The Daily Discourse

Given that in recent years there has been a heightened contestation over Afrikaner identity, today we assess what 22 years of democracy in South Africa should mean for this identity. This morning we ask, are there other traditions that can be drawn on in Afrikaner culture that can advance democracy and social justice?

The private sector continues to head government’s call to help in improving education and skills in the country. Through interviews we have been doing about education and the private sector, many experts call for a collective effort in dealing with the issue that affect mostly young people. This time the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Gauteng City Region Academy will be taking 250 learners through a programme that they say aims to develop knowledge and skills at foundation level in financial and management accounting. How will a programme like this one help deal with the problem of skills shortage in the country? What new thing is it bringing?

We discuss the issue of human rights violations of sex workers. It is reported that sex workers in Mpumalanga are facing harassment, violence and unlawful arrests perpetrated by the police. This morning we ask, how can we reduce the threat of violence to sex workers?

Prof Emmanuel Mgqwashu shares his views and thoughts on why our education system ignores rural life. Mgqwashu argues that South Africa’s rural population is more than 19 million people strong. Yet one must live, work and flourish in cities in order to find fulfillment as an educated individual. So, this morning we ask, for which “public” are South Africa’s universities educating the younger generation and for whose “good” are they receiving this education?

The Soul City Institute yesterday released a report that presents a broad overview of the impact of alcohol use and misuse on sexual risks, including HIV/AIDS among women aged 15-24 years in South Africa. This is something many parents and communities have been battling with for years. What according to this report are the main reasons behind this and what sort of solutions can be found?

Parliamentary deputies from Mozambique's ruling Frelimo Party last week urged the Attorney-General's Office to investigate crimes committed by the rebel movement Renamo, and suggested that Renamo could be outlawed as a political party. Just this past Saturday, gunmen allegedly from Renamo are said to have opened fire on a bus in the central province of Manica, killing two people and injuring a further eight. This is not the first incident of this kind and looking at this, is it fair to ask whether Mozambique is sliding slowly back to a civil war without the world noticing?

Newsmakers and Guest Experts offer their insights and perspectives into the national and global discourse on politics, economics, education, social matters and comprehensive dialogues on cultural diversity and other essential issues of public interest like, poverty alleviation, unemployment rate and health related issues.

2016 ushers in the celebration of twenty years of the South African Constitution. Today we learn more about the #IamConstitution, a national campaign, aimed at promoting the values and benefits of the Constitution among all South Africans. Given the realities facing our country today and seeing the expectations created by the Constitution – what does our Constitution mean to you?

Three-and-a-half million South Africans are said to be suffering from diabetes while many more are said to be undiagnosed. It is estimated that another five million South Africans have pre-diabetes, a condition where insulin resistance causes blood glucose levels to be higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be type 2 diabetes. In response to this Sanofi Diabetes has launched an affordable clone to the market of its current insulin glargine drug. What exactly is the thinking behind this and what difference will it make?

This week the Pan African Parliament’s Fourth Parliament is sitting for plenary sessions focusing on issues pertaining to the continent. Yesterday (Tuesday) one of the subjects the committees were discussing was that of trade, customs and immigration. How can member countries enhance their borders in an effort not to burden each other and enhance trade?