Drivetime

Weekly Africa Report

In this week's Africa report, we look at the following: -ECOWAS calls on Mali military junta to appoint head of transition by 15 September. -Rwanda arrests government critic Paul Rusesabagina -Cameroon to hold first regional elections including in English speaking provinces. On line is Political Science lecturer at Chrizzma University…

9 Sep 2020 10AM 12 min

Why Oxford's Covid-19 vaccine trial was halted

Clinical trials of one of most promising candidate vaccines has been suspended after a patient developed unexplained illness. AstraZeneca says it has suspended trials of the coronavirus vaccine it is developing with the University of Oxford after one of the trial volunteers fell ill. South Africa has also suspended the…

9 Sep 2020 10AM 10 min

Will the Israel-UAE normalization change the status of Al-Aqsa?

As Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) start exploring opportunities for cooperation now that the countries have started normalising ties, questions remain on the significant impact this accord could have on the sensitive status of Masjid Al-Aqsa. An ambiguously phrased statement by US president Trump, Israel's Netanyahu and Abu…

8 Sep 2020 11AM 15 min

World Economic Report

In this week's world economic report, we look at the following: -GDP data shows South Africa economy contracted by 51 percent -Ethiopian airlines to offer support to South African Airways (SAA) -US trade deficit jumps to 12 years high. On line is Senior Researcher, Department of Political Sciences at the…

8 Sep 2020 10AM 13 min

Stats SA: GDP plunges by 51 %

South African economy contracted by 51 percent in the second quarter of 2020, according to data released by Stats SA today. This extends the country's recession for yet another quarter, as the country continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic and growing unemployment. On line for comment is Statistician General at…

8 Sep 2020 10AM 11 min

Saudi jails eight people over Khashoggi killing

The family of late Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed inside a Saudi consulate in Turkey, welcomed the new verdict in the journalist’s trial as “just rulings,” while praising the Saudi justice system. Five men were sentenced to 20 years in prison and another three were handed jail…

7 Sep 2020 11AM 18 min

Clicks offers apology after racist advert outrage

Health and beauty retailer Clicks has found itself in a racial storm after a racist advert promoting negative sentiments against black women's hair. While Clicks said it understood the responsibility to remove prejudice from society, calls are mounting for the retailer to explain how the advert was flighted. The retailer…

7 Sep 2020 10AM 13 min

Will DA policy advance SA's growth

The DA has adopted its economic justice policy which proposes doing away with race- based empowerment programs. In its resolutions the party maintains current economic policy under the ANC impedes growth capacity and blocks more South African from accessing jobs in the labour market. So will its policies change its…

7 Sep 2020 10AM 10 min

Chalie Hebdo republish cartoons of Prophet Muhammed (PBH) ahead of trial

French satirical magazine Chalie Hebdo choose to reprint cartoons of Prophet Muhammed to mark the beginning of the trial of 14 alleged accomplices for their involvement in the 2015 attack on the publication. The decision to republish the cartoons has been seen as a display of defiance. On line for…

7 Sep 2020 9AM 14 min

AG uncovers fraud and corruption in Covid-19 relief funding

The Auditor General's report on Covid-19 has uncovered evidence of corruption in the spending of the government relief package. President Cyril Ramaphosa had requested for an audited report to track how funds were being spent. On line is Executive Director for Democracy Development Program at the University of Kwazulu-Natal, Dr…

7 Sep 2020 9AM 9 min

Weekly Middle East Report

In this week's Middle East Report in partnership with London based Middle East Monitor, we look at the following: -Qatar pays $34m to prevent humanitarian crisis in Gaza -Sisi- Netanyahu discuss Israel -UAE deal -Further Arab normalisation with Israel on the cards. On line for comment is contributor for the…

7 Sep 2020 8AM 16 min

Book Review: These are not Gentle People by Andrew Harding

In this week's book review, we have Andrew Harding's “These are not Gentle people”, published by PanMacmillan . “These are not the Gentle people” is a crime thriller, a court room drama, a profound exploration of collective guilty and individual justice and a fast paced literary novel. The death of…

4 Sep 2020 11AM 19 min

Almost 7,000 health workers have died from Covid-19 thus far

New analysis by Amnesty International has found that at least 7,000 health workers have died around the world after contracting Covid-19. At least 1,320 health workers are confirmed to have died in Mexico alone, highest know figure for any country. But on liner for comment is Amnesty International Campaigner ,…

4 Sep 2020 10AM 11 min

Farm murders in the spotlight

A parliamentary debate on the recent scourge of farm murders has revealed a difference in opinion between political parties. While the recent police statistics show a sharp increase in farm murders, government has affirmed its position in addressing the issue. But the question is are these targeted killings? On line…

4 Sep 2020 10AM 9 min

Weekly Africa Report

In this week's Africa report, we look at the following: -Sudan signs peace deal with rebel groups from Dalfur -Zimbabwe: foreign white farmers can apply to have seized land back. On line for comment is Political Science lecture at Chrizzma University, Dr Charles Moyo. Follow him @ www.afrodemocracyjournal.com

2 Sep 2020 11AM 9 min

Doctors on the frontline: Doctor Bilal Gafoor Pulmonologist

Over the past six months, frontline workers have become used to the physical toll of working long shifts in sweaty PPEs and boosting the morale of patients and families. But the emotional toll of seeing the worst-case scenario turn into a reality on a daily basis is higher than the…

2 Sep 2020 10AM 20 min

Committee hears briefs on public servant accountability

The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration(PSA) have today received briefings on the monitoring of the prohibition of public servants from doing business with the state. On line is Acting Chairperson of the Public Service and Administration, Mina Lesoma.

2 Sep 2020 10AM 10 min

Is this Israel's spring?

Is this Israel's Spring Time? Thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Jerusalem in a continuation of months long weekend rallies demanding the resignation of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu is facing a corruption trial and accusations of mishandling the coronavirus crisis. But is this Israeli's Spring? On line is well known…

1 Sep 2020 11AM 18 min

Ramaphosa draws the line on corruption

The ANC NEC meeting has backed president Ramaphosa after he ordered those facing corruption charges to step aside. The decision was reached after a weekend meeting of its top leadership making body. But is this something new from the ANC? And has Ramaphosa finally drawn the line? On line is…

1 Sep 2020 10AM 14 min

World Economic Report

In this week's world economic report, we look at the following. -SA inflation ticks up in July as lockdown restrictions ease -Africa trade pact seeks to help offset tariff losses -Positive economic outlook for China than the US, survey shows. On line is Senior Researcher, Department of Political Sciences at…

1 Sep 2020 5AM 14 min