HOT 1027 NOT BREAKING NEWS

Retired Constitutional Court judge Edwin Cameron is sounding the alarm over South Africa’s prison system — warning it’s not just failing to stop crime, it may actually be making it worse. “Behind Prison Walls” is a new book, co-written by Justice Cameron – which lays out a stark case for reform — arguing that tougher sentences and overcrowded prisons are not delivering safer communities. It’s one...

Three of Joburg's most famous residents are in court tomorrow and they’re looking for a one-way ticket out of the city. "Lammie", "Ramadiba", and "Mopane" —the Joburg Zoo elephants are at the heart of an historic battle starting in the High Court in Pretoria. Hot 1027's Reuben Goldberg takes a look.....

Today, one of the most influential women in pop music turns 60. For five decades, Janet Jackson has turned pain, control, vulnerability and sheer determination into some of the most defining music — and choreography — of the modern era. From Control and Rhythm Nation to Nasty and Together Again… she didn’t just follow pop culture. She changed it. HOT1027’s Tara Penny takes a look.

Children recovering from life-changing reconstructive surgery are getting vital support, a 12-year-old girl grieving the murder of her mother now has resources to rebuild her life, and vulnerable families will continue receiving warm meals — all thanks to the generosity of HOT1027 listeners. It's been another rewarding week making a meaningful difference with Hot Cares here on HOT1027 to the tune...

A new South African book is taking a deeply personal look at fatherhood — not through perfect memories, but through the complicated, often messy relationships that shape who we become. ''Lessons from My Father'' brings together voices from across the country — from sports stars to musicians — reflecting on the men who raised them and the legacies they left behind. It’s one of the titles at this mo...

A new South African true-crime book is forcing a deeply uncomfortable question… Could a teenage murder have been prevented if the system had simply done its job? In his latest book, veteran crime journalist Julian Jansen revisits the killing of 16-year-old Deveney Nel, not just to tell her story — but to expose the failures that may have led to her death. It's one of the books being showcased at t...

Today, one of the most influential musicians of the modern era celebrates his 76th birthday. Blind since infancy, Stevie Wonder turned extraordinary hardship into extraordinary art — creating some of the most joyful, political and beloved music ever recorded. HOT1027’s Tara Penny takes a look...

A South African book is confronting a crisis that’s often hidden in plain sight — men’s mental health. Journalist and author Marian Scher is warning - far too many men are suffering in silence and in some cases, paying the ultimate price. Her latest book: "Men & Mental Health: Shattering the Silence" is being showcased at this month’s Kingsmead Book Fair – in partnership with HOT1027. HOT1027’s Ta...

The murder of whistleblower Babita Deokaran shook South Africa — and still raises uncomfortable questions about corruption, power and the price of doing the right thing. Now, a new book by News24 investigative journalist Jeff Wicks revisits the murder - and uncovers what he calls a vast, ongoing “shadow state”. "Shadow State: Why Babita Deokaran had to die" is one of the headline titles at this ye...

A new book about Johnny Clegg is offering a deeper, more serious look at one of South Africa’s most important artists — beyond the big hits and familiar tributes. The book is called "Johnny Clegg: Critical Reflections on his Music and Influence" and it brings together essays on his music, politics and cultural legacy. It’s just one of the many exciting titles featured at the upcoming Kingsmead Boo...

Today, one of the most recognisable voices in music — and one of its most relentless activists — turns 66. From the streets of Dublin to stadiums around the world, Bono has spent nearly five decades trying to prove that rock music can do more than entertain… it can change lives. HOT1027’s Tara Penny takes a look…

Today, one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the last half-century celebrates his 77th birthday. Billy Joel built a career turning heartbreak, family wounds and the messiness of ordinary life into songs that millions of people still know by heart. HOT1027’s Tara Penny takes a look...

Today, a man whose spent more than 70 years showing us the wonders of our planet turns 100. David Attenborough has taken generations from their living rooms into jungles, oceans and the wildest corners of Earth — and in doing so, changed how we see our place in it. HOT1027’s Tara Penny reports…

A Johannesburg homeowner has been left reeling after receiving a municipal bill for a staggering R8.4-million. It’s the latest controversy linked to the ongoing billing chaos involving City Power and the City of Johannesburg. HOT1027’s Tara Penny reports…

Today, one of rock’s great storytellers celebrates his 81st birthday. Bob Seger gave a voice to the restless, and the ordinary people just trying to hold it together — turning small-town memories and long lonely highways into songs that still hit home. HOT1027’s Tara Penny takes a look...

Today we’re marking an unlikely birthday — one belonging to a road that millions of South Africans know all too well. The Ben Schoeman Highway officially opened on this day in 1968. HOT1027's Al Prodgers takes a look ...

An amputee in the North West is getting the chance to rebuild his life, a Joburg girl now has the oxygen support she needs to recover and children in under-resourced communities will finally have access to books — all thanks to the generosity of HOT1027 listeners. It's been another rewarding week - making a meaningful difference with Hot Cares here on HOT1027 to the tune of R117 000. HOT1027's Tar...

Have you ever dreamt of escaping the traffic, the noise and maybe even your WhatsApp groups? Well — now you can go one step further and buy your OWN town. A tiny, time-forgotten Karoo village — called Middelpos — is heading to auction next month, offering deep pockets the chance to own a slice of South African history — complete with a hotel, a post office and a whole lot of silence. HOT1027’s Tar...

If you were scouting a setting for a show about prehistoric extraterrestrials , Klerksdorp might not be your first choice. But it’s there — and in nearby Ottosdal — where some of the world’s most intriguing objects have been found : the "Klerksdorp Spheres". HOT1027’s Al Prodgers has more from Klerksdorp..…

A matric boy who once had no home is now getting the support he needs to rebuild his future , a five-year-old with a rare condition will soon have the freedom to move with life-changing medical equipment and hundreds of families facing hunger are getting vital food support — all thanks to HOT1027 listeners. It's been another rewarding week - making a meaningful difference with Hot Cares here on HO...

Johannesburg is the largest inland city in the world not built on a major river or lake — which means water here has always been precious. And right now, with ongoing outages, many residents are feeling the strain. But it turns out, this isn’t new. HOT1027’s Al Prodgers takes a look…

In the early days of Johannesburg, a suburb was laid out as a safe, healthy alternative to the noise, dust and danger of the town centre. Established in 1895, this quiet area, looked down on the gold diggings from the brow of a hill. Hence the name "Hillbrow". HOT1027’s Al Prodgers takes a look...

Amid rising global tensions — there’s a rare moment of optimism coming from deep space. NASA’s Artemis II mission has just marked a major step forward — sending humans farther than they’ve travelled in decades. HOT1027’s Mathapelo Moloi has been following developments closely...

A Joburg hairstylist recovering from multiple heart attacks is getting support , a young girl who’s been bullied for her teeth will finally smile with confidence again, and vulnerable communities are receiving vital nutritional support — all thanks to the kindness of HOT1027 listeners. It's been another rewarding week making a meaningful difference with Hot Cares here on HOT1027 to the tune of R19...

Ahead of World Parkinson’s Day on the 11th of April — there are growing calls for urgent change in how the disease is treated here in South Africa. Advocates want prescribed minimum benefits expanded — to include physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy as standard care. HOT1027’s Tara Penny reports…