Drivetime

Weekly Africa report

In this week's Africa report, we look at the following: -Africa Union slams Israel's occupation of Palestine -DRC president Felix Tshisekedi is the new AU chair -Somali opposition no longer recognises president. On line for comment is political science lecturer at Chrizzma University in Zambia, Dr Charles Moyo. Follow him…

11 Feb 2021 8AM 15 min

Egypt frees Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein

Egypt has released Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein after more than four years in detention on accusations of publishing false news. Hussein, an Egyptian national was held under preventive detention since December 2016. On line for comment is Dr Abdul Mawjood Danderi, former Member of Parliament in 2012.

11 Feb 2021 7AM 15 min

UCT Professor on international study to map counter-intelligence

University of Cape Town (UCT) Professor Herman Wasserman from the University of Cape Town Centre for Film and Media Studies will embark on an international study on the information disorder in Global South. The study aims to map the actors currently working in the counter-disinformation space. we now chat to…

11 Feb 2021 7AM 7 min

Fatah and Hamas begin talks over upcoming elections

Palestinian factions have begun a national dialogue in Egypt to prepare for upcoming elections. On the agenda are thorny issues such as judicial and security arrangements for the vote and the fate of Palestinians voters in Israeli-occupied Jerusalem. On line for comment is Middle East Monitor journalist, Mutasem Dallou.

11 Feb 2021 7AM 17 min

Weekly economic report

In this week's economic report, we look at the following: -Nedbank linked to extraction of millions during the period of state capture -SONA preview -Foreign Direct Investment into SA falls by almost half. On line is Executive Director, Democracy Development Programme at UKZN, Dr Paul Kariuki.

11 Feb 2021 7AM 23 min

Human Rights Watch wants new AU Chair to set rights-driven agenda

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged newly elected African Union (AU) Chair, president Felix Tshisekedi to set a rights-driven agenda for the AU. The DRC president was elected as AU chair for 2021 during the 34th Ordinary Virtual Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of States. On line for…

9 Feb 2021 8AM 19 min

Big companies accused of holding on to Covid-19 vaccine

The supply of safe and effective vaccine for all is being artificially rationed because of protection of exclusive rights and monopolies of pharmaceutical corporations. People's Vaccine Alliance (PVC) has warned the biggest vaccine companies in the world are planning to produce enough vaccines for only 1.5 percent of the global…

9 Feb 2021 8AM 9 min

ICC rules it has jurisdiction to probe war crimes by Israel

The Israeli government has angrily rejected an International Criminal Court (ICC)'s ruling that paves the way for a war crimes probe into the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories. This comes after a pre-trial chamber of The Hague-based court was tasked in January 2020 with the ruling on the scope of the ICC's…

9 Feb 2021 7AM 17 min

Book review: ''Like Water is for Fish'' by Dr Gareth Japahet

Many of us will remember Soul City and the Soul Buddzy series for the brilliant way they integrated health topics into compelling storylines on TV, radio and in print, creating stories so popular that they entertained and informed millions of people. There is also Heartlines, 'Whats Your Story? Program and…

5 Feb 2021 10AM 16 min

What is fueling the vaccine mistrust?

Conspiracy theories, mistrust and pachy miscommunication have contributed to the flourishing of skepticism about Covid-19 vaccine in African countries. Many African countries are battling a surge in coronavirus cases, but few have seen outbreaks as large as in the West. So what is driving the vaccine mistrust? On line is…

5 Feb 2021 9AM 12 min

Weekly Middle East Report with Middle East Monitor

In this week's Middle East report in partnership with the London based Middle East Monitor, we look at the following: -UK citizen serving in Israel occupation forces named as killer of 17 year old Palestinian boy. -What is a former Israeli spy doing in the British Labour Party's head office?…

4 Feb 2021 10AM 18 min

Is the political funding bill good for democracy?

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed the implementation of the Political Party Funding Act 2018 which will commence on 1 April. The Act now makes it possible to know the sources of funding by political parties, which will go a long way in strengthening public confidence in South Africa's democratic processes…

4 Feb 2021 9AM 8 min

Malema, Zuma set to meet this weekend

EFF leader Julius Malema's request to meet with former president Jacob Zuma has sparked questions about his intentions and motivation. Malema has described the meeting as of “national interest” following Zuma's refusal to appear before the inquiry commission chaired by deputy chief justice, Raymond Zondo. We now chat to Brand…

4 Feb 2021 9AM 10 min

How can mining companies account to the communities?

As the mining Indaba gets underway virtually to deliver multi-stakeholder discussions, civil society representation is again not on the panel. So how can the African Mining Indaba harness and help the communities that are being exploited by big corporations? On line is Policy and Advocacy Manager at Bench Mark Foundation,…

4 Feb 2021 5AM 16 min

ANC appoints Xiaomei Havard as MP

The appointment of Xiaomei Havard, a Chinese national to the South African parliament has raised important national questions. Havard was appointed as the new ANC MP to replace deceased minister in the presidency, Jackson Mthembu. But her appointment drew sharp criticism from some sections of society, prompting the ANC to…

3 Feb 2021 10AM 21 min

Weekly Africa Report

In this week's Africa report, we look at the following. -UK slaps sanctions on four top Zimbabwe security officials -US to remove Trump's “insulting” Africa policy -Nigeria offers help to Mozambique to fight off insurgents On line for comment is political science lecturer at Chrizzma University in Zambia, Dr Charles…

3 Feb 2021 9AM 15 min

R2K demands for expose' of spies in its ranks

Rights2Know campaign has called on president Cyril Ramaphosa to provide them with names of government spies that have been infiltrated in their organisation. The call comes at the backdrop of revelations given by the Chairperson of the High-Level Panel Review, Dr Sydney Mufumadi. On line for comment is Percy Nkhau,…

3 Feb 2021 9AM 8 min

Will vaccine nationalism prolong the pandemic?

As the Covid-19 vaccines arrive in the country, specialists are warning that the skirmishes and delays are likely to prolong the pandemic which will bring more suffering and economic pain in the way that exacerbates global inequality. Last week, phama giant AstraZeneca told the EU it encountered production difficulties and…

2 Feb 2021 10AM 20 min

Weekly Economic Report

In this week's world economic report, we look at the following: -Vaccine roll-out and what it means for economic growth -Eskom to increase tariffs by up to 10.95 % after regulator's decision -World Bank commits $20 billion for vaccines in Africa. On line for comment is Senior Researcher, Department of…

2 Feb 2021 9AM 18 min

Restoring trust in the Covid-19 supply chain

As the Covid-19 vaccine arrives in the country today,South African freight operators have developed guidelines for the clearance process of the vaccine that can stamp out corruption. So how can South African firms and government safeguard against corruption in procurement, distribution and administration of vaccines.? On line is Managing Director,…

1 Feb 2021 10AM 14 min