Drivetime

Concern over children's safety during lockdown

As the re-opening of schools is delayed for the 2021 academic year due to the increase of Covid-19 cases, concerns is mounting that children's exposure to violence may increase. According to Childline South Africa, there has been an increase of about 36.8 percent in calls for help during the nationwide…

20 Jan 2021 9AM 7 min

Dispensing ivermectin: What then when caution and crisis clash?

In parts of South Africa and internationally a debate is raging about the use of a long-established anti-parasitic drug ivermectin, which shows some anecdotal evidence of efficacy in the treatment of Covid-19. However, because of initial positive indications, a movement has formed demanding its use and claiming it is a…

20 Jan 2021 9AM 10 min

Unpacking Trump's legacy

As the US starts a new chapter with the inauguration of Joe Biden as president tomorrow, historians and political commentators face a daunting task when it comes to assessing Donald Trump's presidency. Many would agree that it was the final year of his presidency that really cemented Trump's legacy, mainly…

19 Jan 2021 10AM 19 min

Will vaccines work against the new COVID-19 variants?

As South Africa awaits the arrival of its first shipment of Covid-19 vaccines, there are growing concerns about a new coronavirus variant, known as 501Y.V2, circulating in the country and what changes in the virus could mean . We now chat to Aisha Abdool Karim, health journalist at Bhekisisa Centre…

19 Jan 2021 9AM 10 min

UWC collaborates with government to tackle cybersecurity

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has partnered with private sector and the government to tackle cybersecurity. The collaboration aims to inspire the next generation of tech entrepreneurs and cybersecurity specialists to tackle challenges of cybersecurity and online gender based violence. On line for comment is Manager for Future…

19 Jan 2021 6AM 12 min

Turf war at Hartleyvale

Local football club FC Kapstadt has brought a petition against Cape Town Football Club over the use of Hartleyvale Stadium in Observatory. The soccer team has accused the City of Cape Town of unfairness and favouring the PSL team over them. On line for comment is chairman of Observatory Civic…

18 Jan 2021 10AM 15 min

HRW calls on Isreali government to provid Covid-19 vaccine to Palestinians

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged the Israeli government to provide Covid-19 vaccines to the more than 4.5 million Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. While Israel has vaccinated more than 20 percent of its citizens, including Jewish settlers in the West Bank, it has not committed…

18 Jan 2021 10AM 13 min

Schools re-opening put on hold

The Basic Education Department has decided to delay the reopening of both the private and public schools. South Africa has been battling the increase in Covid-19 infections, prompting the authorities to delay opening of learning institutions. we now chat to Professor in the Department of Policy Studies at Stellenbosch University,…

18 Jan 2021 6AM 8 min

Fighting the war on desert locusts

This time last year, swarms of desert locusts begun spreading across countries in the Horn of Africa, devastating crops and people's livelihoods. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) campaign appealed for urgent action to avoid a desert locust plague and looming humanitarian crisis. But one year on, has the war been…

18 Jan 2021 6AM 7 min

Book Review- "Saving a Strangers Life" by Dr Anne Biccard

Today's book review is called "Saving a Strangers Life" by Dr Anne Biccard. Anne Biccard has worked as emergence doctor in Johannesburg for more than 30 years. It is a job that is both terrifying and thrilling, where death can be outwitted by skill and quick thinking. The coronavirus, however,…

18 Jan 2021 6AM 21 min

Weekly Middle East Report

In this week's Middle East report in partnership with the London based Middle East Monitor, we look at the following: -Qatar says will only normalise relations with Israel after it commits to Arab Peace Initiative. -Emirates pilot suspended for refusing to fly to Israel -How Gulf reconciliation can help solve…

14 Jan 2021 10AM 17 min

US designates Cuba as sponsor of terrorism

The US has designated Cuba as a “state sponsor of terrorism”, the latest move in the final days of Trump's administration that observers say will complicate president- elect Joe Biden's foreign policy plans. For comment we chat to Director of Programs at the Institute of Healing Memories and Friends of…

14 Jan 2021 9AM 7 min

Trump impeached for inciting insurrection at Capitol

The House of Representatives has impeached president Donlad Trump for incitement of insurrection after a mob of his supporters stormed the US Capitol last week, marking the first time in US history that a president has been impeached twice. This means the Senate will now prosecute the charge of insurrection…

14 Jan 2021 9AM 13 min

Weekly Africa Report

In this week's Africa report, we look at the following. -Uganda's opposition leader Bob Wine set to end Museveni's rule as country heads to the polls. -Ghana army steps in to quell parliament clash ahead of swearing in. -Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chino'no arrested again. On line for comment is political…

13 Jan 2021 10AM 10 min

Survey: South Africans fearful of Covid-19 vaccine

With the arrival of Covid-19 vaccine a real prospect, South Africans remain broadly fearful of the ongoing impact of the virus on their livelihoods. Despite the reprieve from lockdown and economic devastation the roll out vaccine may offer, a lack of trust in both the vaccines and the government's handling…

13 Jan 2021 9AM 6 min

HRW releases 2021 World Report

US president- elect Joe Biden should work with global leaders who have sought to shore up a defence of human rights around the world, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said today in releasing its World Report 2021. The report looked at threats to human rights in more than hundred countries. We…

13 Jan 2021 9AM 10 min

Should SA go ahead with 2021 local government polls?

While South Africa prepares to hold the 2021 local government elections later in the year, concerns are growing for the polls to be postponed due to the growing cases of the covid-19 infections. Some political parties have also indicated that this year's local elections should be suspended and be synchronised…

13 Jan 2021 9AM 7 min

US House prepares to impeach Trump

The US House of Representatives is today expected to take up measures calling on Vice president Mike Pence and members of the cabinet to invoke the 25 th Amendement, which allowa for the removal of the president deemed unfit to fufill their duties. So how is the US president impeached?…

12 Jan 2021 9AM 12 min

SA shuts land borders

Following weeks of congestion and panic due to delays caused by infection control measures, president Ramaphosa on Monday night announced the closure of the country's 20 biggest land borders until February 15. These include the six busiest borders posts, Bietbridge, Lebombo, Maseru bridge and Kopfontein, just among others. But how…

12 Jan 2021 9AM 7 min

Weekly economic report

In this week's world economic report, we look at the following: -ANC government proposes Basic Income Grant for 2021 -Zondo inquiry commision resumes with Matshela Koko on the stand -Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AcFTA) accord finally takes off following years of deliberations. We now chat to Senior Researcher, Department…

12 Jan 2021 6AM 13 min