The Special Focus

Panel discussion with researchers on what went wrong in Zimbabwe after Robert Mugabe.

The Western Cape is the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak in South Africa. Nearly 60% of all cases in the country have been confirmed in that province. Zahid Jadwat speaks to Premier Alan Winde to find out how the province is dealing with the crisis. This interview was done on 17 May 2020.

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread around the world, leaders are under increased pressure to lead their nations through the crisis. Zahid Jadwat speaks to a panel of experts to find out the state of SA's leadership. Guests: Miyelani Mkhabela (Political Economist and Founding Director of Antswisa Management Group), Sara Gon (Policy Fellow at the Institute of Race Relations) and Solly Moeng (Brand Reputation Management Advisor at DonValley Reputation Managers)

South Africa's business community has broken with Government over lockdown regulations. Business organizations have lashed out, saying that they've had enough of the lockdown approach that is proving to be detrimental to the economy. Zahid Jadwat speaks to Johannesburg-based freelance financial journalist and former Economics Editor at Business Day, Jonathan Katzenellenbogen to find out more.

Junaid Iqbal, chairperson of the Isipingo Business Forum, explains why the organization decided to hire private security personnel for 24 hour patrols in the business district in Isipingo, south of Durban during the lockdown period.

Zahid Jadwat speaks to independent political commentator Kim Heller about why she believes that now is the best time to deal with inequality.

As the economic impact of the nationwide lockdown has hit small businesses hard, the Institute of Race Relations (IRR) has published what they call a 'trim down' approach which, they say, could be an alternative to the lockdown.

Zahid Jadwat speaks to Mickaeel Collier about the coordinated efforts by Muslim charity organizations to tackle humanitarian issues brought upon us by the Covid-19 pandemic and the nationwide lockdown. Mickaeel Collier is the co-convenor of the SA Muslim Response Task team and Deputy CEO of Awqaf SA.

Zahid Jadwat speaks to Omar Badsha (CEO of SA History Online) and David Van Wyk (Lead Researcher at the Bench Mark's Foundation) about Freedom Day and the state of South Africa in the democratic era to assess how far we've come since the dawn of democracy.

The so-called born free generation of South Africa will play an important role in the history of South Africa once they take over. How do they see the democracy? Zahid Jadwat speaks to the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation's Irfaan Mangera to get an understanding on young people's perceptions of democracy.

The nationwide lockdown has largely been met with acceptance. However, it has been challenged by certain groups over the constitutionality of the measure which is aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19. Zahid Jadwat spoke to human rights activist Kagiso Nkosi.

The National Union of Metalworkers is unhappy about the lack of consultation with worker's unions before President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a 21 day nationwide lockdown. NUMSA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola spoke to Zahid Jadwat.

News24 journalist Azarrah Karrim recalls the moment she was caught in a crossfire between Police in Yeoville, Johannesburg, and weighs in on the role of journalism during the nationwide lockdown

Zahid Jadwat spoke to Dr Angelique Coetzee to find out what every person needs to know about the coronavirus, including the current situation and conspiracy theories. Dr Coetzee is the National Chairperson of the South African Medical Association (SAMA).

South Africa will tonight enter the country's first ever lockdown. Zahid Jadwat spoke to Professor Alex Van De Heever to find out what a lockdown means for us, as well as its possible effects. Prof. Van De Heever holds the Chair in the field of Social Security Systems Administration and Management Studies at the Wits School of Governance.

With Saturday being Human Rights Day, Zahid Jadwat spoke to human rights expert Bonolo Makgale of the Centre for Human Rights to get a closer look at human rights in South Africa. A little later in the show, Rumbie Elizabeth Chidoori briefly explained how HIV stigmatization relates to human rights violations. She is the Gender Coordinator at the Foundation for Human Rights.

According to several reports, Saudi Arabia has launched a new crackdown against senior royals and top officials in what appears to be Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's latest effort to consolidate control of all major levers of power inside the kingdom. Zahid Jadwat spoke to Na'eem Jeenah who is the executive director of the Afro-Middle East Centre (AMEC).