Drivetime

Study: Dexamethasone reduces Covid death by 25 %

Health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize says a study has shown that the use of dexamethasone on Covid-19 patients in ICU, has resulted in a decline of 25 % in South Africa's mortality rate among the critically ill. South Africa is ranked fifth on the global Covid-19 scale, with over 521,000…

5 Aug 2020 10AM 15 min

Zimbabwe on the grip of anarchy

Security forces have enforced a lockdown in Zimbabwe, blocking people from entering the capital Harare following planned demonstrations against the government of president Emmerson Mnangagwa. Several human rights activists and a journalist were arrested in what the government said was incitement against the state. Human rights defenders are voicing against…

3 Aug 2020 10AM 10 min

SA covid-19 outbreak warrants more testing

A Senior Researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research says the scale of the coronavirus outbreak in South Africa has created demand for more testing. There are growing concerns that certain cases are being undetected. Please note that all the data, graphics and analysis are in his personal…

3 Aug 2020 10AM 11 min

ANC top rank fingered in corruption

Top ANC NEC leadership have discussed the ongoing allegation of corruption levelled against some senior members of the party in the awarding of tenders for the procurement of PPE during the coronavirus pandemic. Calls were made for former president Kgalema Motlanthe to lead an investigation into corrupt dealings that have…

3 Aug 2020 10AM 12 min

Media Hit Parade

We are back with our weekly Media Hit Parade with Acumen Media Director, Tonya Khoury.

31 Jul 2020 11AM 14 min

Book Review: Imam Haron's Bilal

For this week's book review, we chat to Fatima Galant Abrahams on her latest book titled “Imam Haron Bilal” . Imam Haron was killed by the apartheid police while in detention and left behind a major legacy.

31 Jul 2020 11AM 17 min

UWC shares insights into latest WHO world population assessment

The head of the Statistics and Population Studies Department at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) highlighted the World Health Organisation (WHO) assessment of world population trends in sub-saharan Africa compared to the rest of the world. So how will these trends impact the generations to come? On line…

31 Jul 2020 10AM 12 min

Middle East Report

In this week Middle East report in partnership with the London based Middle East Monitor, we look at the following, -Syria to build new Hagia Sophia with help from Russia -Bin Salman targets former intelligence chief after bribes fail -And Libya complains to Security Council condemning Egypt, UAE of supporting…

30 Jul 2020 11AM 21 min

SAMA says corruption hampering medical care

The South Africa Medical Association (SAMA) says the latest allegations fo corruption involving public funds meant for the fight against the coronavirus pandemic could pose threat to proper medical care to patients. There has been rampant claims of gross corruption medical supply tenders during the coronavirus pandemic. On line is…

30 Jul 2020 10AM 9 min

Weekly Africa Report

In this week Africa report, we look at the following, -West Africa regional block ECOWAS proposes measure to help resolve Mali's political crisis. -Election race hits up in Tanzania as opposition leader Tundu Lissu returns from self imposed exile in Belgium. -And former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa dies aged 82…

29 Jul 2020 10AM 12 min

WHO warns of malaria-related deaths in sub-saharan Africa

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is warning that malaria-related deaths in sub-Saharan Africa could more than double this year because of the disruptions of Covid-19 pandemic. While the world is focused on tackling the coronavirus, there are growing warnings not to lose sight of other health threats. On line for…

29 Jul 2020 10AM 11 min

Portfolio committee rejects water tariff increase

The joint Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation and Cogta have rejected the proposed water tariff increase . The committee believe the impact of Covid-19 on households has not been taken into consideration. On line is Chairperson, Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Ms Machenwa Semenya.

29 Jul 2020 10AM 10 min

Hamas rejects $15 billion in return for disarmament

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh has said the movement had turned down an offer made about two months ago to provide $15 billion in aid, including infrastructure projects, airports and seaport, for besieged Gaza Strip, as part of the “deal of the century”. The sides that made the offer asked for…

28 Jul 2020 11AM 17 min

World Economic Report

In this week's world economic report, we look at the following. -IMF approves $4.5 billion loan to South Africa. -Corruption rocks the Covid-19 relief fund as president's aid steps aside -Malaysian stock exchange is the world best performing. On line is Senior Research Fellow , Human Economy Program at University…

28 Jul 2020 10AM 12 min

International Hepatitis Day

Today is International Hepatitis Day and the spotlight falls on the treatment programs whose sustainability is still threatened by stigma. Harm reduction programs for people who use drags are crucial in containing the infection rate and treatment for hepatitis. On line for comment is Technical Adviser for TB HIV Care,…

28 Jul 2020 10AM 14 min

Bike4Gaza

A group of 12 people including refugees and asylum seeker are cycling from Gothenburg to Abisko, the northernmost city in Sweden to raise awareness about the situation in Palestine. The cycling is in aid of the Palestine Children's Relief Fund to support children amputees in Gaza. On line is organiser…

27 Jul 2020 10AM 13 min

Dilemma for business under Covid-19

Down-sizing may present a short-term solution to survival for business under the pressure of the coronavirus pandemic. But checking the relevance of value proportions should not be overlooked as a route to longer-term sustainability. On line is senior lecturer in managerial accounting at University of Stellenbosch Business School, Sonja Cilliers.

27 Jul 2020 10AM 12 min

Call for Khusela Diko to resign

The ANC in Gauteng has met to discuss about the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) awarded to a company owned by presidential spokesperson's husband. Royal Bhaca Projects, owned by Diko's husband was awarded the PPE contract. But reports say the company was only registered last year and has no track record…

27 Jul 2020 10AM 10 min

SA's foreign policy on Syria

As South Africa's term on the UN Security Council comes to an end, an assessment of its position on Syria reveals a country that has squandered an opportunity to lead with principal. While the SA's statement on the UN have been consistent in affirming that there can be no military…

24 Jul 2020 11AM 19 min

Is SA surrendering its sovereignty to the IMF?

South African government has asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for $4.2 billion. The money would come from a facility that provided financing to countries facing an urgent balance of payments need without the need to have a full-fledged program in place. According to the IMF this means that the…

24 Jul 2020 10AM 9 min