John Robbie's Comment

John broadcasts from Cape Town this morning and can't help but notice the continuous comparisons that are drawn between the Mother City and the City of Gold. But is it even fair to compare?

With the stakes rising in the #FeesMustFall debacle, John asks if, when and where a compromise can be reached.  

Listen to John describe the journey of two individuals who travelled to India in the hopes of relating to the millions who border on or fall under the poverty line, by living just like they do.

19 October 1977 mark the year a host of newspapers, 19 organisations and scores of apartheid government critics were detained. We’ve come a long way since then, but John challenges what that change should look like.

New statistics show that both employment and unemployment have risen, but that with employment, the numbers show a rise in the informal sector. So what’s being done to encourage or help formalise this sector so it can continue absorbing more workers?

Violence continues to surround the #FeeMustFall movement and yet very little has changed to favor their cause.  

The presidency has served public protector Thuli Madonsela with a notice stating that they are applying for an interdict against her draft report on her investigation into state capture. Where does this leave the state capture investigations? Is there merit for the interdict?  Legal expert Advocate Andries Nkome explains if the Public Protector can actually release the report today anyway and not wait for Tuesday.      

The Proteas won against Aussies and while it may not be for the world series, the symbolism of this victory is not lost upon John  

The country faces more uncertainty as its Finance Minister has been summoned to court by the NPA, with support and criticism levelled against him from various corners of the party. John talks about the last time there was inner strife from within a political party and how that ended in disaster.

Acting Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Khomotso Phahlane briefed the media on fees protest policing where he said the police did all they could to minimise brutality. What is the right approach in these circumstances? How do the police maintain law and order without inciting and provoking protestors? Is relying on the police a sustainable solution?

Losing is never a enjoyable experience. But John says we might be able to look back on this loss and be thankful.    

John asks if there is a way the CBD will ever see uniform development, as news of amazing new developments and old rubbish heaps keep appearing in the news.

Another meeting is to be held tomorrow to once more attempt and decide where the #FeesMustFall debate should go. John thinks this meeting will set the tone for much more than that.

While many fall on either side (or on the fence) of the argument that all students deserve free education, John  points at other probable causes at the root of all the anger in this debate.  

With no end in sight to the question of whether or not free education in South Africa is possible, John suggests students consider an alternative.

Johannesburg’s new leader promises to address the decay taking over the inner city and rejuvenate it so that businesses and residents can go back to it once more.

Sometimes it’s just nice to end the week on a humorous note. John shares an Irish joke.  

Our news stories are littered with ‘royal game’, holders of powerful positions and remain despite poor performance. Who must be held accountable for these appointments and reappointments? 

Every day brings new elements to the #FeesMustFall story. With students and institutions now in a lockdown after the Minister of Higher Education’s fee increment announcement, the question asked at the start of the movement remains the same….where to now?

Winnie Madikizela Mandela has made headlines all week on her 80th birthday, reigniting conversations about her role and contribution to SA’s democracy. John wishes the formidable lady a happy birthday.