The View Point

South Africa may still have a chance to maintain the BRICS relationship thanks to Russian President Vladimir Putin's domestic problems, which might assist the rand and regional economies. South African assets have taken a beating in recent weeks due to worries that the nation's close ties to Russia may lead to sanctions and disinvestment. Putin's visit to a BRICS summit in Johannesburg in August would have been the real litmus test of South Africa's loyalty to Russia.

Guest: Asanda Ngoasheng, Political Analyst

Statistics show that nearly 80% of all foods found in supermarkets in South Africa are over processed and while this may make for a tastier food product – the impact on consumer health is largely concerning. It is high time; we ask ourselves how important the transformation of food is away from over processing to creating food products that promote health both for the consumer and the planet – a key theme for this year’s World Microbiome Day.

Guest: Leanne Kiezer, Head of Corporate Affairs at Danone Southern Africa

Education system, Food and sanitation in school Safety (environment)

What needs to be done? Factors affecting the youth - Crime, GBV, rape, mental health and mental illness (they should be aware of) to decrease suicide rate, substance abuse and school dropout rate, unemployment and inflation rate and improvements that need to be done. Voter turnout? Why the youth is not voting? Importance of voting? What should be done to encourage the youth to vote?

Guest: Reabetswe Neo Tshenkeng, Grade 11 student that attends Woodlands International College - A representative in the Student Representative Council and First team netball player. Humanitarian award winner of grade 10 and top ten student received academic full colours

 Guest: Tinyiko Ngobeni, Grade 11 . -  Debater, public speaker and poet. 16 years of age. National youth camp trailblazer 2022 president. RCL dep. Secretary

Hospital negligence affects the majority of South Africans, particularly at public hospitals, even though these facilities are frequently overcrowded and understaffed. We look at story of a 25-year-old young woman who lost her baby in the hands of uncaring “nurses and doctors at the Sebokeng Regional Hospital and has enlisted legal assistance in a bid to find justice after she was forced to deliver her own child while nurses ignored her. According to former Gauteng Health MEC Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi, Gauteng public hospitals recorded 1 954 deaths last year due to negligence in 2022.

Guest:Tshepo Mojapelo, Director at Mojapelo Attorneys

The bill was originally tabled before parliament in mid-December 2022 and has undergone extensive reviews and consultations. Under the bill, prohibitions and regulations would be empowered by the minister of health, who has the authority to designate certain public areas and outdoor areas as no-smoking, among other things. For example, the minister also has authority over the advertising and displaying of tobacco products. Under the bill, no one can display tobacco and vape products in retail settings, including speciality tobacco stores.

Guest: Kurt Yeo, Co-Founder - Vaping Saved My Life

Today, the University of South Africa (Unisa) celebrated its 150th anniversary with the university community through an event  held at its Muckleneuck campus in Pretoria. Other members of the university community joined virtually from all over the world. 

This is a great milestone for Unisa, especially at a time where the world is looking to the academic sector to mitigate the socio-economic challenges faced globally. 

Guest: Professor Puleng LenkaBula, Principal and Vice Chancellor  

Though science has proven that women have higher levels of concentration than men and are more patient, there is still a reluctance in giving female car mechanics a chance. As part of observing June as youth month, motor technician Nico Lagidze is offering females a chance at proper training in the motor-mechanics industry.  

He is of the view that the lack of women’s representation in the industry makes no sense because women are most likely to be better mechanics if given a chance and proper training.

Guest:Nico Lagidze 

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the number of refugees globally stands at 35.3 million. Under international law, refugees are people who are forced to flee their home countries to escape persecution or a serious threat to their life, physical integrity or freedom.

To raise awareness about the situation of refugees worldwide, the UN designated June 20 each year as World Refugee Day.

Guest: Dr Callixte Kavuro, Postdoctoral fellow in Law in at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Law 

President Cyril Ramaphosa was part of a delegation of African leaders who reached out to Russia and Ukraine as the war continued to rage. Ramaphosa was facilitating the talks because of his open line to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Zelensky. Both leaders were open to the idea.

The delegation was made up of Ramaphosa, Senegalese President Macky Sall, Comoran president Azali Assoumani and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.

Guest: Dr. Catherine Nomakula, Senior lecturer at the University of Free State AND Chairperson of the UN Working Group of experts on people of African descent

Mondli is a South African born actor whose acting ability has seen him performing on big stages around the world. He has done a number of theatre shows in Australia and England. He has appeared in local and international productions such as, Generations The Legacy, Isithwmbiao, uZalo, Imbewu, eHostela, Easy Money and Roots.

Guest:Mondli Makhoba, Actor: The Wife and iLembe

 Guests: Mnqobi Siyabonga