VOC Breakfast

World no tobacco day and E-cigarettes

The emphasis this weekend was on World No Tobacco day. This has prompted the City of Cape Town to sought legal opinion on E-cigarettes, which has become increasingly popular. To tell us more, we have Mayoral Committee member for Health, Councillor Benedicta van Minnen on the line…

1 Jun 2014 4 min

Metro police update

High-energy, informative and hard-hitting, Breakfast Beat packs a mean punch. This show is a current affairs and actuality show, which focuses mainly on issues that are of concern to the community that Voice of the Cape serves. The show feature interviews with prominent politicians, community activists, religious leaders, academic experts…

1 Jun 2014 4 min

Ending corporal punishment in schools

The South African Human Rights Commission hosted a conference last week themed “Ending Corporal punishment in schools” The aim of this conference is to improve the lives of South African children and allow them easy access to the right to basic education without fear or exposure to the unhumane treatment…

1 Jun 2014 8 min

Train fares increase

Western Cape commuters will be paying more for their train tickets as from the 1st July. This increase is aimed at effecting improvements and upgrades. To tell us more, we have the Metrorail's regional manager, Mthuthuzeli Swartz on the line…

1 Jun 2014 6 min

Termination of Pregnancy Act

The choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act came under the spotlight in the 4th edition of the Africa Health Exhibition and Congress that was held recently. Healthcare practitioners from across the continent gathered together at this congress at the Gallagher Convention centre in Johannesburg to focus on the South African…

1 Jun 2014 8 min

New program to launching on Monday on The Voice of the Cape

High-energy, informative and hard-hitting, Breakfast Beat packs a mean punch. This show is a current affairs and actuality show, which focuses mainly on issues that are of concern to the community that Voice of the Cape serves. The show feature interviews with prominent politicians, community activists, religious leaders, academic experts…

29 May 2014 3 min

Asthma spacer

The head of Red Cross War Memorial Children's hospital has won an international award in diagnostic techniques and treatments. Professor Heather Zar and her colleagues designed a simple test to diagnose TB in children. They also invented an asthma spacer that will make it easier for children, which will improve…

29 May 2014 6 min

World No Tobacco Day

As we approach World No Tobacco Day on the 31st of May, we look at the implications of direct and secondary smoking. According to the South African National Halaal (SANHA) authority about 6 million people would have died as a result of smoking since last year. Of these, 60 000…

29 May 2014 10 min

Marikana land occupation

The Marikana land occupation consist of a community of oppressed and disadvantaged people who live in the backyard shacks in Phillipi. Earlier in the year, the Land Invasion Unit illegally demolished these homes. The matter was taken to the High Court and the City was ordered to rebuild the homes…

29 May 2014 5 min

Economic woes for Capetonians

With the cost of living skyrocketing, we look at what is in store for Capetonians as it was just announced that rates and utilities will be increased. To tell us more, we have Chief economist of the Efficient Group, Dawie Roodt on the line.

29 May 2014 5 min

Hanover Park schools to be rebuilt

The Department of Education plans on rebuilding and repurposing Hanover Park's Mountview High School and Voorspoed Primary over the next year. The schools will be transformed into brick and mortar buildings, away from the prefabricated structures cobbled together during Apartheid. The main labour force is reported to be sourced from…

28 May 2014 7 min

Suburbs under siege

Residents, NGOs, schools and businesses in Grassy Park and Philippi, are victims of a spate of metal theft in the area. And Lotus River, Ottery and Grassy Park ratepayers and residents association’s (LOGRA) chairperson, Philip Bam says it’s getting worse. VOC journalist Imogen Vollenhoven spoke to Bam about the lack…

28 May 2014 5 min

Research on how Muslim doctors treat mental illness

A research study that is currently appearing in the SA Medical Journal has tested the perceptions of mental illness among Muslim doctors in Lenasia. This study shows that doctors find that confidentiality, fear of stigma and a belief that people have been bewitched that prevent patients from accessing medical or…

28 May 2014 8 min

Child protection week

With child protection week almost coming to an end, we look at what the Department of Social development has in store. We chat now to the Western Cape Minister of social development, Albert Fritz…

28 May 2014 9 min

Khayelitsha Commission of Inquiry

As the Khayelitsha Commission of Inquiry enters its final phase, we take a look at what the Commission has been up to, and what the closing legal arguments. To tell us more, we have the Commission's secretary, Amanda Dissel on the line…

28 May 2014 6 min

Expanded public works programme

The City's Social development and Early childhood development directorate has spent over R22 million on its expanded public works programme. This programme is aimed at unemployed people, and focusses on Early childhood development, vulnerable groups, street people, substance abuse, youth development and poverty alleviation. To tell us more, we have…

27 May 2014 8 min

Road safety for learners

An innovative pilot project to protect South African children to and from school was launched recently. This project which was initiated by a campaign carried out by Zoleka Mandela and her family, whose daughter, Zenani Mandela jnr was killed in a car crash in 2010 was rolled out at the…

27 May 2014 5 min

Economic woes

South Africa faces stagflation. This happens when the economy isn't growing, but the prices are and which is not good for the country. Economists have warned that GDP risks declining below 2% in 2014. To tell us more, we have the chief economist at the South African Institute of Race…

27 May 2014 7 min

Voting behaviour for poor people

This morning we take a look at the voting patterns of poor people. The ruling party has seen a drop in support between 7 and 13% within three impoverished communities. A recent survey conducted by Centre for Social Development Africa (CSDA) and the Department of Politics at the University of…