The Daily Discourse

Public schools countrywide are still dogged by poor infrastructure, teacher absenteeism and lack of water and sanitation. This is according to the School Monitoring Survey (SMS) report that was released by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga in Pretoria yesterday. The report was commissioned by the Basic Education Ministry two years ago to measure progress of public schools as set out in 2019 Action Plan. Motshekga conceded that sub-standard infrastructure at schools remains the biggest challenge for the department.

GUEST: Dr Stephen Taylor, Director for Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Department of Basic Education, who compiled and released the report.

Israelis are voting in the country's most closely-fought general election in years. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the right-wing Likud Party, is seeking a fifth term in office. But he is facing corruption allegations and a strong challenge from former military chief Benny Gantz.

GUEST: PROFESSOR RAN GREENSTEIN, PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY AT WITS UNIVERSITY

Time now for our regular feature Talking Finance with Bryan Hirsch, today we look at the key principles of a financial plan for a young person who is first starting out? How should young employees start saving towards future financial goals, and realise how crucial it is for them to understand how a financial plan needs to grow and evolve with time and one's career.

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

Political Economist Moeletsi Mbeki argues that Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and affirmative action (AA) discourages investment in South Africa. Moeletsi says corporations are no longer really investing in the country and capital flight is vast because of these policies

GUESTS: Political Economist, Moeletsi Mbeki

Do people vote because of what political leaders say and what exactly do voters look for in party? What are some of the reasons why voters vote for a specific party? And how do we create a culture of consistency within political parties when it comes to service delivery? Why do we only hear about such promises during electoral campaigns? To answer these questions we are now joined on the line by…

GUEST: Professor Mcebisi Ndletyana, Professor of politics at the University of Johannesburg

Time now for our new feature legally talking, where we discuss issues from a legal perspective with legal minds. This morning we will start off the feature by discussing what legal action can be taken when you are wrongfully accused of a crime.

GUEST: Ulrich Roux, founder and managing director of Ulrich Roux & Associates

Yesterday marked the 25th Anniversary of the Rwandan genocide where an estimated 800,000 people were killed. In just 100 days in 1994, about 800,000 people were slaughtered in Rwanda by ethnic Hutu extremists who target members of the minority Tutsi community. The violence also extended to political opponents, irrespective of their ethnic origin.

GUEST: Vincent Karega, Rwanda's High Commissioner in South Africa

Are violent protests more impactful? What good do violent protests or demonstrations actually do? Can they sometimes make a difference in exacting real change? Now and again we see damage to properties when people vent their frustration over issues or poor service delivery and other concerns, to highlight their plight. Many have stated this is the only language the governments understand. This morning we ask are violent protests more impactful?

GUEST: Thatho Masiangoako, A researcher at the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa

With crime at an all-time high in South Africa, we explore the culture of gangsterism in the country. The culture of gang violence has become deeply entrenched in our communities, especially on the Cape Flats, which is notorious for gang related violence. So what is it that causes this social scourge? Is it poor parenting? Perhaps the lack of social programmes and education? Unemployment or perhaps it's the glorification of the gang life in contemporary rap music? Police Minister Bheki Cele once said "the issue of gangsterism is far beyond the issue of policing but more of a societal issue".

GUEST: Kenny Kunene, An Ex-convict and businessman

Tumelo Mogodiseng, the General Secretary of the South African Policing Union (SAPU) who wants the national police commissioner General Khehla Sithole removed from his position. The union has called on Police Minister Bheki Cele to initiate a process where President Cyril Ramaphosa will establish a board of inquiry into the fitness of Commissioner Khehla Sithole to hold office…

GUEST: Tumelo Mogodiseng, the General Secretary of the South African Policing Union (SAPU)