In conversation with Sibahle Khwela, an arts administration intern at the Centre for Creative Arts at UKZN College of Humanities. Khwela has just been appointed as the new project leader and curator for the 26th edition of the Time of The Writer Festival, which is due to take place in two days’ time. In 2020, she was the recipient of DUT’s Dean’s Merit Award and received 11 awards during her studies.

GUEST: Sibahle Khwela, new curator of the Time of the Writer Festival

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition is investigating Chinese clothing giant, Shein. The probe follows concerns and allegations raised by South African businesses and trade unions about the company possibly taking advantage of tax loophole to disadvantage local businesses in the clothing sector. The Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union says Shein is bad for the economy and workers in South Africa because their practices are exploitative. It is not the first time the Chinese clothing giant is on the spotlight for bad practices. It has in the past been accused of subjecting its workers to 75 hour of work per week and flouting environmental laws.

Guest: Etienne Vlok Sactwu's national industrial policy officer.

The City of Tshwane finally has a new speaker. Mncedi Ndzwanana has been elected as the new speaker of the city after an eventful few weeks in the council. Ndzwanana is a member of the African Transformation Movement and was backed by the African National Congress. He got 105 votes, beating ActionSA’s Kholofelo Morodi who got 37. 69 votes by the Democratic Alliance were deemed spoilt by the IEC.

Guest: The new speaker in the City of Tshwane, Mncedi Ndzwanana.

Earlier on today, the health ombudsman, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, presented the findings of an investigation into conditions at the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital in Johannesburg. The findings show that the maternity hospital is unsafe, filthy, and neglected. The Health Ombud has recommended that disciplinary proceedings be initiated against the CEO of the hospital, Dr Nozuko Mkabayi. To react to the findings of the investigation is…….

GUEST: Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa

Government employees in the UK will soon not be allowed to use TikTok on any devices associated with their jobs. This as the UK intends to ban TikTok from government devices over concerns about the security of the Chinese social media app. The United States, Canada, Belgium and the European Commission are among those that have already banned the app.

GUEST: Athur Goldstuck, CEO of the World Wide Worx

Action SA’s Gauteng Chair, Bongani Baloyi has resigned from his position. Baloyi called a media briefing to share some of the reasons behind his departure, among many, he says party leader, Herman Mashaba wanted to move him from his position to make him party spokesperson. He says he has performed in his position and has built a brand for himself and didn’t find the spokesperson position suitable for him.

Guest: Bongani Baloyi, former ActionSA Gauteng Chair.

What exactly was the Public Protector’s Office investigating in relation to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala saga? An interim report was released this weekend, clearing him of wrongdoing in the matter. The investigation did not focus on the criminal elements of the issue, but the rules around ethics. However, the findings against Major General Wally Rhoode who is the head of the Presidential Protection Unit. Some feel the Public Protector left Ramaphosa off the hook, but what was the scope of the investigation?

Guest: legal analyst, Mpumelelo Zikalala

Will Tshwane residents find out today who their new speaker is? The Democratic Alliance led multi-party coalition in the City of Tshwane has nominated ActionSA councilor, Kholofelo Morodi as the speaker of the council. However, today’s council meeting has been marred by disruptions as EFF and ANC members shared their anger about the termination of ActionSA’s Nkele Molapo’s membership by the party. What exactly is happening in the council today?

Guest: SABC News Reporter, Phumzile Mlangeni.

Cope’s Gauteng Chairperson, Tom Mofokeng says disgraced former Tshwane Mayor Dr Murunwa Makwarela was being protected by senior members of the political party. Dr Makwarela resigned from his position last week after it came out that his debt rehabilitation certificate was fake. He did maintain though, that his resignation is not admission of guilt. Mofokeng says other members were also not vetted as a result. We’re now joined by Tom Mofokeng, Cope’s Gauteng Chairperson.  

Meanwhile, the National Department of Health has welcomed the Labour Appeals Court's order that interdicts trade union NEHAWU from continuing with its nationwide strike. NEHAWU members who constitutes health care personnel such as nurses and emergency services workers have been on strike for a week. They are demanding a ten per cent salary increase while the employer is offering four-point-seven per cent.

GUEST: Foster Mohale, Spokesperson for the Department of Health