In our Both Sides of the Story today we will look at the issue of Gender Based Violence and the question that we are asking is, why are not doing enough to address this issue? This is at the backdrop of the murder of UCT student Uyinene Mrwetyana.

Guests: Tamara Mathebula – Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE)

Guest: Themba Masango- Spokesperson, Not In My Name

South Africa has avoided a technical recession after Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said the country economy grew by 3.1% in the second quarter. Stats SA says this follows a revised 3.3% contraction in the first three months of the year. This is much stronger than expected: A Reuters poll of economists had forecast growth of 2.4%.

Guest: Dr Azar Jammine- Economist.

So what exactly is Xenophobia and what sparks it?

Guest: Sarah Motha- Vulnerable Group Programme Manager at the Foundation for Human Rights

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is alarmed by the continued killing of women especially in the Month when South Africa celebrated Women’s Month. They are saying that violence against women and girls is the manifestation of a profound lack of respect – a failure by men to recognize the inherent equality and dignity of women.

Guest: Mr Shalen Gajadhar, Spokesperson for the Department of Women

Mmusi Maimane, leader of the Democratic Alliance joins us to discuss the state of our economy and what needs to be done to avert South Africa’s unemployment crisis. In July this year Maimane wrote to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thandi Modise requesting for the National Assembly to hold urgent debate about the unemployment crisis in South Africa.

Guest: Mmusi Maimane, leader of the Democratic Alliance

The South African Human Rights Commission is deeply concerned by violence, looting, arson and vandalism plaguing much of Johannesburg; in areas such as Jeppestown, Malvern, Tembisa and surrounding areas. The Commission calls on the state and law enforcement agencies to restore the rule of law and end the violence plaguing these communities.

Guest: Gushwell Brooks - Communications Co-ordinator at the South African Human Rights Commission

Following recent sporadic attacks on foreign-owned shops throughout Gauteng. Today on Both Sides of the Story we ask - Are recent acts of looting strictly xenophobic or they are just actions influenced by economic desperation and a general culture of looting? The latest wave of looting as you may know comes just a month after police raided shops in the CBD for allegedly selling counterfeit goods.

Guests: Dr Vusi Sibanda, President of the African Diaspora Forum
Nhlanhla Buthelezi

Last week we received a message from an employee from the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein who complained about the poor infrastructure at the hospital.

Guest: Mondli Mvambi - Spokesperson for the Free State department of Health

To celebrate Deaf Awareness Month (September), SARS will work together with different organisations and municipalities that support persons with hearing impairments in South Africa, to assist them with their tax affairs at specific SARS branches around the country.

Guest: Vusi Ntlakana - Senior Manager for Communication at SARS

Trade union, Solidarity, says it is considering bringing an application to place South African Airways (SAA) under business rescue. When the union attempted to bring a similar application earlier, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan held a meeting with it to discourage such a move.

Guest: Werner Human- trade union Solidarity’s deputy Chief Executive