According to the Parliamentary Monitoring Group, attendance by members of parliament in the National Assembly's portfolio committees declined significantly during the first session of 2024 compared to the previous year. Their analysis of 32 committees showed that 18 had worse attendance, 12 improved, and two stayed the same. While plenary sessions get more attention, committees are where important work like drafting laws and holding the executive accountable happens. MPs have various responsibilities, including making laws, discussing policies, representing constituents, and overseeing budgets.  

Founder of the Democracy Works Foundation and Associate Professor at the Wits School of Governance William Gumede joins Lerato Mbele for the conversation.

According to the Parliamentary Monitoring Group, attendance by members of parliament in the National Assembly's portfolio committees declined significantly during the first session of 2024 compared to the previous year. Their analysis of 32 committees showed that 18 had worse attendance, 12 improved, and two stayed the same. While plenary sessions get more attention, committees are where important work like drafting laws and holding the executive accountable happens. MPs have various responsibilities, including making laws, discussing policies, representing constituents, and overseeing budgets.  
Founder of the Democracy Works Foundation and Associate Professor at the Wits School of Governance William Gumede joins Lerato Mbele for the conversation.

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show programme, hosted by Lerato Mbele. The show delves deeper into the news of the day along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day’s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. Mbele also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners makes sense of their world.

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show programme, hosted by Lerato Mbele. The show delves deeper into the news of the day along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day’s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. Mbele also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners makes sense of their world.

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The Role of Members of Parliament

South Africans earning over R35,000 per month are encountering an escalating financial crisis, marked by increasing debt and other challenges.  Despite improvements in the broader economy, many high-income earners are still overwhelmed by debt. Debt counselling inquiries increased by 6%, while online debt management requests surged 10% compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the National Treasury will consider the possibility of a wealth tax once it has analyzed the data that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is collecting on high-net-worth individuals. Lerato Mbele spoke to Billy Joubert, senior associate director for tax at Deloitte Africa and, Thokozile Madonko, political economist and research at the southern centre for inequality studies at Wits university. 

South Africans earning over R35,000 per month are encountering an escalating financial crisis, marked by increasing debt and other challenges.  Despite improvements in the broader economy, many high-income earners are still overwhelmed by debt. Debt counselling inquiries increased by 6%, while online debt management requests surged 10% compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the National Treasury will consider the possibility of a wealth tax once it has analyzed the data that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is collecting on high-net-worth individuals. Lerato Mbele spoke to Billy Joubert, senior associate director for tax at Deloitte Africa and, Thokozile Madonko, political economist and research at the southern centre for inequality studies at Wits university.

SA’s Middle Class Struggle with Debt While Wealth Tax is Being Considered

Vusi Sidney Mahlasela Ka Zwane, born in 1965 in Pretoria, South Africa, is a renowned Sotho singer-songwriter widely celebrated for his contributions to African folk music. Often referred to as "The Voice" of South Africa, his music has deeply resonated with listeners both in his home country and globally, and he is recognized for his profound influence on the anti-apartheid movement. 

Vusi Sidney Mahlasela Ka Zwane, born in 1965 in Pretoria, South Africa, is a renowned Sotho singer-songwriter widely celebrated for his contributions to African folk music. Often referred to as "The Voice" of South Africa, his music has deeply resonated with listeners both in his home country and globally, and he is recognized for his profound influence on the anti-apartheid movement.

In The Spotlight Legendary African Folk Musician Vusi Mahlasela

South Africa has declared a national disaster following severe floods and storms that caused extensive damage across several provinces. This declaration enables the government to allocate emergency funds for relief efforts and reconstruction. The disruptive weather between October 22 and 29 affected the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Limpopo, North West, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga provinces. The storms caused widespread damage to infrastructure, property, and the environment while also interrupting essential services. Lerato Mbele spoke to Dr. Elias Sithole, head of the National Disaster Management Centre and, Lehlogonolo Thobela, weather forecaster at the South African Weather Services

South Africa has declared a national disaster following severe floods and storms that caused extensive damage across several provinces. This declaration enables the government to allocate emergency funds for relief efforts and reconstruction. The disruptive weather between October 22 and 29 affected the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Limpopo, North West, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga provinces. The storms caused widespread damage to infrastructure, property, and the environment while also interrupting essential services. Lerato Mbele spoke to Dr. Elias Sithole, head of the National Disaster Management Centre and, Lehlogonolo Thobela, weather forecaster at the South African Weather Services

The Role of Members of Parliament

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