Litnet

After the municipal elections, a new future? Straight-shooting Herman Mashaba tells Freek Robinson what it takes to establish coalitions.

"De Klerk was never trusted by the securocrats – they preferred the old boys’ club of PW Botha, Magnus Malan, Kobie Coetsee, Louis le Grange and Adriaan Vlok. They saw him as a softie, a weakling, a goody two shoes, a bluestocking."

Why is Ethiopia at war? What is the role of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize? Is this a repeat of 1974, when the people of Tigray led a revolt on Addis Ababa?

"Every language matters; any language is good enough. The best readers, the most challenging creative and critical thinking, the largest wins for communication skills, are across and between languages." – Elinor Sisulu, award-winning writer and human rights activist.

Mohale is not afraid to criticise the government. Listen to his views on land reform, cadre deployment, state capture and wages.

"Language may be a factor in how well the lecturer is understood. Language may be a factor in who understands the assessment question. Language may be a factor in who can communicate their answers and be rewarded adequately for the knowledge they possess."

Phoenix, Durban, was a flashpoint in the recent violence and looting in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. Freek Robinson interviews members of a peace committee, Sham Maharaj and Nonku Zungu.

Imtiaz Sooliman shares with Freek Robinson his late-night calls to get people out of hostage situations and evacuate them from countries under siege, and how, right now, he is involving foreign governments yet again to help South Africans under siege.

Colin Morris has seen 32 years of service in the South African Police Service. He retired at the rank of captain. In this video he explains why the public has the right to ask questions about the lack of policing while parts of the country were being looted. Colin also explains why he does not want soldiers in the streets.

"Policing is a fluid, dangerous and changing situation. Not every decision will be perfect. But ultimately, everyone – even a Trump supporter – has the right to live. How much more someone seizing an opportunity to alleviate some of their poverty."

"I was acutely aware of the sensitivities of this story, and my approach with the extended Langenhoven family was cautious."

The Free State and North West are already into their third wave. Freek Robinson interviews Michelle Groome, head of the Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases.

"It is a sad moment for South Africans." Freek Robinson interviews William Gumede, Associate Professor, School of Governance at the University of the Witwatersrand and executive chairperson of Democracy Works Foundation.

On 29 April 2021 at 10:00, Marianne Thamm will be in conversation with Wahbie Long about his book, Nation on the couch: Inside South Africa's mind, as part of the Suidoosterfees-Jakes Gerwel conversations at Artscape, Cape Town. Robert Kriger interviews Wahbie to find out more about his book, which he describes as a "letter to all South African citizens".

"Basically, we all need each other, so, no, we cannot allow humanity to self-destruct." Adam Cruise (It’s not about the bats) will be part of the Jakes Gerwel conversations at the Suidoosterfees. 

"It is my small way of paying it forward and a way of showing gratitude for the privileges life has afforded me thus far." Thembalethu Seyisi (21 life lessons @ 21) will be part of the Jakes Gerwel conversations at the Suidoosterfees. 

Where are the millions? Freek Robinson interviews playwright and activist Mike van Graan from the Sustaining Theatre and Dance (STAND) Foundation and the Theatre and Dance Alliance.

"My eternal thanks for kykNET’s very generous Legende Fiësta award ..."

"The live experience, the exchange between actor and audience, which theatre uniquely offers, cannot be replaced by other mediums."

What role can Afrikaners play in the practical rebuilding of South Africa? A summit between the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and Afrikaner interest groups took place at the end of February 2021 in Cape Town. Freek Robinson interviews Thabane Vincent Maphai from the Thabo Mbeki Foundation.