VOW 88.1 The Covid Report

The Covid Report

At the onset of the Covid- 19 pandemic in South Africa when President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a state of disaster in March 2020, Voice of Wits launched an hour- long daily talk show, The Covid Report. This show focuses on the impact the virus has on various sectors of society. Some of the topics covered include; stories of recovery, how people living in informal settlements are dealing with the pandemic, the impact of the virus on schooling- focusing on home schooling. The LIVE show airs 6 and 7pm Monday to Thursday and is available on podcast after that.
Weekly English South Africa Technology · Music
232 Episodes
172 – 192

Thousand of people are losing jobs due to Covid19 pandemic

Nursing union Denosa says everyone has to take responsibility for their health during the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking to VOWFM, Denosa’s Simphiwe Gada says all health workers, from doctors, to nurses, and cleaners should receive a risk or covid19 allowance. Some nurses spoke to VOWN FM about working on the frontlines…
5 May 2020 14 min

Nurses demand a corona virus risk allowance

Nursing union Denosa says everyone has to take responsibility for their health during the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking to VOWFM, Denosa’s Simphiwe Gada says all health workers, from doctors, to nurses, and cleaners should receive a risk or covid19 allowance. Some nurses spoke to VOWN FM about working on the frontlines…
5 May 2020 30 min

The UIF has paid out R5.3 billion to employers for salaries

The UIF has paid over R5.3 billion to employers who have applied for the #CovidRelief (Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme) to pay salaries. Deputy Director at the UIF Tshiamo Molema says they have been able to clear the backlog and can now pay employers within 24 hours at their best and…
4 May 2020 12 min

Can migrant workers in the country survive under lockdown?

The Covid Report host on Voice of Wits Gamelihle Bovana speaks to Adetunji Omotola, founder of the Global Africa Connect about the impact of the lockdown restrictions has had on migrant workers coming from countries outside of South Africa. Omotola says many of the foreigners in the country do not…
4 May 2020 30 min

Young adults most at risk of mental health during corona virus outbreak

Higher Health CEO Dr Dr Ramneek says job insecurities and academic pressures will add to mental issues in South Africa. Dr Ramnik was talking to Game Bovana on The Covid report. The World Health Organisation and number of psychologists have warned against a negative impact on people’s mental health and…
30 Apr 2020 17 min

How will President Ramaposa's R500 billion benefit small business and the poor?

Pontsho Pilane and Game Bovane speak to Owen Nkomo of Inkunzi Wealth group about President Ramaphosa's R500 billion Covid-19 social and economic plan who says the funds will help especially small business. They also spoke to executive director Koketso Moeti at community advocacy group Amandla.mobi who advocated for government to…
22 Apr 2020 38 min

The role of Civil Society during the Coronavirus Crisis

Sibongile Nkosi a social change and partnership strategist talks to Gamelihle Bovana and Pointsho Pilane civil society’s response to crises like Covid19. Equal Education's general secretary Noncedo Madubedube looks food security for learners who depend on school feeding for nutrition.
21 Apr 2020 39 min

The intersection of HIV science and advocacy in a time of the coronavirus

Host of The Covid Report Pontsho Pilane speaks to Coceka Nogoduka who is the Executive Manager South African National AIDS Council, SANAC about how the virus will potentially affect people living with HIV. She also speaks to Hiv/Aids activist the Yvette Raphael who says government should have a wholistic approach…
20 Apr 2020 38 min

How will South Africa's economy recover after the Coronavirus outbreak?

Host of The Covid Report Pontsho Pilane speaks to financial journalist Mudiwa Gavaza and Shergeran Naidoo, Head of Stakeholder Engagements at BankservAfrica looking at how the South African economy is performing during the lockdown and consumer spending as the as coronavirus pandemic grips the global economy.
15 Apr 2020 21 min

A first-hand account of how to get screened and tested for coronavirus

Pontsho Pilane speaks to Marcia Zali is an award winning health journalist at Health-e News. She’s based in Ekurhuleni and reports from there. She recently got screened and tested at the Department of Health’s mobile screening and testing facilities in Tembisa and was identified as “high risk” and had to…
15 Apr 2020 18 min

The "Art"of the Pandemic

The outbreak of COVID 19 has had disastrous effects on the country, economically, socially, financially & various other ways. With businesses being forced to close their doors & folks losing their jobs, government has stepped in to provide channels of relief for those affected. Trouble is, there are those who…
9 Apr 2020 40 min

Homeschooling during the Corona outbreak

With spread of the novel Corona virus, South African schools have had to close along with the 21 day national lockdown. Parents across the country are coming up with ways of making homeschool work with help from the Department of Basic Education.
7 Apr 2020 32 min

Mental health still very important during Corona Outbreak

The Corona virus is spreading across the world infecting over a million people leaving thousands dead, and affecting our mental health. Clinical Psychologist at the South African Depression And Anxiety Group (SADAG) Charity Mkone says it is important for people to look after their mental health.
6 Apr 2020 20 min

Abortion and Sexual Reproduction health essential services

Pontsho Pilane and Game Bovana speak to Marion Stevens the Director of the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Coalition (SRJC) about the importance of essential sexual and reproductive health services such as abortion and family planning remain operational during the 21-day lockdown.
1 Apr 2020 9 min
172 – 192