The View Point

Songezo Mabece was in conversation with Namhla Mniki-Mangaliso, the Executive Director at African Monitor.

The African Monitor is part of this year’s World Economic Forum currently underway in Cape Town. The African Monitor - an independent catalyst for monitoring development commitments, delivery and impact on the grassroots - represented by Executive Director Ms Namhla Mniki, will lead discussions on Innovating for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
While many of Africa's leaders at WEF are grappling with Africa’s current opportunities and the 4th Industrial Revolution, the African Monitor is asking “how can we discuss ease of doing business in a nation that is in turmoil? How can we talk about Artificial Intelligence and drone economies (spending billions on research and testing), but can't put resources aside to help the women of South Africa to be safe? Shouldn’t the women of this country be our priority?”

Songezo Mabece was in conversation with Dr. Emma Durden, programme manager at the Twist Theatre Development Projects, about her passion for community theatre and the role that it plays in bringing critical issues to the public domain

The Hilton Arts Festival kicks off next week and in preparation for the grand appearance at the festival, Dr. Emma Durden, programme manager of Twist Theatre Development Projects, has been up and about launching a theatre book - Acting in South Africa: Skills and Inspirations.

Dr Durden, is the recipient of the Chicago-based Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) 2016 Award for Leadership in Community Based Theatre and Civic Engagement. This prestigious international award is given to those individuals or theatre organisations that help facilitate communities in creating theatre that reflects their constituents and to those who develop lasting relationships with those communities.

Songezo Mabece was in conversation with Dr Mzi Nduna, an associate professor at Wits University’s Department of Psychology, about the need to take GBV serious and need to tough action

President Cyril Ramaphosa has just addressed the nation on a plan to address gender-based violence. Earlier today, the President addressed hundreds of angry protesters who are demanding answers from government. The President will also be visiting Uyinene Mrwetyana’s family in the Eastern Cape. We discuss this further now with Wits University’s Associate Professor of Psychology, Dr. Mzi Nduna’s. Her research interests in sexuality include aspects of gender and gender-based violence, psychological distress, safe sex, HIV risk, living with HIV and cultural influences in sexuality.

Songezo Mabece was in conversation with Namhla Mniki-Mangaliso, the Executive Director at African Monitor.
The African Monitor is part of this year’s World Economic Forum currently underway in Cape Town. The African Monitor - an independent catalyst for monitoring development commitments, delivery and impact on the grassroots - represented by Executive Director Ms Namhla Mniki, will lead discussions on Innovating for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
While many of Africa's leaders at WEF are grappling with Africa’s current opportunities and the 4th Industrial Revolution, the African Monitor is asking “how can we discuss ease of doing business in a nation that is in turmoil? How can we talk about Artificial Intelligence and drone economies (spending billions on research and testing), but can't put resources aside to help the women of South Africa to be safe? Shouldn’t the women of this country be our priority?”

Songezo Mabece spoke to Natasha Marx, Project Manager at Ligbron

On Monday, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) will be launching the Ligbron E-Learning system at two schools in the Devland area, i.e. Freedom Park Secondary School and Moses Maren Secondary School. These will be the fifth and sixth LES centres to provide quality learning designed to help improve Maths and Science marks for Grade 11 and Grade 12 learners.
The Ligbron-E-learning System seems to be a winner among big corporates who want to invest in education technology – an example being the investment made to KZN schools earlier this year by global packaging and paper group, Mondi.

Songezo Mabece was in conversation with Teboho Mafodi, the CEO of the TM group – they operate in Zambia, Nigeria and Kenya – and they are currently setting up shop in Nigeria …

The xenophobic attacks that are currently happening in Gauteng have caused an unfavorable response for businesses as some Africa countries are rebelling against South African businesses. Nigeria has beefed up its security at Shoprite, MTN and Spar outlets amid reaction from the locals who are angered by what South Africans are doing to their countrymen who reside in here. At the end of May 2019, the Africa Free Trade agreement came into effect and one would think that this would boost the economy of the continent. How does the current situation in affect the progress that can be made by this agreement? Does it deter investors from investing in Africa? Does it not bring loses to those South African businesses that have expanded to other parts of the continent?

Songezo Mabece was in conversation with Craig Mark, director at the Melrose Gallery AND Chief Crawford Fraser – Spokesperson for the Khoi and San Provincial task team in the Eastern Cape
Heritage Month is designed to provide an opportunity for South African citizens to embrace the country’s curious cultures. It is a month where we are supposed to commemorate and celebrate our triumphs and our diversity – but are we doing this? Is the history and heritage of South Africa presented in a way that involves all the people of this land? We also look at the role of galleries and museums in our heritage and in our effort to tell an authentic South African story.

SONGEZO MABECE was in conversation with Justice Edwin Cameron
Throughout his career, Justice Edwin Cameron has been recognised for his brilliance, commitment to human rights and social justice, and his HIV-Aids activism.
He retired from the Constitutional Court on the 20th of August 2019, after a distinguished legal career and more than 10 years on the bench of our apex court. He was born in Pretoria on the15th of February in 1953.
He made headlines in 1999 when he announced he had been living with HIV for 12 years as one of the first high-profile people to publicly disclose his status.

We engaged the retired justice about - the public life of the CJ, and the speeches he make in the public; serving under all CJs, and what he took from each; an increased applications to the Con Court following the 17th Amendment to the Constitution and the increasing challenge of case flow management; being a role model for the world in the fight for those affected and afflicted by the HIV/AIDS condition; and what he looks forward to the most in his retired life.

Songezo Mabece interviewed Gogo Nomsa Sibeko, a traditional healer of 13 years and Member of the executive of ATMIDA - African Traditional Medicines Industry Association about ‘Why is African Traditional Medicine not given the regulation and recognition it deserves’
Traditional African medicine is a holistic discipline involving the use of indigenous herbalism combined with aspects of African spirituality. It is said that about 80% of Africa's population relies on traditional medicine for their basic health needs. In some cases traditional medicine is the only healthcare service available, accessible and affordable to many people on the continent. This weekend, the world will commemorate African Traditional Medicine Day – the day also helps to highlight the significant contribution of traditional medicine as a major provider of healthcare services in Africa cannot be underestimated. But even with that being said, why is African Traditional Medicine not given the regulation and recognition it deserves? Should we be shy about using traditional medicine and consulting traditional healers?

Songezo Mabece was in conversation with Adele Kirsten, Director at Gun Free South Africa
Research in South Africa confirms global data which shows that more women are killed by an intimate partner than a stranger. As of 2018, eight women are murdered a day, an estimated three of whom are shot and killed. A further risk is that guns bought for self-defence end up arming criminals. Guns are highly prized items and are targeted by criminals who cannot acquire guns legally. A gun in the home is also more likely to be used to commit murder, suicide or to threaten and intimidate someone known to the shooter. We’re in conversation with Gun Free South Africa and we get an understanding of why people still insist on buying guns for self defence even when they pose so much danger?