The Daily Discourse

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.

We are talking to Gary S Eisenberg, Immigration lawyer at Eisenberg de Saude who has written an opinion piece about how the Department of Home Affairs is not granting foreign parents the right to permanently settle in South Africa. He points out that Section 27(g) of the Immigration Act entitles a foreigner the right to permanent residence in the country on the basis of a South African permanent resident or citizen relative within the first step of kinship (including children and parents). He says regardless of this, Home Affairs has decided to withhold that right from foreign parents and their children. What impact is this having on the affected parties?

Private forensic investigator from intelligence bureau, warns motorists not to use high tech devices to block their number plates to dodge speed cameras and e-tolls. According to him, the devices use either a ‘curtain’ or ‘hood’ to cover the number plates – at the flip of a switch.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has won the Republican Iowa caucus, beating billionaire Donald Trump, while Hillary Clinton claims victory over Bernie Sanders in the Democrat race. It was a close contest with her rival, Senator Bernie Sanders, who declared it a “virtual tie”. Reports from the US say that the race was so close that Democrats flipped coins in some precincts to determine how to award an extra county delegate, a rare but longstanding procedure to break ties. What do these latest developments mean?

Nick Turse shares his thoughts on US military role in Africa. Nick has spent years following the activities on the US military in various parts of the world, particularly Africa. He is particularly seized with the growth of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) on the continent, and the increasing number of its secret missions here. He points out that in 2014 alone AFRICOM conducted an estimated 674 missions in Africa with a range of state militaries – including South Africa’s.

Prof Tim Noakes discusses the benefits of his latest ‘Eat Better South Africa’ campaign, a community programme where men and women are trained on a budget banting eating plan with the goal of promoting a healthy Banting lifestyle in low-income areas.

Can a woman marry two husbands – what does the customary law say to women who want more than one husband and what modern examples are there of successful plural marriage where one wife has two or more husbands?

Guest: Dr VVO Mkhize, President of Umsamo Institute

On Sunday this week, the Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development Mr Lebogang Maile will launch a Bontle Ke Botho campaign. This is a clean and green campaign that will address issues pertaining to littering, waste management and greening issues. Mr Loyiso Nkwana told us about the objectives of this campaign.

Dr Nomalanga Mkhize explains why she is against “education for the elite”. Mkhize is of the view that elite education in SA leads to the emergence of economic elite with very little social literacy, and who display contempt for the idea of social intelligence.

Mzwakhe Mbuli defends the controversial bursary which provides funding for young women on the condition that they undergo regular virginity testing. He questions the critics’ selective activism, arguing that most of them kept quiet during the tragic Marikana debacle. This morning we ask, when do we speak out and when do we choose to keep quiet?