The National Briefing

Centre-left Socialist António José Seguro has won a decisive victory in Portugal’s presidential runoff, defeating hard-right populist André Ventura by a commanding margin in Sunday’s election — a result that reassures centrist politics in Lisbon even as the rising influence of the far right remains evident.     Guest: Itumeleng M...

The Circular Economy & the By-Product Revolution: From Liability to Asset: Unlocking Gold Value from Mining and Processing By-Products     Guest: Ernie Lai King: Chairman – Northbound Processing 

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has sought to play down the impact of a Special Tribunal ruling ordering the release of five high-end luxury vehicles — including Aston Martins, Ferraris and a Rolls-Royce — seized during raids linked to the alleged R2 billion Tembisa Hospital looting scheme. The unit insists the ruling does not weaken its case against alleged kingpin Hangwani Maume...

KwaZulu-Natal has emerged as the epicentre of South Africa’s Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, prompting the provincial government to urgently pursue the classification of the crisis as a State of Disaster.  Guest: Thamsanqa Ntuli: Premier, KwaZulu-Natal E T

South African soldiers guarding the country’s borders say they are surviving on little more than pap, eggs and pilchards — sometimes just two meals a day — while prisoners receive three balanced meals daily. As troops battle hunger, illness and failing equipment in remote and dangerous conditions, the SANDF is preparing to spend hundreds of millions of rand on Armed For...

The Republic of South Africa has officially acceded to the Establishment Agreement of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), marking a historic milestone in Africa’s economic integration and South Africa’s deepening role in shaping the continent’s financial and trade architecture.      Guest: Siya Biniza: Executive Director, Political Economy Southern Africa...

A police informant linked to explosive testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has died in what police believe was a suicide, just days after surviving an apparent assassination attempt. Wiandre Pretorius was found dead at a petrol station on the East Rand, raising renewed concerns about the safety of whistleblowers involved in high-profile corruption cases.     Guest: Tebogo&nbsp...

Civil society organisation WaterCAN warns that the water crisis in parts of Johannesburg has already crossed the threshold of a disaster and is calling on the national government to urgently declare Johannesburg a national disaster area to unlock emergency resources, enforce coordination and protect residents’ dignity and health.     Guest: David Mahlobo: Deputy Minister, Departmen...

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 9 February 2026 1.    DR Kongo-MONUSCO- South Africa  South Africa has announced its withdrawal from a United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office this past weekend had informed the UN...

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Barrick gold plans to spinoff US assets  2. New Chinese chipmaker debuts on Hong Kong stock exchange 3. Market update  

Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has secured a commanding mandate after calling a rare mid-winter snap election, overcoming blizzards, market jitters and geopolitical tensions to deliver her Liberal Democratic Party a landslide victory.     Guest: Prof David Monyae is the Director for the Centre for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesbur...

Tax professionals are bracing for a major shift in South Africa’s VAT landscape as the South African Revenue Service (Sars) prepares to release the full framework for VAT e-invoicing later this year. The initiative is expected to fundamentally change how VAT data is captured, reported and monitored, with phased implementation beginning this year and full operational capability targeted for 2...

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Glencore walks away from Rio tinto merger bid 2. MTN eyes majority stake in IHS towers 3. Market update  

Discovery Health Medical Scheme has released new cancer insights ahead of World Cancer Day, revealing a 3.8% increase in new cancer registrations and a 7.1% rise in total members registered for cancer care between 2024 and 2025.      Guest: Dr Noluthando Nematswerani: Chief Clinical Officer at Discovery Health   

The Limpopo provincial government says it may need close to R10 billion to fully recover from devastating floods that have claimed 27 lives, damaged more than 3 000 homes, and rendered 439 roads unusable since December 2025. Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba says the scale of destruction far exceeds initial estimates, as the province enters the official disaster phase and awaits further national support...

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Glencore walks away from Rio tinto merger bid 2. MTN eyes majority stake in IHS towers 3. Market update  

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for urgent strengthening of witness protection measures following an apparent attempted hit on a man linked to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The incident has reignited serious concerns about the safety of witnesses and informants connected to high-profile investigations into corruption and criminal networks within law-enforcement structures.  Guest:...

Water outages across large parts of Midrand have entered a second week, leaving residents struggling to work, care for their families and maintain basic hygiene, as frustration mounts over infrastructure failures, poor communication and repeated disruptions.     Guest: Gugulethu Quma: Joburg Water Operations Manager   

Johannesburg Water says supply is gradually improving in Midrand after days of outages, but many residents remain without water as the city’s aging and fragile water infrastructure continues to buckle under repeated failures.     Guest: Bonginkosi Nhlapo: Chairperson for the Noordwyk Residents Association (NRA) in Midrand   

French authorities have escalated their investigation into social media platform X by summoning billionaire owner Elon Musk for a voluntary interview and searching the company’s French offices, amid allegations that its algorithm may have been used to interfere in French politics.     Guest: Lucien Pierce: Director at specialist IT & Cybersecurity law firm, PPM Attorneys in Johannes...

The South African Union of Students is calling on universities to scrap application fees, arguing that the costs unfairly exclude academically capable students from disadvantaged backgrounds.     Guest: Dr Thato Masekoa: Spokesperson, The South African Union of Students (SAUS) 

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Amazon increases spending on AI infrastructure, betting on growing demand  Crypto selloff spooks investors 3. Market update    

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 06 February 2026 1.    DR Kongo – USA – Anglo- Swiss  US-backed group seeks major stake in DR Congo mining sector Glencore has announced a potential multi-billion-dollar divestment in its copper and cobalt operations to the Orion...

SA’s re-election to the International Maritime Organization Council for the 2026–2027 biennium marks a critical moment for the country to reassert itself as a leading Maritime nation. The Maritime Business Chamber (MBC) submits that Maritime Affairs must feature prominently in the 2026 State of the Nation Address as a central pillar of economic growth, industrialisation, and job creati...

At least ten people have drowned or are missing across South Africa in just one week, as the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) responded to more than 30 water-related emergencies nationwide. The incidents come amid a summer heatwave and dangerous spring tides, prompting renewed warnings from rescue and lifesaving authorities about the growing risks of swimming in both coastal and inland waters....