The National Briefing

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 03.04.2025 4:16 ↓

    3 April 2025 1.    Russia – Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Sahel foreign affairs ministers visit Moscow to strengthen ties with Russia In a significant shift in the region's diplomatic and security landscape, the foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will visit Moscow this week to deepen their strategic ties with Russia.   2.  &ensp...

The National Prosecuting Authority says that it will study the Timothy Omotoso judgement and consider its legal options 03.04.2025 6:25 ↓

    Guest: Lisa Vetten: Research Associate: University of Johannesburg’s Faculty of Humanities.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS), has exceeded expectations in its 2024/25 fiscal year performance, collecting R1.855 trillion in net revenue. 02.04.2025 10:41 ↓

Guest: Edward Kieswater: South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner

President Cyril Ramaphosa has now signed the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill into law aimed at reforming South Africa’s intelligence services 02.04.2025 5:22 ↓

Guest: Prof Anton Harber: Journalist, Activist and Author and executive director of the Campaign for Free Expression

 The African National Congress (ANC) has warned that the collapse of budget talks could lead to a reconfiguration of the Government of National Unity (GNU) 02.04.2025 5:49 ↓

  Guest: Dr Ongama Mtimka: Political Analyst

ActionSA says it has successfully stopped the proposed 0.5% VAT Increase and secured income tax relief. They say that this is a major victory in their ongoing fight for a responsible fiscal framework that protects South Africans from excessive taxation. 02.04.2025 10:25 ↓

  Guest: Herman Mashaba: Action SA Leader 

The Minister of Electricity has now launched the Independent Transmission Programme to attract private sector investment aimed at expanding the country's electricity grid. 02.04.2025 7:27 ↓

  Guest: Prof Sampson Mamphweli  Head of Energy Secretariat at the South African National Energy Development Institute

The Democratic Alliance say that ActionSA has done a deal with the ANC to pass a 1% VAT hike over the next 2 years, making life more expensive say this is a sell-out tactic by ActionSA 02.04.2025 7:00 ↓

  Guest: Willie Aucamp: DA National Spokesperson

 Support for KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, is growing as he faces allegations of interference in a 2023 arrest and potential police brutality. 02.04.2025 5:04 ↓

  Guest: Nthabeleng Molefe: KZN Provincial Secretary: POPCRU 

 A volcanic eruption has occurred on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland, causing the evacuation of nearby Grindavík and the popular tourist destination, the Blue Lagoon spa. 02.04.2025 4:58 ↓

  Guest: Prof Guy Midgley: Climate Change Researcher and Acting Director of the School for Climate Studies, Stellenbosch University

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 02.04.2025 5:48 ↓

  2     April 2025 DR Congo – Rwanda- M23- Doha talks amidst Convicted warlord Lubanga announced new rebel movement in Ituri province So, the diplomatic upheaval will be, Could the Democratic Republic of Congo be forced to face even more instability soon? United Kingdom- Mauritius The UK government is working with Mauritius to finalise a deal on the future of th...

On the 2nd of April, Parliament is expected to vote on the 2025 National Budget. Will VAT increase? 01.04.2025 7:14 ↓

Guest: Mdumiseni Ntuli - ANC Chief Whip in Parliament

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 01.04.2025 5:28 ↓

    1 April 2025 (New radio season – Freedom month across Afrikan continent)   1.    Southern Sudan – Ethiopia - African Union Commission AU to dispatch Panel of the Wise to mediate in South Sudan crisis The African Union Commission (AUC) said it is sending a high-level mediation team to South Sudan amid escalating tensions between President Salva Kii...

In recent months, President Donald Trump has been actively engaging in diplomatic talks with both Russia and Ukraine, aiming to fulfill his long-standing campaign promise of ending the war in Ukraine. 01.04.2025 6:05 ↓

Guest: Abel Esterhuyse - Professor Of Strategy: Faculty Of Military Science: Stellenbosch University

The United States' 25% import tariff on vehicles and key vehicle parts, announced by President Donald Trump last week has raised significant concerns for the South African automotive manufacturing sector. 01.04.2025 5:20 ↓

Guest: Mikel Mabasa: CEO, National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has now proposed for the introduction of the Foreign Agents Bill aimed at exposing foreign agents who are hiding behind the banner of NGOs and civil society groups, whilst pushing their own agendas. 01.04.2025 5:28 ↓

    Guest: Vuyolwethu (Vuyo) Zungula: President, African Transformation Movement (ATM) 

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and The Environment , Dr Dion George now holds Eskom accountable on emissions standards to manage South Africa’s energy transition while maintaining service delivery and addressing the country’s climate commitments 01.04.2025 8:58 ↓

Guest: Dr Dion George: Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and The Environment 

The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has welcomed a significant allocation of R227,700,000.00 to municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal. 01.04.2025 9:22 ↓

Guest: Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi: KZN The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC 

A new study by the University of Johannesburg (UJ) reveals alarming levels of cancer-causing chemicals in Gauteng’s Klip River, a crucial water source for local communities, livestock, and ecosystems. 01.04.2025 7:40 ↓

    Guest: Prof. Abayneh Ambushe: Researcher, University of Johannesburg (UJ)  

The eThekwini municipality's proposed R2.8 million rebranding initiative has sparked outrage among local ratepayers and residents. They argue that the funds should instead be spent on essential services like water, sanitation, and road repairs. 01.04.2025 6:24 ↓

Guest: Mandla Nsele: Head of Communications: Ethekwini Municipality

Recent incidents of elephants escaping from Kruger National Park (KNP) and other reserves, and entering nearby communities, have raised concerns about the safety of both the animals and local residents. 31.03.2025 6:07 ↓

    Guest: Dr Sam Ferreira: Large Mammal Ecologist for SANParks based in Skukuza in Kruger National Park.

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) is gearing up for a grand celebration this weekend to mark its 50th anniversary 31.03.2025 10:04 ↓

    Guest: Mkhuleko Hlengwa: Spokesperson, The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) 

The eThekwini municipality's proposed R2.8 million rebranding initiative has sparked outrage among local ratepayers and residents. They argue that the funds should instead be spent on essential services like water, sanitation, and road repairs. 31.03.2025 3:36 ↓

    Guest: Ish Prahladh - president of the Ethekwini Ratepayers and Residents Association (ERRA)

The African National Congress (ANC) has wrapped up its three-day National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg. What were some of the outcomes of the meeting? 31.03.2025 5:51 ↓

    Guest: Samkele Maseko: Political Reporter, SABC