The Daily Discourse

Last year the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants held an event on Sustainable Development Goals where they spoke about how established businesses have an obligation to align with these goals. The organization goes on to say that many of them have been slow in adapting these goals. What exactly do they mean by this and how practical is it?

To regulate or not to regulate witchcraft continues to be a highly contentious issue in South Africa today. The South African Pagan Council, whose members practice witchcraft as a religion, is against its regulation and argues that only people who kill for body parts or engage in other already illegal activities should be prosecuted under common law. This morning we learn more about Paganism and find out why it is often identified with the so-called "dark side" of the occult.

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.

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 examine the reasoning behind Minister Motsoaledi’s plan to ban smoking in public places. Motsoaledi is of the view that smoking increases diseases and puts the health system under pressure with more patients needing care when they could have prevented it. On the other hand, SALTA is strongly opposed to the move, arguing that businesses in townships struggle to make a living as it is and these proposals are not going to achieve anything positive. Should smoking be banned in public places?

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba last week announced that there has been a seven percent increase of foreigners entering South Africa over the festive season despite the new strict visa regulations introduced by the department. Some experts say this has resulted in the tourism industry adopting a positive outlook for 2016. How has this made the industry be positive?

Marius Strydom warns that South Africa needs to address the issue of unemployment urgently or risk encountering a populist uprising. He is arguing that South Africa needs a Minister of Employment who will stand or fall based on employment levels. According to him, the Minister of Employment should be empowered to co-ordinate all the resources within the cabinet to address the issue of unemployment. What’s your view – do you agree with him or not? Do we really need a Ministry of Employment to fight unemployment? Let’s have the conversation.

Focus: Horses are said to be a hugely beneficial mechanism used in therapy sessions for individuals with a variety of emotional and mental health issues. This is according to Fiona Bromfield, Trustee at The Equinox Trust, a registered non-governmental organisation that specialises in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). The Equinox Trust team partnered with one of the psychiatric consultants and the occupational therapists working in the Forensic Unit at Valkenberg Hospital to pilot an EAP project specifically for individuals with mental health problems. What exactly is in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and how does it work?

On our SMME feature this morning we speak to Mark Beets, GM: Business Development at Entelect about his views and insights on methods and processes business should begin to look at as a means of surviving and being successful at disrupting their consumer services and product delivery. Where should they start seeing also that speed and convenience through technology has changed the way business is run traditionally. How can SMME’s and business in general keep up seeing also how quickly technology evolves?

Guest(Studio): Mark Beets, GM: Business Development at Entelect

Solly Moeng warns of possible tax revolt threats. Moeng argues that there is a fast-growing community of disgruntled taxpayers out there who feel betrayed and who are of the view that the social contract has been broken and their trust eroded over time and therefore see no need to continue paying tax. Sandile Memela - Spokesperson at SARS

Guest: Solly Moeng, Brand Reputation Management Adviser and CEO of Strategic Corporate Communications Consultancy DonValley