AREA CODE

In Conversation With Verne Harris – Former Archivist to Nelson Mandela

Let’s get into it — because this is where the conversation starts to get uncomfortable. We often speak about Nelson Mandela as a symbol — a global icon of peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness. But today, more and more young South Africans are asking difficult questions about that legacy. Was he…

21 Apr 12 min

In Conversation With Joseph Mashigo - FEDUSA Chief Negotiator for the Public Service,

South Africa’s healthcare system is once again under scrutiny, following confirmation from the Health Minister that the current healthcare financing model is too expensive and unsustainable. This acknowledgment, made during a Section 77 hearing at NEDLAC, aligns with long-standing concerns raised by organised labour and various stakeholders about the rising…

21 Apr 7 min

In Conversation With Micheal Waters- MPL (DA Gauteng Spokesperson for e-Government)

Access to reliable and affordable internet has increasingly become a basic necessity—central to education, job-seeking, entrepreneurship, and access to information. Yet, concerns are mounting that many township communities in Gauteng remain excluded from meaningful digital access due to delays in government rollout programmes. Criticism has been directed at the Gauteng…

20 Apr 9 min

In Conversation With Palesa Linda Yates-ACDP

The African Christian Democratic Party in Ekurhuleni has raised concerns over the continued reliance on chemical toilets—often referred to as “tender toilets”—arguing that they are an unsustainable and undignified solution to sanitation challenges in many communities. At the centre of the issue is the claim that millions of rand continue…

20 Apr 8 min

In Conversation With Dr Ahmed Jazbhay-international relationals analyst

President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that the world is becoming increasingly divided, with deepening inequalities in power, opportunity, and economic wellbeing continuing to shape global relations. Speaking at an international gathering in Spain, the President highlighted that modern societies are facing growing fragmentation, driven by unequal access to resources, wealth,…

20 Apr 10 min

In Conversation With Khangela Baloyi NUM Energy Sector Coordinator

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has welcomed the recent multi-year wage agreement between Eskom and organised labour, describing it as a balanced outcome that protects workers while supporting the long-term stability of the power utility. The agreement, signed by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and Solidarity,…

20 Apr 10 min

In Conversation With Dennis Bloem- Activists & citizens

The recent arrest of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi has intensified national debate around corruption within law enforcement and the broader criminal justice system. The arrest follows a series of serious allegations that have emerged during proceedings at the Madlanga Commission, where multiple witnesses have pointed…

20 Apr 9 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH MATTHEW PARKS

The Congress of South African Trade Unions has called for urgent and expanded government intervention to shield the economy and vulnerable households from the anticipated fallout of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. According to recent reports by the Central Energy Fund, South Africans could face steep fuel price increases,…

16 Apr 13 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH HENRIETTE FROH

The City of Tshwane Council has unanimously resolved to place Chief Financial Officer Gareth Mnisi on precautionary suspension with immediate effect, pending the finalisation of an investigation into allegations of misconduct that were considered by Council on 26 March 2026. Mnisi was among six Section 56 senior managers appointed in…

16 Apr 7 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH CHARLE JENSEL

Skateistan South Africa is a non-profit organisation that uses skateboarding and education as innovative tools for social change, working with children and young people from underserved communities. The organisation creates safe, inclusive spaces where youth can participate in a unique blend of sport, creative learning, and life-skills development. Through these…

16 Apr 13 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH TUMELO TSHABALALA

An oversight visit conducted by Xolani Khumalo and Emma More has raised serious concerns about the safety of staff and patients at the Springs Clinic in Ekurhuleni. The facility, reportedly built on top of a former mine, is now facing a critical safety risk due to a developing mine shaft…

16 Apr 13 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH LESIBA MPYA

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela convened a stakeholder engagement meeting on Tuesday, bringing together law-enforcement agencies and municipalities to strengthen coordinated responses to road safety challenges across the province. The engagement focused on addressing infrastructure failures, the ongoing theft and vandalism of traffic signals, and related safety…

16 Apr 11 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH LUKHANYO VANGQA

The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, has acknowledged ongoing public debate and concerns regarding the draft History curriculum currently open for public comment. The draft curriculum is the result of work initiated in 2019 when then Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, appointed a task team to develop a…

15 Apr 8 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH MERVYN CIROTA, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Human Settlements

The Democratic Alliance will conduct an oversight inspection at the Fearfokol Informal Settlement in Ivory Park, near Tembisa, following growing concerns over poor service delivery, severe overcrowding, and delays in upgrading or relocating residents. The visit, scheduled for Wednesday, aims to assess living conditions in the area and engage on…

15 Apr 6 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH TSHEPO LEKWAPE,Joburg Men’s Parliament Partners

The City of Johannesburg, in partnership with the Johannesburg AIDS Council, the Civil Society Forum, Better Men 4 Tomorrow, and the COJ Men Sector, will host the Johannesburg Men’s Parliament on Wednesday, at the Conny Bapela Council Chambers in Braamfontein. The event will run from 10h00 to 14h00 and will…

15 Apr 15 min

IN CONVERATION WITH INNOCENT MOLOI, Paralegal

The Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) regulates the entry, residence, and employment of foreign nationals in South Africa. In terms of the Act, it is an offence for any person to harbour, assist, or employ undocumented foreign nationals. This includes providing accommodation, employment, or any form of…

15 Apr 20 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH MARTHA NGOYE

The civil society organisation Defend Our Democracy has expressed shock and outrage following the killing of Ms. Martha Rantsofu, Acting Accountant at the Emfuleni Local Municipality. Ms. Rantsofu was shot and killed in broad daylight in Vanderbijlpark while waiting for her vehicle to be repaired. The nature of the attack,…

15 Apr 11 min

IN CONVERSATIO WITH YOLANDA MATIKINCA, GBV Social worker in gauteng social development

The Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Nomantu Nkomo Ralehoko, today joined hundreds of residents, community leaders, and civil society organisations at the Roodepoort Magistrate Court in support of the family of a 13-year-old child who was allegedly raped. The gathering formed part of a community-led picket coinciding with the bail…

15 Apr 14 min

In Conversation With Velly Matsebatlela

South Africa’s well-known community movement, 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day, is set to celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Day on 18 April 2026 with a series of vibrant public gatherings across the country. These events will bring together knitters, crocheters, families, and volunteers in a shared effort to promote…

14 Apr 7 min

In Conversation With Jeffrey Mabunda

The Young Intelligent Minds of South Africa (YIMOSA) has issued a strongly worded statement criticising the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate allegations of criminality, corruption, and political interference within South Africa’s criminal justice system. The committee was formed in the wake of explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police…

14 Apr 10 min