The National Briefing

 The Global Briefing: The latest escalation in the Middle East is putting fresh pressure on global energy supplies. A major search-and-rescue operation is underway in Indonesia after the passenger ship Virgo Transport 8 lost contact in the Java Sea amid severe weather. Brazil's presidential race has been hit by a major political development. Senator Flávio Bolsonaro is under investigat...

Reality Check with Lindi Dlamini: The role of women in education leadership - From Potential to Responsible Leadership  Guest: Lindi Dlamini - non-executive director of African Bank Group and executive director of Rodean Girls School  

Transnet swings to profitability after four years of losses 2. SA factory output recovers but mining slump deepens 3. Market update  

First, it was Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero facing a heated confrontation with residents. Now, the Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina is under fire after a video showed her appearing to swear at a disabled resident during a community meeting in the Kouga Municipality, Eastern Cape. These incidents raise a bigger question: what is happening between politicians and the communities they ar...

So, how did we get here? Is this years of perceived betrayal by politicians coming to the surface? Are politicians themselves operating under unprecedented pressure, particularly ahead of elections? And where does the anger come from on both sides?  Guest: Professor Saths Cooper, Past President of the Psychological Society of South Africa and the Pan-African Psychology Union  

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union in the North West has welcomed the rearrest of the inmate who escaped from the Rooigrond Correctional Centre. POPCRU says while the rearrest is important for public safety, the incident highlights ongoing concerns around ageing infrastructure, security vulnerabilities and understaffing at correctional facilities. Guest: Johannes Dire, Provincial Secretary...

Spring has arrived, and Gauteng Tourism is looking to turn the new season into a boost for the province’s visitor economy. With Tourism and Heritage Month underway, the focus is on connecting tourism, culture, heritage, mobility, events and township experiences — and encouraging visitors to explore, stay longer and spend across the province. So, what does Gauteng have to offer this spr...

BRICS heads to New Delhi this weekend for its 18th summit, but the group meets at a difficult geopolitical moment — with the Iran conflict, the war in Ukraine and tensions between major powers testing its unity. With an expanded membership and India and China seeking a reset, can BRICS turn its growing economic weight into greater influence over global trade and politics?   Guest: Prof...

The Global Briefing: Twenty-five years after 9/11, the attacks continue to shape American lives. For many New Yorkers, the health consequences are still unfolding North Korea appears to be expanding its ability to produce the material needed for nuclear weapons. Sweden heads to the polls on Sunday in what could be the election that reshapes the country’s political landscape Guest: Dr Joan Sw...

The Garden Route is a national treasure, but alien invasive plants are threatening its biodiversity, water security and increasing the risk of devastating wildfires. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has launched joint operations in the Garden Route Biosphere Reserve to eradicate invasive alien species. In previous operations, 67 properties were found non-compliant. Guest:...

1. Algeria- Algiers  diversifying beyond oil and gas After decades of heavy reliance on oil and gas, Algeria is seeking to diversify its economy by expanding industry, agriculture, services and mining. Early signs of progress are emerging. In 2024, non-hydrocarbon activity grew by 4.8%, with growth reaching 5.4% in the first half of 2025. The government is focusing on sectors including a...

US inflation pressures build ahead of Fed rate decision Energy shock pushes ECB deeper into tightening cycle Market update  

Built in Mzansi: How Masixole Vutela a qualified electrician and entrepreneur founded Vutela Trading Enterprise in Mthatha. After training through the TVET system and gaining practical experience at King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality, he has now been recognised as one of South Africa’s top artisans at the 2026 South African National Artisan Awards. His story speaks to the potential of TVET,...

Reality Check with Lindi Dlamini: The role of women in education leadership - Self-Imposed Barriers  Guest: Lindi Dlamini - non-executive director of African Bank Group and executive director of Rodean Girls School 

Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s corruption and money laundering trial was interrupted today after she required medical attention while giving evidence in the Pretoria High Court. Her lawyer says she is suffering from fatigue after almost two months of court proceedings. Mapisa-Nqakula is facing 12 corruption charges and a count of money laundering, with the State a...

The Section 89 Impeachment Committee has decided to oppose court applications brought by the EFF and the African Legal Professional Association over the appointment of an evidence leader for the parliamentary inquiry into President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Phala Phala matter. The committee has also put the appointment process on hold until the Western Cape High Court rules on the legal challenges. G...

What are teachers telling NAPTOSA about crime, drugs, gangsterism and weapons in schools? What powers do teachers have to discipline learners who break school rules? How are teachers dealing with threats and intimidation from learners?  Guest: Ditshwanelo Mokoena Chairperson of Gauteng Naptosa    

Gauteng schools are facing an intensified fight against crime, substance abuse, gangsterism and the possession of dangerous weapons. Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile has so far joined and led search-and-seizure operations at 23 schools, with law-enforcement and security partners. The operations have uncovered knives, suspected illegal substances, disposable vapes, cigarettes and other prohibit...

Western Cape e-hailing drivers are raising serious concerns about safety, driver verification, documentation and the management of staging areas at Cape Town International Airport. Drivers allege that some operators may be using invalid documentation or failing to meet platform requirements, while they also point to a number of violent incidents that they say have heightened tensions between local...

The deployment of around 200 soldiers to the Cape Flats under Operation Prosper was intended to help tackle the area’s persistent gang violence and high murder rate. Between April and June this year, 646 people were murdered on the Cape Flats — 95 fewer than during the same period last year. That’s still an average of about seven murders every day. Guest: Nkosikhona Swaartbo...

Strait of Hormuz, Red Sea and the Black Sea - Afrika What Do Disruptions in Major Trade Routes Mean for Food Security? Conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Black Sea are disrupting the movement of food, fuel and fertiliser, with devastating consequences worldwide. The flow of food, fuel, fertiliser, and food between countries is essential to global food security, from farmers gro...

The Global Briefing: Thousands of passengers are facing continued disruption after a major technical failure at Britain’s air-traffic control provider, NATS. Iran is raising petrol prices for its heaviest consumers, as the country grapples with mounting economic pressure amid the war. Pakistan is facing a worrying expansion of violence in Balochistan, with militant attacks spreading into Pas...

Municipal Watch: Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa, says that the Ditsobotla Local Municipality in Lichtenburg, North West, continues to improve its delivery of basic services. Hlabisa conducted a follow-up visit to the municipality to assess progress on service delivery.  But residents are complaining that the national government's intervention in...

Guest: Lindi Dlamini - non-executive director of African Bank Group and executive director of Rodean Girls School  

Border control at the top of the agenda in IMC briefing: Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says that significant progress has been made in strengthening border management and improving coordination among agencies operating at ports of entry and vulnerable border areas Guest: Lt General Tebello Mosikili - Deputy National Police Commissioner