Last week, the Progressive Student Movement threatened to shut down schools as from today if the department of education continued with its phased in approach to allow more grades to return to school. They insisted that the decision to send more kids back to school was premature. Today we speak to them to find out if their shutdown campaign was a success….
Guest: Kabelo Nthekiso, President General of the Progressive Student Movement

Today on Beyond Innovation we are in conversation Bojane Segooa, an academic, social entrepreneur, independent non-executive director and Chartered Accountant registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). She founded Innovation Africa Holdings - and one of the company’s flagship and leading product is a career guidance teacher training software that operates as a comparison website. The disruption brought by Covid-19 is really forcing us to embrace technology and digitalization. Levels’ UP presents all degrees offered at all South African universities categorized by faculty, specialization, entry requirement and cost.

Guest: Bojane Segooa, who is an academic, social entrepreneur, independent non-executive director and Chartered Accountant registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)

The Congress of South African Trade Unions is calling for all public sector workers who perform essential services to receive risk allowances. Earlier Cosatu was picketing outside the KwaZulu Natal treasury offices. They are also demanding for package increments negotiated earlier with government.

Guest: Sizwe Pamla – Spokesperson for the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu)

Meanwhile the Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, says she is appalled by the victimization and abuse of residents of Empolweni in Khayelitsha, by Cape Town law enforcement officers. She says the barbaric eviction of a resident, humiliated as he fought for his basic right to shelter, is unconscionable. Four law enforcement officials have been suspended for manhandling a naked man during an anti-land invasion operation in Empolweni.

Guest: McIntosh Polela, spokesperson for Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Lindiwe Sisulu

Did the City of Cape Town break the law with the eviction of residents of Empolweni in Khayelitsha? We now speak to the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI), who are challenging the Department of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation to halt evictions and the demolition of any structure which has been or is being constructed for the purposes of residential occupation...

Guest: Zamantungwa Khumalo, a Senior Attorney at the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI)

The SABC has launched a new editorial policy. The national broadcaster's CEO Madoda Mxakwe says the new Editorial Policies launched today aim to protect editorial processes and journalists at the public broadcaster. The policy launch follows a three year consultation process to review policies in the organisation after wide-spread allegations of editorial interference during the tenure of Hlaudi Motsoeneng as the corporation's COO.

Guest: Mary Papaya, she is a Member of the SABC Board and she is also the News & Editorial Board Subcommittee Chair

National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) intends to disburse funds via direct payments into bank accounts of students, instead of the Wallet or institutional disbursement that has been happening previously. This in an effort to stop fraudulent activity…

Guest: Dr Randall Carolissen - The administrator for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)

NGO's - Sonke Gender Justice, Gun Free SA and others held a webinar to discuss a civil society campaign to lobby for a "new normal" in which alcohol availability is permanently reduced as a way of preventing alcohol-related harm, especially interpersonal violence, domestic violence, gender-based violence and Femicide. Since 18 March, availability of alcohol has been limited under the State of Disaster, resulting in a significant drop in alcohol-related harm and a freeing-up of hospital beds for coronavirus patients.

Guest: Maurice Smithers, Director of Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in South Africa

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has passed the Civil Union Amendment Bill. The Bill prohibits marriage officers from objecting to marrying same-sex couples. Various organisations including Freedom of Religion South Africa made submissions to highlight the practical, alternative solutions to the problems identified, which would not require anyone to violate their conscience, religion and belief...

Guest: Michael Swain, Executive Director of Freedom of Religion South Africa

The South African National Editors Forum has launched a relief fund for journalists who have lost their income due to the effects of the coronavirus. Two major publishing companies, Caxton Magazine Division and Associated Media Publishing closed their operations two months ago. SANEF says other smaller companies have also shut their doors in recent months leaving 700 people unemployed.

Guest: Dr. Kate Skinner, Executive Director, of the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF)