Drivetime

Social Movements mark October as month of action

The Fight Inequality Alliance South Africa, a growing alliance of communities, social movements and NGOs has called for a month of mass rolling action in October. Following president Ramaphosa's announcement that the country will move to “a new normal” after months of lockdown, survival for working class communities is almost…

6 Oct 2020 10AM 9 min

Ramaphosa launches public complaints office to tackle Government service delivery lags

Government will launch an office to deal with complaints of deliberate delays of processes by officials. This was announced by president Ramaphosa. The president raised a number of concerns over the delay of processes, saying they were impacting negatively on service delivery and economic growth. On line is Executive Director,…

6 Oct 2020 10AM 11 min

Digital democracy a long way off in Africa

From the mid-2000s onwards, the digital revolution raised hopes of democratic transformation and strengthening in Africa. But it hasn't turned out like that. Now almost a decade after the “Arab Spring”, a techno-optimism has given way to techno-pessimism. And African leaders have proved to blunt the transformative potential of smart…

5 Oct 2020 11AM 18 min

Why are some international flights to SA cancelling ?

South African government's rule requiring all airline crew to self isolate upon arrival has caused Emirates to suspend all international flights to the country. Since 1 October, international travel for leisure and business has been unbanned while leisure travellers from Countries deemed high risk will not be allowed in the…

5 Oct 2020 10AM 12 min

What impact could a proposed bill to restrict foreign business participation have on SA's economy?

The Gauteng Township Development Draft Bill has released a plan to develop township businesses with proposals such as the establishment of a fund and promotion of enterprises. It has also a provision for township business to be reserved for South African citizens only. So how will the economy survive without…

5 Oct 2020 10AM 9 min

Book Review: Lansdowne Dearest by Bronwyn Karen Davids

Today we review a memoir set against the background of apartheid forced removals. It's an authentically South African family story called Lansdown Dearest, written by Bronwyn Davids. Bronwyn Karen Davids was born at 10 Heatherly Road, Lansdown and lived until the age of fifteen. Bronwyn is a former reporter at…

2 Oct 2020 11AM 21 min

Armenia ready for ceasefire over Nogorno-Karabakh

Armenia and Azerbajian accused one another of firing directly into each other's territory and rejected pressure to hold peace talks as their conflict over the enclave of Nagorno- Karabakh threatened to descend into all-out war. The incidents signalled further escalation of the conflict despite urgent appeals to halt the fighting…

2 Oct 2020 10AM 10 min

De Beer resigns from ANC to form new movement

Former ANC national security advisor Neil de Beer has resigned from the ANC to form United Independent Movement. He has created the UIM with a vision to educate South Africans about their power and fundamental rights to uplift their communities and elect independent candidates to public office. We now chat…

2 Oct 2020 10AM 10 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: -Rights group founded by journalist Jamal Khashoggi months before his murder officially launched. -US to manufacture space missiles in Saudi Arabia - And the US embassy closure in Iraq and…

1 Oct 2020 11AM 19 min

Why anti-Sisi protests are growing in Egypt?

Egyptian authorities have responded to the protests by expelling five lawyers from Bar Association. The decision includes Osama Morsi, son of the late president Mohamed Morsi. The court has rebelled them “terrorists” and accuses the lawyers of financing weapon deals and offering military training to the Muslim Brotherhood. On line…

1 Oct 2020 10AM 15 min

Vincent Smith corruption charges: What does this mean for the ANC?

The Hawks have continued making high profile arrests of ANC officials linked to state capture. Former ANC MP Vincent Smith who appeared in the specialised criminal court today, has been charged with corruption and fraud for allegedly accepting and failing to declare money offered to him by Bosasa company. So…

1 Oct 2020 10AM 11 min

Key take-aways from the Trump-Biden presidential debate

US president Donald Trump set low expectations for Biden's performance in their first debate, after months of calling him “Sleepy Joe”. Instead, the Democratic candidate Joe Biden who showed up was alert, cogent, and largely efficient against a competitor who presents a monumental challenge to any opponent. The debate did…

30 Sep 2020 11AM 15 min

Weekly Africa report

In this week's Africa report, we look at the following: -Africa court requests Laurent Gbagbo be added to Ivory Coast electoral roll. -ECOWAS to lift sanctions on Mali following the appointment of new Prime minister. -And in Rwanda, hotel hero of the 1993 genocide admits forming an armed group behind…

30 Sep 2020 10AM 17 min

Understanding the intersections between violence against women & children

The Children's Institute (UCT) and Sonke Gender Justice are hosting a webnar on the Promotion and Understanding of the Intersection between Violence Against Women and Children. The focus of the themes include learning about interventions in Africa to jointly address violence against women and children. On line is Researcher at…

30 Sep 2020 10AM 6 min

Weekly Economic Report

In this week's world economic report, we look at the following: -SA economy sheds 2.2 million jobs in second quarter -SA and China to revamp 10 year strategic cooperation plan -Saudi firms in talks to form $11 billion petrol-chemical maker. On line is Senior Researcher, Department of Political Sciences at…

29 Sep 2020 11AM 15 min

Stats SA releases Q2 QLFC

The South Africa economy shed 2.2 million jobs in the second quarter of 2020, according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey released by Statistics SA today. The results indicate that the number of employed persons decreased by 2.2 million to 14.1 million in the second quarter of 2020 compared…

29 Sep 2020 10AM 8 min

A look at Dr Anwah Nagia's contribution to the Palestinian struggle

We have a number of brilliant tributes to prominent human rights activist, businessman and philanthropist Dr Anwah Nagia, who passed away following his recent battle with Covid-19. He was laid to rest today at Mowbray Makbara. Of course, Dr Nagia has a long history of activism in fighting gentrification and…

29 Sep 2020 10AM 9 min

UCT launches Khoi and San Centre

The University of Cape Town (UCT) recently launched the Khoi and San Centre, which will foreground erased or marginalised indigenous knowledge. The development continues many years of groundwork by academics such as Dr June Bam – Hutchinson. On line for comment is UCT's Dr June Bam-Hutchinson.

28 Sep 2020 11AM 9 min

What are the implications of the Yemen government and Houthi rebels swap?

The Yemen government and the Houthi group have agreed a list of over 1,000 prisoners in what would be the largest swap yet. Yemen's internationally recognised government and the Houthi rebels agreed to exchange about 1,000 detainees and prisoners, including 15 Saudis, as part of trust-building steps aimed at reviving…

28 Sep 2020 11AM 12 min

Still no economic recovery plan for ailing SA economy

With over half a year gone since the country went into lockdown, financial experts are warning of much deeper recession for the country. In recent weeks president Ramaphosa has announced that business and social partners had submitted their ideas for recovery plans which will be integrated into one . On…

28 Sep 2020 10AM 13 min