POWER Breakfast

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Dr Na’eem Jeenah – Researcher at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, about how Israel’s military campaign against Iran has transitioned into a new phase, with recent operations specifically targeting the country’s critical energy infrastructure. According to the Israeli military, these strikes have hit numerous fu...

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Ashleigh Laurent – Legal Counsel at TPN, about how data from TPN Credit Bureau reveals that address fraud is a significant challenge facing South African public schools. In one surveyed school, 40% of applications contained false or misleading address information, while another school reported fraudulent addresses in 20% of Grade 1 applications....

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Grace Nzombe – Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Nurse Team Leader at the MSF Gwanda Project, about how, as the world marked International Women’s Day yesterday, the contributions of women on the frontlines of healthcare and humanitarian work continue to gain recognition. One such story is that of Grace Nzombe, a Nurse Team Leader at the M&eacu...

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Brigadier Athlenda Mathe – National Spokesperson for the South African Police Service (SAPS), about how police at O.R. Tambo International Airport intercepted illicit drugs with an estimated street value of R2.8 million during two separate operations at cargo warehouses, highlighting ongoing concerns about international drug trafficking through S...

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Sibusiso Shama Malope about his music journey. Growing up in a musical household shaped by a strict religious upbringing, Shama first found his stage in the church. Through his involvement in the youth choir, his musical talent was discovered, sparking a lifelong passion for writing, producing, and performing music. See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Dr Levy Ndou – Political Analyst, about how the political atmosphere in Tshwane has turned volatile following the DA’s unveiling of a billboard in Pretoria that reads, “ANC showers in hotels.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Mr Mpho Mbodi – Head of Division: Professional Practice at the HPCSA, about how the controversy surrounding a medical certificate submitted to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has drawn public attention to the standards governing sick notes, patient confidentiality, and the responsibilities of medical practitioners when individuals are called t...

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Ofentse Donald Davhie – Research Associate at the Centre for Risk Analysis, about how Iran’s decision to close the Strait of Hormuz has intensified global economic and security concerns, with potential ripple effects reaching as far as South Africa’s maritime sector and fuel prices. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States has imposed sanctions on the Rwandan military and four of its senior officials, citing "direct operational support" for the M23 rebel group. This insurgent force, along with its affiliate, the Congo River Alliance (AFC), has seized extensive territory in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). These advances include the capture of provincial capitals in the mineral-ri...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to Mosiuoa Lekota, stating he will forever honor Lekota’s pivotal role in the liberation struggle, notwithstanding the sharp political rifts that emerged between them in later years. The Congress of the People (COPE) leader passed away early this morning at the age of 77, following a long illness. Thabiso Tema spoke to Pandelani Nefolovhondwe Chairp...

The 18th Africa Energy Indaba is set to take place from 3rd until today the 5th March 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). As the continent's most significant energy exhibition and conference, the event holds the official endorsement of Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, South Africa’s Minister of Electricity and Energy. This high-level backing underscores the Indaba’...

The City of Johannesburg has declared that the fatal collapse of an illegally erected building in Ormonde was an entirely preventable tragedy. The disaster, which resulted in the deaths of nine construction workers, has been attributed to a severe breakdown in oversight, process, and accountability. According to preliminary investigations, the structure was built in total defiance of development p...

As a sudden and intense war in the Middle East continues to unfold, South African travellers, expatriates, and holiday‑makers have found themselves trapped far from home with flights cancelled and airspace closures complicating any immediate return. The conflict — triggered by large‑scale military actions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, among other actors — has rapidly di...

South Africa’s education system is facing mounting criticism for failing to produce enough job-ready graduates to meet the demands of a fast-evolving, technology-driven economy a shortcoming that industry leaders say is deepening the country’s IT skills crisis. Thabiso Tema spoke to Lehlohonolo Mokenela IT and Telecoms Analyst at Africa Analysis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

The recent public concern over the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in menstrual products, sparked by a study conducted at the University of the Free State, requires careful contextualisation. According to experts, while the study highlights the presence of these chemicals in sanitary pads and pantyliners, the findings do not suggest immediate harm, nor do they warrant changes in...

A Soweto teenager was forced to seek emergency medical treatment after a teacher allegedly lashed her 92 times with a pipe. The brutal punishment was reportedly sparked by a minor academic infraction: exceeding the required word count on an essay. The assault left the student, whose identity is being protected, with severe blisters and blood clots on her left hand that required professional hospit...

The Gauteng Provincial Government will formally take full ownership of the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link on 28 March 2026, concluding the 19½‑year Bombela Concession Agreement and completing all financial obligations associated with the multibillion‑rand public‑private partnership (PPP) project. This milestone marks the end of what was once the largest provincial transport infrastructure investm...

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The conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran has sharply escalated into one of the most serious military confrontations in the region in years, disrupting daily life, international travel and trapping foreign nationals including South Africans far from home. Over the past few days, coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian military targets have triggered br...

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has confirmed that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (IPID) report into the controversial 2020 burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm has been formally declassified, but it remains inaccessible to the public. Thabiso Tema spoke to Lizzy Suping IPID Spokesperson . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

A political storm has erupted in Gauteng over the funding of Quintile 5 schools, with more than 10 000 residents backing a Democratic Alliance (DA) petition opposing what the party calls “cruel” budget cuts. The DA claims the cuts will erode education standards and force schools to cut essential programmes — a claim that the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has strongly deni...

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Unathi Lutshaba – Executive Director for SACO, about how South Africa’s Cultural, Creative and Sports Industries (CCI&S) have proven to be a significant driver of economic growth, contributing an estimated R271.2 billion to the country’s GDP in 2023, or roughly 3.9% of total economic output, according to the latest research from t...

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Chrispin Phiri – DIRCO Spokesperson, about how at least two South African men have died in Russia after being recruited to fight in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, South Africa’s International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed on Thursday See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Xola Nqola – Member of the Ad Hoc Committee, and David Skhosana, about how, while appearing before a parliamentary committee on police corruption, O’Sullivan walked out of the hearing midway through, claiming he had a flight to catch. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Mike Bolhuis – Independent Crime & Security Analyst, about how child identity theft occurs when a minor’s personal information — such as their full name, date of birth, or identity number — is used by criminals to commit financial or legal fraud. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.