The View Point

Guest: Johanna Leblanc, CEO of J. Leblanc Global Consulting  

It’s a new year and after a historic US midterm election, America has a newly divided government. The new session of Congress began on the 3rd of January, with Republicans in control of the House of Representatives, while Democrats have managed to retain the Senate.

Another interesting thing about this new congress is that women make up more than a quarter of all members of the 118th Congress – the highest percentage in U.S. history and a considerable increase from where things stood even a decade ago. Counting both the House of Representatives and the Senate, women account for 153 of 540 voting and nonvoting members of Congress. Though it remains far below women’s share of the overall U.S. population, the increase is significant as it indicates a 59% increase from the 96 women who were serving in the 112th Congress a decade ago.

Guest: Mkhuleko Hlengwa Chairperson of SCOPA (Standing Committee on Public Accounts)

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) is a Legislature Committee that acts as Parliament’s watchdog over the financial expenditure of the Executive. It audits reports, internal audits, forensic reports and any other documents issued by the Auditor-General, as well as any other financial statements referred to them. When necessary, SCOPA is able to initiate investigations, and is empowered to call on governmental heads to account for expenditure of public funds. If SCOPA deems it necessary, it can also recommend that the National Assembly enforces punitive measures in issues of financial corruption.  

Today’s public lecture will focus on the work of SCOPA, what is happening in South Africa’s SOE’s and will South Africans see people being held accountable? SCOPA Chairperson, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, joins us now.

Guest: Sibusiso Xaba - Founder of Africa Cannabis Advisory Group

An overview of the #2022 Cannabis economy

Globally the cannabis economy has progressed in leaps and bounds, with South Africa lagging slightly behind. We look at policies, opportunities, and challenges of the past year. The Draft South African Cannabis Masterplan states that there are up to 900,000 traditional dagga growers in South Africa and that they, as well as 'dagga,' must be included in the cannabis value chain, but makes no recommendations on how to do so. However, we have seen little progress, we look at where South Africa

Guest: Sibusiso Xaba - Founder of Africa Cannabis Advisory Group

Guest: Prof. David Mosoma - Chairperson of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities

The risks and dangers associated with baptism rituals and how churches can circumvent fatalities

Church river baptisms are synonyms with South Africa, and the traditional churches, recently as over the weekend, three people drowned at a stream in the Snake Park near Mayibuye Bridge in Soweto during a baptism ritual.  Whilst earlier this month, a group of churchgoers were swept away in a flash flood when they were overwhelmed by the raging water during heavy downpours. In which at least 15 worshippers drowned in the river during the baptism ritual. We discuss how church elders or leaders can exercise caution, and what safety measures can be put in place when these kinds of rituals are conducted.

Guest: Mr Edmund Wessels, PhD candidate in biomedical engineering at the University of Cape Town 

PhD candidate’s innovation tackles women’s health on the ground

Guest:  Bantu Holomisa leader of the United Democratic Movement

Guest: Mkhuleko Hlengwa IFP National Spokesperson and Chairperson of Scopa 

 Guest: Daniel du Plessis, Spokesperson for Milkor

Guest: Phelisa Nkomo , Development Economist AND Board Chair at OxFam

Guest: Dr. Hlengiwe Ndlovu, Political Analyst 

ANC Elective Conference 2022

The African National Congress (ANC) has new leadership elected by delegates at its 55th National Conference on a ticket of renewal and unity with Cyril Ramaphosa making a return to the top.

Instead of a top six as has been the case over the years, the governing party has seven leaders after adding the position of second deputy secretary general.

There's been a great deal of reaction around the new leadership with former president Thabo Mbeki saying he supports whoever the ANC conference elected as the party's new top seven.

ANC delegates who were in support of Mkhize for the presidency said their next call of action is to support Ramaphosa during his second term.

Guest: Dr. Nelson Igaba ,Senior Technical Specialist for voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) at Right to Care   

#HealthMonday: Medical male circumcision

Any male aged 15 and above and in good health, irrespective of HIV status, is eligible for free circumcision in South Africa; and it is for this reason that Right to Care, the non-profit organisation that provides prevention, care and treatment for HIV and associated diseases, is calling on men to get medically circumcised this summer. Medical male circumcision reduces the chance of getting HIV by 60%. 

Many men believe that you have to circumcise in winter, but you can have the procedure any time of the year. Some also believe that traditional circumcisions are only done during the winter months, but in fact, they take place throughout the year, especially during school holidays.

Title: Ivor Chipkin Director of the New South Institute (formerly GAPP)