The National Briefing

In a disturbing trend, nearly 40 infants have been abandoned in the Eastern Cape between March 2024 and January 2025. While all babies have been found alive, the situation remains a critical concern for authorities. The most recent case involved a week-old baby girl discovered in a plastic bag near a bridge in Mdantsane, East London. This alarming incident underscores the province's ongoing strugg...

The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation (CATS) team has arrested a 35-year-old South African man on charges related to violating the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act (POCDATARA). The arrest took place on Friday afternoon in Johannesburg following a thorough investigation that began in May 2018, involving suspicious financial transac...

A decision by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to disband the task team investigating political killings in KwaZulu-Natal has sparked concern among experts, who fear it could damage public trust in law enforcement. The instruction was issued in a memorandum on December 31, 2024, with Mchunu stating that the task team is no longer necessary. However, criminologists and political analysts are questionin...

The release of South Africa’s 2024 matric results on January 13 will draw significant attention, particularly with regard to the performance in maths and physical science—two key subjects for university admission. As the country grapples with an education system still recovering from the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the results will reveal how well students are prepared...

In South Africa, coal is more than just a source of energy; it is integral to jobs, industrial growth, and the nation’s economic stability. As global calls for decarbonisation grow louder, coal’s essential role is often overlooked. While there is a push towards cleaner energy solutions, the realities faced by millions of South Africans demand a balanced and pragmatic approach to energy...

South Africans are being urged to exercise caution when using social media and private messaging platforms like WhatsApp, as careless online behaviour can have severe consequences, ranging from job loss to criminal charges. Experts warn that actions such as leaking confidential information, sharing explicit content, or posting misleading updates can lead to disciplinary actions by employers, or ev...

The ANC in Mpumalanga has confirmed that it will not be attending the January 8th Celebrations in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, marking the party's 111th anniversary. Instead, the province will focus on its own provincial celebrations, scheduled for January 25th at the Kameelriver Ga Morwe Stadium. Guest: Sasekani Manzi:  Mpumalanga ANC Spokesperson

South Africa's rail network is poised for a major transformation with the introduction of third-party access, which could improve operations but also requires urgent investment. Transnet, the state-owned company managing the country’s rail infrastructure, has revealed that R14 billion annually is needed to address widespread issues such as theft, vandalism, and outdated systems. This comes a...

  The Morning Brief Afrika Update Report 08 January 2025 1.    Ghana – Accra Ghana’s John Mahama returns as President of Ghana. John Mahama has been sworn in on Tuesday, January 7 as Ghana’s president for the second time, as the country faces its worst economic crisis in a generation. Mahama, who started his political career as the communications minister, won...

New China Virus: In recent weeks, social media has been flooded with alarming images of overwhelmed hospitals in China, sparking fears of another pandemic. These concerns stemmed from a surge in cases of the flu-like Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), particularly among children. While Beijing has acknowledged the rise in cases and attributed it to a seasonal spike, public health experts emphasise that...

The battle for control of Ingonyama Trust in KwaZulu-Natal is heating up after King Misuzulu KaZwelithini reasserted his authority and ordered the entity’s “suspended” board members not to enter the trust’s offices in Pietermaritzburg.  Guest: Professor Musa Xulu - Cultural Heritage Expert and Founder of iNdonsa Yesizwe Think Tank 

THE ANC has challenged its members to take personal financial responsibility for attending the upcoming January 8 celebrations in Khayelitsha at the weekend in a move seen as signalling the party's financial woes.    Guest: Nkosikhulule Nyembezi - Political Analyst 

  The Morning Brief   Afrika Update Report  7 January 2025  1. Ethiopia – Addis Ababa   War crimes and rebel bishops: Christmas celebrations marred by bitter split in Ethiopia’s ancient church.  As millions of Orthodox Christians in the country prepare to celebrate today, on 7 January, the legacy of a brutal conflict is tearing apart its 1,700-ye...

It has been more than seven years since Markus Jooste resigned as CEO of Steinhoff on 5 December 2017 and Steinhoff’s supervisory board requested PWC’s advisory services unit to conduct a forensic investigation into accounting fraud at the former international retail giant.    Guest: Rob Rose - editor of Currency News, writer for the Financial Times, or author of Steinheist.&...

WITH a week to go before the 2024 matric results are released, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Information Regulator are set to battle it out to determine whether the results will be released in newspapers, with the Information Regulator standing its ground that doing so, will go against the Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia).    Guest: Alana Bailey – Af...

The African National Congress (ANC) was founded on January 8, 1912. This week, they celebrate 113 years of our movement's existence with a range of activities culminating in the main January 8 Statement rally, which will take place at Mandela Park Stadium in Khayelitsha, Western Cape, on Saturday, January 11. ANC Dullah Omar Regional chairperson, Ndithini Tyhido, said the party was ready for the e...

The recommendations of a new Bureau for Economic Research (BER) report argues that failure to improve municipal outcomes will mute the effect of the government’s broader structural reforms to boost economic growth. It urges local government to hire more engineers and finance professionals, and for municipal trading services in electricity and water and sanitation to be set up as viable, stan...

THE Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has recorded 7 448 arrests on South African roads for the current festive season between December 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025.  Guest: Caro Smith – Founder and Director of the South African Against Drunk Driving 

If a pregnant minor requests termination of pregnancy she should be advised to discuss it with her parents/guardians but their consent is not required. While a person younger than 18 years is considered a child in South Africa, the act does allow consensual sex for people who are between 16 and 18 years.    Guest: Stanley Malematja - Attorney at Centre for Child Law at University of Pret...

President-elect Donald Trump said Sunday that he is looking into pardoning the Jan, 6 rioters on the first day of his administration during an interview on "Meet the Press." The Justice Department is considering charging up to 200 more people for their alleged involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, a report says.  Guest: Prof John Stremlau - Honorary Professor of Internati...

South Africa has welcomed New Year’s babies at several hospitals across the country with the youngest mother being just 12 years old. What does this tell us about society and teenage pregnancy?    Guest: Phinah Kodisang - Soul City CEO 

More than half of South African municipalities face criminal charges for failing to address raw sewage spillages into freshwater resources, says Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina.    Guest: Dr Ferrial Adam - Executive Manager: WaterCAN – OUTA 

  Guest: Arthur Goldstuck – Founder and CEO of World Wide Worx 

A 17-year-old boy in the Eastern Cape who impregnated a 12-year-old child must face prosecution. The girl gave birth on New Year’s Day. The province’s MEC for social development, Bukiwe Fanta, made this statement after her department was able to identify the newborn’s father.  Guest: Mphumzi Zuzi - Eastern Cape Social Development Spokesperson