Green Fingers

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.