What is going on with Twitter today? Apart from the tech company’s leadership drama, their app was also down. Users across the world struggled to log into the app. Many received a ‘503 service unavailable’ alert whenever they tried to log in. The app was down both on mobile apps and the actual website. But it is back up now, but some people are still reporting difficulties loading and sending tweets. So what exactly is happening? We are now joined by Jan Vermeulen, Editor at Mybroadband. 

On Tuesday this week, we spoke to Philasande Mkhuzo, a junior attorney at Equal Education Law Center about the findings of their report into underperforming schools in South Africa. In summary, the report suggests that at least 80% of schools are dysfunctional, and most of these schools serve black and coloured communities. However, the Department of Basic Education refutes this, arguing that the repeated message that 80% of schools are dysfunctional is not a statistical finding of the Equal Education Law Center nor is a focus of their analysis. The department is of the view that the report has glaring gaps that must be challenged. Joining us to argue further on this, is ……….but before we speak to him, let’s remind you about what Philasande Mkhuzo from Equal Education Law Center said about some of these dysfunctional schools.  

Guest: Elijah Mhlanga, national spokesperson of the department of basic education  

Let’s move to the US now where a new civil action has been brought against Uber by over 500 women who say they were assaulted, kidnapped, falsely imprisoned and stalked by their drivers. The lawsuit has been filed two weeks after Uber published its second-ever US Safety Report, which clearly shows that Uber has not taken adequate steps to protect riders from sexual assault. Joining us for this conversation is…. 

Guest: Lisa Vetten, Project Consultant with University of Johannesburg on gender violence and urban transformation  

The South African Reserve Bank is planning to declare cryptocurrency as a financial product. This means South African the buying and selling of listed cryptocurrencies will be regulated by the government. A regulatory framework will be created. This is a great move  when it comes to protecting the interests of all stakeholders. Currently, there is no set legal framework regulating transactions and many people lost money through scams. But, what does this really mean for the cryptocurrency industry in South Africa? Is this a good or a bad thing? We are now joined by Marius Reitz, General Manager for Africa at Luno. 

A boxing championship belt that was gifted to former President Nelson Mandela by former boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard has been stolen. The theft is thought to have occurred on the night of July 1, and was reported to police on July 2. To discuss what this means for boxing history and legacy related issues is…. 

Guest:  Rodney Berman

Does South Africa have a gun control issue and how bad is it? 22 people were killed in different shootings in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal taverns this past weekend. Some of the weapons used in the shootings aren’t given to people for private use. Should we tighten our gun laws to avoid more shootings in the country? We are now joined by violent crime specialist and investigator, Mike Bolhuis. 

We continue our conversation on the state of schools in South Africa. A report by Equal Education shows 80% of South African public schools are dysfunctional. A listener sent us photographs of the Ratjeke Primary school in Limpopo, with dilapidated infrastructure. Children were learning next to walls with no roof. A DA councilor Aldrin spoke to said two mobile classes were delivered to the school in June. He also said the school still has pit toilets. Children will be going back to school on the 19th. What’s government’s plan with this school going forward? We are now joined by Limpopo Education spokesperson, Mike Maringa.   

Yesterday, French health authorities announced that they intend to cut the use of nitrites in food after the national health agency confirmed they raise the risk of colon cancer. To react to this and also to talk more about how processed food affects our health is…. 

Guest: Professor Michael Herbst, Health Specialist at Cancer Association of South Africa  

In a historic move, South Africa’s rooibos industry has paid out R12 million to the Khoi and San communities as part of a benefit sharing agreement that was signed three years ago. You may recall that in 2014 the Khoi and San were recognised by the South African government as the rightful traditional knowledge holders of Rooibos. To react to this in terms of what it means for the Khoi and San communities is…… 

Guest: Christian Martin, Khoi activist  

This year marks the 20th anniversary since the formation of the African Union. It is an open secret that from time to time you hear various voices critiquing the work of the organisation and raising concerns about how at times it takes forever to resolve certain critical issues affecting the continent. But how has the organisation fared over the past 20 years – is it representing Africa well when it comes to global matters?  

Guest: Charles Nyuykonge, Political analyst