The National Briefing

The Global Brief: The case against Venezuelan President, Nicholas Maduro is gaining momentum, Pressure is mounting on Russian President Vladimir Putin as the war in Ukraine drags on, Japan experiences a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck the island of  Haikkado  Guest: Dr Benjamin Spatz - Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business.      

Built in Mzansi: Thulani Khumalo - Founder of Technical Plumbing Solutions (TPS) has developed a technology solution to detect and report sewage blockages and missing manhole covers.  Guest: Thulani Khumalo - Founder of Technical Plumbing Solutions (TPS) 

Road Rage incident in Emmarentia puts gun legislation under spotlight  Guest: Dr. Sheetal Bhoola, senior lecturer at the University of Zululand and director of StellarMaths Durban 

The Public Servants Association says government has lost over R1 billion in the past five years due to prolonged suspensions that drag on without resolution. The union warns this isn’t just about money, it’s weakening accountability, straining essential services, and eroding public trust, as calls grow for urgent reform within government departments.  Guest: Reuben Maleka - P...

How did Edward Kieswetter turn around the South African Revenue Services? Guest: Edward Kieswetter - outgoing Commissioner of the South African Revenue Services

The Reality Check: What have we done well and what can we scale up to catalyse progress on the transformative promises we made to ourselves regarding healing the divisions of the past and establishing a new society that is based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights Guest: Prof. Thuli Madonsela - Director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in the Faculty of Law at S...

President Ramaphosa suspends National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and appoints Major General Puleng Dimpane as acting police commissioner Guest: Firoz Cachalia - Acting Police Minister 

As protests intensify in Durban’s CBD and authorities vow a month-long crackdown, fears are growing that tensions could spiral into wider unrest. At the same time, civil society groups are pushing back—uniting to call for jobs, dialogue and an end to violence against foreign nationals. Guest: Thamsanqa Ntuli - KwaZulu-Natal Premier

Africa in Focus with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 24 April 2026 1.    United Nations – Senegal/ Afrika Senegal's former president, Macky Sall, urged peace and diplomacy during his bid to succeed United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Macky Sall, one of the candidates for the...

The Global Brief: John C. Phelan’s departure from the US Navy signals fractures in American defence leadership during an active crisis. Russia’s possible return to the G20 highlights the growing ambiguity of global alliances. Meanwhile, the Strait of Malacca—now under sharper focus as pressure mounts on the Strait of Hormuz—underscores how exposed global trad...

Good Work Foundation is passionate about closing the digital divide through building a  holistic learning environment for learners and school leavers in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga. The organization has also worked in partnership with universities to upskill their staff and the broader community to become facilitators. Guest:  Gemma Thompson - Head of Development at the Good Work Foundatio...

The residents of Ward 126 (Randpark Ridge and Weltevreden Park and surrounding areas), are voicing their collective outrage and exhaustion over the deliberate and sustained collapse of electricity supply that plunges thousands of households into darkness for days on end, recurring every week. What began as a national load-shedding crisis has now mutated into a local man-made disaster of gross negl...

Guest: Ronnie Kasrils - Former Minister of State Security of South Africa 

Ratepayers associations under the Msunduzi Municipality are objecting to a tariff hike for the 2026/27 financial year, sighting poor service delivery. The municipality is proposing a 9.26% electricity hike, 13% for water, 1.2% for rates, 3.70 for waste removal and 13% for sanitation. The Msunduzi Association of Residents, Ratepayers and Civics say that the municipality is in financial crisis. Why...

The Reality Check: Do commissions of inquiries make a difference? Guest:  Prof. Thuli Madonsela - Director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in the Faculty of Law at Stellenbosch University    

The South African Communist Party will today have a media briefing on latest developments on elections and the question of dual membership, on the other hand, the ANC will also brief the media on the communique of special NEC following SACP resolution Guest: Samkele Maseko - SABC Politics Reporter 

Major South African retailers Pick n Pay, Pepkor and The Foschini Group are taking action against suppliers linked to a sweatshop in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. The investigation of the sweatshop uncovered workers enduring long hours, poor pay and unsafe condition raising fresh concerns about labour abuses and accountability in the country’s clothing supply chain.   Guest: Fachmy Abrahams...

23 April 2026 1.    Tanzania- Dar es Salaam Election Commission to Submit Inquiry Report Today THE Independent Commission of Inquiry into the breach of peace during and in the days following the October 2025 General Election is expected to present its report to President Samia Suluhu Hassan tomorrow, after collecting evidence from more than 63,000 people. Speaking at a press co...

Market Brief with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Strong US earnings overshadow geopolitical risks (US companies profits for Q1 have been topping expectations leading to markets trading near record highs) 2. Memory chip company, SK Hynix continues to benefit from AI boom 3. Market update

The Global Brief: Cuba has confirmed that it held rare talks with the United States to ease its energy crisis. The delegation has accused Washington of committing acts of economic coercion by intimidating countries assisting Havana with tariffs. In Venezuela, opposition leader María Corina Machado warns that delays in declaring elections date and timeline could lead to political unrest. Gue...

Market Brief with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter The South African reserve bank flags stagflation risks 2. Business confidence takes a dip in March 3. Market update

Built in Mzansi: Journey as a medtech company that is developing medical devices for early screening for chronic diseases and reducing the cost when it comes to access to healthcare. Guest:  Braden van Breda - Chief Executive Office of AI Diagnostics          

Guest:  Prof Alex van den Heever - Chair of Social Security Systems, Administration and Management Studies at the Wits School of Governance.     Guest: Makone Maja - Strategic Engagement Manager at the Institute of Race Relations  Guest: Dr Kelle Howson - Workers' Rights and Social Security Senior Researcher for the Institute for Economic Justice    

The Reality Check: What is equality? Does it mean everyone must be treated the same regardless of different circumstances as Elon Musk seems to suggest? Guest: Prof. Thuli Madonsela - Director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in the Faculty of Law at Stellenbosch  

Yesterday, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola appeared in court over charges linked to a controversial tender, amid growing questions over accountability. Will President Cyril Ramaphosa be compelled to place him on suspension while the case unfolds?  Guest: Dr Hennie Lochner - Independent Researcher on Crime with a speciality on serious and violent crimes