The National Briefing

The South African Communist Party (SACP) has now said it opposes the South African government’s decision to invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a state visit to South Africa. 24.04.2025 5:41 ↓

  Guest: Dr Alex Mashilo: SACP Central Committee Member

The National Treasury has now reversed the VAT rate increase 24.04.2025 7:37 ↓

    Guest: Herman Mashaba - ActionSA Leader

A second fire incident has struck Tembisa Hospital just days after a devastating blaze forced the evacuation of patients and the closure of its emergency unit. 24.04.2025 7:38 ↓

    Guest: Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko: MEC for Health and Wellness in Gauteng

South Africa’s inflation rate unexpectedly dropped to 2.7% in March 2025—its lowest level since the early pandemic days—raising cautious optimism about the potential for interest rate cuts. 24.04.2025 6:26 ↓

  Guest: Isaah Mhlanga: Chief Economist and Head of Research at RMB

The Democratic Alliance welcomes the scrapping of the disastrous VAT hike by National Treasury. 24.04.2025 6:00 ↓

  Guest: Karabo Lerato Khakhau: Democratic Alliance National Spokesperson

The Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party led a delegation, on oversight, to investigate the reasons behind the establishment of a white, Afrikaans-only settlement called Kleinfontein, situated on the outskirts of Pretoria. 23.04.2025 11:47 ↓

  Guest: Mzwanele Manyi: MK Party, parliamentary chief whip 

The Western Cape High Court yesterday heard a legal challenge brought by the Democratic Alliance (DA) against South Africa's recent VAT increase. 23.04.2025 6:44 ↓

    Guest: Khaya Sithole: Independent Analyst 

Pretoria North’s Ward 2 councillor, Quentin Meyer, has sparked controversy after leading residents in planting trees in pothole-ridden roads as a protest against the City of Tshwane’s failure to fix deteriorating infrastructure. 23.04.2025 4:04 ↓

    Guest: Quentin Meyer: Pretoria North’s ward 2 councillor

Zamani Saul has been elected unopposed for a third term as the Provincial Chairperson ANC of the Northern Cape. During the conference, he has refuted allegations that someone tried to assassinate Deputy President Paul Mashatile 23.04.2025 5:13 ↓

    Guest: Samkele Maseko: Political Reporter, SABC

Chinese defense researchers have successfully tested a new non-nuclear weapon that generates a powerful, long-lasting fireball using hydrogen-based technology. 23.04.2025 6:06 ↓

    Guest: Willem Els: Senior Training Coordinator on terrorism and explosives, Institute for Security Studies (ISS)

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 23.04.2025 5:14 ↓

23 April 2025    1.    Burkina Faso - Ouagadougou Burkina Faso military government says it thwarted "major" coup attempt Burkina Faso’s military government said on Monday that it had foiled a “major plot” to overthrow the country’s junta leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.     2.    Ghana- Niger-Mali -Burkina Fa...

South Africa’s legal profession is under intense scrutiny following revelations that more than R1.4 billion has allegedly been stolen from client trust funds by lawyers 23.04.2025 6:59 ↓

    Guest: Nkosana Francois Mvundlela: The President of the Law Society of SA and President of the Black Lawyers Association

The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) latest World Economic Outlook, launched in April 2025, presents a bleak forecast for the global economy, including South Africa. 23.04.2025 6:13 ↓

    Guest: Iraj Abedian: Economist

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has confirmed that a shooting incident targeting his convoy is under investigation, following what is believed to have been an attempted assassination.  22.04.2025 5:08 ↓

Guest: Rory Steyn: Co-founder and Director: NSA Security Consultants SA

South Africa is ramping up efforts to tackle gun violence by launching specialised police units focused on tracing and tracking illegal firearms. 22.04.2025 9:19 ↓

    Guest: Dr Stanley Maphosa: Gun Free SA (GFSA) executive director

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 22.04.2025 4:51 ↓

    22 April 2025   1.    Italy-Ethiopia The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mourns the Passing of His Holiness Pope Francis Pope (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; 17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025)   2.    South Sudan- Upper Nile South Sudan's state military recaptures key town from White Army militia South Sudan's army said...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to make his first official state visit to South Africa on April 24 22.04.2025 8:46 ↓

    Guest: Steven Gruzd: head of the Africa-Russia Project at the South African Institute of International Affairs

The Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu has now launched an investigation into the provincial Department of Education after it emerged that 22 laptops were purchased for a staggering R2 million 22.04.2025 4:08 ↓

    Guest: Ntsako Precious Mkhabela: EFF MP & EFF lawmaker in the Mpumalanga provincial legislature

Sakeliga and the National Employers’ Association of South Africa (NEASA), have launched a united legal challenge against the Employment Equity Amendment Act (EEAA) and newly published regulations 22.04.2025 8:11 ↓

    Piet le Roux: Sakeliga CEO

The Progressive Domestic Workers Union of South Africa (Prodwusa) is calling on the National Treasury to establish a pension fund specifically for domestic workers 22.04.2025 5:29 ↓

    Guest: Thato Maleka: Secretary General, The Progressive Domestic Workers Union of South Africa (Prodwusa)

Data from the Debt Rescue survey revealed that, ahead of the April electricity tariff increase, 86% of people could already no longer afford the cost of electricity, and have been cutting back on essentials such as groceries or transport, just to be able 22.04.2025 4:48 ↓

    Guest: Annaline Van Der Poel: Chief Legal Officer, Debt Rescue

Pope Francis, the beloved spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died at the age of 88 after serving as pontiff for 12 years. 22.04.2025 15:20 ↓

Guest: Archbishop Zolile is the 1st Vice President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference Guest: Father Russel Pollit: parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Braamfontein

Abahlali BaseMjondolo are having multiple marches in various provinces “Unfreedom March” this is meant to address issues around freedom, land and justice.  21.04.2025 7:31 ↓

    Guest: Thapelo Mohapi: General Secretary of Abahlali Basemjondolo 

A fire broke out at the Tembisa Hospital's accident and emergency unit in Ekurhuleni on Saturday night, prompting swift emergency response and the temporary closure of the facility.  21.04.2025 7:42 ↓

    Guest: Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko - MEC for Health and Wellness in Gauteng

AL JAMA-AH party celebrates 18 years of political activity and intensifies its fight against farm evictions 21.04.2025 8:57 ↓

    Guest: Ganief Hendricks: Founder and Leader of Al Jama-Ah