POWER Perspective

The Defence Industry Lekgotla, held from 20 to 22 July 2026 at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria, served as a crucial platform for addressing long-standing issues within South Africa's defence sector. Convened jointly by the Department of Defence and Military Veterans and the domestic defence industry, the event brought together government officials, state-owned entities, privat...

The South African Police Service (SAPS) faces an operational crisis characterized by deteriorating physical assets, systemic maintenance backlogs, and logistical bottlenecks. While frontline officers bear the public brunt of high crime rates, institutional dysfunction—amplified by administrative paralysis between SAPS and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI)—severel...

The arrival of an election period brings a bumper season for opinion researchers. While the polling industry plays an undeniable role in modern politics, growing concerns have been raised regarding its regulation in South Africa. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Jan de Villiers, DA National Spokesperson, Michael Atkins, Independent Elections Analyst, Ntsako Shivambu, Historian & Political Analyst an...

South Africa faces an epidemic of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) that President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a second pandemic. While legislative frameworks, law enforcement, and victim support services are crucial components of the national response, they primarily address the aftermath of violence. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Prof Mbulelo Dyasi - Lead At The Tradition...

Afrikan Roots is a critically acclaimed South African Afro-house music collective hailing from Tshwane (Pretoria). Established in 2010, the group has earned a reputation as one of the fundamental pillars of live African electronic music, bridging tribal roots percussion with modern deep house rhythms. Colleen Makhubele spoke to DJ Mosco (Bongimusa "Musa" Mmotsa) and Cromwell Modungwa (Daddy C) See...

While new rules under the Consumer Protection Act Amendment Regulations aim to curb unsolicited marketing, a lack of enforcement remains a persistent issue. The regulations, which came into effect on 15 April 2026, introduce strict compliance requirements for direct marketers. Businesses are now required to register with the National Consumer Commission before contacting consumers, regularly audit...

When Anton Muziwakhe Lembede died at half past five on the morning of Wednesday, 30 July 1947, he was in the middle of everything. Known fondly to his contemporaries as "Lembs" and hailed as "The Lion That Led from the Front," he was only thirty-three years old when his life came to a sudden halt. At the time of his passing, he had just built a four-room house at the Lembede homestead at Umbumbulu...

In recent years, commissions of enquiry have become a regular feature of South African public life. This frequent reliance on commissions reached a point where many citizens began to express fatigue, particularly as President Cyril Ramaphosa routinely instituted them in response to major political or legal developments that lacked immediate solutions. Consequently, South Africans started to questi...

The South African Local Government Association (Salga) has formally requested a six-month grace period from the National Treasury on behalf of 14 defaulting municipalities. These municipalities face a deadline of 1 September to execute Distribution Agency Agreements (DAAs), which would officially appoint Eskom as their agent to oversee and manage local electricity operations. Colleen Makhubele spo...

In a poignant gathering held in Durban on Tuesday, key stakeholders and roleplayers came together for the KwaZulu-Natal round table on spaza shops. The discussion was led by Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli alongside the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Reverend Musa Zondi, to address critical issues impacting local informal trade. During the session, participants h...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially announced the appointments to the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Council, marking a significant step forward more than two years after Parliament first passed the establishing legislation. The body's implementation had previously hit a standstill due to concerns raised by Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Women, which flagged a critical lack of...

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has asserted that South Africa should not be scapegoated for the broader immigration crisis facing the African continent. Addressing concerns surrounding regional migration dynamics, the department emphasized that the root causes of displacement and movement across Africa require collective solutions rather than placing singular bla...

Before the 2024 General Election, a Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) survey revealed a concerning trend: 47% of young South Africans believed their vote would not make a difference. As the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) gears up for its final voter registration round on 1 and 2 August 2026, we must actively counter this disillusionment. We need to amplify messaging that reassures you...

Parliament's Impeachment Committee is preparing to appeal a recent High Court ruling that placed a temporary hold on public hearings for the Section 89 inquiry into the Phala Phala matter. The ruling, handed down on Friday, brought the committee's scheduled proceedings to an abrupt halt. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Adv Lufuno Nevondwe – Constitutional Law Expert, Dr. Sam Koma – Governan...

This winter in KwaZulu-Natal, sugar cane sits uncut in the fields because there is no one to harvest it—a baffling sight in a country where 8.1 million South Africans are searching for work and coming up empty. In one of the most unemployed societies on Earth, essential work is going undone due to what appears on the surface to be a severe labor shortage. At first glance, this dynamic looks...

Colleen Makhubele is joined by Corporate Governance Expert, Dr Nimrod Mbele as well as Financial Journalist Rob Rose, and Public Servants Asspciation General Manager, Reuben Maleka See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) Council has officially referred 13 alleged instances of financial misconduct—totaling approximately R4.07 billion—to its independent Disciplinary Board. The board will now conduct preliminary investigations into these matters to determine the extent of the wrongdoing and identify responsible parties. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Julie Suddaby - former MMC f...

Thembisile Hani Local Municipality (THLM) stands at a critical juncture where severe structural limitations intersect with transformative private investment. Rooted in its historical spatial status as part of the former KwaNdebele homeland, THLM faces a complex web of governance and operational challenges. A weak tax base stemming from unregistered communal land tenure, low indigent registration r...

Disability Pride Month is all about celebrating ability, breaking down stereotypes, and recognising the incredible contributions of people living with disabilities. This July, the Afrika Tikkun Foundation is doing just that through one of its most inspiring initiatives. The organisation has officially unveiled the 20 finalists who will take to the stage for Mr & Miss Ability 2026 on 31 July in...

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The digital divide in South Africa is heavily influenced by deep-rooted socioeconomic factors. For the country’s roughly 3.5 million people living with disabilities (accounting for approximately 6.6% of the population), this divide is exponentially wider. In a highly digitized landscape, individuals with disabilities face structural barriers that create severe digital exclusion. Kefentse Mkh...

A detailed dossier compiled by insiders at the Limpopo Legislature has been formally submitted to South Africa's most powerful oversight and law enforcement bodies. This move significantly escalates a sprawling scandal, first exposed by News24, which implicates the institution's top leadership in procurement fraud, nepotism, and the systematic looting of public funds. Kefentse Mhkari spoke to Dr....