The View Point

Guest: Dr Johann Lamprechts, Executive Board Member of the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa

 Glaucoma, a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, essential for good vision, is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness in Africa affecting more than 6 million people.

Shockingly only 1 in 20 are aware they have glaucoma and 50% will be blind in one eye by the time they seek an ophthalmologist for the first time.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, it is estimated that 4.16% of the population aged 40 years and older are affected by glaucoma with a higher incidence among the black population (5-7%) compared to the Caucasian population (3-5%).

 Despite being treatable, the South African Glaucoma Society (SAGS) emphasises the major challenges faced, including lack of awareness, late diagnosis, poor follow-up visits, and low compliance with treatment plans.

Guest: Dr Sean Phillips, Director General in the Department of Water and Sanitation  

Incentive based regulation is an innovative and uniquely South African response to challenges in the water sector. The Blue Drop Certification programme seeks to induce changes in behaviour of individuals and institutions to facilitate continuous improvement and adoption of best practice management of the delivery and distribution networks from abstraction to the water treatment works to the points of use. Consequently, progressive improvement and excellent performance is recognised and rewarded. The 2023 Blue Drop report provides comparative analyses and diagnostics to assist Water Services Institutions (WSIs) to focus on specific areas for improvement and restoring functionality of their water supply systems. The publication of this regulatory report has the additional objective of ensuring that the responsible WSIs are held accountable.

Guest: Chris Nissen, Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission]

 The South African Human Rights Commission is a Chapter 9 institution tasked with dealing with cases known as human rights violations. A human rights violation is when any of your rights in the Bill of Rights are abused or violated, but they do not handle all violations because there are already a number of organisations and structures in place to deal with specific types of human rights violations, free

of charge.

They focus more on issues of discrimination on any of the grounds set out in the Right to Equality, matters relating to socio-economic rights; and matters where your right to human dignity is violated.

Guest: Prof. Mias de Klerk, Director of the Centre for Responsible Leadership Studies at Stellenbosch Business School 

The Centre for Responsible Leadership Studies at Stellenbosch Business School has released a Manifesto for Responsible Leadership for a Better World, challenging South Africa’s leaders in business, government, civil society and the media to “stress-test” and assess themselves against its principles.

As South Africa faces a looming leadership crisis amidst upcoming elections, trust in key institutions has reached unprecedented lows, according to various studies. In response to this alarming trend, there is a growing call for a shift towards responsible leadership to foster economic and social stability.

Guest: Michael Bagriam,Labour law attorney at Bagriam Attorneys

South Africa’s labour legislation affords employees protection against discrimination on several grounds, including religion. This protection has at its foundation the constitutional protection of a person’s dignity. However, all constitutional rights have their limitations. These limitations are often tested in the workplace.

We continue a conversation that was started last week by Bertha Charuma and Michael Bagriam… we’ll begin with a recap of one of the calls that we received last week.  

21h11 – INTERVIEW: MANIFESTO FOR RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP FOR A BETTER WORLD

Title:                         [• Prof. Mr.] 

Name:                       [• Mias de Klerk]

Position AND org.:  [• Director of the Centre for Responsible Leadership Studies at Stellenbosch Business School ]

The Centre for Responsible Leadership Studies at Stellenbosch Business School has released a Manifesto for Responsible Leadership for a Better World, challenging South Africa’s leaders in business, government, civil society and the media to “stress-test” and assess themselves against its principles.

As South Africa faces a looming leadership crisis amidst upcoming elections, trust in key institutions has reached unprecedented lows, according to various studies. In response to this alarming trend, there is a growing call for a shift towards responsible leadership to foster economic and social stability.

The 10-point Manifesto outlines the principles of responsible leadership and proposes an alternative, transformative perspective on leadership that encourages leaders to reflect on and debate the principles of responsible leadership. 

Guest: Mpho Dagada, President of ARISE SA Mpho Dagada is a multifaceted professional whose illustrious career encompasses authorship, keynote speaking, entrepreneurship and astute investment. Rooted in his very nature, he embodies the qualities of a solution architect, a fervent communicator, and a catalyst for transforming mindsets. Moreover, he has ascended to the status of a luminary in the digital currency realm, serving as a vanguard of digital innovation, a maven of blockchain technology, and a prescient futurist.

In addition to his current roles, Mr. Dagada has embarked on a remarkable political endeavor. Through his party, Arise South Africa, he aspires to become South Africa's next president. This bold aspiration stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication to catalyzing change at the highest echelons of leadership.

Bheki Makhubu - Veteran Journalist

Guest: Mfanasibili Sihlongonyane , Journalist 

Guest: Bheki Makhubu, Editor of The National Newspaper

Journalists in Eswatini continue to work under immense pressure from the country’s Monarch. For years now, journalists and human rights activists have had to flee to neighbouring countries amid attacks by the law enforcement and endless detentions.

In recent news, the Eswatini monarchy and its government have asked the Mpumalanga High Court to rule that Swaziland News editor Zweli Martin Dlamini, an exiled journalist they accuse of defaming them with dozens of "wildly improbable" stories, is guilty of terrorism.

Guest: Mongezi Sihlahla , Beneficiary, farmer and former military veteran

Farmers in the Eastern Cape have been given cattle and goats with superior genetics to Eastern Cape communal and smallscale farmers as part of the ongoing implementation of the livestock production improvement scheme (LPIS) by the provincial Rural Development and Agrarian Reform department.

The livestock production improvement scheme (LPIS) is aimed at promoting sustainable and profitable livestock production within the resource potential farming sector and improving poor genetic make-up of livestock.

Guest: Howard Feldman, Radio host, writer and commentator 

Since the devastating attack on Israel by Hamas in October 2023 and the non-ending retaliation by Israel on Palestine, some South Africans, under various groupings and formations, have traveled to Israel and Palestine to witness what the civilians are faced with. We have also seen a number of Israeli and Palestinian citizens go to several parts of the world, pleading with the international community to help put an end to their suffering.

Guest: Mongezi Sihlahla , Beneficiary, farmer and former military veteran

Farmers in the Eastern Cape have been given cattle and goats with superior genetics to Eastern Cape communal and smallscale farmers as part of the ongoing implementation of the livestock production improvement scheme (LPIS) by the provincial Rural Development and Agrarian Reform department.

The livestock production improvement scheme (LPIS) is aimed at promoting sustainable and profitable livestock production within the resource potential farming sector and improving poor genetic make-up of livestock.