The View Point

On the 10th February, South Africans from across the country will be tuned as the President addresses the nation and opens Parliament.

Our next guest has noted, with concern, The number of South Africans who are employed has plunged by 2.1 million since Covid-19 first hit local shores, translating to an alarming average of over 3,800 fewer breadwinners each day.

They call for job creation must be a cornerstone of the speech and that through localization, small and medium enterprises can play a key role in rebuilding the economy.

Title:     [• Ms ]   

Name:  [• Happy Ngidi ] 

Position at organisation:    [• Chief Marketing Officer & Acting CEO | Proudly South Africa ] 

On this final day of Thyroid Awareness month, we take a closer look at Thyroid cancer.

According to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), about 50% of people over the age of 40 have a thyroid nodule, most of which are benign.

Only 7-15% of thyroid nodules are malignant. Thyroid cancer is usually very treatable, even if at a more advanced stage.

Title:                   [• Prof (He) ]   

Name:                 [• Michael Herbst ]  

Position at organisation:   [• HEALTH SPECIALIST AND PATIENT ADVOCATE AT THE CANCER ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA ] 

Criminal philanthropy is often used to buy local legitimacy, favourable publicity and to keep local people on your side, according to experts. 

People are handed cash, electricity, food when and if needed. The elderly were cared for and protected. It was a trade for loyalty.

Our guest says that established gangs in poor communities provide provision of support to their neighbourhoods, in exchange for hiding places for their illegal operations.

Title:                        [•  Prof. (Mr) ]   

Name:                    [• Guy Lamb ] 

Position at organisation:  [• Crimonologist & Lecturer of Political Science | University of Stellenbosch] 

Our next guest has developed a mobile app and wrist band technology to best enable local customers in making online purchases and conveniently shop-in-stores with zero queues.

Furthermore, they built a user friendly app for commuters by enabling them to purchase ride-credits for public transportation on-boarded in their platform. They have an informal payroll feature which enables local informal business to manage payroll with no hustle.

Title:                   [• Mr ]   

Name:                 [• Benjamin Chephu ]  

Position at organisation:   [• Founder | Horizontal Gravity ] 

Life on Madlala Street is a drama series adapted from the comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) lessons which are taught in Life Orientation and Life Skills in schools. CSE teaches learners skills to avoid risky behaviors, prevent gender based violence (GBV) and learner pregnancy, remain HIV  negative and complete high school. 

Even though the lessons were developed for the classroom, the drama series will be enjoyed by parents, caregivers of different age groups, families and learners alike. 

2021 marks three consecutive years that the ‘laden with poverty’ Free State takes number one spot for matric results.

Our Takeover guest is Tate Makgoe, the MEC for Education in the Free State province, and he has held that position since 2009 (13 years). Tthe Free State class of 2021 recorded the highest matric pass rate in the country of 85.7%; and four of their districts are in the top ten best performing districts in the country. The number one position is nothing new to the province – they were on this spot in 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and now again in 2021.

We’ll find out more about the MEC, the name “Mr Maths”, his white suite and the story behind it and how he and his dedicated team continue to “Wooootla and wooootla” as they do.

Title:                          [• Mr.]

Name:                        [• Tate Makgoe ]

Position AND org.:   [• MEC – Free State department of education] 

Title:                          [• Mr.]

Name:                        [• Tlotliso Mofokeng] 

Position AND org.:   [•  100% for Maths and Physical Science - 18 years old Mookodi Senior

Title:                          [• Ms.]

Name:                        [• Nel Chane] 

Position AND org.:   [• 100% german second additional language - 18 years old - Christian and

We’re in conversation with the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), and this comes after they have released a statement in which they condemn, what they term, the scapegoating of foreign nationals for South Africa’s unemployment crisis. NUMSA says it has noted, with concern, the actions of #OperationDudula and others which actively promote a narrative that foreigners are taking away jobs from South Africans.

NUMSA believes that the actions taken by the ‘operations’ are unfairly targeting African migrants and those who are spearheading these campaigns are promoting hate against which will eventually result in acts of violence against African migrants.

They urge those who are behind the campaigns to channel their rage towards the Department of Employment and Labour and the Department of Home Affairs. 

Title:                          [• Ms]

Name:                        [• Phakamile Hlubi-Majola]

Position AND org.:   [• Numsa’s spokesperson]

Intentional disinvestment in Black communities has created gross inequality and opportunity gaps in education, housing, health and employment. This, in the long run, has led to some sort of disconnect between communities and their surroundings. As people grow in their respective realms and they seek better opportunities elsewhere, they tend to be absorbed by their current situations and forget to plough back and reinvest in those communities that they come from.

And when we talk about reinvesting in communities, why do we only equate that investment to monetary investments? With the high level of moral decay that we see in our communities, is money the only form of investment that we need? Why is community development the sole responsibility of the government? Is it not an indictment on our part if we do not plough back?

Title:                          [• (Pr) Mr.]

Name:                        [• Thando Melane]

P​acka-Ching is a buy-back centre aimed at incentivising a change in behaviour and shifting perceptions around recyclable waste, in a country with massive unemployment levels, recycling presents job opportunities. 

Packa-Ching mobile units make recycling easier with buy-back centres that travel to communities to buy recyclables from them. Those who bring materials do not get paid in cash, instead money is paid into the waste pickers’ mobile wallets which can be used in any Shoprite, Usave or Checkers supermarket.

We’ll hear more about this business and their partnership with the Shoprite Group which has seen them launch seven Packa-Ching units that have created 27 jobs.

Title:                          [• Mr]

Name:                        [• Thabiso Hlongwane]

Position AND org.:   [• founder of packs-ching]

Today is International Day of Education, commemorating the role of education in working towards peace and development. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco): “Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind.”

Last week’s announcement of the National Senior Certificate Examination results by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, comes at a time when the education system has seen large gaps between those who were able to adapt to the Covid-19 crisis and those left behind. Although attempts were made to level the playing field for school learners who did not have access to the devices and internet connection required to take their education fully and partially online, these attempts were not entirely successful.

Let’s talk about education and who will be left behind in the post-covid-19 era of education?

Title:                          [• Ms.]

Name:                        [•Onyi Nwaneri] 

Position AND org.:   [• CEO of Afrika Tikkun Services]