As we continue to observe Youth Month. Today we assess South Africa’s competitiveness in artificial intelligence, asking - are South Africa’s schools well equipped to introduce learners to the burgeoning artificial intelligence (AI) economy? Joining us for this discussion is Dr More Chikane, CEO of the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre – his organisation is currently grooming young people to enter and excel in the tech sector.  

Guest: Dr More Chikane, CEO of the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre 

Youth Unemployment has been one of the trending topics as we commemorate youth month in June. The University of Cape Town has launched a digital bootcamp, an organisation that trains unemployed South Africans for digital roles in the corporate sector. The bootcamp will equip graduates who have not been able to secure employment in the last three years with digital skills. So how will this bootcamp work and who can get this training?

Guest: Umuzi Co-Founder, Andrew Levy. 

Globally renowned nation and city branding strategic advisory firm, Bloom Consulting, based in Spain, has undertaken a study on South Africa’s global reputation on behalf of Brand South Africa. The results of the study depicts interesting insights on South Africa’s reputation drivers as it has revealed that  South Africa remains one of the most prosperous Nation Brands offering outstanding experience in Trade, Talent and Tourism brand dimensions. Joining us to dissect the findings of the study is….. 

Guest: Jose Filipe Tores, CEO of Bloom Consulting 

Road Traffic Management Corporation says South Africa is experiencing an alarming epidemic of deaths amongst its youth due to road crash. According to them, a total of 8 547 young people between 21 and 34 years of age died on the roads in the past three years. So what kind of interventions do we need to tackle this problem? To react to this is…. 

Guest: Richard Benson, founder of Road Safety Action Campaign  

Let us now tell you more about what is happening in the Kingdom of Eswatini where Inyatsi Construction has suspended its operations for a week amid attacks by the Swaziland International Solidarity Forces. It is widely reported that Inyatsi became a target by the pro-democracy Solidarity Forces after soldiers and police killed dozens of civilians who are demanding democratic reforms. For more on this, we are joined by….. 

Guest: Zweli Martin Dlamini, Managing Editor of Swaziland News  

The Justice and Correctional Services Department has denied allegations that Namibian authorities requested requested assistance from the South African government in investigating one of the alleged masterminds  behind the burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm. The department says there is no official record of the alleged request from Namibian authorities. Imanuwela David is a Namibian national and is one of the suspects in the Phala Phala farm robbery.

Guest Chrispin Phiri, Spokesperson for the Department of Justice and Correctional Services.

Is south Africa in a position to abandon masks? Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla has recommended the scraping of mask use in South Africa as the country exits its Covid-19 fifth wave. Mask wearing is currently compulsory in indoor spaces including public transport. Dr Phaahla wrote a letter to MEC’s also recommending some the country’s entry requirements for travelers be dropped. Are we ready for this and what will the implications be?

Guest: epidemiologist, Dr Joe Barnes.

We outline the objectives of Man Mental Vitality Conversation conference which is due to take place this evening. The conference will look at critical challenges that men and those around them face in society and create a safe space for them to share their feelings freely about their dark struggles. For more on this, we are joined by……

Guest: Dr Vuyo Yokwe, General Practitioner & Man Vitality Conversations Co-founder

Guest: Sello Maake Ka Ncube, Actor, Director, GBV activist and founder of Sello Maake Ka Ncube Foundation

The mental health state of South African adolescents continues to deteriorate. That’s according to the latest South African Child Gauge Report. The report says 10-20 percent of children and adolescents will be diagnosed with a mental health disorder and only one in one is likely to get access to treatment. The report also says 63 percent of South African children live in poverty, while 39 percent live below the poverty line. Not only that, the report also found one in two children in South Africa experienced violence including physical violence and sexual abuse. Child Gauge is published by the Children’s Institute and the University of Cape Town. This year’s edition focused on the status of Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

Guest: Dr Simphiwe Simelane from the Centre for Autism at UCT. She’s one of the authors of this year’s edition.

The Democratic Alliance has written to the FBI, asking them to investigate possible money laundering by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The party says the robbery at Ramaphosa’s farm raises suspicion and the source of foreign currency that was stolen should be investigated. It has also asked the Financial Intelligence Centre to look into the issue.

Guest: the DA’s Cilliers Brink.