July being the Mental Illness Awareness Month, the South African Society of Psychiatrists is highlighting a very important issue that is troubling the country. They say that that the stigma associated with mental illness, as well as the misconception about the benefits and use of antidepressants, serve as major barriers to people seeking assistance. They go on to say that more than a quarter of the country’s population suffers from depression, yet only 1 in 4 seek the necessary help. To help us navigate this issue, we are joined by… 

Guest: Dr Gagu Matsebula - Member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists

Our next guest has created a programme that will help create sustainable livelihoods within communities. Zimele’s youth development programmes are aimed at training relevant skills that make economic opportunities more accessible for young people in host communities.

These programmes operate in the wholesale and retail, tourism and hospitality sectors. In addition, Zimele supports SMMEs owned and operated by young people. Since 2018, Zimele has supported 12 905 jobs and disbursed R403 million in loans to suppliers which includes businesses run by young people. 

Guest: Larisha Naidoo, Head of Anglo American Zimele Programme

 Last week, one of our listeners have called into our open line to make us aware of students having their funding for NSFAS revoked. These students have seen their funding status go from approved to suspended, leaving students in limbo ahead of the second semester. Students across the country have been affected and has raised a questions on the capacity of NSFAS to fund all the students. 

Guest: Slumezi Skosana - Spokesperson of NSFAS 

Bryan is back and he has returned to the studio. This morning, he will be answering some of the questions that listeners have left on the radio line while he was away…

Guest: Bryan Hirsch – Chairperson of Bryan Hirsch, Colley & Associates

As we continue our focus on hunger issues, the Human Sciences Research Council in partnership with the China Rural Technology Development Centre of the Ministry of Science and Technology are hosting a Poverty Alleviation through Science and Technology workshop. This they say will capacitate professionals, practitioners, grassroots innovators, volunteers, and agripreneurs to gain practical knowledge and skills in implementing agricultural science- and technology-based initiatives to alleviate poverty in vulnerable communities. To tell us more on this and why they chose the Chinese as a partner, we are joined by....

Guest: Dr Palesa Sekhejane - Acting Head of the Africa Institute of South Africa and HSRC's Strategic Partnership Director

Newly appointed Health Ombudsman, Emeritus Professor Taole Mokoena joins us in studio to talk about taking over the office after Professor Malegapuru Makgoba. One of the things Makgoba said when stepping down was that the office investigated and finalised over 10,000 complaints during his seven-year term. Among these cases were the Life Esidimeni and Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital that has been in the news for allegations of negligence. Professor Mokoena now joins us to talk about his new role and what changes he’s hoping to bring... 

Guest: Emeritus Professor Taole Mokoena – Newly appointed Health Ombudsman

SA Harvest, a food rescue and hunger relief organisation is calling on food donors, partners, corporate, members of the public to join their mission to deliver 1 million meals during this Mandela Month. They say that 10.3 million tonnes of food is wasted annually while 20 million South Africans are on a spectrum of severe food vulnerability, ranging from going to sleep hungry every night to running out of money for food sometime during the month. To paint us a picture of just how bad the hunger situation is in the country and also they go about saving wasted food to feed the poor, we are joined by....

Guest: Ali Conn - Chief Innovation Officer of SA Harvest

Guest: Chef Coo Pillay- Founding Director and National Project Manager of Chefs with Compassion

Our next guest is one of South Africa’s brightest exports. They have worked alongside fellow international superstars: Black Coffee and Moonchild Sannelly. Their sophomore album, You Will Not Die drew critical acclaim for its gospel, soul and electronic pop influenced sounds. The album was written at a time  Even musicial giants Madonna and Elton John praised their work. Their latest album is a complete departure where and was written over 18 months across Europe (Lisbon, Ghen and London) with executive producer, Nile Rodgers. We are joined by…

Guest: Nakhane Mavuso (they/them) - Singer, Songwriter, Novelist and Actor

Today, we are celebrating World Chocolate day under the theme:“Discovering the Sweet Secrets of Chocolate.” On this day, people around the world come together to indulge in the rich and velvety goodness of chocolate while celebrating its remarkable history and significance. 

As part of this day, we thought to talk all things chocolate and spread some joy. To tell us more about the history of chocolate and how it spreads joy on this special day,we are joined by a chocolate manufacturer…

Guest: Navisha Bechan-Sewkuran - Corporate Affairs Lead at Mondelez Sub-Saharan Africa

The bourgeoning use of digital media in recent years has seen a corresponding surge in digital disinformation, particularly on social media platforms. Electoral processes have not been spared. Left unchecked, this phenomenon stands to undermine the conduct of credible elections.

This week, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) signed a Framework of Cooperation with Media Monitoring Africa and social media giants Google, Meta and TikTok. The aim of the agreement is to curb the spread of disinformation on social media platforms ahead of the 2024 National and Provincial elections. The agreement is seen as a crucial step towards safeguarding the integrity of information and preserving the fundamentals of South Africa's electoral processes. To tell us more about this partnership, we are joined by…

Guest: Thandi Smith - Head of Programming at Media Monitoring Africa

Guest : Commissioner Mosotho Moepya - Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission