DispatchLIVE podcasts with Daron Mann: Recent Episodes
Daily Dispatch
Songezo Zibi has one simple message to SA’s people who are “gatvol“ with the government.
“If you want to change the country, get off the side-lines.”
Ted Keenan speaks to Zibi, who reckons “we get what deserve”, in terms of leaders.
While happy to blow his own trumpet, he is now campaigning to chuck out President Cyril Ramaphosa and his cronies, and the 2024 election is his target date.
Does he have the pedigree? Not as a politician he doesn’t, but then he is pretty scathing about most of the current crop of leaders, with so many of them having their noses so deep in the corruption trough that they cannot see the voters.
If the country wants a president of high integrity, no cupboard skeletons, skilled in top-level communication, has had hands-on experience in many business sectors, was past editor of Financial Mail, and has written to books on how to reignite Nelson Mandela’s “Rainbow Nation” philosophy, then he was the man, and his newly formed Rise Mzansi party was the people’s political party for the future.
“By the next election we will have 3m supporters who are actively working to make SA a home for their children and their children’s children.”
Coalitions are the future.
Daron Mann speaks to Bulelwa Ganyaza, spokesperson for Chris Hani District Municipality, about the devastating recent devastating floods in the country, the flood damage, now estimated at R4.5bn for the Eastern Cape alone, and the declaration by President Cyril Ramaphosa of a state of disaster to deal with the aftermath.
In a landmark decision handed down by the Bhisho High Court this past week Judge Rob Griffiths ruled that the Eastern Eastern Cape Health Department must care a patient they injured. The precedent-setting decision could free the EC Health Department from making crippling cash payouts to settle negligence claims in future. Spokesperson for EC Health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth, Mkhuluhli Ndamase, reflects on the implications of this ruling in the latest edition of THE DAILY DISPATCH IN DISCUSSION WITH DARON MANN
In light of reports that the ANC Youth League in the O.R. Tambo region will not be backing Cyril Ramaphosa at the party's upcoming National Elective Conference, Daron talks to the Melikhaya Mcitwa of the branch to find out more.
With The Eastern Cape Liqour Board recently launching its Campaign against the abuse of alcohol by minors in a new culture of pens down parties, Daron invites Mgwebi Msiya, spokesperson for the ELCB, to discuss the campaign.
With growing concerns that Pondoland will lose out on the growing cannabis industry, Ted Keen talks to. Gavin Tessendorf and Jakes Jacobs about the challenges faced.
Ted Keenan interviews CEO of East London's Mercedes Benz Plant, Mr. Andreas Brand, in a discussion on the plant, successes and the challenges of the Company, as well as the role it plays being situated in East London.
WILD WATERS | Daron Mann talks to Dispatch's resident
surf aficionado Nick Pike about the recent storm swells
and unusual waves seen across the province in recent days.
With the Cannabis Industry growing significantly, it was only fitting for Ted Keenan to chat to an expert in the field, Dr. Shiksha Gallow.
Daily Dispatch senior reporter Sithandiwe Velaphi speaks to Daron Mann about the effect on the victims' families after repeated delays over the cause of death at the Enyobeni Tavern disaster and the confusion surrounding the constantly changing theories on what led to the deaths.
Daron Mann talks to Buffalo City Metro spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya about the pain the city has gone through and Eastern Cape Liquor Board spokesperson Mgwebi Msiya about how the tavern was granted a licence.
A personal crusade in pursuit of animal welfare is set to take Daily Dispatch contributor Daron Mann to war-ravaged Ukraine within the next few days. Daron, who is responsible for the weekly online podcasts The Daily Dispatch in Discussion with Daron Mann and That Weekend Feeling, will be accompanying well-known bear and big cat rescue specialist Lionel de Lange on a mission to rescue lions, abandoned in zoos or by private individuals, fleeing the armed conflict.
ANC Eastern Cape provincial task team members Oscar Mabuyane, Babalo Madikizela and Mlibo Qoboshiyane are set to go head to head in the upcoming provincial elective conference. Madikizela, who is currently the ANC's provincial treasurer Eastern Cape MEC for Public Works and sitting premier Mabuyane talk to Daron Mann about the on-again-off-again scheduling of the conference, which was again announced to be going forward less than an hour after the interviews were recorded, followed by a statement refuting this.
Supporters for Sibongile Mani, the Walter Sisulu University student convicted of stealing NSFAS funds have started the #JusticeForSibongile to have her sentence reduced to stop her from serving jail time.
Rhodes University has won the first battle against anti-vaxxers opposed to the institution's mandatory Covid-19 vaccination policy but the war is far from over.
Athol Trollip says ActionSA is ready to bring some "sanity to the circus and get rid of the clowns."
The former DA federal leader tells Daily Dispatch about his move to the new party and his belief that pragmatic leaders, such as him and Herman Mashaba, can change the course of South Africa.
While acknowledging that ActionSA had a long way to go, Trollip expressed his excitement at the party's future prospects.
Trollip also talks about the loss of the Nelson Mandela Metro during his mayorship, touching on the issue of patronage and taking aim at "radical racists" in the Economic Freedom Front.
He hit out at SA politicians, who he accused of enriching themselves by "having their fingers in the till".
Trollip said that the ANC could not be counted on fixing what they themselves had broken and failed to rectify for 28 years and it was time for an alternative.
DispatchLIVE
The cash-strapped Eastern Cape is losing 91 doctors, more than 500 nurses and numerous allied health professionals who were meant to continue working for the health department as per contractual agreements that were secured through the funding of study bursaries. With at least R358-million needed to retain the staff and a slashed operating budget, the province will be hard hit by the departures. DispatchLIVE's Daron Mann speaks to Dr Mawande Dlamini, one of the affected medical doctors, as well as Rolene Wagner, superintendent-general of the Eastern Cape health department, about what led to the situation and the path forward.
Daron Mann talks to environmental activist and teacher Dean Knox about the importance of the interim decision by Judge Gerald Bloem to bar Shell from conducting seismic blasts for oil and gas exploration off the Wild Coast and speaks to Johan Lorenz, from constitutional law specialists Richard Spoor Inc. Attorneys, who was the lead attorney in the legal action against the oil giant and outlines the way forward.
Not only did Maria Clarke, mom of murder victim Angelique Clarke Abrahams have to wait two years for justice, but she had to sit with her daughter's killer and hold back her own feelings every time he chose to visit her grandson in her own home.
As we reach the end of this year's 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign Daron Mann talks to Lesley Ann Foster, Executive Director at Masimanyane Women's Support Centre, about the surge of gender-based violence in South Africa and the Eastern Cape after a spate of violent killings of Eastern Cape woman.
This month East London has seen guilty verdicts delivered against two men for the murder of their partners.
Alutha Pasile was convicted of the horrific murder and dismemberment of Fort Hare law student Nosicelo Mtebeni while Carl Abrahams was convicted of killing his wife, Angelique Clarke-Abrahams, in front of their young son.
Daily Dispatch correspondent Ted Keenan talks to Red Alert Security's Brett Harvey about the explosion of violent crime in Buffalo City that has recently escalated to a high number of armed robberies and carjackings in the metro, who and what the targets are, what is behind the steep incline and what we need to do to deal with it.
There are 11m vehicles on SA’s roads, with an average age of 10 years. In 2022, there will be more vehicles, and they will be getting older, especially in Eastern Cape.
So, if you’re in the aging vehicle category, do you trade in on a new machine, buy a good pre-owned one, or bite the bullet and drive your old jalopy into the ground?
Peter McNorton, of Kelston Motor Group, in discussion with Ted Keenan, Daily Dispatch business correspondent, said: “Take the foot off the accelerator when it comes to a decision.”
Passion must be tempered with common sense and tough financial questions.
What’s the old machine costing, with repairs and expensive maintenance mounting along with the kilometres on the odometer? What will a new or used vehicle cost? What’s the trade-in? What if the family’s financial position had a nasty reversal?
Kelston Group has nearly 30 outlets in Eastern Cape, and recently added Kelston Chery in East London.
“With all the new brands, do the research. There are great deals. But know your budget.”
Then there is another confusing area. Fossil fuel or electric?
Winstone Jordaan, MD of GridCars said one in forty vehicles sold globally was electric. By 2030 every second sold in the USA will be electric.
If the statistics pan out, Jordaan will be in the pound seats, with nearly 300 charging stations on the main routes.
He said SA cannot buck the electric trend, because the vehicle suppliers to the SA manufacturers are from Europe and Japan.
“In a few years our exports will be electric, and not too soon. It’s great for the environment.”
Daron Mann speaks to Gary Koekemoer from the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa, which has called on the government to immediately halt all seismic exploration off the nation's coastline citing recent research that shows the incredible ecological devastation it could cause.
Daron Mann talks to Jack Denton, who boldly bent over to have his Speedo signed by Bok skipper Siya Kolisi in Scotland.
Denton hails from the Eastern Cape and attended Kingswood College in Makhanda. His Brother, David Denton, also an old Kingswoodian, played rugby for Scotland 42 times.
The voices of South Africans vehemently opposed to seismic blasting surveys off the SA coastline are growing loader as citizens begin to take a stand against big oil
Draconian pandemic lockdowns have decimated the restaurant industry, with over 3,000 closures, and East London, the surrounding towns and coastal venues are not immune.
Yet there have been survivors, who have battled to stay open and will not get beaten.
Ted Keenan, Daily Dispatch business correspondent, talks to three East London business owners – eatery business veteran, Mike Butcher, one of East London’s top restaurant entrepreneurs Natasha Hogg, and Zinzi Rwicilia, who owns The Bistro, in Beacon Bay and has in two years built a successful business. We learn their secrets of keeping the food and drinks flowing. But what, in their opinion, must the government do over the festive season. And what would be the final nail for many owners who have not made a profit for 18 months.
Their fortitude goes further than the kitchen, it applies to every sector. The advice applies to all businesses.
Daron Mann talks to Ironman South Africa's MD Keith Bowler about plans for the future after the Covid-19 pandemic, including dropping Buffalo City as a venue.
The news that Shell plans to conduct a large-scale offshore seismic survey for gas and oil deposits along the Eastern Cape's Wild Coast has drawn criticism from environmental groups and animal rights activists, with one group even threatening to chain naked 'Wild Women' to the ship in protest.
Daron Mann speaks to attorney Kim van Kets from Wild Women on the Run's, and Jason Simpson, a chief engineer for controversial international conservation group Sea Shepard.
NVest Financial Holdings is East London’s giant full-service financial group, and the only listed company in Buffalo City Metro and the immediate Border area.
Today Dispatch Live's Business Correspondent, Ted Keenan, interviews Travis McClure, director of NFB Private Wealth Management, and Liam Graham, director of NVest Securities.
Between the two companies they have over 6,000 direct clients, the majority of them East London based, and well over R30bn assets under management and administration.
The Podcast's theme: Wealth creation and wealth management, when and why to start, and how people slow out of the investment blocks can catch up.
“Having our own stock broking company in the same building gives a flexibility and instant reaction time that is unparalleled in East London,” said McClure.
"We don't take the trust of East Londoners for granted. We work hard at it, and know we have succeeded when our clients head into a financially stress-less retirement.”
Said Graham: “If your investments, over a long term, are not beating inflation, and then some, you are going backward.”
Mark Keohane tells Daron that he foresees the Springboks demolishing the Welsh backline in their Saturday clash after the many recent changes to the national side and how it will affect their game plan.
ANC and DA leaders speak to Daron Mann about their wins, losses, and plans after the 2021 local government elections
Port Alfred based Sticks Stiglingh tells Daron Mann what challenges are faced by Eastern Cape Athletics, which has recently elected him as its president, and talks about his background in sports administration and successes at Kowie Striders and developmental groups at the town's Nemato township.
Izak Johan Haarhoff left his small home town to study medicine at Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha, where, as a white Afrikaans male, he overcame cultural and language barriers to embrace his new home. During the course of his studies, he was diagnosed with cancer, was temporarily paralysed in a bus accident, and faced the loss of six loved ones.
Ted Keenan talks to three Eastern Cape short-term insurance experts. Their common advice: irrespective of how tight budgets get, hang on to insurance cover.
Qonce-born Miss SA 2021 runner-up Zimi Mabunzi talks to Daron Mann about her pageant journey and her ambition to make an impact in the lives of South Africans.
Eastern Cape opposition leaders have called for premier Oscar Mabuyane to be removed from office.
The DA's provincial deputy Bobby Stevenson, UDM MPL Lulama Mahlathi discuss call for a vote of no confidence in the premier other political and legal actions they are considering pursuing.
ANC spokesperson Loyiso Magqashela speaks about the party's position on the scathing Public Protector report which implicates the premier and MECs.
Twizza founder and CEO Ken Clark tells Daily Dispatch he has partnered with 20 independent council candidates and together they can take over Enoch Mgijima local municipality.
The beleaguered municipality based in Komani (formerly Queenstown) as been lambasted for failing to provide water, electricity and effective refuse removal to residents and has come under fire for spending R15 million on what was meant to be a community stadium but was slammed by opposition parties and described by DA federal chair Helen Zille "another get-rich-quick scheme".
Former Springbok and Southern Kings coach Robbi Kempson speaks about the latest performances and the way forward for the national team ahead of their northern hemisphere tour.
Contralesa Eastern Cape provincial chairperson Advocate Mwelo Nonkonyana speaks to Daron Mann about new rules stipulating a reduction in the number of traditional leaders serving in local government.
The new laws reduce the number of traditional leaders serving on councils from a maximum of 20 percent to a maximum of three councillors. Nonkonyana said this not only went against previous agreements but also discriminated against traditional leaders and was done without consultation.
Buffalo City Metro plays a considerable role in East London property prices and attracting new people to invest and live in the city.
Daily Dispatch asks three local property experts, Tim Canham from Pam Golding, Penny Lindstrom from ERA Sun, and Investpro Property Management’s Robin Knott what the city needs to accomplish to make the city an investor’s choice.
Adrian Gardiner, founder and owner of the Mantis Collection and Chairman & Co-Founder of the Community Conservation Fund Africa, and founder of Shamwari Game Reserve, speaks to Daron Mann about the devastation the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the hospitality industry and tourism in South Africa.
One South Africa Movement leader Mmusi Maimane lashes out at the Enoch Mgijima municipality's leadership and calls for their resignation.
Former Springbok coach Pieter De Villiers speaks to Daron Mann on the challenges facing the beleaguered EP Elephants as his coaching tenure comes to an end and his plans to move to politics.
De Villiers opens up about the financial problems facing the provincial rugby team, the current losing streak in SA rugby, saying that the national team is no longer able to compete at the top level and there needs to be soul searching for the reigning world champs to move forward.
As coach De Villiers ended his tenure with a 63% win ratio.
De Villiers, who recently announced his move to politics, told Daron how he believed he was in a good position to make a positive contribution to the country by representing Patricia de Lille's Good party as a mayoral candidate at Drakenstein Municipality in the Cape Winelands.
The Eastern Cape is engulfed in a violent war between taxi operators and associations with stories of violence and shootings on an almost daily basis.
Across the province, taxi bosses and drivers have been targeted, with many being killed, in the ongoing battle.
Daron Mann talks to an assassination survivor about the turmoil, what is behind it, who is involved, problems with police and government, and the danger to Eastern Cape commuters.
The taxi owner provides details on the failed attempt of his life and how he had to witnesses people dying around him, while he details what he believes is needed to end the violence.
Eastern Cape Iinyathi cricket coach and ex Proteas spinner Paul Adams talks about the rebirth of Border Cricket and how it is providing an opportunity for more cricket players to get exposure to the top level of the game in the all-new CSA T20 Knockout competition during the Covid-19 pandemic and the future of non-racial cricket in South Africa following his explosive revelations at Cricket South Africa's Social Justice and Nation-Building hearings.
Daron Mann talks to the devastated mother of 5-month-old Ezam Makhabane and the aunt of 6-month-old Kwahlelwa Ndongeni, the two babies who died in an East London daycare centre on the same day, about the trauma and uncertainty their families are facing.
The parents are yet to find out the truth about what transpired and took their babies' lives.
The babies died within hours of each other a month ago.
Autopsy reports are awaited to ascertain the causes of their deaths.
In That Weekend Feeling with Daron Mann this week, we catch up with Proteas Test captain Dean Elgar.
Daron Mann talks to guests about the lack of an air ambulance service in the Eastern Cape and the lives being lost as a result.
Daron Mann speaks to Cricket SA vice president Donovan May about the state of cricket in South Africa.
Daron Mann talks to stakeholders about huge recent job losses in Buffalo City and the potential worsening of the problem due to the effect of semiconductor component shortages on the motor industry and its impact on Mercedes Benz South Africa, one of the cities biggest employers.
Daron Mann discusses the widespread calls to legalise the use and commercialisation of cannabis in South Africa.