VOC Breakfast

A Capetonian in New York describes the eerie state of quiet and calm across the city

New York City has become the epicenter of coronavirus in the U.S with over 47,000 cases. New York’s COVID-19 death count more than doubled in 72 hours to 1,941 as of Wednesday. The pandemic has forced millions of New Yorkers into their homes as local and state government enforce another…

3 Apr 2020 15 min

Has there been a crime reduction sick Covid 19 lock down

Days before the Corona Virus entered South Africa, crime in the country was on an all time high. The biggest stories that made headlines was the high number of children killed and or abused in some way by parolees who were convicted of crimes against women and children. Now it…

3 Apr 2020 4 min

Minister Fritz Provides Update on Western Cape Response to COVID-19

So yesterday Premier Alan Winde and Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz held a digicon to brief the media on the Western Cape's response to Coronavirus, as well as issues relating to safety and security during the lockdown. But what exactly was discussed. Joining us online is Minister of Community…

3 Apr 2020 9 min

: Police Ombudsman asks citizens to lodge service delivery complaints against SAPS

We have received many complaints from our listeners, with video and image evidence displaying excessive force used during the national lock down period South Africa is finding itself in due to the rapid spread of the Covid 19 virus. In videos circulating on social media, various officials can be seen…

2 Apr 2020 9 min

Call for financial relief during Covid 19 pandemic

Many financial institutions have frozen some accounts to ease the financial burden for residents in South Africa during the lock down period which has financially impacted each and every one of us, however City Municipalities have not implemented plans to assist with relief from paying municipal bills, water and sewage…

2 Apr 2020 7 min

Saudi tells Muslims to wait on Hajj plans amid coronavirus crisis

Saudi Arabia has asked Muslims to wait until there is more clarity about the coronavirus pandemic before planning hajj. The Minister for Hajj and Umrah, Mohammed Saleh Bente, was addressing Saudi television on Tuesday night. Just last month, Saudi Arabia suspended the umrah pilgrimage over fears of the new coronavirus…

2 Apr 2020 6 min

Companies acting as essential services against lock-down regulations

Following the announcement of the lock down for 21 days, we have heard multiple complaints from people far and wide about companies acting unlawfully and refusing to abide by the rules and regulations imposed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Now in recent days the ANC Youth League was also made aware…

1 Apr 2020 10 min

Health specialist on Covid 19 and medical supply shortage

With the number of covid 19 increasing at a rapid pace, the question now is does SA have enough medical supplies to combat the number of cases in the country? While the health department says it has sufficient supplies "depending on the number of people who succumb to Covid-19", spokesperson…

1 Apr 2020 9 min

Covid 19- Can Townships be locked down

The first of Covid 19 has been recorded in the Khayelitsha area over the weekend leaving many concerned. Health experts and government have long expressed concern that any infection in the township will have a catastrophic effect on impoverished communities. Experts have warned that the virus could spread rapidly due…

31 Mar 2020 7 min

SASSA continues

VOC Journalist Tauhierah Salie visited a SASSA pay point in the Athlone area

31 Mar 2020 9 min

SASSA pay-out during national lock down

With social grant payments for the elderly and disabled officially underway, we have received many complaints from our listeners with regards to the way the process was conducted. The South African Social Security Agency said that it would provide early payment of social grants for the month of April by…

31 Mar 2020 7 min

Will COVID-19 increase poverty and hunger? What can South Africa do?

When President Ramaphosa announced a 21-day national lockdown to disrupt the spread of COVID-19, he also announced a set of interventions to “cushion our society” against the economic and human consequences of the impending lockdown. Now today marks day 4 of the shutdown and it now seems that more emphasis…

30 Mar 2020 8 min

Labour Low Down

High-energy, informative and hard-hitting, Breakfast Beat packs a mean punch. This show is a current affairs and actuality show, which focuses mainly on issues that are of concern to the community that Voice of the Cape serves. The show feature interviews with prominent politicians, community activists, religious leaders, academic experts…

30 Mar 2020 13 min

Consumer Focus

As always on a Thursday, we bring you all you need to know about your rights as a consumer and this week will be no different. Lets us chat to Moesfiqah Botha, Head of Research and Consumer Education at National Debt Advisors.

26 Mar 2020 16 min

How to stay mentally healthy during Covid 19

The outbreak of COVID-19 may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. Now to discuss ways to stay calm and stress…

25 Mar 2020 10 min

Economic effect of Covid 19

The global economy has been struggling to adjust to the negative effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This includes South Africa, where several businesses have already closed their doors before Thursday’s lockdown has even commenced. Government has announced several measures but how will these be managed. We've been bombarded with questions,…

25 Mar 2020 5 min

Labour Lowdown: Implications for employees during the national COVID19 lockdown

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a 21-day lockdown for South Africa as a precautionary measure to control the COVID19 virus. Many questions are left unanswered. Who pays the salaries during the lockdown? How important is it for companies especially small businesses to comply with the rules and what are the…

25 Mar 2020 18 min

President announces a national lockdown: analysis

In an unprecedented move, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced last night that the country will go into lock-down as of Thursday midnight. South Africans had waited in anticipation for government to take drastic measures to curb the coronavirus pandemic, and many heaved a sigh of relief when Ramaphosa announced sweeping new…

24 Mar 2020 8 min

the virus may start claiming lives

As the number of infections in the country continue to increase and now sits at (240 by Sunday afternoon), there have been that the virus may start claiming lives. Two people have fully recovered from the disease and although we are not trying top be pessimistic, we have to be…

23 Mar 2020 7 min

Coronavirus impact on small business

The coronavirus pandemic has taken the entire globe by storm- forcing everyone to become more hygienic, putting healthcare systems to the ultimate test and deteriorating the global markets. And with all the concern around possibly contracting the virus, many business have allowed their employees to work from home. In the…

23 Mar 2020 15 min