Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Joe Phaahla spoke recently at the CPUT EMS Safety Symposium, speaking on the trauma experienced by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, who have been attacked while on the job saying it’ss an indication of larger socio-economic challenges facing South Africa.

We’ve spoken about this story so many – the attack of ambulances and personnel getting robbed. Apparently, 56 attacks have taken place in the Western Cape this year alone.

Guest: Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Joe Phaahla

As you know the country is experiencing another round of load shedding that happens even on a weekend. Yesterday we spoke about that story of Eskom needing R100 bil bailout.

guest: Nhlanhla Sibisi - Senior Climate & Energy Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa

The presidency has confirmed that four members of the SABC board have resigned. These being Krish Naidoo, Khanyisile Kweyama, John Matthison as well as Mr Mathata Tsedu. The board was appointed by former president Jacob Zuma in September 2017.

guest: Aubrey Tshabalala

Four South African women employed as crew for MSC Cruises are said to have been arrested for allegedly smuggling cocaine to Miami, in the US. The story was reported in the Miami Herald and says that, US Customs and Border Protection found six crew members with 7kg of cocaine in their possession or in their cabins during a drug-sweep of the vessel the MSC Seaside on November 17. To get an understanding on how young South Africans find themselves in this situation,

Guest: Patricia Gerber, director of Locked Up, an organisation that assists the families of South Africans suspected of being drug mules

The ANC in the Eastern Cape has called on the South African Municipal Workers Union and Buffalo City Municipality to resolve their issues. The two parties have not been seeing eye to eye on a numbers of issues and to get an understand on what it is that they are not agreeing on.

guest: Zolani Ndlela – SAMWU’s Regional Secretary in Buffalo City

As you know the Department of Trade and Industry is spearheading The Black Industrialist Incentive Scheme, which is an initiative of the dti with a sole purpose to leverage the State’s capacity to unlock the industrial potential that exists within black-owned and managed businesses. These are businesses that operate within the South African economy through deliberate, targeted financial and non-financial interventions. The focus of the Scheme is to make efforts to facilitate the inclusion and participation of Black Industrialists in the manufacturing activities. The Intention is to shift the demographic composition of South Africa’s industrial sector.

Guest: ISAAC MODISELLE - CEO: TSHIAMO CHEMISTRY (PTY) LTD

A flame of remembrance and candles have been lit by the Eastern Cape Arts and Culture MEC, Bulelwa Tunyiswa and Chief Nokwanele Bhalizulu of Qunu. This as the country observes the 5th commemoration of the death of former statesman, Nelson Mandela. The day began with the walk of remembrance from his Qunu home to the Youth & Heritage Centre outside Mthatha.

guest: Lwandile Mbulali reporter

Deputy Justice Minister John Jeffery is calling on South Africans to be more circumspect with regard to their communications on social media, warning that not doing so could land them in jail. Last Tuesday, the National Assembly passed the Cybercrimes Bill, which has implications for those who use social media and other electronic platforms for “malicious communications”.

Guest: John Jeffery- Deputy Minister of Justice

Health experts say that children born to mothers who are HIV positive face higher risks of health even though they may be negative. They go on to say that the children are more likely to be born prematurely which in a way weakens their immune system.

Guest: Amy Slogrove-Senior lecturer in Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University

Professor Mkize who was the commissioner of the TRC and worked with the TRC pays tribute to the late Dr Alex Boraine, former vice-chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, passed away at the age of 87