SARS priority has been to raise awareness about the October 2020 deadline for people who needed to file an income tax return at a SARS branch, why is it important for SARS to issue notices for tax returns? Gamelihle Bovana speaks to Itumeleng Mokhine TA (SA) Tax Specialist at Liberty Group South Africa.

Last week, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni delivered the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) proposes a five-year fiscal consolidation to narrow the budget deficit and stabilise government debt. The biggest highlights were that the South African economy is expected to contract by 7.8% in 2020, while our debt is set to rise to R5.5 trillion in 2023/24 fiscal year. The ailing national airline received another bailout. The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic continue to affect various industries here in South Africa and across the world. Did minister Tito Mboweni’s budget speech give us confidence on how we can get out of the current economic crises. To answer that question and more, we speak to Political analyst Mighti Jamie.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread rapidly across the globe, scientists expressed concern that people living with other underlying conditions like diabetes and HIV have had to worry about managing their current condition and how the coronavirus would affect them if they ever were infected. South Africa has gained experience in managing the HIV epidemic might allow for a strengthened response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 response is largely built on existing infrastructure, a wealth of scientific and medical expertise and community mobilisation to control the dual HIV and tuberculosis (TB) epidemics. On The Covid Report we speak to Seun Maphoroma from The South African National Tuberculosis Association. We also speak to McThomas Ntuli who has been living with Type 1 Diabetes who shares his fears and how he has managed his condition throughout the covid-19 pandemic.

South Africa’s unemployment rate fell to 23.3% in the second quarter of 2020 from 30.1% in the previous period. It was the lowest jobless rate since the second quarter of 2009, as the country’s strict lockdown distorted labour force numbers with fewer people actively looking for employment. Meantime, employment fell by 2.2 million, the most since the survey began in 2008, with total employment dropping across all industries. On the #CovidReport we speak to Statistician General Mr Risenga Maluleke from StatsSA to give us more insight on South Africa’s unemployment rate amidst a pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdown has resulted in an economic slowdown which has disrupted every aspect of our society. This situation also has far-reaching implications for the role that non-profit organisations play in the lives of millions of South Africans. Today on the #CovidReport we hear from Clinical Director of the Teddy Bear Clinic, Dr Shaheda Omar. The Teddy Bear Foundation strives to protect children through prevention and intervention programmes.

The Covid-19 pandemic is likely to shape the advertising industry in the long-term. Businesses are prioritizing survival for now, but in the future will have to find new ways of brand-building. The change in people’s media and consumption habits will force a rethink of how best to do so. Paul van den Berg, Chief Evangelist at Oliver South Africa speaks to us on The Covid Report about the impact that the Coronavirus pandemic has had on the Advertising Communications industry.