The National Briefing

The political party ActionSA has introduced a private member’s bill in South Africa aimed at significantly strengthening the country’s response to corruption. Guest: Dereleen James: Action SA MP   

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 13 March 2026 1.    Nigeria- Iran  Nigeria begins evacuation of its citizens stranded in Iran Authorities say no Nigerian in Iran has been affected by the conflict so far and that officials are stationed at the Armenian border to assist all...

Channel Africa will host its inaugural flagship thoughtleadership event,  Africa Matters , at the Wits Business School on 25 March 2026, under the theme “Climate Change: Financing Africa’s Recovery.”     Guest: Thami Dickson: Head: News & Current Affairs, Channel Africa    

At least 64 people have been killed in floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains in southern Ethiopia, according to local authorities. The disaster struck the Gamo Zone, where days of intense rainfall caused saturated hillsides to collapse, burying homes and cutting off roads. Guest: Prof Guy Midgley: Climate Change Researcher and Acting Director of the School for Climate Studies, Stellenbosc...

Outsurance posts strong earnings, declares special dividend 2. ⁠Rainbow Chicken profits more than double 3. ⁠Market update

Glaucoma, often called the “silent thief of sight,” is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness worldwide. In South Africa, awareness remains dangerously low, with experts estimating that only one in twenty people with glaucoma know they are affected. Guest: Dr Nombuso Mathe: Vice President of the South African Glaucoma Society      

According to Louise du Plessis, head of the Land, Housing and Property Programme at Lawyers for Human Rights, both national and local governments are falling short in addressing land reform and housing challenges — with poor communities, particularly women, bearing the brunt of the consequences. Guest: Louise du Plessis: Lawyer & Lawyers for Human Rights, Head of Land Housing and Propert...

Armoured vehicles and soldiers from the South African National Defence Force rolled into Eldorado Park on Wednesday, marking the start of a military deployment aimed at helping police combat gang violence and organised crime in the troubled Johannesburg community. Guest: Juwairiya Kaldine: Eldorado Park Ward 18 Councillor    

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been deployed to support the South African Police Service(SAPS) in tackling organised crime, gang violence and illegal mining across several crime hotspots in South Africa. Guest: Helmoed Heitman: Defence Consultant and Analyst 

SA airlines hike fares amid soaring jet fuel costs 2. ⁠ Rising gold prices cushion Harmony’s operational setbacks 3. ⁠ Market update

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola says the US Ambassador to SA has been called in to explain himself regarding his recent 'undiplomatic remarks'. Ambassador Brent Bozell recently remarked that he didn't care that an SA court found that the'Kill the Boer' song is not hate speech. Guest: Prof Patrick Bond, Distinguished Professor of Sociology at University of Johannesbur...

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 1.South Afrika – SADC Council of Ministers  South Afrika to host the SADC Council of Ministers today and tomorrow.  During this Session, South Afrika as Interim Chair of the Council of Ministers, we will continue to implement the theme of the 45th SA...

The Public Servants Association (PSA) has voiced strong support for a proposed Insourcing Bill currently before Parliament, saying it could help tackle long-standing service delivery failures and labour issues caused by outsourcing in the public sector. Guest: Reuben Maleka: General Manager,The Public Service Association’s (PSA) 

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated sharply after multiple vessels were struck near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of a wider regional conflict and disruption to global energy supplies. Guest: Timothy Walker: Maritime Project Leader & Senior Researcher, Institute for Security Studies     

Hyprop flags potential impact of upcoming local government election Attacq is confident about its future, upping its guidance for FY26 Market update

South African travellers may soon face significantly higher flight prices after jet fuel costs surged by up to 70% at some airports, putting pressure on airlines and the broader travel industry. Guest: Linden Birns: Managing Director & Partner, Plane Talking and Aviation Expert 

Residents in Johannesburg have recently experienced gloomy skies, dusty conditions and visible smog, raising concerns about worsening air quality in the region. Guest: Ntombi Maphosa: an Attorney at the Center for Environmental Rights      

Police in Limpopo arrested three additional suspects on Tuesday in relation to a R10 million insurance payout scheme. How common is insurance fraud in South Africa, and what warning signs should people look out for? Guest: Shaun Pillay: Deputy Convenor of the ASISA forensic standing committee   

Building confidence slips in Q1 Walmart to open 21 more stores, as it looks to convert Game outlets  Market update  

The National Consumer Commission has announced a recall of certain baby formula products manufactured by Nutricia Southern Africa, after concerns that a raw ingredient used in production may contain traces of a toxin that could pose health risks to infants.     Guest: Pheto Ntaba: National Consumer Commission Spokesperson 

South Africans could soon face record-breaking fuel price hikes as rising global oil prices and a weakening rand put pressure on the cost of petrol and diesel. New data from the Central Energy Fund suggests motorists may see one of the largest monthly fuel increases in the country’s history when prices are adjusted at the start of April.     Guest: Adv Stephanie Fick:   Executive Direct...

Aris Danikas, a former police reservist has made explosive allegations at the Nkabinde Inquiry, claiming that former South African Police Service Major-General Johan Booysen held racist views and endorsed violent tactics against suspects. Guest: Bophelo Seleke: Independent Legal Analyst   

The recent escalation between Iran, the United States, and Israel has placed the Gulf region at the centre of a rapidly expanding geopolitical crisis. Following missile and drone attacks by Iran on Gulf states—including Qatar—Doha has moved to strengthen its defence partnerships with the United States and European allies. Guest: Dr Kingsley Makhubela - former ambassador and D...

South Africa’s economy recorded modest growth in 2025, expanding by 1.1%, according to new data released by Statistics South Africa. An Economist argues that the reason for chronically low GDP growth of 1.1% a year for 17 years is that there is not enough demand (or spending power) in the economy. Guest: Duma Gqubule: Independent Economist 

South Africa’s Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says a hospital may need to approach the High Court to authorise life-saving treatment for a 15-year-old boy whose family refuses a blood transfusion on religious grounds. Guest: Karabo Ozah: Director of the Centre for Child Law at the University of Pretoria