The View Point

Songezo was in conversation with Ms Gail Masondo, Life In Recovery coach; Ms Penny Lebyane, Media Personality and activist; Ms Thembi Masondo, employee at the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union AND Survivor of Domestic Abuse
Thousands of women and children are murdered, sexually harassed, physically abused, in some cases sold for the purpose of forced labour or sexual exploitation.
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign is a United Nations campaign which takes place annually from 25 November (International Day of No Violence against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day) to address all those horrific crimes. Unfortunately, most women don’t know what to do when they experience these crimes. Sozo, a Johannesburg based organization have formed small intimate gatherings to share law enforcement information that women need to know. The conversations also aim to create an environment for solution based dialogues that can continue in the future.

Songezo was in conversation Prof Davis Mosoma, Chairperson of the CRL Commission
Last week, the CRL Rights Commission hosted hearings that will assist in making sure that all eleven languages are accorded the same rights and treatment. Language, in the Afrikan context, plays a big role in both communication and upholding cultural ways. Will we ever find common ground on language issues in South Africa?

Songezo was in conversation Patrick Godana, Eastern Cape Provincial Manager at Sonke Gender Justice
Sonke Gender Justice (Sonke) launches its #BeAccountable campaign to coincide with 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. The campaign aims to highlight the importance of a culture of accountability amongst those who have an obligation or responsibility to promote and realize human rights

Songezo was in conversation with James Hodge, Chief Economist at the Competition Commission and Ezra Ndwandwe, Business Analyst and Entrepreneur
The Competition Commission released the final findings of its Grocery Retail Sector Market Inquiry, finding that national supermarket chains have by and large limited small and competitor retailers’ activity in the sector over the last few years. The market inquiry was launched in 2015, to understand how the grocery retail sector operates. We talk about the outcomes of the inquiry and how big business has made it difficult for small businesses to access the market

Are we progressing or digressing in the fight against HIV?
Songezo was in conversation Dr Chuka Onaga - Deputy Chief of Party at Right to Care

As a build up to World Aids Day, zoom in on South Africa’s fight with HIV/Aids and talk about the challenges to ending HIV/Aids and why the HIV infection rate is still so high? We’ll also talk about the research journey – how have the ongoing scientific advances helped create a better understanding of the virus? Then we wrap up by understanding and tracking our progress in the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets.

Songezo was in conversation with Advocate Gerrie Nel – Head of AfriForum’s Private Prosecutions Unit
South African rights group, AfriForum, made legal history when they launched the country’s first dedicated private prosecutions unit to be headed by former state prosecutor Gerrie Nel. The development came amid accusations that the country’s National Prosecuting Authority was politically biased and highly selective about the prosecutions it pursues. But what exactly is a private prosecution? What needs to happened (or to not happen) for a private prosecution to be ‘instituted’? Although this unit by AfriForum is the first in SA, has there never been any private prosecution in SA before?

Songezo was in conversation with Sabelo Mbuku - Head of Marketing and Communications at the Transport Education Training Authority (TETA)
The TETA (Transport Education Training Authority) is one of the 21 SETAs that we have in the country and their focus is in facilitating skills development and training in the transport sector. Last year, they launched the #TETACARES HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign Speaks to who they are servicing as an institution and who feeds into their being. This campaign is intended to increase public awareness – in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Songezo was in conversation with the Medical Advisor to the Cipla Foundation – Dr Harold
As part of a National Department of Health initiative which aims to improve access to chronic medication for stable patients who are dependent on the public sector, the Cipla Foundation will help to expand the national footprint of the patient-centric Central Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme.
This partnership means that increasingly more patients with chronic illnesses across South Africa will have easier access to life-saving medication. In a country which has been previously hit by medication stock outs and has more than 7.5m people living with HIV (according to the latest figures from StatsSA), what does such a project mean for the ordinary people?

Songezo was in conversation with SANTACO Spokesperson, Thabisho Molelekwa and Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Jacob Mamabolo.
Taxi violence is a big problem in South Africa. Every week, somewhere in the country there are at least two cases that are opened with the SAPS related to taxi violence. Issues around taxi routes, rank space, the poaching of passengers from one taxi association by another, as well as greed, remain major contributing factors to on-going taxi conflicts.
The apartheid government did make efforts to resolve the conflicts and complications in the minibus-taxi industry but their efforts yielded no results. The democratic government has attempted to implement various strategies that would remedy the situation but the violence still continues. Is this industry untouchable and immune to law enforcement? Or is so dangerous that no one would dare mess with their Modus Operandi?

Songezo was in conversation with Tebogo Mafodi, Mike Clark and Kealeboga Gift Mogapi.
In a highly competitive market small to medium business have their own challenges much like any business. There are plenty of reasons why small businesses either fail or underperform. Primarily it’s due to lack of business skills, inadequate access to market, non-compliance, unsuccessful marketing initiates, mismanagement of funds, lack of funding. The list goes on and on. On the other hand, some small business owners have seen a lot of success in this country and economy. Today we’ve invited two of our loyal listeners who have had their own share of challenges and successes but have managed to stay afloat and sustain their business.