The National Briefing

Built in Mzansi: How Khayelihle Nkabinde built a youth organization that is quietly changing trajectories across underserved communities through mentorship, entrepreneurship, and Women in STEM programming. Guest: Khayelihle Nkabinde, Founder & CEO of Dream Big Stay Humble 

The Department of Home Affairs says that the number of migrants processed for deportation and repatriation at the Temporary Repatriation Centre in Musina has risen to between 47,000 and 50,000. Hundreds of migrants are said to continue arriving at the centre as authorities press ahead with deportations and voluntary repatriations through the Beitbridge Port of Entry. Guest: Vutivi Maluleke - SABC...

Tax season is underway, with SARS processing millions of auto-assessments and paying out billions of rand in refunds. But while many South Africans are expecting money back, financial experts are warning against borrowing or spending based on refunds that haven't yet reached their bank accounts. Delays, compliance checks, or outstanding tax obligations could leave consumers in even deeper financia...

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, has published its final amendments to the Numbering Plan Regulations, introducing new rules for the deactivation and recycling of inactive mobile numbers. The regulations aim to protect consumers by ensuring they receive adequate notice before their numbers are deactivated, while also helping to manage South Africa's limited numbering resou...

Reality Check with Abongile Xhantini: Rebuilding South Africa Through Belonging - What kind of nation becomes possible when every person's way of being is recognised as part of our collective future?  Guest: Abongile Xhantini - Founder of Veritas Inclusion Advisory   

Despite the deployment of the South African National Defence Force to help combat gang violence on the Cape Flats, deadly shootings continue to claim lives. Seven people were killed and five others injured in two separate mass shootings in Tafelsig, Mitchell's Plain, and Philippi East on Wednesday evening, raising fresh concerns about the effectiveness of current crime-fighting interventions.&nbsp...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the deadline for the final report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System. The Commission will now submit its report by 16 November 2026, instead of the original 31 August 2026 deadline, allowing it to complete outstanding investigations and hear evidence on all matters with...

Zimbabwe is entering a new political chapter after President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed sweeping constitutional amendments into law. The changes extend his time in office until 2030 and replace direct presidential elections with a system where Parliament appoints the president. While supporters say the amendments will bring political stability, critics argue they undermine democracy and could still...

More than one million South Africans have now been removed from Eskom's load reduction programme, with five provinces officially declared load reduction-free. While South Africa has gone more than 400 days without loadshedding, many communities have continued to experience load reduction due to overloaded networks, illegal connections and electricity theft. Guest: Daphne Mokoena, Eskom spokesperso...

South Africans are reporting potholes, water outages, failing clinics and electricity problems through every available channel—from ward meetings and municipal hotlines to WhatsApp groups and social media. Yet, despite record levels of public participation, many communities say nothing changes. A new study by the University of Johannesburg suggests the problem isn't that citizens aren't spea...

Oil prices slip but remain on track for weekly advance  Meta ramps up AI monetisation drive Market update  

The high-stakes impeachment trial of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte and its implications for the country's political future The latest exchange between Iran and the United States, where a fragile ceasefire appears to be unravelling, threatening regional stability and the world's energy supply. Guest: Dr Joan Swart - Researcher in Military Science at the University of Stellenbosch  &nb...

Built in Mzansi: How VFusion Cosmetics has built a skincare brand blending indigenous South African herbal wisdom with modern science. She has included her community to grow and source the ingredients and become active participants in the growth of the business. Guest: Mathapelo Mutuku  - Founder of VFusion Cosmetics 

How AI can help businesses save time, improve productivity, analyse information and automate routine tasks. Guest: Prof. Yudhvir Seetharam, Head of Analytics, Insights and Research at FNB Business  

Guest: Thapelo Mohapi, the General-Secretary of Abahlali baseMjondolo  Guest: Professor Joleen Steyn Kotze - Chief Research Specialist in Democracy and Citizenship at the Human Sciences Research Council   

The Public Protector has released a report into service delivery issues in parts of Cape Town, acknowledging the City's efforts to address concerns at the N2 Gateway housing development, the relocation of families in Khayelitsha, and safety measures at two public clinics. While the report also directs action by National Treasury and the Department of Human Settlements, questions remain about housi...

Reality Check with Abongile Xhantini: The Cost of Excluding Human Potential - What has South Africa lost because we have mistaken difference for deficiency?  Guest: Abongile Xhantini - Founder of Veritas Inclusion Advisory 

In a landmark judgment, the Constitutional Court has declared key provisions of the Refugees Act unconstitutional, ruling that asylum seekers cannot be denied access to the asylum system simply because they lack documentation or miss the five-day reporting deadline. The judgment is being hailed as a major victory for refugee rights and reinforces South Africa's obligation to protect people fleeing...

The Department of Basic Education has announced that it has eliminated all pit toilets identified under the 2018 SAFE initiative, marking a significant milestone in improving school infrastructure. But human rights organisation Amnesty International South Africa says the job is far from over, warning that many schools and Early Childhood Development centres still rely on unsafe pit toilets that we...

The Madlanga Commission yesterday said that it is engaging the Presidency to request a short extension to complete its work. Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels confirmed the development after President Cyril Ramaphosa said he is open to extending the Commission of Inquiry if requested. The Commission, which was initially scheduled to sit for six months from September 2025, is expected to conc...

Oil ticks higher on renewed strikes in the Middle East 2. China’s DeepSeek takes aim at AI chip independence 3. Market update  

The Global Briefing: A major diplomatic visit to Syria has been overshadowed by violence after explosions ripped through central Damascus, injuring at least 18 people while French President Emmanuel Macron was meeting Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The spotlight is back on Britain's royal family as the UK High Court prepares to deliver its judgment in Prince Harry's long-running legal battle ag...

Municipal Watch: The Matatiele Municipality in the Eastern Cape has purchased refuse removal trucks at a cost of R2.4-million which are reportedly sitting idle while paying private contractors R105-thousand a month to collect rubbish. Guest: Wonga Potwana   - DA councillor chief whip  in the Matatiele Local Municipality  Guest: Kumkani&nb...

South Africa's digital backbone is under renewed scrutiny after a damning Public Service Commission report exposed widespread governance failures, procurement delays and weak financial controls at the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), with billions of rand in irregular expenditure flagged and critical government IT projects affected. Guest: Solly Malatsi - Minister of the Department for...

The Department of Basic Education has announced the completion of the 2018 SAFE Initiative backlog, saying all three thousand three hundred and seventy-two schools identified during the audit have now been provided with safe and appropriate sanitation facilities. Guest: Siviwe Gwarube - Minister of Basic Education