Our next guests are deeply concerned about the recent developments surrounding the hiring process for the leadership vacancy at the National Library of South Africa (NLSA). The re-advertisement of this crucial position, with the omission of the title "National Librarian" and the dilution of Library and Information Science (LIS) qualifications from a requirement to a preference. Section 9 of the National Library of South Africa Act (Act 92 of 1998) specifies that the Board must appoint a chief executive officer, who is also known as the National Librarian, and is responsible for the management of the affairs of the National Library.This raises serious questions about the integrity of the process and the future of this vital institution.

The absence of a national librarian in South Africa's National Library of South Africa (NLSA) risks weakening the system where it may potentially undermining the preservation of national heritage and the advancement of library development in Africa. Specifically, it could lead to a lack of strategic leadership and coordination, potentially hindering the NLSA's ability to fulfill its role as a cultural institution and a provider of information services. We know the critical role librarians play in the lives of communities, not only as places of safety but aas places of learning and knowledge production as well. To tell us more about this, we are joined by…

Guest: Charlie Molepo - Deputy Director: Research & Scholarly Output Support at the University of the Free State (UFS) and President of the Library and Information Association of South Africa (2024 - 2027)

Guest: Dr Mashilo Modiba - Senior Lecturer in the Department of Information Science at the University of South Africa & Chairperson of the South African Information Services Union

Guest: Prof Lefose Makgahlela - Associate Professor and Programme Coordinator in the Programme of Information Studies in the Department of Communications, Media & Information Studies at the University of Limpopo and President-Elect of the Library and Information Association of South Africa (2027 -2030)

As it is the last Tuesday of the month, this programme is dedicated to answering questions submitted over the past few weeks. We have collected a group of questions and he will address them during this broadcast:

1. What questions should individuals be asking their Financial Adviser?
2. Does it make sense to still preserve monies when leaving a job?
3. What is the difference between fixed income and equity markets?
4. Does it make sense to save whilst paying off debt.
5. What happens if I die without a Will.

Guest: Bryan Hirsch - Chairperson at Bryan Hirsch, Colley & Associates (Pty) Limited

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies recently gazetted a policy directive that has sparked nationwide debate on Starlink, softening regulatory requirements for international companies and transformation. The directive relates to equity equivalent investment programmes in the ICT sector, potentially impacting how foreign companies like Starlink operate in South Africa. The issue is particularly contentious given the history of BBBEE compliance expectations, the compliance of several US-based companies to these strict rules and the role of ICASA as the sector regulator.

Major telecommunications operators in South Africa are reportedly studying the implications of the draft directive. According to a recent TimesLIVE article, these companies are concerned about the uneven playing field the directive might create. This week, Minister Solly Malatsi will appear before Parliament’s Communications and Digital Technologies to clarify how this directive aligns with section 9(2)(b) of the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005. To help us unpack this discussion further and preview some of the important questions that must be answered by the Ministry, we are joined by…

Guest: Nomvuyiso Batyi - Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Communications and Technology South Africa

Guest: Sandile Swana - Governance Expert

As part of marking Africa Day, representatives of various civil and human rights organisations and trade unions embarked on the Africa Day Solidarity Walk in an effort highlight the plight of African workers.  The walk started in the Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown to Constitution Hill where the different organisations called for unity as Africans and the economic difficulties workers are facing especially with the kind of history this continent went through in fighting colonialism. Sadly in 2025 many workers continue to be exploited regardless of labour laws put in place. To discuss this further and also to look at the role played by workers in liberating the continent while having very little to say in the way our economies are driven, we are joined by…

 Guest: Mametlwe Sebei - President of the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa, GIWUSA

Guest: Mbuso Ngubane - Deputy General Secretary of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, NUMSA

Guest: Dr. Janet Munakamwe - Pan-Afrikan Feminist Scholar and Chairperson of the African Diaspora Workers Network

Earlier this month, we sent a request to the SA Human Rights Commission to help unpack the inaction of social media platforms as well as racist slurs emanating from the @TwatterBaas account. We are asking this in light of the subsequent statement from the Department of Justice regarding the prosecution of the individual behind the account and misinformation spread surrounding South African farmers that has led to the US-SA bilateral relations fallout earlier this year. This prosecution will be held alongside the AfriForum treason proceedings. In the weeks since this press release, we have seen the AI prompt GROK has been spreading misinformation on South Africa without a prompt. Where does this leave us in our understanding of social harms online and human rights violations? What role do Chapter nine institutions such as the SAHRC hold social media platforms responsible? As South Africa navigates the complexities of regulating digital spaces, what role can Chapter nine institutions play in addressing the growing incidence of disinformation and misinformation, and how can this inform the national question of balancing freedom of expression with the protection of citizens' rights? We are joined by…

Guest: Tshepo Madlingozi - Tshepo Madlingozi is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria. He is also a  member of the editorial committee of the African Human Rights Law Journal, a member of the management committee of the Pretoria University Law Press and a member of the Board of Trustees of several NGOs.

Our next guest is a South African jazz musician, pianist, composer, and scholar who has made significant contributions to the music scene. Sibusiso "Mash" Mashiloane has released several critically acclaimed albums, and his latest, Isigqi, pays homage to the pulse of township life, wisdom passed between generations, and the enduring sound of home. He recently graduated with a doctorate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where he researched local jazz identity and the ways South African musicians give voice to their heritage through jazz. Mashiloane is also a lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and educator at the Durban Music School. To tell us more about his musical journey and upcoming album, Isigqi, we are joined by...

Guest: Sbusiso Mashiloane – South African Musician, Pianist, Composer, and Educator   

According to the State of 2025 Green Banks report, there is a $ 7.4 trillion gap in climate funding. Many countries have pursued dedicated green financial institutions to accelerate their sustainable investment and enforce the Just Transition into low-carbon economies. Our next guest is proposing the establishment of a National Green Bank – a specialized financial institution dedicated to catalyzing investment in South Africa's burgeoning renewable energy sector. A Green Bank incorporates specific mechanisms to empower organizations in renewable energy and recognizes their pivotal role in driving innovation and ensuring a just transition.

Our guest believes that a national Green Bank isn’t just about financial innovation – it provides an opportunity for us to create a mandate that addresses economic justice and climate resilience. With load shedding and growing unemployment at crisis proportions, there couldn’t be a more important time to consider this intervention. 

Guest: Ntobeko Cele  - Vice President for Finance and Business at the National Executive Economic Collective

On the 20th of February this year, we spoke to community of Giyani after one of our listeners by the name Loward called in to the show to talk about the water problems they were facing and also making allegations of corruption. We then spoke to Biro Mashimbyi who is a community representative from the Mashimbyi Royal House, Odas Ngobeni spokesperson for the Mopani District Municiplaity and Percy Mthombeni who is a member of the Greater Giyani Concerned Residents. To give you sense of how the conversation went, I started with Biro who told us what is going on there, he is followed by Odas and then Percy. Let’s take a listen… 

Guest: Biro Mashimbyi - Community representative from the Mashimbyi Royal House 

Guest: Vusi Chauke – Greater Giyani Concerned Residents

Guest: Odas Ngobeni - Spokesperson for the Mopani District Municipality

New questions have been raised on the charter plane used to transport the 49 refugees that left for the USA earlier this month. Every foreign charter plane that enters the country requires a foreign operator's permit and disclose the purpose for travel. In the event where they are transporting more than 8 people, the charter plane has to provide status of passengers. According to a Department of Transport spokesperson, all procedures were followed to obtain the permit. However, The Department of Home Affairs and International Relations have dismissed the status of the 49 Afrikaaners as refugees and the passengers would not be able to prove their immigration status. Some experts have called the approval of the plane irrational, unconstitutional and a dangerous aviation precedent.

This is not the first time chartered planes have landed in South African airports without the correct foreign operating permits: the most recent incident involved an Angolan flight in Cape Town back in 2022. Our next guest helps us unpack the regulations that the International Air Service Licensing Council should have followed, the relationship with the National Department of Transport and how these incidents affect our national security. We are joined by…

Guest: Phuthego Mojapele - Aviation Expert

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is expected to table the 2025 national budget at 2pm this afternoon. The process follows two previous attempts that were halted due to political and legal challenges. One of the major disagreements in the second attempt was when GNU parties disagreed on the proposed increase in VAT. This time around, what can we expect the compromises to be for parties to agree under the government of national unity? To help us understand, we are joined by…

Guest: Xhanti Payi - Senior Economist at Price Waterhouse Coopers

Guest: Dr Eliphas Ndou - Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics at Unisa