The recent Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) assessments have shown that 78% of children in Grade 4 in South Africa cannot read at the most basic level for meaning in any language
Dr Sebabatso Manoeli, who heads up the DG Murray Trust’sportfolio to ‘keep all children on track by Grade 4’ argues that access to quality education is key to giving children the head starts they need - and this starts with quality early learning.
What does she mean by this?
Dr Sebabatso Manoeli
From DG Murray Trust

Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane said Treasury has given the SABC approval to increase its borrowing capacity for capital projects. Communication Minister Nomvula Mokonyane just held a press conference on this.
To speak to us
Dr. Mashilo Boloka
Director General – Department of Communications

A story from the Eastern Cape is that almost 3,000 Eastern Cape teachers are not qualified to teach what they teach. Education MEC Mandla Makupula says some teachers are not qualified to teach at all, the subjects most at risk of unqualified teachers are languages‚ maths and science.

Mali Mtima - Eastern Cape Education spokesperson

Minister of Police Bheki Cele told the police officers yesterday “not to be kind” when they are facing killers. He was speaking at the annual national police commemoration event at Union Buildings. He said he had attended at least 27 funerals of slain police members since taking office in February. Is it possible that these comments by the Minister could be misconstrued to mean “shoot to kill”?
Gareth Newham - Head of Justice and Violence Prevention at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS)

Parliament wants Home Affairs and police to act against criminal activities at refugee centre. Officials at Pretoria’s refugee reception centre face lifestyle audits amid allegations of criminal activities involving Home Affairs staff and police officers.
Guest: Hlomani Chauke- Chairperson of parliament’s homes affairs committee

Earlier we were talking to the DA about their decision to take a legal route regarding the Nelson Mandela Bay metro. The Economic Freedom Fighters, EFF, held a press conference today to comment on this and other issues.

Guest: Floyd Sivhambu. EFF Deputy President

The DA says it will take on review the decision that led to former Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Athol Trollip being ousted through a motion of no confidence. Trollip, in the same press conference, said he was still the mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane said a “coalition of corruption” made up of the ANC‚ UDM and EFF had undermined the will of the electorate by “unlawfully removing” Port Elizabeth’s DA-led coalition government.
guest: Solly Malatsi

Air pollution shortens human lives by more than a year, according to a new study from a team of leading environmental engineers and public health researchers. It says better air quality could lead to a significant extension of lifespans around the world.
It is said this is the first time that data on air pollution and lifespan has been studied together in order to examine the global variations in how they affect overall life expectancy.
How are we doing as South Africa in terms of fighting air pollution?
Guest: Robyn Hugo Programme Head: Pollution & Climate Change, Centre for Environmental Rights

An associate professor in the department of psychology, was dismissed this month.

The educational psychologist was found to have failed to disclose his "special" relationship with a student, who he had helped enrol in a master's programme at the beginning of the year.

The Sunday Times was unable to identify the other Wits academic who was dismissed.

The university banned sexual and romantic relationships between staff and undergraduate and honours students in December 2016. It allows employees to have relationships with students doing master's, doctoral and postdoctoral degrees if the relationships are disclosed.

Guest: Andrew Goldberg- Labour Attorney

The Right to Repair group in South Africa is pushing for legislation to allow car owners the right to choose where they wish to repair their vehicles.

Gunther Schmitz, - Acting chairman of Right to Repair SA