Since late last week, the media has been abuzz with reports of petrol stations selling contaminated diesel. This follows an investigation by Energy Department which found  that 70 filling stations across the country were selling contaminated diesel which they mixed with illuminating paraffin. Sadly though is that so many cars are probably damaged costing millions of rands to those who may have fallen victim to the scam. 

Guest: Reggie Sibiya – CEO of the Fuel Retailers Association

Guest: Robert Maake – Director of Fuel Pricing at the Department of Mineral Resources

In an effort to curb youth unemployment, yesterday (Wed) Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi called on employers to register their vacancies and training opportunities on the department’s website. Addressing a  two-day Jobs Fair in Botshabelo, the Minister went on to say that they are willing and ready to assist employers for free to avoid costs charged by labour brokers. As good as it sounds, what about issues of access to data seeing how many people are unemployed? How practical is this under the current state of economy? To explain this further, we are joined by....

Guest: Sam Morotoba – Deputy Director General in the Department of Employment and Labour

As we continue our series on understanding our voting system, today we thought to get an understanding on what the Electoral Amendment Act means for independent candidates. Last week we heard from the IEC that in this year’s elections we will be provided with three ballot papers. The one will be for national, the other for provincial while the other will have the faces of independent candidates. So to get their perspective on this and what we as voters should know, we are joined by....

Guest: Dr Michael Louis – Chairperson of the Independent Candidate Association of South Africa

Guest: Terry Tselane – Former IEC Deputy Chairperson

Yesterday (Tuesday) Minister of Higher Education and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande called on institutions of higher learning to allow students funded by NSFAS with outstanding payments to register. Dr Nzimande was speaking during a press briefing around the readiness of the scheme for the 2024 intake. As you’ve heard in the news since last year how more than 20 thousand students did not receive their allowances for 2023 and the frustration they had to go. 

NSFAS representatives have been on the show a couple of times assuring us that they are dealing with the issue. 

Guest: Buti Manamela – Deputy Minister for Higher Education and Innovation

The South Africa’s delegation to the World Economic Forum in Davos says that it used the platform to meaningfully engage investors, civil society, businesses and governments. They go on to say that they also drove home the message that the country remains a top destination for growth and investment. The team was led by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and made up of ministers and business. So to tell us more on what it is they took there and just how they sold the country to potential investors…

Guest: Luvuyo Rani -  CEO/ Co-Founder Silulo Ulutho Technologies (attended the meeting)

This morning we take a look at some of the benefits of saving through stokvels. Recently we have seen how stokvels are transforming to not just be about saving money, but also used as a method to buy property, livestock and other investments. So we thought to get an understanding of some of the benefits they bring and whether they really are a good alternative to conventional banking? Also how do you know if it is a genuine scheme and what should we watch-out for should we want to take advantage? To educate us on this, we are joined in studio by…..

Guest(Studio): Andrew Lukhele -  Chairman of the National Association of Stockvels in South Africa

While the world is waiting to hear how the International Court of Justice in the Hague is going to rule in the matter between South Africa and Israel over the war in Gaza, this morning we revisit the subject of what constitutes genocide according to ICJ. Our guests had done some research looking at how the ICJ interpreted past genocide cases and what it may mean for future cases. Six western countries are said to have filed a joint application before the court putting up their arguments for an ample and expansive understanding of constitutes genocide. Let’s take a listen to a snippet from the South Africa vs Israel matter at the ICJ on the issue of genocide…

But then, what exactly makes the definition of genocide so difficult especially at international level and where exactly did the technicality start? To help us navigate this issue, we are joined by….

Guest(Denmark): Line Engbo Gissel - Associate Professor, Global Political Sociology, Roskilde University

Guest(Denmark): Kerstin Bree Carlson - Associate Professor International Law, Roskilde University

Last week we received a call from Brenda in Springbok in the Northern Cape talking about her frustration regarding schools in that part of the world using Afrikaans as a medium of instruction. She and the other parents approached the different authorities seeking a solution to the problem, but got no help for a few years now.

To get to the bottom of this issue and an understanding of why it’s so difficult to solve this problem, and also how a country like South Africa can find a workable solution and balancing the languages, we are joined by…

Guest: Sean Baker - Deputy Chairperson of the Parents Movement (This is the body representing Brenda and the other parents)

Guest: James Ndlebe – Chief Director: Planning and Monitoring Support in the Department of Basic Education (He has been dealing with this issue directly from the department of Basic Education)

Guest: Prof Thabo Ditsele - Associate Professor of Sociolinguistics and Linguistic Anthropology and an NRF-rated researcher at Tshwane University of Technology

Yallunder is our chosen artist ushering us to the weekend. She is described as an African soul artist and won her first SAMA award last year. Who is she and where did it all start for her? She now joins us to give us a glimpse of her journey....

Guest: Yallunder (real name: Yolanda Nyembezi) - African soul artist

Guest: Le Roux Lategan, top achieving A Level student from Reddam House Durbanville.