The View Point

The Human Sciences and Research Council held a webinar where medical experts shared their advice to parents on the phased return of children to schools. The webinar shed light on where South Africa stands in light of the pandemic for the return of DBE announcement, whether children are affected by COVID 19 and what interventions can be put in place to ensure safety for children, particularly in ECDs.

Guest:Prof Refiloe Masekela - Paediatric Pulmonologist AND Head of Department for Peadiatric and Child Health at UKZN

Two weeks ago, the Minister Angie Motshekga announced to South Africans that schools would resume at start of June in line with level 3 regulations. Grade 7s and Matriculants would be the first to return as part of a phased approach to save the 2020 academic year.

Since that announcement, the Basic Education minister has remained adamant that schools will re-open despite several concerns have been raised from teacher unions (PPE/ Health & Safety Compliance), civil society (drop-out rates), politicians (court bid - One Movement SA/Mmusi Maimane) and governing bodies. Two provinces (NC) have announced from the outset that they would not be ready for Monday and will likely open on 8th June 2020.

Guest: Nangamso Mtsatse - PhD candidate in Education Policy and a Member of RESEP at the University of Stellenbosch

We have seen Universities make drastic changes to their learning experience as a result of the COVID 19. Students Representative Councils have expressed their challenges with adapting to these platforms to their institutions, it seems like the commitment made by DHET of “no student is left behind” will not reach students in rural and peri-urban contexts.

Guest: Amukelani Ngwenya - UNISA SRC, Secretary General

The Transport Education Training Authority (TETA) has been responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and the future of the Transport Sector in the digital world. TETA recently launched a partnership to provide Entrepreneurship and Compliance support to small and medium enterprises.

Guest: Maphefo Anno-Frempong - CEO of Transport Education and Training Authority

The South Africa Policing Union released a statement yesterday on their discontent with the fruitless expenditure and poor management of finances within SAPS. As a result, police officers are not being paid overtime and there has been delayed provision of PPEs to members of the force. SAPU has also shown their discontent with the leadership of the Police Commissioner, Mr Khehla Sithole for sidelining experienced members of the force in management positions and call on President Ramaphosa to hold an enquiry on whether Mr Sithole is fit to hold office.

Guest: Mpho Kwinika - Chairperson of the South African Policing Union

As we move towards level three on the risk-adjusted strategy, 8 million people will return to work on Monday, 1st June. Are we ready to go back to our respective workspaces? What lessons have we learned from the remote work experience? What can we carry forward as far as innovations in the media and business?

Guest: Lorato Tshenkeng - Founder and CEO of Decode Communications

Chivas Regal launched an exciting initiative to help small and medium enterprises cope during the COVID 19 pandemic through origin stories and business insights. Every week, Chivas Regal supports one entrepreneur with R 35 000 towards their business.

The weekly series is hosted on Instagram Live by entrepreneur and media personality, Andile Khumalo.

Guest: Marco Vandenput - Brand Manager: Chivas Regal

Guest: Andile Khumalo - CEO: Khumalo. Co and Host

Earlier this month, the President announced that 19 000 prisoners would be released on parole from correctional facilities. This was in response to the rising cases of COVID 19 amongst officials and prisoners, addressing the issue of overcrowding in the correctional system.

Whilst there have been concerns raised on parole conditions and safety of the general public, organizations such as Just Detention International say that this measure had to be taken in order to protect combat the health and social implications being faced in the correctional system.

Guest: Sasha Gear - co-director of Just Detention International, South Africa branch

The Moleskine Foundation is challenging young people across the continent to write articles in a campaign to build their WikiAfrica platform. Whilst the articles in this campaign speak to COVID 19 related information, their aim is to broaden their scope in order for access to information to be widely received in our respective mother tongues. Further, the Foundation wishes to use experiential learning to preserve culture through inter-generational discussions and engage youth to become knowledge producers.

Guest: Papa Baiden

Guest: Mr Perry-Mason Adams

The Democratic Alliance has recently announced that their policy and elective conferences would go ahead, virtually. This decision has sparked Mbali Ntuli to write to the Federal Committee and appeal for this decision to be reviewed on the basis that internal structures do not have capacity to deliver credible and fair elections. Further, delegates will not be able to vote due to access to data and wifi connection.

The DA is no stranger to internal conflict within its ranks and Mbali Ntuli's letter also outlines the dissatisfaction with the committee. This is as a result of continued campaigning on the part of John Steenhuisen, the interim leader despite the campaigning being ground to a halt.

Guest: Matshidiso Madia - Journlist at News24