The National Briefing

  Maize prices slump at the top of the year 2. Sugar industry calls to scrap sugar tax 3. Markets

As South Africa enters 2026, cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies remain a serious threat to public safety and the security industry. While the frequency of these violent crimes has shown signs of decline, industry leaders and law enforcement acknowledge that sustained collaboration, intelligence-led operations, and strict enforcement of legislation are essential to maintaining and...

South Africans have now experienced over 240 days without blackouts, are we yet to see the end of loadshedding? Guest: Eric Shunmagum: Eskom, Engineering General Manager in the office of the Group Executive Generation     

South Africa has achieved a significant regulatory milestone after being officially removed from the European Union’s list of high-risk third-country jurisdictions. This decision follows the country’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylist in October last year and its subsequent removal from the UK’s high-risk list.  Guest: Khaya S...

As schools reopen, to reduce road risks and prevent avoidable accidents, the Western Cape Mobility Department has launched a province-wide pupil transport safety drive. With thousands of registered scholar transport operators on Western Cape roads every day, this initiative aims to ensure that vehicles transporting learners are roadworthy, compliant and safe — before children retur...

Parliamentary communications portfolio committee chair Khusela Diko’s assertion that Starlink offers little value in connecting underserved schools in South Africa is highly disingenuous and ignores both the country’s connectivity crisis and the practical realities of infrastructure rollout.  Guest: Khusela Diko: Chair, Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologie...

As schools reopen, how important is the role of teachers? Guest: Professor William Gumede: an associate professor, School of Governance, University of the Witwatersrand   

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Reserve Bank reviews prime lending rate after two decades 2. EU removes SA from high-risk list 3. Markets

Concerns are mounting that veld fires in South Africa’s rural and agricultural areas are increasingly being started deliberately, using simple but calculated delayed-ignition devices. Security and explosives mitigation specialist Jimmy Roodt warns that these fires are no longer random or accidental in some cases, but show signs of organised intimidation, economic sabotage, and potentially lo...

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 14 January 2026 1.    Uganda – Kampala  Uganda decides 2026 latest on Uganda internet blackout complicates election monitoring, and Uganda's military deployed in the national capital before the presidential election Uganda was plunged...

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Global central banks rally behind Powell amid DOJ probe 2. JPMorgan pushes back on Trump’s proposed cap on credit card interest 3. Markets  

Ofcom has launched a formal investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X over allegations that its AI chatbot Grok is being used to generate illegal sexualised images, including non-consensual images of women and sexualised images of children. The probe raises serious questions about online safety, AI regulation, and whether X is complying with UK law.&nbsp...

Business leaders say South Africa’s economy started the year on a strong footing 2. Bank of America is bullish on PGMs, expecting prices to continue to rally 3. Markets

NAPTOSA congratulates the Matric Class of 2025 on the successful completion of their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations. With over 927,000 candidates sitting for the NSC across the country, this cohort represents the largest share of candidates across various qualifications and assessment bodies, demonstrating growing confidence in public education.  Guest: Basil Manuel: Executive...

The rand is trading steadily against the US dollar, hovering near some of its strongest levels in years, as global investors keep a close eye on key US labour market data. This resilience has sparked debate about whether the currency’s strength reflects improving confidence in South Africa’s fundamentals, or whether it is largely being driven by broader global market dynamics.    ...

With the release of the matric results, attention turns not only to academic performance, but to the emotional wellbeing of learners navigating this pivotal moment. For many, the results may bring disappointment or uncertainty, especially where outcomes don’t match expectations. Guest: Dr Khosi Jiyane: Clinical Psychologist  

SA’s AGOA fate remains uncertain as US moves to vote on the bill 2. Patrice Motsepe’s companies accused of using SA courts to delay Tanzanian mining case 3. Markets  

Equal Education responds to the latest matric results by acknowledging the improved marks, while drawing attention to the harsh conditions under which many learners are achieving these outcomes. While the results may appear positive on paper, they mask the daily struggles pupils endure to succeed. Guest: Sam Beynon: Systems Efficiency Researcher at Equal Education 

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 13 January 2026 1.    Ethiopia – Addis Ababa AU Summit 2026 The African Union 51st Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC) began yesterday and will continue until 30 January 2026, followed by the 48th Ordina...

The Independent Examination Board (IEB) has announced a strong 98.31% overall pass rate for the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, reaffirming the board’s consistent academic performance. As matriculants prepare to receive their results, understanding what each pass level means is crucial for making informed decisions about higher education and future study pathways.   &nbs...

With the matric results now released, attention shifts to the next step: access to tertiary education. However, serious challenges remain, including limited university spaces and the intense pressure on learners to make the cut.  Guest: Prof Ramodungoane Tabane: School Director: School of Educational Studies, UNISA    

As the matric class of 2025 receive their results, the annual focus on pass rates once again places South Africa’s education system under the spotlight. While rising national pass rates — potentially nearing the 90% mark — signal progress, education experts caution that these figures alone do not tell the full story. Guest: Jonathan Jansen: Professor of Education at Stellenbosch...

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Nvidia and Eli Lilly invest $1 billion in an AI lab to speed up drug development 2. Apple turns to Google’s AI offerings to power Siri 3. Markets  

The independence of the US Federal Reserve has been thrust into sharp focus after chair Jerome Powell revealed that federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into him — an extraordinary and unprecedented development.  Guest: John Stremlau: Wits University Honorary professor Of International Relations   

This is one of the most emotionally charged weeks in the academic calendar. Matric results are being released on Tuesday, schools are reopening for the 2026 academic year, and families are preparing for major transitions — new grades, new schools, new routines. Guest: Ken Resnik: Educational Psychology