The Daily Dispatch newspaper has a long and rich history dating back to 1872. It was the first penny daily newspaper published in the Eastern Cape in 1898 – and by 1906, the paper boasted a circulation larger and more widely distributed than any colonial paper published outside Cape Town. The Dispatch – published from Monday to Saturday – covers issues and debates that should be a priority for every Eastern Cape reader. It covers a region that is the birthplace of many prominent South African politicians but remains one of the poorest provinces in South Africa. DispatchLIVE is the online home of the Daily Dispatch, publishing fresh news, insights, opinions, sport and entertainment reports all day long, seven days a week on a fully mobile responsive website.
Policy analyst and researcher Dr Nkosikhulule Nyembezi has predicted the ANC to receive less than 50 percent of the vote in the national ballot. He explains why in this latest episode with Daron Mann.
Only a few weeks remain before South Africans cast ballots, and political parties have stepped up their campaign. In this episode, host Daron Mann speaks to Action SA Eastern Cape provincial chair Athol Trollip about his party's plan for the province.
Only a few weeks remain before South Africans cast ballots, and political parties have stepped up their campaign. In this episode, host Daron Mann speaks to Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen about his party's state of readiness.
Government should not interfere with people's lives. That is a view of Free Market Foundation CEO David Ansara. The foundation recently launched is campaign for Home Rule which speaks of decentralization of governance, emphasizing individual rights, private property, and the role of local communities in decision-making. He chats to Daron Mann in this episode.
Amid the heated discussion over the export of South African livestock, Wednesday was a bustling day at the harbor in East London. 56,000 sheep, 1,500 cattle, and 200 goats were put into the animal carrier Al Messilah. They are to be taken to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia for slaughter. Pieter Cloete, president of AgriSA in the Eastern Cape and Dr Smaragda Loew, president of Ban Animal TradingSA join Daron Mann in this podcast to discuss the issue.
The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has raised the alarm over an infectious disease outbreak at a feedlot housing 56,000 sheep destined for live export by ship from East London to the Middle East. In this second segment, host Daron Mann chats to SPCA's Jacques Peacock about the latest discovery inside the livestock carrier Al Messilah ahead of the three-week journey to the Middle East. Tune in!
If BCM's town planning unit does not sharpen up, construction companies will migrate to municipalities that don't take two years to process an application. This warning comes from Contour Projects MD Henk Massyn, one of East London's top township and infrastructure development companies. He chats to Ted Keenan in this episode.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa says he remains positive about his party's future in the Eastern Cape and has issued a warning to those undermining former president Jacob Zuma's popularity in the province in light of his new party uMkhonto weSizwe's rise to prominence. He chats to DispatchLIVE's Mandilakhe Kwababana in this episode about his plans for the province.
Amid the heated discussion over the export of South African livestock, Wednesday was a bustling day at the harbor in East London. 56,000 sheep, 1,500 cattle, and 200 goats were put into the animal carrier Al Messilah. They are to be taken to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia for slaughter. Pieter Cloete, president of AgriSA in the Eastern Cape and Dr Smaragda Loew, president of Ban Animal TradingSA join Daron Mann in this podcast to discuss the issue.
The 12,519-tonne floating book fair is eagerly awaiting its next throng of visitors. The ship, which boasts more than 5,000 book titles, docked in East London last week and will be here for three weeks. In this episode, Daron Mann chats to Anastasia Leushkina about the ship and its activities.
Daron Mann talks to Eastern Cape DA leader Andrew Whitfield about the party's call for the devolution of police powers to the province to fight rising crime. Whitfield said he believes the country has a “rapidly increasing culture of lawlessness at every level of society” while Eastern Cape-born gender justice activist, businesswoman and politician Anele Mda talks to Daron about making history by contesting the elections as an independent candidate to ensure that “grassroots people's representative can be elected by the people” for the first time since the dawn of our democracy.
When Methodist Church steward Mbuyiselo Manyonga set off to find the source of the muffled cries he heard while preparing for Sunday service, he thought there was a cat in distress. However, what he found buried in a shallow grave inside an incomplete building next to the church was not someone's pet, but a newborn baby boy. The baby boy, found with his umbilical cord still attached, is in a stable condition at Indwe Hospital. His mother is not known. Daron Mann speaks with Provincial Health spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo in this episode, and provides us with an update.
Umjelo Non-Profit Organisation, has taken on the Herculean task of turning the impoverished Mamolweni village, on the coast in the former Transkei, into a flourishing community. In this episode, Ted Keenan chats Templeton “Pinkie” Yoba about Umjelo's objectives. Yoba was born in the former Transkei, worked as an agriculture extension officer, was a regional manager of Tracor (Transkei Agriculture Co-operative) and a director in the office of the national director of the department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries. He retired in 2021.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane has compared the Eastern Cape's performance in 2023 to what the ANC government hoped to achieve in priority areas in its next five years — that is if it wins the national election in May. In many of the priority areas, the provincial government's current performance was ahead of the curve. In this exclusive episode, he chats to Ted Keenan about the six targets that, if hit, would see the country shed the tag of being “almost a failed state”. Tune in.
Scores of fans from flocked to King Phalo Airport on Wednesday to give a rousing welcome to their superstar Sivenathi Nontshinga after his successful world boxing title victory in Mexico. The 25-year-old Chicken Farm fighter won back the IBF junior-flyweight belt from Adrian Curiel via a 10th-round stoppage on Saturday morning in front of 10,000 fans at Oaxa City, Mexico. In this episode, Daron Mann chats to Sivenathi's father Thembani Gopheni about his son's achievement.
The Buffalo City Metro Development Agency has been left with an egg on its face after it put up incorrect information about the history of East London during the reign of King Phalo, one of the celebrated traditional rulers in the Xhosa nation. The historical events on two of the posters have since been called into question. In this episode, Daron Mann discusses the concerns expressed by residents regarding the information boards with Ward Councilor Funeka Wolose. Tune in.
" My prayer for tonight is for a clean sheet" Ronwen Williams spectacularly saved four spot-kicks — an almost unheard of feat — in a penalty shoot-out that Bafana Bafana won 2-1 against Cape Verde to steer the South Africans to their first Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) semifinal in 24 years. In this exclusive episode, Daron Mann chats to Ronwen's first coach, his father Rodney Williams about his son's heroics in this year's Afcon finals. Rodney also gives a prediction on tonight's game against Nigeria. Tune in.
The fallout over Buffalo City's ailing infrastructure has reached Gonubie beach, which is still closed due to two extensive sewage spills. A large manhole hidden in the undergrowth and a second on a raised embankment along the river have been oozing chunky grey effluent into the sand since January 8 — and the leaks have yet to be fixed. Daron Mann offers some clarification on the matter in this episode by speaking with Dean Knox of Jonginenge Eco Adventures.
The start of the academic year in the Eastern Cape was a tale of two nations on Wednesday last week. But while the urban year started smoothly, hundreds of rural pupils had to stay at home staring at the rain. In this episode, Daron Mann has a discussion with provincial education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima about the department's plans for the year.
While the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) and other donors work to find a solution with the Enoch Mgijima municipality, donors have raised money to assist the animals housed at the troubled Komani SPCA, which is about to be evicted by the municipality. This after Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality informed the animal shelter in December that it would not extend its long-standing lease agreement beyond January 31. In this episode, Daron Mann chats to Bianca Naude to get the latest on this story.
Liam Graham, the managing director of East London's NVest Securities, is optimistic that 2024 will be the year that investors can bounce back. He chats to our business correspondent Ted Keenan about the economic outlook for 2024 in this episode.
Fed up with the increasing crime and car washers who have established themselves in the parking areas on East London's beachfront, Quigney Ratepayers Association are taking matters into their own hands. The Association's chair, Satish Nair, joins Daron Mann and discusses their initiative in this episode.
This week, the province was once again hammered by intense rains that began during the holiday season, resulting in flooding in several areas. Weather expert Garth Simpson tells Daron Mann that we can anticipate a "long dry hot summer" in the first quarter of 2024 in this episode.
Tuesday saw a large crowd gathering down Oxford Street demanding an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict, organised by Masimanyane Women's Rights International and the International Network to end Violence against Women and Girls (INEWAG). Below the World War II stone pillar, a roughly 15-meter-long Palestinian flag was spread out on the grass. Observers held signs in green, red, and white, and many of them were wearing the keffiyeh, a Palestinian scarf that serves as a symbol of support for the state. Daron Mann talks with Farida Myburg, one of the march organisers, about the campaign in this episode.
Following objections to the Electoral Amendment Act, the Constitutional Court has now rendered a decision about how independent candidates would compete in the future general elections of 2024. It has been determined that independent candidates will just require 1,000 signatures to compete in the 2024 ballots. In this episode, Daron Mann chats to Policy analyst Dr Nkosikhulule Nyembezi about the importance and implications of the ruling.
With the provincial government announcing the creation of at least two incubator centers for cannabis and hemp production, plans to build a thriving cannabis economy in the Eastern Cape are beginning to take shape. Earlier this week, Ntabankulu mayor Tsileng Sobuthongo announced plans to build a R220m college in the heart of the province's cannabis-producing region during a visit by premier Oscar Mabuyane. She discusses the benefits and drawbacks of the initiative with Daron Mann in this episode
In this episode, Daron Mann chats to Jodie Phillips, winner in this year's Youth in Waste Summit where young entrepreneurs pitched and presented their businesses. Phillips is the co-founder of Waste Takers Smart App , which seeks to makes life easy for waste collectors to recycle waste.
For the entire weekend, 14 homeowners are converting their living rooms and braai areas into cafes and art galleries in a bid to raise money for non-profit organizations. On November 11 and 12, the inaugural Bass Property Group Blooms & Brushstrokes festival will be a flurry of activity, with everything from book readings to ceramic demonstrations, each site packed with entertainment. Daron Mann speaks with festival organiser Hanlie Bassingthwaighte, principal of the Bass Property Group, in this episode.
In this episode, Daron Mann speaks with Grandads Army rider Rodney Offord as they pedal 1,500 kilometers to Mapungubwe in order to raise money for the Eyabantwana Trust, which provides training and supplies for the paediatric surgical unit at the Frere and Cecilia Makiwane hospitals.
In this episode, Ted Keenan chats to Ian Rusell , non-executive director of RB Africa, which specialises in a host of business support programmes. RBA works with corporate businesses in mining, auto, manufacturing,construction, transport and fisheries as well as national and government departments, including home affairs, trade & industry and public enterprises.
Johann Evertse is the retired executive director human resources and a member of the board of directors, Mercedes-Benz SA, a position he held for many years. He has served in several public organisations including universities, business chambers and professional organisations, as well as a few others in the field of his passion, which is community development. He chats to Ted Keenan in this episode.
In this episode, Ted Keenan chats to Own Haven MD Andrew Wiseman, who under the guidance of the Own Haven board, is responsible for the strategic direction, expansion and management of the company. Own Haven was established as an NPO in 2002 with the aim of providing sought-after and well-managed rental homes.
East London property mogul Xoliswa Tini has bad news for those who take estate agents at face value — among even the reputable ones are some crooks. Ted Keenan's Dispatch Live talks to Tini about the fraud challenges facing first time home buyers
Ted Keenan speaks to Thembi Chagonda, a business partner and shareholder in EL consultants Global Business Solutions (GBS), who is living her professional dream. GBS is a leading labour law, human resources and industrial relations consultancy offering a diverse range of services aimed at empowering businesses to achieve their objectives.
Taryn Woodbridge is the CFO at Mercedes-Benz SA, as well as executive director of finance and controlling.She joined the East London car manufacturer in 2004. She chats to Ted Keenan in this episode about her leadership skills.
In this episode, Ted Keenan speaks to Claire Sutherland, COO of Dynamic Brands. Dynamic Brands is an innovative beverage maker that supplies retailers nationally withdairy blend Fusion, as well as brands like Mr Orange, Rascals and Slimsy.
For the entire weekend, 14 homeowners are converting their living rooms and braai areas into cafes and art galleries in a bid to raise money for non-profit organizations. On November 11 and 12, the inaugural Bass Property Group Blooms & Brushstrokes festival will be a flurry of activity, with everything from book readings to ceramic demonstrations, each site packed with entertainment. The tickets are in the form of a weekend pass, allowing visitors to choose where they want to go for the next two days. Daron Mann speaks with festival organiser Hanlie Bassingthwaighte, principal of the Bass Property Group, in this episode.
After holding the position on an acting basis in the past, Sicelo Pongoma has taken on full-time responsibilities as Border Athletics President. Charged with raising the federation's profile, he claims that winning back the clubs' trust has been one of their greatest successes this year. Born in Stutterheim, Pongoma was a talented young sprinter who had competed at the provincial level. He talks about his intentions for the federation with Daron Mann in this episode.
Ted Keenan speaks with Geraldine Viviers in this episode, and she claims that creating five restaurant ventures in three years, starting in 2020 in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, was her biggest accomplishment. Her achievements are even more impressive given that she was involved in a near-fatal car accident nearly 14 years ago.
Natasha Hogg, who had a remarkable talent for creating profitable restaurants from the ground up, selling them, and moving on to the next project, is interviewed by Ted Keenan in this episode. She appears to have anchored in Lavender Blue in East London with her spouse, James, though they are still creating new businesses and aren't moving on.
In this episode, Ted Keenan chats to Melanie Van Vreden, co-owner and MD of recruitment company Abantu Staffing Solutions, with offices in East London and Gqeberha. In 2011 she won the Business Women's Association regional award for the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year. "We have come a long way since then. Our team is bigger and we are now operating in the national space, something technology has allowed.”
Is our ocean furious? The prolonged downpour, totalling 117mm of precipitation, cast doubt on predictions of a dry, hot El Niño summer. In this episode, Daron Mann and Nick Pike talk about how our climate is changing.
For most people, especially first-time buyers, buying a home is fraught with decisions that they normally do not make and getting a bond is at the top of that list. Jocelyn Carr, a partner and founder of Mortgage Master, which has offices in East London and Gqeberha, says her company has taken the uncertainty out of buying a property.
Leigh Oberem, East London franchise holder of Tyson Properties, said the company's success was based on solid business strategy, innovative marketing and partnering with the right people. Tyson Properties was established in August 2005 by seasoned real estate expert Chris Tyson and businessman Gavin Cunningham with six agents in Morningside, Durban. It now employs over 420 agents and employees in 26 offices in Gauteng, the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Tyson's home turf, KwaZulu-Natal.
Yamkela Nkomo, the founder and managing director of Yam Business Solutions, opened her company in 2017, prompted by the huge number of graduates who were jobless, with little chance of finding a decent job in the formal sector.
The arrival of the manganese rush in East London has sparked fears of hazardous dust pollution and run-off into the environment. The state corporation is allegedly abusing a loophole in the SA Air Quality Act to avoid having to apply for an atmospheric emission licence (AEL) in order to conduct a listed activity, which would require carrying out an environmental impact assessment. Daron Mann discusses this theory with environmental lawyer Ricky Stone in this episode.
In this latest episode of That Weekend Feeling, Daron Mann speaks with Bruce Young, the director of Blood Lions, a documentary that follows a quest by environmentalists to learn the truth about South Africa's multimillion-dollar businesses of predator breeding and canned lion hunting. Policies, laws, and practices relating to the management, breeding, hunting, and commerce of lions have been changed since the film's premiere eight years ago. Young gives credit to Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Barbara Creecy who banned the controversial captive lion industry, including canned hunting, petting zoos and the commercial trade in lion bones " We knew from the start that it is going to be difficult to change the law because this is a very well established industry. But it is happening," said Young.
In this episode, Daron Mann speaks with Dr. Lesley-Ann Foster, the founder and director of Masimanyane Women's Rights International, about the case of a pre-schooler's family who accused the child's stepfather, a primary school principal, of rape. The attacks were allegedly carried out at the family home.
In this episode, Daron Mann speaks exclusively with Zolile Williams, the Eastern Cape's MEC for cooperative governance, who this week warned the province's municipalities sternly about missing spending targets and, in some cases, hiring inept employees who are being investigated for crimes. At a MuniMec held in East London on Tuesday, Williams was told that the municipalities had failed to meet their targets to spend 16% of their grants for the first quarter of the financial year. His department wants municipalities to have spent 60% of the money by the end of this year but to date, they have only spent 8%.
In this episode, Ted Keenan chats to CEO of Border Cricket and Eastern Cape, former Cape Cobras and Lions batsman Omphile Ramela. On Thursday last week, Ramela made several announcements at the CEOs Business Breakfast including plans to bat for a major share of the Cricket World Cup in 2027. Ramela said he's main objective in the next five years is improving the infrastructure in the Eastern Cape to world standards.
Daron Mann speaks with rugby analyst Owen Nkumane on the Springboks' chances of making it to the World Cup finals following their strong performance against Scotland. The Springboks will be aiming for a win in their second match in Pool B against Romania on Sunday.