Newsbreak

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The Northern and Southern beaches within the eThekwini Municipality are closed following heavy downpours in recent days, resulting in murky sea waters. eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela, says swimming is prohibited at these beaches - as the risk of shark attacks might increase. However Mayisela says that the central beaches have not been...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Durban Metro Police are warning all those using fireworks this weekend in celebration of Diwali, to do so within the parameters of the law OR face a steep penalty. Metro Police spokesperson - Senior Superintendent Parbhoo Sewpersad says fireworks are allowed between sunset and 12pm tomorrow ONLY. If anyone is caught breaking this law, they may face a fine of...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - A suspect accused of being involved in the killing a family of five at Taylors Halt, near Pietermaritzburg, is set to appear at the Pietermaritzburg Magistrates Court today. The victims - four women and a child - were all fatally shot at their home in August. According to KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Brigadier Jay Naicker, the 19-year-old faces five cou...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - As the build up to the 160th year since the arrival of Indian indentured labourers in South Africa intensifies - a new book has been launched chronicling their legacy. From politics, to sport, to culture, "The Indian African" sets out to narrate the untold stories of those Indians that have paved the way for the lives we live today. Co-author and historian, K...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Unemployment rose to 30-point-8 percent from 23-point-3 percent in the second quarter- according to Statistics South Africa. However, the unemployment rate was artificially low in the second quarter because Statistics South Africa only classifies people as unemployed if they are actively looking for work, which many people were unable to do in the second quar...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - In today's 1860 feature we focus on the roles Indians played in breaking ground regarding non-racialism in sport. One prominent individual in this struggle is anti-apartheid activist and member of the SA Olympic Committee - Sam Ramsamy. He spent almost 20 years campaigning against discrimination in sport as chairperson of the South Africa Non-racial Olympic C...

By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Tributes continue for former Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Mayor Mongameli Bobani, who passed away yesterday. His death comes three weeks after he was admitted to the St. George's Hospital in Port Elizabeth, due to COVID-19 complications. His condition deteriorated and he was subsequently put on a ventilator. Bobani's death was confirmed by UDM leader Bantu Holomi...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Ahead of Diwali celebrations this weekend, the South African Hindu Maha Sabha have put together a team of attorneys - in anticipation of racism and anti-hindu sentiment that usually occur during this time of the year. President Ashwin Trikamjee says those observing and those who choose to use fireworks as part of celebrations, must do so in accordance with th...

By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran and Taresh Harreeparshad - A reminder to be cautious: that was largely the intention of President Cyril Ramaphosa last night - when he addressed the nation on the state of COVID-19. While there was no movement to a higher lockdown level, the President did reiterate the importance of using masks, washing hands and maintaining social distancing. For reaction this...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - As we near the 16th of November, the 1860 Heritage Centre in Durban will be hosting a virtual discussion remembering the heroes who paved the way for Indian-origin people in the country. The event getting underway tomorrow will coincide with the 160th anniversary of indentured Indian labourers arriving to the shores of what was then Natal. KZN Arts & Culture...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule is expected to appear in Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court this Friday, relating to the controversial asbestos contract in the Free State, when he was still Premier. Magashule however, says he was not aware of the warrant when media began reporting on it. The Hawks have confirmed that the warrant has been signed and issued, b...

By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - One of KwaZulu-Natal's largest family-owned oil manufacturing companies "The Willowton Group" are now setting up a third national Bakery School for unemployed women. Willowton Director, Abdul Razak Moosa says they have been experiencing remarkable results at the Pietermaritzburg school and decided to open one in Durban, which is three months old. Now, with hundr...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - "Super Wednesday" - as it's been referred - to has arrived with 95 municipal ward by-elections taking place in 56 municipalities across the country today. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) say they are confident if all goes well, results will be released by midday tomorrow. They say this election will serve as a template in ensuring the safety of vot...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - KwaZulu-Natal police have issued a stern warning to beach-goers to be extra cautious. This comes after several drowning incidents in the province, with the most recent involving a 19-year-old boy whose body was recovered floating yesterday near shark nets at Addington Beach, in Durban Central. Provincial police spokesperson, Captain Nqobile Gwala, says it's a...

By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - As the search for a COVID-19 vaccine intensifies, international airlines have adapted by introducing precautionary measures in preventing the spread of the virus. Aviation giant "Emirates" have been at the forefront in the flight industry, adopting new safety strategies to safeguard passengers using their services. Regional Manager of Emirates Southern Africa...

By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Durban University of Technology (DUT) lecturer Prinavin Govender has just graduated with a PhD in Education from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Part of the Information Technology (IT) field for over 30 years, Dr. Govender developed a passion for both teaching and research. He would go on to use these skills to fuel his own research and now will look to do p...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The memory and legacy of the 1860 Indian-origin indentured labourers cannot be forgotten or left behind. These are the sentiments of political cartoonist and artist, Nanda Soobben, who has used his artistic talent to create a calendar in honour of the 1860 Indian-origin indentured labourers. Nanda says the greats of the time are being focused on, with visuals...

By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - First-time finalists Delhi Capitals take on four-time champions Mumbai Indians when the Indian Premier League season culminates in a highly-anticipated final later today. The Mumbai Indians are the most successful team in IPL history and will go into the final in a confident mood - having won all three meetings between the sides at this year's tournament. The...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - For 33-year-old Lushen Ramchander a life on the race tracks has finally shifted in his favour, having won the South African National Formula Vee championship at the Extreme Festival held in Gauteng. The former Shallcross, south of Durban, resident is the first black South African to win a national circuit title in a single seater category. Speaking to Newsbre...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The Verulam community, north of Durban, are reeling from shock after a 4-year-old boy allegedly fell to his death from a window of a third floor flat at Ireland Street. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Captain Nqobile Gwala, says an inquest docket into the toddlers death is being investigated after the boy succumed to his injuries at a local hospital. Gwala...

By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - The Hawks says they will direct every resource to ensure proper investigation into the allegations levelled against their former spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi. He resigned yesterday amid serious allegations of a 3 million rand donation from the National Lotteries Commission to his foundation in Limpopo. Meanwhile, First and exclusive on Newsbreak, the HAWKS...

Diwali has come early in the ancestral hometown of Kamala Harris as she looked set to become the first women, first black and first Asian vice president in United States history. The US senator's village in southern India is decked up in posters and flowers, while temples in the area were packed with thrilled visitors over the past few days. Rana Senn reports from New Delhi...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - In this weeks Medical Monitor, we look back at the life of one of SA's first female doctors of colour - Dr. Kesaveloo Goonaruthnum Naidoo better known as Dr. Goonam. Born in India in 1906, Dr Goonam studied in Scotland before coming to South Africa to open her own practice. She would go on to become Vice President of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and a pion...

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to address the nation later this week on government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. In his weekly letter on Monday, Ramaphosa warned that a resurgence of the Coronavirus pandemic will dramatically reverse the country's health gains and hamper its economic recovery plan. His address will be preceded by the meetings of the National Coronavirus Command Council an...

By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The 6th Annual Water Stewardship Conference is set to get underway virtually later this month - aiming to explore how investments in the water sector can generate economic growth and employment. The invitation-only event brings together representatives from government, industry, civil society and various development partners. The theme this year is "Good gove...