September being Tourism Month, it is encouraging to note that the tourism industry has been on a gradual recovery path after the Covid-19 pandemic. While average occupancy rates at accommodation establishments have not quite reached their pre-Covid levels yet, the outlook for the sector seems rosier following the Reserve Bank’s decision to cut interest rates by twenty-five basis points. Absa is also seeing encouraging signs in its own book around the tourism investment cycle. Joining us to tell us more about it is…..

GUEST: Dr Marlene Louw, Senior Economist at Absa Business Banking

Malusi Mthuli, Executive of Ithala Development Finance Corporation Properties joins us to discuss the role of his Ithala unit within the province of KwaZulu-Natal and how they can be of service to entrepreneurs or investors seeking commercial property space. He will also briefly share milestones reached during Ithala Properties Rebuild Programme of properties that were damaged during the 2021 July Unrest.

GUEST: Malusi Mthuli, Executive of Ithala Development

Finance Corporation Properties

The remains of 16 South African freedom fighters buried in Zimbabwe will be exhumed for repatriation and reburial in South Africa. This will commence in the Zimbabwean Capital Harare and the mortal remains will be repatriated ahead of the Heritage Day commemorations on September 24. The freedom fighters had sought shelter in Zimbabwe during the apartheid era. Most lost their lives in exile and were never accorded a decent burial in their homeland, South Africa.

GUEST: Khaya Khumalo, SABC News reporter

The Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to cut interest rates by 25 basis points. To explain what this means is…..

GUEST: Elize Kruger, Independent Economist

Today we are joined by Sue Krawitz to talk about the amazing work being done by her organisation called Impilo Child Protection and Adoption Services. Impilo gives hundreds of abandoned children a chance for a better life as they assist them to find new homes across the globe.

GUEST: Sue Krawitz, founder and Operations Director @Impilo Child Protection and Adoption Services (Impilo)

After Business Unity South Africa refused to sign the Presidential Health Compact last month, the Business Unity South Africa leadership met with top government officials which included the President, the minister and deputy minister of health and senior officials from the presidency and the department to discuss the National Health Insurance Act. Business Unity South Africa CEO designate, Khulekani Mathe joins me on the line to talk about yesterday’s meeting…

GUEST: Khulekani Mathe, Business Unity South Africa CEO designate

Energy analyst, Tshepo Kgadima believes that electricity tariffs must be dropped to R1.16 per kilowatt hour and only increase to R1.22 per kilowatt hour in 2025 so that electricity consumption can increase from current 2.7MWh per capita per year to 3.8MWh per capita per year by end of 2026 for GDP growth to increase to 3.4%. Tshepo Kgadima joins me on the line…

GUEST: Tshepo Kgadima, Energy Analyst

The Department of Employment and Labour has unleashed an intensive four-day multi-departmental blitz inspections of restaurants across South Africa, following reports of endemic exploitation in the sector. The inspections started today with some officials being spotted in the Sandton area earlier. What does the Restaurants Association make of this? The Association’s CEO, Wendy Alberts joins me on the line to fill us in…

GUEST: Wendy Alberts, Restaurants Association of South Africa CEO

Workers in South Africa are preparing to participate in a National Strike on the 7th of October 2024 across all provinces against high joblessness, income inequality, poverty. This National Strike is organized by COSATU and the federation’s National Spokesperson, Zanele Sabela joins me on the line to tell us more

GUEST: Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson

In conversation with the Mayor of Cape Town about the Democratic Alliance’s National Day of Action against Eskom's unreasonable 40% tariff increase. Eskom has come under fire with this proposal which it plans to implement next year.

GUEST: Geordin Hill-Lewis, DA Member & Mayor of the City of Cape Town