The National Briefing

“The Doors of Learning and Culture Shall Be Open” — Until a Pupil Is Unplaced  Jonathan Jansen argues that one of the most powerful promises of South Africa’s democracy — that the doors of learning and culture shall be open — is colliding with hard realities in the 2020s. From overcrowded schools to oversubscribed universities, tens of thousands of learners...

The chairperson of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Commission), Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, has strongly defended the work of the Section 22 Committee, rejecting claims that its regulatory efforts within the religious sector are unconstitutional.  The defence comes amid heightened tensions within religious circle...

The Cape Crisis Coalition has renewed its call for urgent government intervention to address the ongoing gang violence devastating communities on the Cape Flats. The coalition is appealing to Western Cape Premier Alan Winde to declare a Provincial State of Disaster, arguing that the scale, persistence and humanitarian impact of the violence warrants the same emergency response afforded to natural...

“Scholar transport associations in Lenasia have brought services to a standstill today, following a major law-enforcement operation that saw more than 60 scholar transport vehicles impounded. The crackdown was part of a blitz led by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, and comes in the wake of a devastating crash involving a scholar transport vehicle. While th...

The displacement of more than 400 families in Randfontein after alleged attacks by zama zama gangs exposes a troubling reality about South Africa’s state security and policing capacity. When entire communities are forced to abandon their homes and seek refuge in community halls, it signals more than criminal activity — it reflects a profound failure of the state to uphold its constitut...

The French navy has intercepted a Russian oil tanker in the Western Mediterranean suspected of belonging to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” highlighting ongoing European efforts to enforce sanctions aimed at curbing Moscow’s oil revenues used to finance its war in Ukraine.   Guest: Timothy Walker: Maritime Project Leader & Senior Researcher, Institute for Securi...

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has raised serious concern over growing tensions around school admissions, following the spread of dangerous misinformation. In recent days, false claims circulating on social media have suggested that South African children are being forced to give up school places to undocumented foreign nationals. The Department has firmly dismissed these clai...

Recent developments involving key oversight and governance institutions have placed renewed focus on accountability, leadership stability and public confidence in the state. From the Public Protector’s decision to clear allegations brought by the EFF, to the resignation of the Independent Development Trust (IDT) CEO, and questions around the stability of the Government Printing Wor...

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Inflation ticks higher in December The retail sector shows renewed strength in November Market update    

Limpopo is reeling from the devastating impact of relentless severe weather, as the discovery of another body in the Ba-Phalaborwa area pushes the province’s death toll to 19. Guest: Basikopo Makamu: MEC for the Limpopo Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA)  

The Constitutional Court has clarified a critical area of South African family law, ruling that antenuptial contracts entered into after a customary marriage are legally valid. In a judgment that strengthens legal certainty around matrimonial property regimes, the court overturned a Gauteng High Court ruling that had declared part of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act unconstitutional, rea...

There are now reports that more than 400 families have been forced to seek shelter in community hall due to Zama Zama terrorism in Randfontein. Guest: Evert du Plessis: Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Political Head in Rand West City Municipality & Resident of Randfontein   Guest: David van Wyk: lead researcher at Benchmarks Foundation      

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 22 January 2026 1.    Uganda - Kampala Uganda’s military chief has given opposition leader, Bobi Wine, 48 hours to surrender to police following last week’s disputed presidential election. Wine - who finished runner-up - has alleged w...

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Nedbank deepens push into East Africa 2. Karooooo continues to bet on SA market 3. Market update  

US President Donald Trump has reignited global controversy by openly pushing for US ownership of Greenland, arguing it is essential for American and global security. Speaking before world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump ruled out military force—but paired that assurance with stark economic threats, deepening tensions with Europe, NATO allies, and even members of his...

  Shareholders are unhappy about Mr Price’s deal to acquire a European retailer  2. Pepkor pushes ahead with its acquisition drive  3. Markets

Franchising has officially become one of South Africa’s most powerful economic engines—now contributing 15% to national GDP and supporting nearly half a million direct jobs. What role does Franchising play in creating employment?  Guest: Freddy Makgato: CEO of the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) 

PAID FOR: Co-Creating the Extraordinary: How Vodacom Business is Driving Purpose-Led Digital Transformation in South Africa  Guest: Mncedisi Mayekiso: Direct Sales Managing Executive at Vodacom Business   

The Junior Doctors Committee of the South African Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU) expresses profound frustration and concern over the persistent and unacceptable unemployment of doctors who have completed their community service. This crisis, which has endured for several years, is a direct result of sustained negligence by the Department of Health, despite repeated engagements and propos...

  Mining output surprises to the downside 2. Buy now pay later use doubles in 2025 3. Markets

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) condemns President Cyril Ramaphosa’s approval of a 3.8% salary increase for top political office-bearers at a time of deepening poverty, mass unemployment and worsening living conditions for the working class.  Guest: Zwelinzima Vavi: General Secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU)   

Two people have been killed and three others wounded in a brazen daylight shooting at the Booysens Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg. The attack took place at the court’s main entrance while a group of people were attending a murder and attempted murder case. What does this tell us about safety at courts? Guest: Neelan Karikan, the president of the Judicial Officers   Association...

After the Vanderbijlpark scholar transport accident that claimed the lives of fourteen learners , will the parents be able to deal with the trauma? Dr Den Hollander: Clinical Psychologist & Executive Committee Member of the Trauma & Violence Division of Psychological Society of South Africa: PsySSA