The National Briefing

Former Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) head Robert McBride’s testimony before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating corruption in the criminal justice system got off to a turbulent and contentious start. What was meant to be a fact-finding exercise quickly turned confrontational, with MPs clashing with McBride over his refusal to disclose his current employmen...

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 21 January 2026 1.    Belgium- DR Kongo  Belgian court reopens Patrice Lumumba murder case The family of murdered Congolese independence icon Patrice Lumumba said this week they hope to get justice, as a Belgian court weighs prosecuting the...

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Britain’s government has approved plans for China to build its largest diplomatic mission in Europe near London’s financial district, ending years of delays and controversy.  Guest: Anthoni van Nieuwkerk is a professor of International and Diplomacy Studies at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs   

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South Africa has adopted a new national strategy for children and adolescents that cuts through complexity and gets to the heart of what young people need to thrive: nutrition, safety, care, stimulation and opportunity.  Approved by Cabinet in December 2025, the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children recognises that while progress has been made over the past three decad...

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has moved to clarify misinformation circulating on social media regarding the qualification criteria for the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. The agency has categorically denied claims that policies have been amended to allow foreign nationals to access South African taxpayers’ funds outside of existing regulations, warning that...

As South Africa grapples with severe flooding and extreme weather conditions that have claimed lives and caused widespread damage, the Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) stands in solidarity with affected families and communities. What is the role of engineers in recovery and what can be done in terms of flood management? Guest: Chris Campbell: Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) CEO  ...

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Police have confirmed that the scholar transport vehicle involved in the deadly Vanderbijlpark crash was overloaded, carrying 18 occupants despite being certified for only 14. The confirmation comes as the death toll rose to 13 school pupils, following the recovery of a child’s body trapped beneath the minibus taxi and the death of another pupil in hospital.  Guest: Xolani Dominic...

South Africa and parts of southern Africa, including Mozambique, are experiencing severe flooding and extreme weather conditions that have already claimed dozens of lives, displaced communities and caused extensive damage to infrastructure, agriculture and ecosystems. Guest: Jasper Knight, Professor of Physical Geography, University of the Witwatersrand.

20 January 2026 1.    Mozambique – Maputo Floods destroy 152 km of roads in Mozambique, submerge 40% of Gaza province  The Mozambican government estimates that 40% of Gaza Province is submerged following heavy flooding over the past few days. Several districts in Maputo province are also inundated, alongside the destruction of at least 152 kilometres of classified ro...

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The Government of South Africa will participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, from 19 to 23 January 2026, under the global theme “A Spirit of Dialogue.” Guest: Adrian Saville: holds a professorship in economics, finance & strategy at the Gordon Institute of Business Science, where he is the founding director of the Centre for...

Senegal were crowned champions of TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 against Morocco after a dramatic and hard fought final Guest: Nkululeko Nkewu: Co-founder of iDiski Media  

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The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has intensified its response to a growing Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak, warning that limited vaccine access and fragmented national coordination are hampering efforts to contain the spread. The province is now calling for urgent national intervention and a unified strategy to address the crisis.     Guest: Vuyiswa Ramokg...

With schools recently opening, how can inclusive education shape the future for all - schools that cater to both special needs students and circular students?  Guest: Asima Alli - Director of iCollege Eco School  

Defence Minister Angie Motshekga has ordered a board of inquiry to investigate why President Cyril Ramaphosa’s instruction to exclude Iran from the multinational naval exercise Will for Peace 2026  in False Bay was apparently not obeyed. The controversy has raised serious questions about civilian control of the military, internal command discipline within the SANDF,...

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The devastating floods that have battered parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga have now been officially classified as a national disaster, as the government moves to scale up relief and recovery efforts amid rising fatalities and widespread damage.     Guest: Elias Sithole: Head of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC)  

Guest: Percy    Mabandu: Art curator and historian    

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has assured South Africans that funds allocated to assist flood-hit communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga will reach their intended beneficiaries, as the death toll from recent flooding rises to 31.     Guest: Velenkosini Hlabisa:   Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs   (CoGTA) Minister   &nb...

19 January 2026 1.Uganda - Kampala Museveni Wins Again - Uganda President Secures 7th Term As Bobi Wine Cries Foul Uganda's long-serving leader Yoweri Museveni has been declared the winner of the country's presidential election, securing a seventh term in office amid strong opposition rejection, allegations of widespread malpractice, and a nationwide internet shutdown. The Electoral Commission (EC...

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