The Daily Discourse

We are wrapping up Nigerian President Buhari’s visit to the country getting to understand what fruits it bore. Last week he and his South African counterpart President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a couple of bilateral agreement and spoke about strengthening their relations. Now we go back to the history of the two countries to understand how we got here and where we are going…

GUEST: Nixon Kathembo, who is specialist on the Great Lakes and East Africa and also works on the KiSwahili Desk at Channel Africa

Former DA leader Helen Zille has raised concerns over a decrease in the level of unity in the party. She says she will work to unite the DA should she be elected to lead the party's Federal Council. Zille announced her candidacy for the position last week - and will face off with former Nelson Mandela Metro Mayor, Athol Trollip, and Members of the National Assembly, Mike Waters and Thomas Walters. The election will take place towards the end of this month at the Federal Council meeting. Zille says the party needs to unite before contesting in the 2021 municipal elections...

GUEST: Dr Ralph Mathekga, who is a political analyst and author of When Zuma Goes and Ramaphosa's Turn

Time now for our Friday Wind Down, in the spotlight this morning is the legendary traffic reporter, Rob Byrne popularly known as Rob Beezy. Every morning you can hear Rob reporting live traffic news to a diverse audience on different SABC radio stations, keeping South Africa’s commuters up to date with the latest traffic. For more on Rob’s life behind traffic,

GUEST: Legendary traffic reporter, Rob Byrne

Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp this week tried very hard to explain his fielding of goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune even though he was still injured. He spoke about the fear of upsetting fans and be chased out of the stadium. This then made one ponder over the power of soccer fans. What is it about them that even coaches consider them first when making decisions? Even in oversee soccer the fans have power to dictate or influence.

GUEST: Brian Mofokeng – SABC soccer commentator

GUEST: Edward ‘Magents’ Motale – Former soccer player

We are now in conversation with two remarkable women from Absa's Retail and Business Banking division. Joining me in studio is Bongiwe Gangeni, Deputy CEO for the Absa Retail and Business Bank division and Punki Modise, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Absa Retail and Business Bank division

GUEST : Bongiwe Gangeni, Deputy CEO for the Absa Retail and Business Bank division (RBB SA)

GUEST: Punki Modise, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Absa Retail and Business Bank division (RBB SA)

Yesterday (Thursday) Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng was tabling his annual report on the state of the judiciary at the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg. He said a lot of things regarding the judiciary and as expected, he also rebuked the state of governance in the country. One of the things he pointed to was that of ethical leadership.

GUEST: Rev Dr Tshawane – Founder of the Centre for Non-Violence Conflict Reconciliation

We are now in conversation with the Department of Health about the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill and the Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum, which was set up to prevent, detect and prosecute fraud and corruption in the sector.

GUEST: Dr Aquina Thulare, Adviser to the Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize and also a technical advisor on the National Health Insurance (NHI)

Government says its relations with Nigeria will have to benefit ordinary people from both countries. President Cyril Ramaphosa will co-chair the 9th SA-Nigeria Bi-national Commission with Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari today (Thursday) who will be in the country on a State Visit. How should we interpret this visit and what will it do in uniting the two countries after the recent attacks?

GUEST: Pastor Barry Wuganaale, an environmental and human rights activist

GUEST: Nixon Kathembo, who is specialist on the Great Lakes and East Africa and also works on the KiSwahili Desk at Channel Africa

New research has predicted that childhood obesity around the world will soar over the next decade, particularly in South Africa and China, overwhelming health services. More from the BBC's Jessica McAllen…

GUEST: Lisabet Delport, Who is a registered Dietician from the GI Foundation of South Africa

South Africa's democratization in 1994 saw the expansion of the black middle class. The black middle doubled in size from 2.2 million in 1993 to 5.4 million in 2008. Despite this grow the country's middle class is still facing a crisis, as disparity in education, skill, unemployment and income continues. In 2018 a World Bank report found South Africa to be the most unequal country, out of a ranking of 149 countries. The report found the top 1% of citizens own 70.9% of the country's wealth, while the bottom 60% only controls 7% of the country's assets. But it is well known that the middle-class pays the majority of personal income taxes, carrying the country forward economically. With rising costs in the country the middle class is under extreme financial pressure with many buckling under their debt burden. We are told to tighten our belts irrespective of these challenges but how much more pressure can the middle class take?

GUEST: Xhanti Payi, Consulting Economist and head of research at Nascence Advisory and Research