The Covid Report

Some small scale farmers will not survive post covid19 pandemic without financial support

While the agriculture and food sector value chain were declared as essential during the lockdown, small scale farmers who sell directly to markets and consumers were adversely affected as they could not reach customers. Dr Lennox Xolile Mtshagi, President of Black Farmers Association of SA says some of the small scale…

23 Jun 2020 47 min

First COVID-19 vaccine trial in South Africa begin

The first clinical trial for for a vaccine against Covid-19 will star this week. This was announce on 23 June 2020, during a virtual press conference hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. The South African Ox1Cov-19 Vaccine VIDA-Trial aims to find a vaccine that will prevent infection by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that…

23 Jun 2020 1 hr 28 min

Mental Health crisis at university expected with Covid-19

On the Covid Report we are joined with CEO of Higher Health Dr Ramneek unpacking the regulations put in place by Higher Health for Institutions of learning and their fight against Mental Health in the time of Covid-19.

22 Jun 2020 30 min

Have universities dealt with the Coronavirus pandemic effectively?

The impact of the pandemic on the education sector has been well documented and publicised. On The Covid Report today we look at the state of affairs in the tertiary education sector, & the ways in which the "online learning" development still needs to level its playing field. Siphosihle Mbuli…

22 Jun 2020 16 min

South Africa enters advanced lockdown level 3, what remains is the re-opening of borders

President Cyril Ramaphosa Ramaphosa announced new changes under level 3 lockdown, easing some restrictions. Political Commentator Jamie Mighti says the only thing that still indicated that we are under lockdown is the restriction on cross border travel.

18 Jun 2020 22 min

Gender Based Violence is genocide not war, and stop call us “our women” - Gender Activist

The president addressed the nation following a spade of violent killings of women. In his address Ramaphosa described GBV described as “war on women”. Advocate Brenda Madumise, the director of women’s empower organisation, Wise 4 Afrika says contrary to what the present send, Gender based Violence is not war against…

18 Jun 2020 33 min

Young men are in desperate need of mentorship and guidance

Recent Studies have Found that 24% of South African boy child between grade 8 to 11 had experienced feelings of Depression, hopelessness and sadness while a further 21% had attempted suicide at least once. In addition, the inability to express their emotions has shown to have a negative impact on…

18 Jun 2020 14 min

Youth unemployment at crises levels and where are the R350s?

One of the biggest problem South Africa is currently facing is youth unemployment. The youth unemployment rate is expected to be 70% by the end of 2020, as Covid19 puts jobs at risk for about 1.6 million to 2.5 million in South Africa. The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbate our situation- more and more people…

17 Jun 2020 20 min

Wits University launches own Covid19 screening app for staff and students

With South Africa moving to level 3 of the lockdown regulations, and universities being allowed to have up to 33% of the students and staff return to campus, Wits University has launched its own Covid19 Screening App to curb the spread of the coronavirus. VOWFM's Havey T Mathibi speaks to…

15 Jun 2020 10 min

Is your employer covid19 compliant?

South Africa's Chief inspector for Occupational Health and Safety has urged workers to report their employers for non-compliance with the Covid19 regulations put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus with the Department of Employment and Labour. Siphoshihle Mbuli speaks to Tibor Szana, the National Chief Inspector for…

11 Jun 2020 27 min

Rather stay at home instead of contracting Covid19 says one make up artist

While there have been calls by hairdressers and other workers in the beauty industry for government to allow them to return to work during lockdown level 3, one make-up artists Elinah Mangena says she would rather wait until it is safe to return to work than put her life that…

11 Jun 2020 23 min

How are waste reclaimers surviving the coronavirus pandemic

Because of the High unemployment in South Africa, we have seen in recent years a number of people taking up waste reclaiming as a means of survival. These workers are sometimes up from as early as 3am going to the dustbin to find items that can be recycled and re-used…

10 Jun 2020 22 min

The impact of Covid-19 and what the future holds for the Aviation Industry

Today we look at the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the aviation industry. Siphosihle Mbuli speaks to Chris Zweigenthal, the CEO of the Airline Association of SA and Chris will be informing us on how dire the financial situation of the industry is since the Covid-19 outbreak. We’ve heard…

9 Jun 2020 17 min

The impact of covid19 on people living with disabilities

On the Covid report today we focus on the impact of the coronavirus on people living with disabilities. Persons living with disabilities have more healthcare needs linked to impairments and are most vulnerable to the impact of low quality or inaccessible healthcare. Siphosihle Mbuli speaks to Ntshavheni Netshituni from BlindSA…

8 Jun 2020 42 min

Are the lockdown regulations invalid and unconstitutional as per high court ruling?

The Gauteng High Court suspended the declaration of invalidity of the regulations for 14 days, meaning that the level 3 regulations remain in effect for now. The court has government to amend, review, and republish the regulations. This must be done with due consideration to the limitation each regulation has…

3 Jun 2020 28 min

While property market has been hard hit by covid19, now is a good time to invest in property

The property market is one of the sectors that have been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. It was brought to a standstill during level 5 lockdown regulations, and under level 4 there was some reprieve as people were permitted to move houses. We speak to Harry Meyburg from Etchells…

3 Jun 2020 23 min

How can indigenous medicine like lengana/umhlonyane can be used to treat covid19?

On the Covid Report today we look at the role of traditional medicine in treating the coronavirus pandemic. Siphosihle Mbuli speaks to Mkhulu Zola Xashimba is a Nyanga, Naturalist and a herbalist. He specializes in indigenous ethnomedicine ethnopsychology and ethnopsychiatry.

28 May 2020 41 min

Coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the adoption of 4IR

The Corona virus pandemic, has made technology and internet connectivity essential as people have had to work from home. Siphosihle Mbuli talks to Tech Business Development Enthusiast Kevin Ssemwogerere who says the pandemic has reshapes the way in which we work, study and interact on social media. He says the…

27 May 2020 20 min

University students and staff to self-screen daily using a toolkit called Health Check

When South Africa moves to level 3 of the lockdown restrictions, universities will allow 33% of the students to return to class. To stop the spread of the virus, students and lectures will have have to undergo daily Covid-19 screenings. Siphosihle Mbuli speaks to the Executive Manager in the CEO’s…

27 May 2020 15 min

Domestic travel to play critical role in reviving tourism sector post coronavirus pandemic

On The Covid Report today we focus on tourism, a sectors that have been severely affected by the corona virus pandemic, can it be rejuvenated? The tourism industry is a major contributor to the South African economy and employment of citizens. The sector contributes about 9% to the country's gross domestic product. Siphosihle Mbuli…

26 May 2020 38 min