THE INNERVIEW: What informs widespread dysfunction in Municipalities and how do we ensure that our municipalities fulfil their constitutional obligations to ensure sustainable, effective and efficient municipal services?

Addressing a development model conference at Stellenbosch University not so long ago, Cogta Minister Thembi Nkadimeng said education qualification requirements needed to be introduced for illiterate councillors in order for municipalities to function optimally as this remains one of the most difficult problems besetting our modern way of life in as far as service delivery issues are concerned. So she joins us now to discuss some of the fundamental problems confronting most local municipalities.

GUEST: Thembi Nkadimeng, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

GUEST: Chef Coo Pillay, Founding Director of Chefs with Compassion

GUEST: Hanneke van Linge, Founding Director of Chefs with Compassion and Founder of Nosh Food Rescue

Concerns are growing over the shortage of neonatal intensive care units in Gauteng. Gauteng MEC for health says Chris Hani Baragwanath has 18 neonatal ICUs, but it should have 35 in order to meet international standards of care. The DA in Gauteng says many other hospitals have a shortage of functioning ICU beds, including Pholosong Hospital, George Mkhari, George Mkhari and Charlotte Maxeke. What is the department’s plant to deal with the shortage.

Guest: Gauteng Health Department’s MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.

How should different spheres of government respond to explosion incidents like the one that occurred at the Johannesburg CBD? We find out from Professor Ivan Turok who is of the view that maintenance and inspection programs are key to prevent explosions and also to reduce the possibility of damage.

GUEST: Professor Ivan Turok, Urban planning expert from the University of the Free State

Well you have just heard Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago announcing that the repo rates………Let’s now speak to Professor Jannie Rossouw, Visiting Professor @Wits Business School just to get his reaction on this. 

Sign Language is officially the 12th official language in South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa signed it into law just over an hour ago. South Africa is now the fourth African country to have sign language as an official language. There are more than 600 000 people who use sign language to communicate in South Africa.. What does this mean going forward? We’re now joined by Claudine Storbeck, Associate Professor at Wits University’s Centre for Deaf Studies.

As many young people in our country struggle to find meaningful employment opportunities or the capital to start their own businesses. We hear from Nompumelelo Nyawo who has been assisting students and unemployed youth to acquire basic skills to enter the job market.

GUEST: Nompumelelo Nyawo, Managing Director of The Atomic Group

Does the easing of the inflation rate between May and June mean we should expect some good news when the Reserve Bank announces its decision on interest rates? Data by Stats SA shows inflation eased from 6.3% in May to 5.4% in June. We are now below the 6% mark for the first time since October 2021. Most non-alcoholic beverages recorded lower inflation rates in June, but some remained high. We’re now joined by independent economic analyst, Professor Bonke Dumisa.

A nine months old baby has died at an early childhood development centre on his first day of school in Zwelisha, KwaZulu-Natal. A caregiver at Umganu Circle contacted Reaction Unit South Africa after realising the child was unresponsive. The school says he fell asleep while being fed lunch and did not wake up. We’re now joined by Prem Balram, spokesperson for Reaction Unit South Africa.

Following the Presidency’s announcement that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be attending the BRICS Summit next month. We speak to the Democratic Alliance as you know that they have been following this issue quite closely and they have succeeded in their quest to force President Cyril Ramaphosa to share his affidavit on why the government will not arrest Putin if he attends the conference.

GUEST: John Steenhuisen, DA Leader