The National Briefing

COSATU says it is leaving it to its affiliated unions to decide whether to support the ANC or the SACP in the upcoming November local government elections. The two alliance partners are set to contest the elections separately, raising questions about whether COSATU could find itself caught in the middle of the political rift. The federation says the unity of workers remains paramount, wi...

Maj-Gen Feroz Khan has reportedly been re-admitted to a Johannesburg hospital, almost two months after he was shot and wounded in Houghton. His reported hospitalisation comes as he was expected to appear before the Madlanga Commission this week, where he faces further questions under a Rule 3 notice. Khan is also challenging a SAPS disciplinary process in the Labour Court, which could potentially...

Glenlivet Distillery and the actress involved in their controversial ad campaign have issued an apology after protest from civil society and government. The company had used images from the 1956 women's march to promote their product.    Guest: Nomcebo Dlamini - Campaign Director at the True Cost of Alcohol Campaign   

Eskom has blacklisted 101 suppliers for periods of up to 10 years as part of efforts to tackle fraud, corruption and misconduct in its supply chain. But the Association of Private Security Owners, TAPSOSA, says some black-owned companies have been unfairly affected by these restrictions and has raised concerns about due process.  Guest: Sindiswa Changuion, the Spokesperson of the Association...

1. Fed Chair, Kevin Warsh puts September rate hike back on the table 2. China’s factories remain under pressure  3. Market update

The Global Briefing: The death toll from flash floods in Nepal and Tibet has risen to 750, with more than 3,000 people still missing, while authorities warn of further flooding. US President Donald Trump says Washington has reached an agreement with Venezuela involving control of what he describes as 65 billion barrels of oil reserves. Six months into the US-Israel war with Iran, Tehran says...

The South African Breweries is calling on National Treasury to permanently link annual alcohol excise tax increases to inflation, saying a predictable framework would provide certainty for businesses, protect investment and support jobs across the beer value chain. The brewer's submission forms part of National Treasury's consultation on South Africa's future alcohol excise policy framework, which...

The former head of the Hawks, Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya, has told the Madlanga Commission that he was denied state-funded legal assistance ahead of his testimony. His legal team has questioned the decision, saying the official who made it had previously worked under Lebeya and should have recused herself. The Commission, however, says it may not have the authority to intervene. Lebeya also...

The ANC’s internal battles over money, leadership contests and organisational renewal have now spilled into the courts. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma says she will oppose legal action brought against her by ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula over remarks she made about the use of money in the party’s internal electoral processes. While she says she will respect the court process, she ins...

With the 31 August deadline fast approaching, couples in qualifying unregistered customary marriages are being urged to formalise their marriages and make sure their families are protected. This is about more than paperwork. Registration can help provide clarity around inheritance, property, divorce and the administration of an estate. Guest: Jocelyn Manda, Senior Fiduciary Specialist at PPS.&nbsp...

As South Africa heads towards the 2026 local government elections, are opinion polls simply measuring public opinion, or are they also helping to shape it?  Guest: Professor Bheki Mngomezulu - Professor of Political Science & International Relations and Director of the Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy (CANRAD) at Nelson Mandela University  Guest: Susan Booyse...

1. Zambia – African Union Opposition leaders in Zambia have urged the African Union to intervene in the country’s post-election crisis. Tonse Pamodzi Alliance former diplomat, Emmanuel Mwamba, called on the body to stop the planned 1 September inauguration of president-elect Hakainde Hichilema. In a letter, he said the gravest of these breaches could still be stopped, but only if...

Fed Chair, Kevin Warsh faces high stakes Jackson Hole test 2. SK Hynix expands US footprint as AI demand surges 3. Market update    

Legendary Malian musician Salif Keita has pulled out of his scheduled commercial performances in South Africa, citing concerns over xenophobic violence against African migrants. While he says his heart remains open to South Africa, his decision has sparked questions about the impact of xenophobia on the country’s cultural and entertainment industry. What could this mean for African artists,...

A community space does not fail because of government alone  A building is not an institution unless it is alive  Who keeps a community alive?  Guest: Prof Ari Sitas - Emeritus Professor at the University of Cape Town and Chairperson of the Board of the National Research Foundation  

Statistics South Africa has released the 2026 national poverty lines, with the food poverty line now standing at R868 per person per month. The figures have renewed calls to increase the Social Relief of Distress grant, which currently amounts to just 42.6% of the food poverty line. The Institute for Economic Justice says doubling the SRD grant could help millions of South Africans facing hunger,...

The Independent Electoral Commission has issued a reminder to all political parties and independent candidates intending to contest the 2026 Local Government Election to submit their candidate nomination details by 5pm on Friday the 28th. Parties are asked to make sure that all required information is completed and submitted well ahead of the deadline. Guest: Kgosietsile Tshoke -  Manage...

The Global Briefing: More than 350 people have reportedly been killed and over 1,300 remain missing in Nepal following severe flooding. Russia has accused the UK of “playing with fire” amid reports that the CIA chief has warned the Kremlin against attacking NATO. Meta could pay up to 18 billion dollars to settle claims that its platforms harm children. Guest: Dr Joan Swart - Researcher...

Built in Mzansi: How Lisakhanya Mbasa is from a small rural village in Ntabankulu in the Eastern Cape to helping learners unlock their potential in Mathematics and Science. He is proving that your circumstances do not have to define your future. He is building a future for young people in a rural community comes with challenges: from limited space and poor lighting to a shortage of textbooks,...

A community space does not fail because of government alone  A building is not an institution unless it is alive  Who keeps a community alive?  Guest: Prof Ari Sitas - Emeritus Professor at the University of Cape Town and Chairperson of the Board of the National Research Foundation    

Municipal Watch: The National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation has been holding public participation meetings in different provinces to address water challenges faced by communities. They are getting public views on the Water Services Amendment Bill, which is expected to address persistent challenges facing South Africa’s water sector, including unreliable water a...

A deadly police operation in Knysna has once again highlighted concerns around political killings and the safety of those investigating these crimes. A 50-year-old SAPS Tactical Response Team captain was killed in a shootout with a suspect during an operation linked to investigations into the murder of former Knysna mayor Aubrey Tsengwa and two other people. Four suspects are already in custody in...

1.Egypt- China  China's President Xi to hold talks with Egyptian counterpart in Cairo China’s President Xi Jinping will travel to Egypt in the coming days for his first state visit to the country in 10 years. He is due to hold talks with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to discuss ways to strengthen their strategic partnership across various fields of mutual interest. The visit will take...

The Special Investigating Unit says it has uncovered a co-ordinated visa fraud system within the Department of Home Affairs, involving allegedly fake study documents, bribery and officials fast-tracking applications. The Special Investigating Unit says it has secured a significant judgment against Minenhle Makhanya, the former architect and principal agent responsible for the securi...

Built in Mzansi: How Lisakhanya Mbasa is from a small rural village in Ntabankulu in the Eastern Cape to helping learners unlock their potential in Mathematics and Science. He is proving that your circumstances do not have to define your future. He is building a future for young people in a rural community comes with challenges: from limited space and poor lighting to a shortage of textbooks, digi...