The Daily Discourse

Focus: Dr Jakkie Cilliers shares his views and thoughts on what needs to be done to change the country’s current growth prospects. Cilliers is of the view that there has been much progress in South Africa post ’94 but the big question we need to ask ourselves is, how long will SA’s patience with high unemployment and high inequality last?

Guest: Dr Jakkie Cilliers - head of African Futures and Innovation at the Institute for Security Studies

Focus: Dr Mathole Motshekga joins us to discuss the importance of building the character of girl children through community based moral regeneration programmes.

Guest (studio): Dr Mathole Motshekga, Chairperson of Kara Heritage Institute

Focus: The University of Johannesburg in association with the SABC are holding a Leadership Colloquium on ‘The New Struggle’ tomorrow (Thursday) in commemoration of Youth Month and the June 16 1976 uprising. The Colloquium looks to tackle issues, roles and responsibilities of the Youth of today when it comes to leadership and the growth of South Africa. It will draw parallels from the Apartheid struggle, of which the youth prior to democracy faced, and the current youth struggle. As far as the speakers are concerned, what are the main issues facing young people today and how do we turn the situation around?
Guests: Buti Manamela – Deputy Minster in the Presidency (Will speak to us for 15 minutes then will take next speaker still to confirm)
Morne Mostert: National Youth Co-coordinator, Afriforum

Focus: Mozambique celebrated 41 years of independence this past Saturday while also commemorating 30 years since the death of its first president Samora Machel. While launching the commemoration, the country’s current president Filipe Nyusi said that, in remembering the life and work of Machel, "we intend to renew our commitment to preserve truth and freedom and noble gains of the struggle waged by Mozambicans". Looking at the current state of Mozambique, does the country have reasons to celebrate?
Guest: Fredson Guilengue - Regional Programme Manager (SADC) for the Regional Office of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation

Focus: Discussions about investments and mineral resources on the African continent have been going on for many years with not so clear direction as to which route the continent needs to go. As the global economy is taking a knock, economic role players on the continent are debating whether Africa is still the next big thing. Well is it?

We continue with our focus on young people this time turning the focus on empowerment issues. An annual summit dubbed - Brightest Young Minds is taking place this week with the aim to empower young people with the training, support and learning they need to enhance their employment and self-employment prospects. The five day meeting will see hundreds of the continent's most innovative young leaders coming together to discuss with the nation's decision makers and craft solutions to the developmental challenges outlined in the national development plan. How does a summit of this nature motivate and inspire young people to think positively?

Today we focus on ‘Talking it Out’ - encouraging teenagers not to bottle things up but to learn to talk about them.

The Jaziel Brothers have been silent for quite some time now and most people were probably wondering what they have been up to all this time. In one of the entertainment articles, they are described as a brand that continues to stand the test of the South African music industry’s woes, where a lot of musicians, duos and bands fade away through time and space. What is it that keeps them going?

Often when we have discussions about the situation pertaining to young people in society, then the question is raised over how we can help. Well some NGO’s and the private sector do come up with initiatives that hardly make it on the media agenda. A non-profit organization by the name Moving Ahead Development Agency is helping young boys who are raised without fathers to further their education especially in the technical and engineering sector. Why the focus on boys though?

Today (15 June) being World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we use the opportunity to learn more about the plight of elderly people in our country. What is their situation like and also do we show appreciation for the elderly? Is the situation so bad that we should even dedicate a day to their plight?