The View Point

Since 31st July, there have been mass protests across Zimbabwe's major cities and towns. Ordinary citizens took to the streets against the Managawa government on issues of nepotism, corruption allegations and a worsening economic conditions in the midst of a pandemic.

Many opposition leaders, social justice activists, celebrities and journalists have been abducted and tortured for criticizing the government on the use of excessive force in the form of the military. In a presidential speech, Managagwa stated that the country had a few bad apples and they needed to be flushed out. He called for Zimbabweans to be remain unified during these difficult times.

Guest: Nqobizitha Mlambo - Social Justice Activist

Katarzyna Dembska, a researcher at the Barilla Centre For Food and Nutrition, once spoke at the launch of the State of Food Security report stating the following: "Women represent 43 percent of the total agricultural labour force worldwide, with shares close to 50 percent in some regions of Asia and in sub-Saharan Africa."

Guest: Dorah Marema - Director, GenderCC Southern Africa-Women for Climate Justice

Our first co-host is an example of how powerful confidence, a passion for social justice and self-mastery are in shaping your destiny.

She is a former Rhodian,having completed a Masters of the Arts in Political and International Studies. She has worked with the various NGOs on her thesis and later, formally worked with Public Affairs Research Institute that have premises its fight for social justice in public interest law.

Guest: Patronella Nqaba - Researcher: Atlantic Fellowship for Racial Equity At Nelson Mandela Foundation

Masked Heroes, a national campaign to protect and support community care workers* (CCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic has officially launched, and has started delivering personal protective equipment (PPE) to some 300 community-based organisations across the country.

Guest: Sinazo Nkwelo - Project Manager for the Masked Heroes Campaign

Guest: Thobeka Maphutu - Community Health Worker

Same-sex couples will soon have more rights after the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) passed the Civil Union Amendment Bill. The Bill aims to repeal Section 6 of the Civil Union Act, which allowed for a marriage officer to object to perform a civil union between people of the same sex on the grounds of conscience, religion and belief. It has been almost two years since the National Assembly approved the Civil Union Amendment Bill.

Guest: Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane - Lawyer AND Social Justice Activist

Guest: Rev Teboho Klaas - Religion Programme Officer at The Other Foundation

Last week, Dr. Blade Nzimande published a notice in the Government Gazette calling for people to be nominated to serve on the board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). There are many concerns surround the institutional culture, history and stability.

Guest: Ms Bongekile Macupe - Education Report Mail & Guardian

The Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, announced the introduction of the Basic Income Grant earlier this month. It is proposed to take over after the COVID 19 Social Distress Grant once it concludes in October 2020. Whilst this intervention has been advocated by civil society, policy proposals go as far back as 2000 and recommendations were made through the 2002 “Taylor Report” to government.

Guest: Ms Sacha Knox - Senior Researcher & Budget Analyst | The Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute

We caught the attention of our first guest on Twitter. We hosted Bantu Holomisa on a Tuesday as a co-host of #PearlsOfWisdom and he refuted several statements made with relation to the Nelson Mandela Bay: What really happened with failed coalition deal, whether there was clear corruption and its impact on governance in the city.

We last heard from him in January 2020 where he was unhappy with the UDM and DA rekindling talks about creating another coalition after Bobani’s eventual removal 2019.

Guest: Mr Athol Trollip - Former Mayor Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan

Though considered BEE neutral, Emerging Micro-Enterprises are discovering that companies expect them to be compliant and prioritise suppliers with a BBBEE rating. Earlier this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that BEE regulations must be enhanced to build a more inclusive economy in the wake of the pandemic.

Guest: Deon Oberholzer - CEO At Gestalt Growth Strategies

On June 26, Labat Africa issued a further SENS notice informing shareholders that it has received widespread support for the capital raise. Additionally, it announced that Labat had entered into a share subscription agreement with Verityhurst Limited, a private equity and venture capital investor, in terms of which Verityhurst has agreed to subscribe for up to 70-million ordinary shares in Labat for $50-million in cash.

Guest: Mr. Brian Van Rooyen - CEO, Labat Africa

Guest:Dr Mandla Lamba - CEO, Verityhurst Academy