The Daily Discourse

Is there such a thing as passive toxic masculinity? How do we deconstruct the idea of what masculinity is?
FOCUS: Aggression, dominance, physical strength, and the love of sport, risk-taking, virility, frequent sexual activity and the suppression of emotions are some of the key characteristics of what society have normalized as masculinity. The expression of these behaviors, thoughts and feelings are seen as definitions of “a real man”. In 2012 Mbuyiselo Botha wrote an article saying ‘I may be a proud feminist, but I am no sissy’
GUEST: Mbuyiselo Botha – Gender Activist who is also a feminist

Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region in the world where the overall number of extremely poor people is increasing rather than decreasing, this according to the World Bank's latest Poverty and Shared Prosperity report. Dr Esther Ngumbi, however, says eating insects can help fight hunger and food insecurity. She further says eating insects is an ancient practice which is still prevalent today.
GUEST: Dr Esther Ngumbi, PhD - Distinguished Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Department of Entomology at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Is there a need for the composition of a new, forward-looking National anthem? Solly Moeng, Brand reputation management adviser and CEO of strategic corporate communications consultancy DonValley Reputation says If South Africa wants a new dawn, maybe it needs to reconsider its country brand - starting with a new national anthem, written from scratch and rooted in the Constitution. Mr Moeng's comments follow the seemingly growing culture of corruption and unethical conduct around the country.

GUEST: Solly Moeng, who is a brand reputation management adviser and CEO of strategic corporate communications consultancy at DonValley Reputation Managers

A party contesting national and all provincial elections will have to pay a deposit of R605, 000. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has proposed maintaining the R200, 000 deposits for political parties wanting to contest in the national elections. ICE has published a notice inviting comment from interested stakeholders including political parties and members of the public on the proposed quantum of election deposits for next year's national and provincial elections. The closing date for the submission of comments is 26 October 2018. For more we are now joined on the line by....

GUEST: Sy Mamabolo, the Chief Electoral Officer of the Electoral Commission

Vodacom CEO, Shameel Joosub says data is more expensive for lower volume customers than higher volume customers because frequent data sales use up more capacity. Joosub was appearing before the Competition Commission Data Services Market Inquiry currently underway in Pretoria, yesterday. The inquiry is focus on whether data prices are higher than they ought to be, causes and remedies for high prices, and the impact of data prices and access to data on lower income groups like the unemployed. Joosub was responding to questions posed by the commission's panel members.

GUEST: Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Siyabonga Cwele

Today collective agreements to address sexual offenders within education were reached with teacher unions in the basic education sector. The agreements were presented to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education today in Parliament. The Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) told the committee that the collective agreements would go a long way to creating a safe environment for learners as well as enhance stability in schools.
The most important agreement is with regards to sexual offenses committed by teachers against learners. In particular where learners are either the victim or a witness to the offense

GUEST: Nomusa Cembi, National Spokesperson for South African Democratic Teachers Union

UN warns that famine could overwhelm country in next three months, with 13 million people at risk of starvation. Yemen has been torn apart by more than three years of civil war between the internationally recognised governments, backed by a Saudi-led military coalition and based in the south, and the Iran-aligned Houthi movement that controls the north, including the capital Sanaa. The nation of some 30 million is the Arabian Peninsula’s poorest

GUEST: Ebrahim Deen, Researcher at Afro-Middle East Centre

According to the department of trade and Industry, the BIS is an incentive of the Black Industrialists Programme that aims to unlock the potential of Black Industrialist companies operating in strategic and productive sectors of the South African economy through deliberate, targeted and well-defined financial and non-financial interventions. This morning we engage the Department of Trade and Industry on the programme, and ask: What progress have they had so far, in terms of businesses /industrialists they have assisted?

GUEST: Department of Trade and Industry

Yesterday we had a conversation with KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC; Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo says the department has significantly reduced the oncology backlogs and waiting times in the province, to just a few weeks. This after the Department dismissed reports of a backlog of 8 000 cancer patients in the province. MEC Dhlomo says the reports are untrue and that there is a deliberate and relentless campaign by certain members of the media to ignore the tremendous progress that has been made to expand cancer treatment and oncology services. This morning we are in conversation with Dr Yogan Pillay, who is the Deputy Director-General at the National Department of Health, for a national picture on the state of oncology in South Africa…

GUEST: Dr Yogan Pillay, who is the Deputy Director-General at the National Department of Health

Tom Moyane's lawyer, Eric Mabuza says retired judge Robert Nugent is acting outside the scope of his mandate. Nugent's interim report recommends that President Cyril Ramaphosa should fire Tom Moyane with immediate effect to restore confidence in the organisation. Judge Nugent cited the deterioration in tax revenue collection and the strained relationship between SARS and National Treasury as some grounds for Moyane's removal. Nugent was appointed by the President to chair the commission of inquiry into tax administration and governance at SARS during Moyane's term of leadership at the Revenue service. Mabuza says Nugent's
GUEST: Dr Dale McKinley, who is a Political Analyst