The National Briefing

French President Emmanuel Macron has rejected Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez’s resignation following violent protests and looting in several major cities. Qatar has warned that the global economic fallout from the US-Israeli war with Iran could worsen in the coming months. Guest: Sandile Mnguni - Lecturer in Political Science and International Relations within the School of Soci...

Municipal Watch changes gear ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections - Six candidates who want to become the next mayor of Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality in Upington, Northern Cape will face our Know Your Candidates test. Guest: David Kazi – ANC Mayoral Candidate for Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality Guest: Hennie Roux – VF Plus Mayoral Candidate for Dawid Kruiper...

Reality Check with Zoe Molapisi: Money saved is an unfair advantage. When the next crisis comes, and it will, savings buy you time, choices and dignity. Moving from surviving month-end to building real financial freedom.” Guest: Zoe Molapisi - Founder and Group CEO at ZMG Capital 

Foreign shop owners in Ga-Phaahla, Limpopo, have reportedly taken traditional leader Kgoshi Letsiri Phaahla to court after he ordered them to leave the area. The dispute follows complaints about foreign-owned businesses and a community decision to have local residents take over the spaza shops. The matter is expected in the Sekhukhune District Court on 27 November.  Guest: Kgoshi Letsiri Phaa...

More than 400 people, most of them children under the age of four, have fallen ill with stomach cramps and diarrhoea in Bronkhorstspruit, with contaminated water suspected as the source. Tests have detected harmful bacteria and viruses, while investigations have found that the local water treatment plant went weeks without chlorination. Residents have been warned not to use tap water for drinking,...

Guest: Prince Stanley Peterson - Khoisan Revolution Party Mayoral Candidate for  Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality Guest: Igshaan Sulliman - DA Mayoral Candidate for Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality Guest: Moeketsi Konote – EFF Mayoral Candidate for Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality Guest: Miyelani Holeni - Group Chief Advisor at Ntiyiso Consulting Group  

1.South Afrika – Mbuzini- Mozambique ‘Samora Machel is still alive’: Chapo calls for truth 40 years after Mbuzini tragedy Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has said Samora Machel remains alive through his ideals, calling for the truth about the former president’s death in a plane crash at Mbuzini to be established, 40 years after the tragedy. Speaking at the 40th anniversar...

Former President Thabo Mbeki has denied political interference in the failure to prosecute apartheid-era crimes, saying the National Prosecuting Authority must take responsibility for cases left unresolved. But families of victims, including the Cradock Four, say justice has been delayed for decades.  Guest: Lukhanyo Calata, son of slain activist Fort Calata  

Guest: Zoe Molapisi - Founder and Group CEO at ZMG Capital  

Former Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma are expected to appear before the TRC Cases Inquiry on 19, 20 and 22 October. The inquiry is investigating alleged political interference and delays in prosecuting apartheid-era crimes. The Constitutional Court has also dismissed their application to have Justice Sisi Khampepe recused as chairperson. What can we expect from these hearings, and will they...

South Africa’s police leadership is under scrutiny, with questions about professionalism, accountability and public trust. In an open letter to Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, retired Lieutenant-General and former Western Cape Police Commissioner Dr Lennit Max is calling for legislation that sets clear qualifications and operational experience requirements for the National Commissione...

Guest: Jomo Segage - Middleburg and Hendrina Residents Front Mayoral Candidate for  Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Guest:  Johnathan Haarhoff - VF Plus Mayoral Candidate for Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Guest: Nciliwe Mahlangu – ANC Mayoral Candidate for Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Guest: Miyelani Holeni - Group Chief Advisor at Ntiyiso Consulting Group  

Guest: Bosman Grobler – DA Mayoral Candidate for  Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Guest: Sipho Thwala – ACDP Mayoral Candidate for Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Guest:  Joseph Ngubeni – EFF Mayoral Candidate for Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Guest: Miyelani Holeni - Group Chief Advisor at Ntiyiso Consulting Group  

South Africa’s digital music-streaming revenue is forecast to grow from R2.1 billion in 2025 to R3.8 billion by 2030. This is an increase of approximately 76%, according to PwC’s Africa Entertainment & Media Outlook 2026–2030. The report points to growing opportunities in digital music, while identifying artificial intelligence as a technology that could transform content cre...

Senegal- United Nations Secretary General Post Senegal’s former president Macky Sall is pulling out of the race to lead the United Nations. Saturday's announcement comes one day after an informal straw poll by UN Security Council members saw all seven candidates receive at least one veto. In a statement on social media, Sall said he “hoped to contribute now to the emergence of a consen...

The Global Briefing: Commonwealth lawyers and members of the international legal community are raising concerns over US sanctions against the International Criminal Court, warning of the implications for international justice and the rule of law. Italian prosecutors have expanded an investigation into alleged abuses against activists aboard Gaza-bound aid flotillas, naming Israeli Defence Minister...

Municipal Watch: Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Zweli Mkhize, says that training and professionalisation must produce visible improvements in municipal performance following the 2026 local government elections. What are the m inimum requirement for new councillors to run a municipality? Guest:  Motalatale Modiba, South Africa...

Guest: Mark Heywood - Human rights and social justice activist  

AFRICA IN FOCUS WITH ADV SIPHO MANTULA  – Researcher at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: UNISA

South Africa is moving to tighten rules around compounded medicines, including popular weight-loss treatments. This is amid concerns over patient safety and the risk of counterfeit products. Regulators are developing clearer guidelines on what pharmacies can legally compound. Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has mandated a government-business task force to address challenges in the pharmaceuti...

ANC Youth League President Collen Malatji was addressing the media at Luthuli House yesterday on issues affecting young people when he took aim at senior ANC leaders, saying “pensioners are killing the ANC” and calling on young people to rise and take up leadership positions. His remarks follow ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe’s walkout at Cosatu’s national congress...

The Constitutional Court has ruled in favour of the ANC, allowing 181 of its candidates to contest the upcoming local government elections. But the ruling has opened another political battle, with ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula saying the party wants to review its partnership with the DA in the Government of National Unity after the DA opposed its appeal. Does this judgment threaten the futu...

Artificial intelligence is changing the way music is created, produced and experienced. As the SABC researches the use of AI music, we want to hear from our listeners about what this technology means for the future of music. But what exactly is AI music, and what is the difference between AI-assisted music, where artists use AI as a tool, and AI-generated music, where the technology creates much o...

THE GLOBAL BRIEF US President Donald Trump is stepping up efforts to rally support for Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections, as Democratic political groups direct millions of dollars towards key Senate races. The campaigns will test the parties’ support and put control of Congress at the centre of the political battle. Meanwhile, the United Nations is warning that major quest...

Guest: Ebeneazer Botha – Patriotic Alliance Mayoral Candidate of Beaufort West Municipality Guest: Japie van der Linde – ActionSA Mayoral Candidate of Beaufort West Municipality Guest: Denver Hilander - Afrika Mayibuye Movement Mayoral Candidate of Beaufort West Municipality Guest: Miyelani Holeni - Group Chief Advisor at Ntiyiso Consulting Group