The Daily Discourse

The World Economic Forum is preparing to host its annual meeting in Davos this week, with 56 delegates from South Africa who will be in attendance. The Davos delegation to Switzerland, who will showcase the country's investment opportunities, will be led by the president Cyril Ramaphosa.

GUESTS: Busisiwe Mavuso, Chief Operations Officer for Business Leadership South Africa

GUEST: Leon Louw, Executive Director for the Free Market Foundation

GUEST; Kallie Kriel, Afriforum CEO

GUEST: Andile Nomlala, President of the Black Management Forum (BMF)

GUEST: Sandile Zungu, President of the Black Business Council

The annual review of human rights practices around the globe assesses progress on major human rights issues during the past year in more than 90 countries and territories, including 23 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting the extensive work carried out in 2018 by Human Rights Watch staff in exposing rights abuses and driving change. Yesterday Human Rights Watch’s launched its World Report 2019, with the Johannesburg launch will focus on human rights developments in Southern Africa in 2018. To help us unpack the report…

Guest: Dewa Mavhinga, Southern Africa Director at Human Rights Watch

The DA has threatened to approach the International Criminal Court (ICC) if President Cyril Ramaphosa fails to intervene directly to stop the ongoing human rights violations by the Zimbabwean government. The DA called on Ramaphosa on Sunday to reconsider his “quiet diplomacy ” and advise Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stop the military clampdown on civilians.

Guest: Stevens Mokgalapa – Democratic Alliance Shadow Minister of International relations and co-operation

The Congress of the People (COPE) held its 2nd National Congress to elect the new leadership in Bloemfontein over the weekend. The party has in the past had its fair share of leadership battles leading to Mbazima Shilowa's expulsion from party. Talking about their readiness for the Elections this year, the latest State Capture revelations and the Congress' stance on the land debate.

GUEST: Congress of the People (Cope) president, Mosiuoa Lekota

Time now for our regular Friday feature; The Friday Wind Down. This morning we are in conversation with a musical legend who has been in the industry for over 5 decades, this despite being blind. Babsy's career is still blossoming and his back with new music.

GUEST: Babsy Mlangeni - Legendary award-winning musician and Chairperson of the Babsy Mlangeni Foundation

Do men care about their appearance? Whenever we talk about beauty and skincare, we generally refer to females and this is one of the enduring myths or cultural assumption, that women spend so much time worrying about their appearance. Men, however, rarely talk about their appearance or skin problems to other people, and at times they end up neglecting it. But In this age, men have become more open-minded by showing interest in using beauty products and taking care of their physique.

Guest: Mr Sipho Mbele – Inspiring National Best Seller, , Speaker and CEO of Mbelesi

As the country prepares for the upcoming 2019 National and Provincial Elections, political parties will be launching their respective election manifestos, with the hope of convincing South Africans to vote for them. This morning, we ask: What makes a winning manifesto? What should be the key focus of a manifesto, if the parties are to win the electorate over? What would you like to hear from an election Manifesto? Do you as a prospective voter have the confidence that election manifestos will be auctioned? Are election manifestos enough to win the confidence of South Africans? If not, what more?

Guest: Steven Friedman is professor of Political Studies at the University of Johannesburg

Jihadist movements like Boko Haram and al-Shabaab are among the deadliest extremist or terrorist groups operational in the world, given the sheer number of people the groups have killed. The two groups account for a substantial amount of carnage on the African continent. This morning we will focus on the challenges that nations face in combating the spread and effects of terrorism. We will also look at the causes, dynamics, and effects of terrorist groups and how these groups sustain their operations.

GUEST: Izak Khomo, Channel Africa Producer for a show known as Spotlight on Africa

GUEST: Jasmine Opperman- Director Southern Africa Operations at Terrorism, Research & Analysis Consortium - Terrorism, Research & Analysis Consortium

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State, is expected to resume In Parktown Johannesburg this morning. Chairperson of the Commission, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo adjourned proceedings yesterday citing security concerns. Shocking allegations have emerged from Former BOSASA COO Angelo Agrizzi, who has disclosed to the commission how on several occasions influence was exercised in the awarding of government tenders. Agrizzi is expected to continue with his testimony this morning.

GUEST: Ms Phephelaphi Dube, Director at the Centre for Constitutional Rights

According to Forbes magazine in America, Nigeria has dropped from third to 14th position (out of 161 countries graded in Africa) in ease of doing business ranking. The latest 2019 listing reveals that while Nigeria’s ranking improved on the global space, it dropped 11 spots in Africa with regards to being “hospitable to capital investment.” With Nigeria’s economy being ranked the highest with the highest GDP in Africa on top of having the largest population, it should be attractive where business is concerned.

Guest: Victor Kgomoeswana – Director at Africa is open for business