Drivetime

South Africa enters phase 2 of Covid-19 vaccine trial

Wits University has begun a second Covid-19 vaccine trial and screening of participants for the NVX-CoV2373. The phase 2 trial in South Africa will evaluate if the nanoparticle S-protein, in the Covid-19 vaccine known as NVX-CoV237, protects against Covid-19 disease in adults aged 18-64 years old. On line is Dean…

18 Aug 2020 10AM 11 min

AISA webinar discusses extremism in Mozambique

The Human Science Research Council's Africa Institute of SA (AISA) today held a webnar to address the issue of violent extremism in Mozambique. The aim was to contextualise the emergence of violent extremism in Mozambique and its implications for peace and security in Southern Africa. On line for comment is…

17 Aug 2020 11AM 19 min

Will the economy recover under level 2 lock down?

After five months of lockdown, South Africa is easing into level-2, with 97% of the workforce expected to return to work. According to economic data, the impact of the first few months of lockdown during which many sectors of the economy were forced to close down, resulted in 3 million…

17 Aug 2020 10AM 7 min

Covid-19 cases expected to rise in the next 10 days

As the country moves into level -2 of the nationwide lockdown, health experts have warned a second wave of Covid-19 should be expected. South Africa recorded 162 Covid-19 deaths in the past 24 hours and experts have warned the next 8 to 12 weeks are critical as the upsurge is…

17 Aug 2020 10AM 19 min

Book Review: War Party by Greg Arde

In this week's book review, we have Greg Ardem's “War Party” how the ANC's political killings are breaking South Africa. Cadre deployment means that the ANC and the state are inextricably intertwined. In Kwazulu- Natal, which has long been the powder keg of South Africa, its a monster that means…

14 Aug 2020 11AM 20 min

Remembering Rabaa massacre

Egyptians in South Africa are marking the August 14th 2013 Rabaa massacre when security forces and army under the command of General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi raided two camps of protesters in the capital Cairo. The two sites had been occupied by supporters of Mohamed Morsi, who had been removed from…

14 Aug 2020 10AM 10 min

Israel- UAE normalise diplomatic relations

Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reached an agreement , brokered by the United States , to work towards a full normalisation of ties, a deal the Palestinians called “treacherous stab in the back”. Under the agreement, Israel said it will delay the annexation of Palestinian lands in…

14 Aug 2020 10AM 9 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: -Co-option of religion by Saudi's MBS spells disaster -Syria's Assad says new US sanctions part of drive to “choke” Syrians -Israel uses Beirut blast pretext to change mandate of UN…

13 Aug 2020 11AM 17 min

Are South Africans giving up on democracy?

The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) today hosted a webinar on the state of democracy in South Africa. Nearly a generation has passed since South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994. So how healthy is the country's democracy and what are South Africans perception of democracy, specifically their attitudes…

13 Aug 2020 10AM 11 min

New book on cricketing legend Hoosain Ayob

Chair of the Awqaf SA board, Haroon Kalla chats to Drivetime sports reporter Feroz Sheik on a new book on legendary South African cricketer Hoosain Ayob

13 Aug 2020 8AM 8 min

Will Hezbollah and the people negotiate a new Lebanon?

The Beirut port explosion is likely to go down in history as a turning point in Lebanon's political configuration. Last year when the economy collapsed under unbearable debt and mismanagement, many Lebanese people realised they had become marginalised in their own country. So will Hezbollah and the people have to…

12 Aug 2020 11AM 20 min

Weekly Africa Report

In this week's Africa report, we look at the following: -Ramaphosa's envoys to Zimbabwe snub opposition after meeting Mnangagwa -Egyptians vote for revived upper house of parliament -Mali protests continue despite regional mediation efforts. And on line for comment is political science lecturer at Chrizzma University in Zambia, Dr Charles…

12 Aug 2020 10AM 11 min

Public Protector in court to save office

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane today went to court in a bid to challenge parliament's rules on how to remove the head of chapter Nine institutions. Mkhwebane is applying for an interim interdict on removal processes pending a judicial review. National Assembly speaker Thandi Modise is opposing the application. On line…

12 Aug 2020 10AM 16 min

Lebanon cabinet resign

Lebanon's government has stepped down as prime minister Hassan Diab blamed endemic corruption for a devastating explosion last week that tore through the capital. The August 4 disaster, which was caused by highly explosive ammonium nitrate at Beirut's port, has fuelled popular anger and upended politics in a country already…

12 Aug 2020 6AM 18 min

Weekly Economic Report

In this week's world weekly economic report, we look at the following: -Reserve bank and VBS shareholders agree on possible new banking licence -Russia develops first vaccine offering “ immunity” against coronavirus -Lebanon economic crisis worsen amid massive resignations of cabinet. On line is Senior Research fellow, Human Economy program…

11 Aug 2020 10AM 11 min

Need to speed up land reform for women in SA

In his Women's Day address to the nation, president Ramaphosa said government has agreed on an action to speed up the process of giving women productive assets such as land. Ramaphosa said the national strategic plan aims to promote women's inclusion in the economy. On line for analysis is professor…

11 Aug 2020 10AM 12 min

ANC, Cyril and SA, how to emerge from the current crisis

There is widespread anger over reports of tender corruption related to the supply of Covid-19 equipment. There is growing dissatisfaction with government's handling of the lockdown, which entailed a callous indifference to the needs of the poor who are also at the receiving end of the security force violence. This…

11 Aug 2020 10AM 17 min

ANC wants SA out of ICC

The African National Congress (ANC) is considering abandoning its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court. According to reports, the decision was take at an June executive NEC meeting. During the party's national general conference, the ANC resolved the government to start the process of withdrawing from the ICC…

10 Aug 2020 10AM 8 min

Islamic Relief responds to Beirut explosion

Following the devastating blast that rocked Beirut city in Lebanon, Islamic Relief is on the ground offering much needed humanitarian support to affected people. Over 150 people have so far died in the port explosion with close to 400,000 more facing displacement. On line for comment is Head of Department…

10 Aug 2020 10AM 14 min

“Dirty Tobacco” by Telita Snycker

In this week's Book review, former South Africa Revenue Service (SARS) lawyer Telita Snyckers spills the beans on global crime in her book titled “Dirty Tobacco”. What is more profitable than cocaine, heroin, marijuana or guns? Illegally trafficked cigarettes: Reputable tobacco companies have for decades been complicit in cigarettes smuggling…

7 Aug 2020 11AM 20 min