SAfm

The National Briefing

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Israeli officials claim a strike has killed Iran’s intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, just one day after the assassination of Iran’s top security chief, Ali Larijani. 19.03.2026 8:18

Guest: Thembisa Fakude: Director at Africa Asia Dialogues

World view update 18.03.2026 6:20

A recent judgment by the Western Cape High Court has ignited debate about the legal and financial responsibilities of step-parents. The court ordered a divorced man to continue paying maintenance for his two stepchildren, even though he never legally adop 18.03.2026 5:44

Guest: Mary-Jane Mphahlele: Founder of Mary-Jane Mphahlele Inc. 

The Eastern Cape Department of Health is preparing to roll out a groundbreaking HIV prevention injection that could significantly reduce new infections in the province. 18.03.2026 7:06

Guest: Thembisile Mboniswa: PEP & PrEP Programme Manager in the HAST Directorate Bhisho Provincial Office: Eastern Cape Department of Health  

This year marks 20 years since South Africa legalised civil unions, a landmark moment for LGBTQI rights under the Civil Union Act. 18.03.2026 9:05

Guest: Matuba Mahlatjie: LGBTQI activist & Communications and Media Relations Manager at Outright International  

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has announced that more than 200,000 South Africans have registered to vote since November 2025, with young people making up the majority of new registrations. The update comes ahead of the IEC’s nationwide v 18.03.2026 6:15

Guest: Moagisi Letlhaku, General Manager for Civic Education and Research at the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC)

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure has revealed that the government plans to dispose of more than 1,600 state-owned buildings and properties as part of a broader effort to cut costs and improve how state assets are used. 18.03.2026 8:14

Guest: Dean Macpherson: Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure   

Schools in parts of Limpopo have been temporarily closed after persistent heavy rainfall caused flooding and serious safety concerns. The Limpopo Department of Education has suspended schooling in several affected districts for two days as roads become im 17.03.2026 6:46

Guest: Rodgers Basikopo Makamu: MEC for the Limpopo Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) 

The growing impact of illicit trade and offshore e-commerce platforms on South Africa’s economy will be a key focus at the upcoming Buy Local Summit & Expo in Johannesburg. 17.03.2026 4:29

Guest: Eustace Mashimbye: CEO, Proudly South African  

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has invited the public and tourism industry stakeholders to comment on a newly gazetted Draft Code of Good Practice for short-term rentals, aimed at guiding conduct in the rapidly growing accommodation sector.  17.03.2026 7:50

Guest: Patricia de Lille: The Minister of Tourism 

The South African Human Rights Commission is currently holding a National Investigative Hearing into South Africa’s food systems in Johannesburg, examining the growing crisis of hunger and access to adequate food across the country. 17.03.2026 6:17

Guest: Wisani Baloyi: The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) Communications Coordinator  

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry is hearing conflicting testimony between suspended deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and police sergeant Fannie Nkosi, with the two giving opposing accounts about meetings involving controversial tender 17.03.2026 7:23

Guest: Canny Maphanga: SABC Reporter 

The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities says its call for greater accountability in the religious sector is justified, following the release of a report by the Special Investigating U 17.03.2026 15:51

Guest: Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva: Chairperson of the CRL Rights Commission 

A recent documentary, Inside the Rage Machine, features whistleblowers from major social media companies who claim that platforms deliberately allowed more harmful content to spread in order to increase engagement and compete for users’ attention. 17.03.2026 6:32

Guest: William Bird: Director of Moxii Africa

South Africa’s fuel supply is facing increasing pressure as escalating tensions in the Middle East threaten global oil flows. 16.03.2026 9:10

Guest: Professor Vally Padayachee: power and energy expert and a former executive manager of Eskom and a former senior executive of City Power Jhb 

Supporters of the renaming of Graaff-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe Town took to the streets in large numbers, declaring that the new name is final despite mounting opposition. 16.03.2026 8:20

Guest: Derek Light: Attorney and chairman of the Graaff Reinet Economic Development Forum.  

Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is preparing to write to the ANC leadership requesting permission to resume his political responsibilities within the party after voluntarily stepping back from organisational duties. Meanwhile, political instability 16.03.2026 7:53

Guest: Sandile Swana: Political Analyst  

Religious leaders in KwaZulu-Natal have strongly criticised the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL) over attempts to regulate church activities. 16.03.2026 6:45

Guest: Pastor Mpfariseni Mukhuba, chairperson of the South African Church Defenders  

The conflict between Israel and Iran has escalated sharply, with both sides launching new waves of missile and drone attacks. 16.03.2026 6:54

Anthoni van Nieuwkerk - Professor of International and Diplomacy Studies at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in the Free State will lead a mass march in Bloemfontein on 14 March 2026 to protest what it describes as the growing threat of privatisation within the power utility Eskom and broader erosion of workers’ rights. 13.03.2026 6:49

A suspected gas leak caused panic at Umbilo Secondary School, forcing emergency services to respond after several learners reportedly fainted. 13.03.2026 4:50

A suspected gas leak caused panic at Umbilo Secondary School, forcing emergency services to respond after several learners reportedly fainted. Concerned parent Zalita Kruger described the frightening scene as chaos unfolded at the school in Wentworth, south of Durban. Guest: Desmond D'Sa: South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) coordinator

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter 13.03.2026 4:04

Mining output ticks higher in January  The manufacturing industry starts 2026 on a sour note as production slips Market update

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter 13.03.2026 3:59

Trump targets 16 trade partners with new probe  BMW cautious about 2026  Markets update

A new report by Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse has raised serious concerns about how billions of rand meant for student housing are being managed by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme in South Africa. Guest: Rudie Heyneke: Senior project manager leading the NSFAS investigations, Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa)      

The Eastern Cape has been identified as the epicentre of so-called “insurance killings” in South Africa, with police currently investigating dozens of cases in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro. 13.03.2026 5:39