The National Briefing

30 March 2026 1. Republic of Congo - Brazzaville Congo-Brazzaville Constitutional Court confirms Elder Sassou Nguesso re election with 95% this past weekend. The March 15 election gave Sassou Nguesso, who has led the oil-rich Central African Republic for 4 decades, a new 5-year term.= 2. Benin – Porto Novo With just over two weeks to go to Benin’s presidential elections, the...

GLP 1 drugmaker, Eli Lilly extends partnership with Insilico Medicine 2. France’s Pernod Ricard confirms merger talks with Brown-Forman 3. Markets update

Efforts to de-escalate the growing Middle East conflict are underway as Pakistan hosts high-level talks with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt. Iran has warned it will respond to any U.S. ground invasion, the United States is deploying Marines to the region, and Yemen’s Houthi movement has entered the conflict, raising serious concerns about global shipping and energy security.   Gue...

South Africa’s pay-TV giant MultiChoice is facing an escalating battle against digital piracy, as illegal IPTV syndicates offer premium content at a fraction of the cost—or even for free. The issue raises serious legal, economic, and technological questions. We speak to a legal expert to unpack how deep the problem goes, whether the law is keeping up, and if this is a fight t...

Latest business news with Sithembile Bopela: Head of Financial Markets and Insights (FMI) at FNB Wealth and Investments Sharp selloff in international markets on geopolitical tensions,  2. JSE outlook for the open,  3. indicators

A legal and governance dispute has emerged between the Ingonyama Trust Board and Land Reform Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso, after the Minister announced the dissolution of the Board. The decision has sparked strong opposition from the Board, raising questions about legality, authority, and the governance of communal land in KwaZulu-Natal.     Guest: Siyamdumisa Vilakazi: Ingonyama Trust Board Ac...

A recent analysis by agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo highlights growing risks to South Africa’s agricultural sector due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. While the country entered 2026 with optimism about improved harvests and easing food prices, rising fuel and fertiliser costs—driven by global instability—now threaten both food inflation and export...

Tensions between the United States and South Africa have escalated sharply following reports that France withdrew an invitation to President Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the upcoming G7 Summit in Evian. The move, reportedly made under pressure from Donald Trump, marks a significant deterioration in diplomatic relations and underscores widening geopolitical divides.     Guest: Patrick K...

27 March 2026 1.    Cameroon – Yaoundé – WTO Ministerial Conference  The World Trade Organisation’s 166 members opened a key ministerial conference in Cameroon’s capital on Thursday, sharply divided over the future of the institution as geopolitical tensions, protectionism and the fallout from the Middle East war cast a shadow over global tra...

Latest business news with Sithembile Bopela: Head of Financial Markets and Insights (FMI) at FNB Wealth and Investments SARB rate decision,  2. JSE performance, and  3. indicators    

As the world marks the International Day of Zero Waste, South Africa faces a stark and troubling contradiction: billions of rands’ worth of food is wasted each year, while millions of people go hungry. This growing crisis highlights deep systemic challenges in the country’s food system, extending far beyond households to issues of inequality, sustainability, and resource management.  ...

As World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is observed globally, new findings highlighted in the TB Accountability Consortium State of TB Report 2026 reveal significant gaps in South Africa’s TB response

As World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is observed globally, new findings highlighted in the TB Accountability Consortium State of TB Report 2026 reveal significant gaps in South Africa’s TB response—particularly a failure to adequately reach men, who are most affected by the disease but least likely to be tested. Guest: Prof Jan Verschoor is the Chief Scientific Advisor at MARTI TB Diagnostic...

The African National Congress (ANC) in the Greater Tshwane region has issued a strong response to a submission by the Democratic Alliance (DA) to the Madlanga Commission, which alleges the existence of organised “mafia” networks linked to water tanker services, waste management, and municipal security contracts. Guest: Joel kgomotso Abram Masilela Ka Mahlangu: ANC Greater Tsh...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the confirmation by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of charges against the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service(SAPS), General Fannie Masemola and his scheduled court appearance.     Guest: David Bruce: Independent Researcher in Policing, Crime and Criminal Justice and ISS Consultant 

Guest: Lazola Kati, Fossil Ad Ban campaign manager at Fossil Free South Africa 

Guest: Lebogang Montjane: Executive Director, Independent Schools Association of South Africa  

Guest: Zola Mbatha: Fiduciary Specialist (Attorney)