Bench Marks Foundation says the South African lockdown has revealed not only the best of our human emotions but also persistent cases of the war against the poor and working people. They are arguing that now more than ever it is a time for compassionate public servants collaborating with citizen volunteers, social movements and people’s organisations, non-governmental organisations and unions to chart a way out of the crisis.
Guest: Hassan Logart, Manager responsible for advocacy and campaigning at Bench Marks Foundation

A social media storm has erupted under the hashtag 'celebrities are not teachers', after certain prominent celebrities were used to read books for children during the lockdown. The digital learning initiative, Free Stem Lockdown Digital School, started over the Easter weekend and is aimed to assist pupils with their studies during the extended lockdown, set until the end of April. But some teachers and ordinary citizens say qualified teachers should have been selected as opposed to celebrities for this initiative.
Guest: Nomusa Cembi, Spokesperson for the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU)
Guest: Basic Education Department spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga

The number of inmates testing positive for COVID-19 at East London Correctional facility has increased by 49 cases. The Department of Correctional Services are now activated a Containment and Treatment initiative to curb the Increase of COVID-19 cases.
Guest: Singabakho Nxumalo, Spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services

Today Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku visited the Johannesburg Expo centre to check on the centre’s state of readiness to accommodate COVID-19 patients. The Expo Centre has been converted into a facility to accommodate coronavirus patients in order to supplement designated health facilities in Gauteng.
Guest: Kwara Kekana- Spokesperson for the MEC of Health in Gauteng, Bandile Masuku

In conversation with the convener of the Total Shutdown Alex. This after a 40-year-old man was assaulted and allegedly killed in Alexandra Township last week Friday. It is alleged that Collins Khoza was beaten to death by soldiers who are tasked with enforcing the national lockdown regulations.
Guest: Sandile Mavundla, Convener of the #Total Shutdown Alex

The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), in partnership with the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, will conduct a joint survey looking at how COVID-19 is impacting on health workers. The data from this survey will be used to advise government on how to capacitate health workers to ensure they are able to deliver quality health care services, particularly as South Africa prepares for a possible increase in COVID-19 diagnoses later in the year.
Guest: Professor Priscilla Reddy, study leader and Deputy Executive Director responsible for Social Aspects of Public Health at the Human Sciences Research Council

Education activist Hendrick Makaneta is calling on private schools and universities to scrap fees for the academic year 2020 in order to reduce the heavy burden on parents’ shoulders during this difficult period of lockdown as the fight against the COVID-19 intensifies.
Guest: Hendrick Makaneta, Education activist

On World News today we ask, why has the Coronavirus hit African Americans so hard? Disturbing reports coming from the US suggest that black Americans are dying of COVID-19 at disproportionately high rates across many parts of the country. This, many argue that it is simply caused by health disparities that have always existed for the African-American community which in the main is informed by the negligence and disinvestment in black communities.
Guest: Rev Jesse Jackson, iconic civil rights activist

The Gauteng Liquor Forum has threatened to go to the Constitutional Court over government's total ban on alcohol sales. The Forum, representing 20000 tavern and Shebeen owners has given President Ramaphosa until Tuesday to relax the ban, or face court action.
Guest: Eric Mabuza, who is the legal representative for the Gauteng Liquor Forum
Guest: Pule Mabe, ANC National Spokesperson

According to the department of Employment and Labour, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has been hampered by some individuals trying to fraudulently claim during the national lockdown. The Department’s Covid-19 Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme (TERS) is meant to be a response to the challenges faced by businesses in distress due to the coronavirus lockdown.
Guest: Makhosonke Buthelezi- UIF Director of Communication and Marketing