We continue looking at the surge in Covid-19 Infections in the Eastern Cape. The Nelson Mandela Bay Metro in the province has become the epicentre for COVID-19 infections in the country. This is resulting in queues that are kilometres long at testing centres. Over 600 new cases are being recorded daily. Public and private hospitals are filled to capacity. To elaborate further on the situation in the Eastern Cape, we're now joined on the line by provincial health department spokesperson, Siyanda Manana...

GUEST: Eastern Cape health department spokesperson, Siyanda Manana

According to Stats SA - South Africa’s unemployment rate increased by 7.5% points to 30.8% in the third quarter of the year compared with the second quarter and we are told that this is the highest unemployment rate recorded since 2008. Given the fact that our economy is under a lot of pressure at the moment – what other alternatives and possibilities are there to this situation?
Guest: Mike Schussler is an economist

Yesterday, Angolan authorities were cautioned by international organizations to allow protesters to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Protestors in Angola are among other things calling for the revision of electoral legislation and reform of the National Commission of Elections, to guarantee free and fair elections.
Guest on the line (UK) Dewa Mavhinga, Southern Africa Director with the Africa Division at Human Rights Watch

We hear from the FF Plus Chief Whip Dr Corné Mulder on why he believes that the Western Cape’s future lies in independence. He argues that the province has never given the ANC a majority and therefore the best option for it moving forward is to work towards an independent Western Cape. But what informs this thinking? Can South Africa afford to have an independent Western Cape?

Guest: Dr Corné Mulder, FF Plus Chief Whip and provincial leader in the Western Cape

Residents of Naledi in Soweto are adamant that they will not vote in today's by-election, unless electricity is restored in the area. This is despite Gauteng Premier David Makhura explaining that Eskom will only be able to get the mini substation fixed at the end of this month. Roads are still barricaded following this morning's protest. To examine the state of our municipalities, we now speak to Karen Heese, an Economist with Municipal IQ...

GUEST: Karen Heese, an Economist with Municipal IQ

GUEST: Terry Tselane, Executive Chairman of the Institute of Election Management Services in Africa

November is National Diabetes Month in South Africa, with World Diabetes Day taking place on the 14th of November. Diabetes has been in the headlines more in 2020 than previous years, with research still ongoing to establish the link between the condition and Coronavirus deaths all around the world. Bridget McNulty, co-founder of Sweet Life Diabetes Community, a Type 1 diabetic herself together with her team have put together a one-minute video test to help people find out if they are at a high risk for Type 2 Diabetes. She now joins us on the line to discuss this further…
GUEST: Bridget McNulty, co-founder of Sweet Life Diabetes Community in South Africa

The ANC says it is seeking legal counsel on the issue of members stepping aside from their duties when charged with corruption or wrongdoing. ANC leaders have said at an online media conference that this is one of the reasons that party Secretary-General Ace Magashule will remain in his position. This is pending legal consultations and a final decision NEC on the matter. Magashule's imminent arrest relates to his alleged involvement in the irregular awarding of the 255 million rand asbestos contract while he was the premier in the Free State. He will hand himself over to the police on Friday morning before his appearance at the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court.

GUEST: Michael Bagraim, who is a labour lawyer

The Institute of Race Relations, IRR, are calling for the scrapping of e-voting from the electoral bill. The IRR says the introduction of an electronic voting system will be vulnerable to overt penetrations by actors wanting to discredit an election. They say traditional voting systems are far more transparent because they provide a paper trail and can be observed at every stage. To elaborate further on the matter, we're now joined on the line by...

GUEST: Hermann Pretorius, IRR Deputy Head of Policy Research

Students across the country are calling on Minister of Higher Education, Dr Blade Nzimande to extend the National Student Financial Aid Scheme allowances to February next year. You may recall that recently, Nzimande announced that the November allowance payment was the last one and he implored students not to be impulsive spenders.

Guest: Misheck Mugabe, President of the South African Union of Students

About two hours ago, the African National Congress Deputy Secretary General, Jessie Duarte and Treasurer General Paul Mashatile briefed the media on the outcomes of the meeting of national officials around the latest developments within the party. As expected, most journalists who attended the briefing wanted to know if the ANC has taken any decision in relation to its Secretary General Ace Magashule, following the warrant of arrest issued against him in connection with a R255-million asbestos audit tender.

Guest: Professor Andre Duvenhage, academic and political analyst based at the University of North West