South African small and medium-sized enterprises confidence levels took a dip in the second quarter of 2022, recent data from BusinessTech shows. The confidence index measures business confidence levels relative to labour laws, access to finance, state-level interventions, and broader socioeconomic realities. How can large companies play a role in creative a conducive environment for SMEs to thrive. We are now joined by Nobesuthu Ndlovu, Director of SME for Old Mutual.

What kind of solutions do we need to solve power crisis in South Africa? Earlier on today, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe told the annual Windaba that renewable energy remains a major contributor to ensuring the country’s energy security both now and in the long-term. So if we know this already, why then are we not moving with speed to deal with load shedding? 

GUEST: Chris Yelland, Energy analyst 

The Public Servants Association is preparing for industrial action in the public service, after the majority of its members rejected government’s salary increase offer. The organisation is convinced that a strike is unavoidable if government remains arrogant. 

GUEST: Reuben Maleka,  PSA Spokesperson

About two years ago, MEC Makalo Mohale revealed that the biggest challenge when it comes to Township Economy was foreign-owned shops which seem to violate every available piece of legislation in their quest to exploit poor people in the townships - two years later, how are things now, has he managed to fix the problem? We ask this question as yesterday, the MEC had a dialogue with township businesses and unemployed graduates to tackle challenges besetting young entrepreneurs. This as part of his drive to revitalise the township economy. 

GUEST: Makalo Mohale, Free State MEC for Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs 

Let’s move to Australia now, where a New
South Wales council is set to replace an apartheid-era South
African flag after numerous complaints and pleas from the South
African High Commission. The flag has flown in Cooma since
1959, along with nearly 30 others that recognise the nationalities
of those who worked on the Snowy Hydro Scheme. To react to
this is….. 
GUEST: Professor Pitika Ntuli, Historian and Sculptor

The discovery of six decomposing bodies of people suspected to have been sex workers has brought up yet again, the issue of safety of sex workers. Civil Society organisations say decriminalising sex work will minimise the safety risks, especially for women.

Guest: Rev. Bafana Khumalo, Sonke Gender Justice Co-Founder.

How do we ensure that our courts function optimally when there is no power? We look at how the rolling blackouts being experienced in South Africa put breaks on the wheels of justice and all those involved in the legal profession. Just today, Richard Mdluli’s corruption case couldn’t go ahead because of load shedding and there are quite a number of other cases that have been affected as well. For more on this, we are joined by….. 

GUEST: Chrispin Phiri, Spokesperson for the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services 

GUEST: Bayethe Maswazi, President of Black Lawyers Association

Labour Federation, Cosatu says it is insensitive and unacceptable that taxpayers are footing the bill for water and electricity in ministerial homes. Government responded to a media report that cabinet ministers get free water and electricity and said this only applies in their official residences as stated in the ministerial handbook, and not in their private homes. Cosatu says considering how much ministers get paid, this benefit is shameful and scandalous.

Guest: Cosatu Spokesperson, Sizwe Pamla. 

The case of the 21 year old arrested in connection with the discovery of six decomposing bodies in Johannesburg has been postponed to the 18th of October. So far, he has only been linked to one murder. The NPA says it has evidence linking him to the murder of one of the people, including CCTV footage. For more on that, we are now joined by Phindi Louw-Mjonondwane.

Several civil society organisations are calling on members of parliament not to pass the Electoral Amendment Bill. They are concerned that the bill does not change the electoral system sufficiently to hold elected politicians more accountable. Joining us for this discussion is ….. 

GUEST: Lawson Naidoo, Executive Secretary of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC)