This past weekend, police in the North West starved more than 200 illegal miners underground at a mine in Orkney. The hungry and dehydrated Zama zamas were forced to come out straight into the hands of awaiting police. This is part of the police's 'vala umgodi' campaign, loosely translated in English means 'close the hole'. As good as this sounds for the police and the nation, is it the correct approach in dealing with illegal mining? Often communities where illegal mining takes place complain about the violence and crime when rival groups fight for territory. 

Guest: Kgothatso Nhlengetwa  - Artisanal Mining Expert

Guest:  Busi Thabane - General Manager at the Benchmark Foundation 

This past weekend, police in the North West starved more than 200 illegal miners underground at a mine in Orkney. The hungry and dehydrated Zama zamas were forced to come out straight into the hands of awaiting police. This is part of the police's 'vala umgodi' campaign, loosely translated in English means 'close the hole'. As good as this sounds for the police and the nation, is it the correct approach in dealing with illegal mining? Often communities where illegal mining takes place complain about the violence and crime when rival groups fight for territory. 
Guest: Kgothatso Nhlengetwa  - Artisanal Mining Expert
Guest:  Busi Thabane - General Manager at the Benchmark Foundation

Newsmakers and Guest Experts offer their insights and perspectives into the national and global discourse on politics, economics, education, social matters and comprehensive dialogues on cultural diversity and other essential issues of public interest like, poverty alleviation, unemployment rate and health related issues.

NewsmakersandGuestExpertsoffertheirinsightsandperspectivesintothenationalandglobaldiscourseonpolitics,economics,education,socialmattersandcomprehensivedialoguesonculturaldiversityandotheressentialissuesofpublicinterestlike,...

The Talking Point

Are we taking the right approach in fighting illegal mining?

In a new study compiled by the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and Deloitte, 18% of children may face a decline in economic potential to build a better life. The Child Poverty report investigated the economic impact of child poverty in South Africa, researching data on the direct financial burden and the loss of future economic potential. The study highlighted that government spends R656 billion on poverty alleviation initiatives (9,8% of GDP) to help vulnerable children.

 This study is a follow-up to the 2023 State of the South African Child report which outlined preliminary findings surrounding five major challenges affecting children including health, nutrition, education, housing, and safety. 

Guest: Dr Linda Ncube-Nkomo - CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund

Guest: Dr TK Pooe - Senior Lecturer at the WITS School of Governance

In a new study compiled by the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and Deloitte, 18% of children may face a decline in economic potential to build a better life. The Child Poverty report investigated the economic impact of child poverty in South Africa, researching data on the direct financial burden and the loss of future economic potential. The study highlighted that government spends R656 billion on poverty alleviation initiatives (9,8% of GDP) to help vulnerable children.
 This study is a follow-up to the 2023 State of the South African Child report which outlined preliminary findings surrounding five major challenges affecting children including health, nutrition, education, housing, and safety. 
Guest: Dr Linda Ncube-Nkomo - CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund
Guest: Dr TK Pooe - Senior Lecturer at the WITS School of Governance

Economic impact of poverty on children  

Our next guest began his musical journey while he was in primary school and later got introduced to the apostolic gospel-style of singing. He burst onto the music scene as part of a platinum selling South African music group, the Soil. When he is not with the group, he works as a songwriter, producer and theatre music director. Ntsika has also developed a record label head of Nomadic Tribe Entertainment. His songs are inspired by through visions and in his dreams. 

Guest: Ntsika Fana Ngxanga - Singer, Songwriter, Theatre Music Director and Founder of Nomadic Tribe Entertainment

Our next guest began his musical journey while he was in primary school and later got introduced to the apostolic gospel-style of singing. He burst onto the music scene as part of a platinum selling South African music group, the Soil. When he is not with the group, he works as a songwriter, producer and theatre music director. Ntsika has also developed a record label head of Nomadic Tribe Entertainment. His songs are inspired by through visions and in his dreams. 
Guest: Ntsika Fana Ngxanga - Singer, Songwriter, Theatre Music Director and Founder of Nomadic Tribe Entertainment

Friday Wind Down with Ntsika

A few months ago Media24 announced that many of their publications will no longer be printed, but continue on-line. Very shocking announcement as it will not only affect workers, but also street vendors. So many of us grew up with newspapers being part of our daily lives, from soccer scores at the back of the page, TV guide, job applications, death announcements, horse racing, matric results, classifieds, retail leaflets and the list goes on.

The Daily Sun grew to be a beloved paper in the township, while the City Press is one of the dominant Sunday reads we grew up. Sadly the last copy will be coming out on the 22nd of December while the Daily Sun’s last copy will be on the 2Oth. 

Guest: Mondli Makhanya – Editor in-chief for the City Press and veteran journalist

Guest: Amos Mananyetso – Editor of the Daily Sun

A few months ago Media24 announced that many of their publications will no longer be printed, but continue on-line. Very shocking announcement as it will not only affect workers, but also street vendors. So many of us grew up with newspapers being part of our daily lives, from soccer scores at the back of the page, TV guide, job applications, death announcements, horse racing, matric results, classifieds, retail leaflets and the list goes on.
The Daily Sun grew to be a beloved paper in the township, while the City Press is one of the dominant Sunday reads we grew up. Sadly the last copy will be coming out on the 22nd of December while the Daily Sun’s last copy will be on the 2Oth. 
Guest: Mondli Makhanya – Editor in-chief for the City Press and veteran journalist
Guest: Amos Mananyetso – Editor of the Daily Sun

Are we taking the right approach in fighting illegal mining?

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