On Monday, the IMF approved South Africa’s request for emergency funding under its Rapid Financing Instrument, saying this was a low interest loan that would contribute to the government’s fiscal relief efforts without impacting on its sovereignty as it grappled with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Let’s get reaction from Cosatu, as you may know that initially they were opposed to government approaching the IMF but later on, in April to be precise they decided to endorse government's plan. But what has changed and why they were always against this move? But before we speak to Cosatu let’s remind you about the initial position of the tripartite alliance on this issue…

Guest: Sizwe Pamla, National spokesperson of Cosatu

BSS: Student body - The Congress of South African Students (COSAS) - claims to have shut down several private schools in Gauteng today. Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that all public schools would close for four weeks starting from today, in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. Matric leaners, however, will stay at home for only a week, while grade seven pupils will return to the classroom after a two-week-long break
Guest: Zithulele Ndlela, the National spokesperson for the Congress of South African Students (COSAS)

Guest: Mandla Mthembu, Chairperson of the National Alliance of Independent School Association or NAISA

Can changing our food system reducing future pandemics? We speak to Donovan Will, the Director of ProVeg South Africa, about a new report that looks at the relationship between pandemics and our food system. This as there is growing consensus among NGOs, academic institutions, and the scientific community that the global food system needs to change if we are to prevent future pandemics
Guest: Donovan Will, Director of ProVeg South Africa

The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in Gauteng has also called for an investigation into the provincial Health Department's awarding of tenders. This after a 125-million-rand tender was awarded to Royal Bhaca, a company owned by the husband of the presidential spokesperson and Gauteng ANC PEC member, Khusela Diko. Meanwhile the ANC in Gauteng will meet today to discuss alleged irregularities in the awarding of the tender.

Guest: Chris Malemetja, Chairperson of the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in Gauteng

How do we solve South Africa’s youth unemployment conundrum? Jake Willis joins us to discuss youth unemployment during Covid19 and he will also share possible solutions on how to go about tackling this problem. This as youth unemployment continues to rise in the country as over 3 million young people have been unemployed since the beginning of February this year.
Guest: Jake Willis, CEO and Co-Founder of Lulaway

Time now for Beyond Innovation. Today we speak to Keneilwe Sebola, a PhD student with the Centre for Biological control at Rhodes University. Keneilwe's PhD research was key in helping to clean up the Hartbeespoort Dam, in the North West Province, which for years has been plagued by Water Hyacinth - one of the world's most invasive aquatic weed. Keneilwe now joins us on the line to elaborate further on the mechanical removal of the problematic plants with the aid of insect..

Guest: Keneilwe Sebola, PHD student with the Centre for Biological control at Rhodes University

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) say natural deaths have increased by 59% against historical trends. The council's Burden of Disease Research Unit partnered with the University of Cape Town's Centre for Actuarial Research to examine the deaths trends that had been exacerbate by Covid-19. The Research Council's report also found that there is a 'huge discrepancy' between reported number of Covid-19 fatalities and excess deaths
Guest: Professor Debbie Bradshaw, Chief Specialist Scientist and a co-author of the Report

Smokers' hopes are up in smoke this as the Pretoria High Court has dismissed the Fair Trade Independent Association's (FITA) application for the unbanning of tobacco products. FITA had applied to appeal the court's earlier judgment against the sale of tobacco products.
Guest: Sinenhlanhla Mnguni - Chairperson of the Fair-trade Independent Tobacco Association (fita)

The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has informed the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality of its intentions to place it under administration. Currently, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality without a permanent executive mayor is in a dysfunctional state. Joining us to discuss the municipality’s state of affairs is

Guest: Joleen Steyn-Kotze, political analyst

The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) in Tshwane says its members were promised increases prior to the coronavirus outbreak in the country. Workers demonstrated outside Tshwane House this week - with some calling for the head administrator Mpho Nawa to vacate office. Nawa has reiterated that the City cannot afford pay-outs due to the negative economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Guest: Mpho Nawa, Head of Administration at Tshwane Municipality