The Focal Point

SAFM | Podcast , ±7 min episodes every 8 hours |

Latest News, Trends, and light features for an afternoon commute- Business, Traffic, Weather and Sport

MAR

11am

Celebrating Excellence: Today we celebrate Professor Bonang Mohale

5 min

Celebrating Excellence: Today we celebrate Professor Bonang Mohale, this following his appointment as Chancellor of the University of the Free State. Mohale is chair of Bidvest, former CEO of Business Leadership South Africa, and author of the bestseller ‘Lift As You Rise’.

Guest: Professor Bonang Mohale, UFS new Chancellor

MAR

11am

Covid-19: How safe is it to have sex during the coronavirus pandemic? In conversation with Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng.

7 min

Guest: Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, Commissioner at the Commissioner for Gender Equality

MAR

11am

South Africa reported its first two deaths from COVID-19

8 min

This morning, South Africa reported its first two deaths from COVID-19, hours after the country started a three-week curfew to stem the virus’ spread. According to the ministry of health, these two deaths occurred in the Western Cape; one at a private hospital and the other at a public hospital.

Guest: Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, MEC for Health in the Western Cape

MAR

10am

ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe has confirmed that he has tested positive for coronavirus.

10 min

ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe has confirmed that he has tested positive for coronavirus. His results came back this afternoon

Guest: Wayne Thring – ACDP Deputy President and Member Of Parliament

MAR

10am

It's the first day of South Africa's national lockdown and many workers are required to stay at home for three weeks

11 min

It's the first day of South Africa's national lockdown and many workers are required to stay at home for three weeks in line with a Presidential decree to fight the spread of the Coronavirus in the country. On the eve of the country lockdown, the Department of Employment of Labour cautioned employers NOT to make their employees pay for the national sacrifice with their leave benefits. But is seems like some employers are not heeding the call.

Guest: Thembinkosi Mkalipi, Chief Director of Labour Relations at the Department of Labour

MAR

9am

While South Africans start the 21-day countrywide lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus

7 min

While South Africans start the 21-day countrywide lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus, for some, isolating at home presents additional risks, on top of avoiding possible CoVid-19 infection. According to the National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSM) one of its main concerns is the potential for increased violence against women and children, who may be forced to endure isolation with their abuser(s), during this unprecedented extended period of confinement.

Guest: Bernadine Bacher, Chair of the Western Cape Women’s Shelter Movement and Director of the largest shelter in the province, Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children

MAR

9am

AS South Africa prepares for the nation wide lock down declared by President Ramaphosa this week

3 min

Guest: Hlengiwe Makhathini, NEF Divisional Executive for Venture Capital and Corporate Finance

MAR

9am

TransformRSA wants President Cyril Ramaphosa and his administration to roll out a communication and awareness strategy

10 min

Civil society organisation, TransformRSA wants President Cyril Ramaphosa and his administration to roll out a communication and awareness strategy in townships and rural areas until mid-April as the country is tackling the spread of Covid-19.

Guest: Adil Nchabeleng, President of TransformRSA

MAR

11am

the Equal Education - they are concerned that the closure of schools for an extended period

9 min

Post Angie Motshekga’s press briefing, we hear from the Equal Education - they are concerned that the closure of schools for an extended period of time will have dire consequences for many learners, particularly those from poor and working-class households.

Guest: Noncedo Madubedube general secretary of equal education

MAR

10am

A group of Communication professionals working alongside government have established a special website for Covid-19

7 min

A group of Communication professionals working alongside government have established a special website for Covid-19, to ensure a flow of accurate information. CovidCommsSA has been setup to translate and produce informational material on the Covid-19 outbreak in South Africa.

Guest: Chris Vick, communications specialist

MAR

10am

National Blood Service has expressed concern that their supplies may run low as the country prepares for a 21 day shutdo

5 min

The South African National Blood Service has expressed concern that their supplies may run low as the country prepares for a 21 day shutdown. The Blood Service has called on South Africans to continue donating blood even during the 21-day lockdown. So how will donations work given the new restrictions? To answer this we're joined on the line by...

Guest: Silungile Mlambo, spokesperson of the South African National Blood Service

MAR

10am

Sex workers are urging President to consider them as lawful employees and help them during the national lockdown.

7 min

Sex workers are urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to consider them as lawful employees and help them during the national lockdown. In a statement, released yesterday, the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (Sweat) and the National Movement of Sex Workers said: “We are not sure who exactly will be prioritised in the plans laid out by the president as he says ‘we are going to support people whose livelihoods will be affected’. “We call on the president to make urgent provision to the Temporary Employer and Employee Relief Scheme to include sex workers because sex work is work and they too need help as their livelihood has been disrupted,”

Guest: Lesego Tlhwale, Advocacy Manager @ Sweat