiful country. South Africa has one of the continent's biggest and most developed economies. Up until 1994 the country as many of you would know was ruled by a white minority government, which enforced a separation of races with its policy called apartheid, which created a very unequal society in the country.

GUEST : Izak Khomo – Presenter/Producer of Spotlight Africa at Channel Africa

At the end of last month, we did not complete answering all the questions. Although we will open the lines to general financial questions, this morning we are going to deal with similar questions that come in from callers off air, that tend to ask the same questions.

GUEST: Bryan Hirsch, Chairperson of Bryan Hirsch, Colley & Associates (Pty) Limited

The Talking Point is coming to you live from the Vereeniging Civic Theatre, in the Vaal Triangle in Gauteng. The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa will be delivering a lecture in Sharpeville to mark the 23 years of the signing of the Constitution under the theme: "Living the Values and Promises of a Constitutional Order." The signing of the Constitution was assented into law by late former President Nelson Mandela in Sharpeville 23 years ago. The Constitution, a delicately balanced document intended to lay the foundations for a new South Africa as the country rebuilt itself after 40 crippling years of apartheid. Minister Nathi Mthethwa has now taken to the podium to give the keynote address.

guest: Khulu Mbongo – Chairperson of the Vaal Heritage Activist Foundation