The Meeting Point

A focus on manifestos, campaigns and what the future looks like for our municipalities.  Dr Sysman Motloung. Political analyst and lecturer in Political Studies and International Relations at North West University   

Thabile Mdhluli GOYN (Global Opportunity Youth Network) eThekwini Coordinator Activate! Change Drivers KZN Lebohang Zimba Network Lead, Activate! Change Drivers JHB Khustaz Mtwentwe founder and organizer of StandUpSA JHB  Wade Manning Executive Director at Defend Our Democracy 

KHAYA SITHOLE

Cia Siwela - vocalist, performer, and dynamic entrepreneur

LGE 2026: MPUMALANGA  Mike Masina  Hope of Residents  Clementine Dikeledi Malebe Active African Christians United Movement (AACUM)  Diiketse Sepenyane SACP Candidate for Victor Khanye Local Municipality (Delmas)    Bongani Phakathi  President of Msukaligwa People First (MPF), a local political movement in Mpumalanga,

LGE 2026: KWAZULU NATAL   Sangiphile Maxwell Ndaba, United Cultural Movement Siyabonga Mazwi Msibi, Service Delivery Party Nathi Zulu,  African Economic Freedom Secretary General, African Economic Freedom Party Mthetheleli Michael Mkhize Spokesperson - The Justice and Employment Party

Dr Oscar Van Heerden, International relations Expert 

Nkhululeko Nyembezi, SABC News Report 

Sefudi Joseph Tswagae, Ward 2 Rand West City Local Municipality (covering parts of Mohlakeng/Randfontein)  Nomsa Mbatha, Ward 67 - City of Johannesburg (Region F)  Aubrey Setshedi, Ward 28 - City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, Ward 28 is located in Diepkloof and parts of Soweto (Region D)  Xolile Lufele - Ward 100 (Cosmo City, Itsoseng / Malibongwe Ridge) REGION C (Their ward is currently ANC)  

Lufuno Mashau Acting Group Head: Revenue Shared Service Centre

Ashley Mama, City of Johannesburg (COJ) councillor and a Deployee of Al jama-ah Sipho Masigo, JHB Mayoral Candidate of African Heart Congress Vuyo Zungula, ATM President and Mayoral Candidate Rali Mampeule, MOVE SA president and JHB Mayoral Candidate

Paul Berkowitz - Municipal analyst 

Living with breast cancer, waiting for treatment and finding strength through support. Challenge the belief that palliative care means the end of life.  Priya Ndlovu  Breast cancer survivor  Dr. Mpho Ratshikana  Head of palliative at Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital  Princess Nakedi Founder of Princess Nakedi Foundation 

Dr Janeli Kotze, Director for Early Childhood Development

Pratibha Badaya, Co-ordinator of Brahma Kumaris center in Johannesburg

Professor Nirmala Gopal, University of KwaZulu-Natal criminologist

Prof Sam Koma Governance Expert 

Nkululeko Tselane  Election law expert

Dr Nompumelelo Mkhize, Director of Transformation at the University of Johannesburg, leadership and transformation strategist, and author of Evolving Voices: Navigating Transformation in Leadership, Households, and Generations.

Edith Ramatsetse South African entrepreneur and the founder

Nixon Katembo  African Affairs Analyst

Nobukhosi Zulu  Law and Policy Specialist for Real Reform for ECD 

Buhlebethu Magwaza Project Lead at Youth Capital 

Dr. Sithembiso Bhengu Director at the Chris Hani Institute 

Dr Ferial Adam, WaterCan executive director 

TUESDAY TAKEOVER:  To discuss how robotics, AI and automation are shaping the future of work and the importance of equipping young people with in-demand technology skills to participate in the digital economy  Thabo Lebelo University of Limpopo rep   Mr X National competitors coordinator  

Mr Lewis Nzimande, National Executive Director, The SA National Council for the Blind

Michael Atkins, elections analyst 

Michael Bargraim Labour Lawyer

Ian Cameron, the Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police  

Shamima Essop, Teacher and founder of  Wings Bio Care Pads  

Tumelo Kepadisa, South African rapper, songwriter and pioneer of the Motswako hip-hop movement

Khalesakhe Mbense, SABC News reporter 

Dumisani Mahlangu, Municipal Manager of Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, joined Bertha Charuma on The Meeting Point to discuss the municipality’s R100,000 tools-of-trade programme for local businesses and whether this support can translate into sustainable enterprises, economic growth and job creation

Zibuse Kunene, faith-rooted transformational thinker, author, coach, and speaker Eliane Matlala, Social Entrepreneur & Parent Support Advocate 

TUESDAY TAKEOVER:Dr Fikile Ndlovu, Deputy Director General for HIV/AIDS, TB, Maternal and Child Health Cece Winans - Goodness of God  TUESDAY TAKEOVER: Breast Cancer Awareness Month , Rahab Zulu Health Advocate & Breast Cancer Survivor, Louise Turner Director, Breast Health Foundation (BHF), Dr. Stephens Kotu Sepeng, Specialist General Surgeon 

Melusi Xulu, Legal Analyst 

Zamayirha Peter, Communications Manager ACTIVATE,  Change Drivers

IDAC provisionally withdraws R191m SAPS ‘blue lights’ case against Khomotso Phahlane Guest: Dr. Jean Redpath, Senior Researcher in the Africa Criminal Justice Reform programme at UWC

Lindiwe Hani, daughter of the late Chris Hani  

Dr Oscar van Heerden, International relations analyst

MOSA International Choir REV DC Marivate Memorial lecture Cuthbert Tiyani Thumba Marivate, Nephew  

Guest: Sashin Naidoo, SABC Reporter   

Global Political Campaign Index (GPCI). Guest: Dr Delta Ndou, Executive Lead Political Campaign Research Hub 

The Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre has called for caution following heavy rains across Gauteng  Theo Nkonki, Spokesperson for Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Jacob Mamabolo  

What is the state of rural life in South Africa and is there any weight to be placed on existing govt policies which continue to rely on farming as a form of rural development?  Dr. Neo Mathinya - lecturer and researcher at UFS 

Community leader AND coordinator for CONTRALESA WOMEN'S DESK 

Phinah Kodisang  - CEO of the Soul City Institute for Social Justice 

Dr Dorcas (Dee) Khoza Criminologist

Kashifer Ancer - PROJECT LEAD  RETHINK YOUR DRINK