The National Briefing

George Municipality has implemented Level 3 Emergency Water Tariffs with immediate effect following a continued and concerning decline in the Garden Route Dam, which has dropped below 45%. Despite initial plans to introduce Level 2 tariffs after public participation, worsening dam levels and limited rainfall have necessitated stronger intervention to safeguard the municipality’s potable wate...

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) in Nelson Mandela Bay says the ongoing governance and service delivery failures in the metro are not simply the result of political infighting or administrative incompetence, but reflect a deeper, structural crisis in South Africa’s municipal funding and governance model.   Guest: Babalwa Lobishe: The Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela...

More than 60 cases of child abandonment and sexual abuse were recorded in the Eastern Cape during December, exposing a deeply troubling crisis affecting the province’s most vulnerable citizens. Eastern Cape MEC for Social Development, Bukiwe Fanta, has condemned these acts in the strongest terms, warning that those responsible will face severe legal consequences.   Guest: Mzukisi Solani...

Guest: Mbulelo Lipile: National Steering Committee Chair: Khulumani Support Group Former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki have applied for the recusal of retired Justice Sisi Khampepe from her role as chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) prosecutions commission. The applications raise concerns about alleged conflicts of interest, misconduct, and app...

Guest: Lionel Adendorf: Spokesperson for the TRC Cases Inquiry   Former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki have applied for the recusal of retired Justice Sisi Khampepe from her role as chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) prosecutions commission. The applications raise concerns about alleged conflicts of interest, misconduct, and apprehension of bias, placing...

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter New vehicle sales recover above pre pandemic levels in 2025 2. Outsurance eyes secondary listing on A2X 3. Markets  

Chief Jongisilo Pokwana ka Menziwa has now warned that the sacred Xhosa ceremony of umgidi - which traditionally marks a young man's return to his community after initiation - has changed from a deeply spiritual ceremony into a flashy show of wealth that looks nothing like what it used to be. Guest: Chief Jongisilo Pokwana ka Menziwa: a traditional leader, oral historian and researcher  &nbsp...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) congratulates Advocate Andy Mothibi on his appointment as the new National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP). However argues that they do not believe he is the right person for the job, citing his age as a concern and that the National Director of Public Prosecutions should be able to serve in the role for the long term Guest: Adv. Glynnis Breytenbach: MP, DA...

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter US private sector payrolls rise in December  2. Samsung expects to post a surge in earnings  3. Markets  

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 8 January 2026 1.    Ethiopia- Russia- Palestine- Egypt-Syria Orthodox Christians Mark Christmas On January 7 Across the World Orthodox Christians in countries stretching from Ethiopia to Russia are celebrating Christmas today, honouring the birt...

China's massive military parade through central Beijing was a powerful demonstration of force and technological ambition, showcasing the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) newest advancements in missile systems, drones, and directed energy weapons. Guest: Professor Abel Esterhuyse is a member of the Department of Strategic Studies in the Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch Uni...

  Legal battles continue to delay Pepkor’s bid to acquire Shoprite’s furniture business  2. Valterra has a record year following Anglo demerger 3. Markets

The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa) has voiced disappointment over the tourism sector’s performance during the 2025/26 festive season, describing it as uneven and below expectations across much of the country.  Guest: Brett Tungay: National Chairperson , Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa)       &nbsp...

As nearly one million learners who wrote the 2025 Grade 12 examinations await the release of their results, uncertainty remains over whether matric results will be published in newspapers this year. A legal challenge by the Information Regulator (IR) against the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has reignited a long-running debate over privacy, access to information and the interpretation of Sou...

High-density suburbs, particularly in Ekurhuleni and parts of Johannesburg, are placing increasing strain on the Gauteng Department of Education as it works to finalise placements for Grade 1 and Grade 8 pupils ahead of the new school year. With schools set to open next week, thousands of learners are still awaiting placement, highlighting ongoing capacity and infrastructure challenges in rapidly...

ANC national chairperson and Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has sparked public debate after suggesting that unemployment in South Africa is partly driven by citizens becoming overly dependent on the state.      Guest: Duma Gqubule: Economist & Research associate at the Social Policy Initiative   

The ANC will mark its 114th anniversary with its annual January 8 Statement at Moruleng Stadium in the North West next Saturday. Addressed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the event comes at a critical moment for the party following significant electoral losses in 2024. Guest: Samkele Maseko: Senior Political Reporter, SABC   

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Business activity slips in December  2. Sentiment in the construction sector hits an 11 year high 3. Markets  

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Meta comes under fire as Chinese regulators assess its acquisition of Asian AI firm Manus 2. Jubilee metals completes its SA exit  3. Markets x

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the appointment of Advocate Jan Lekgoa Mothibi as the new National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), following an open and transparent selection process overseen by an independent advisory panel. The appointment takes effect on 1 February 2026. Guest: Lawson Naidoo: Executive Secretary of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitutio...

The debate over Cape Independence has resurfaced sharply after President Cyril Ramaphosa firmly rejected any proposal for a referendum on the secession of the Western Cape. Guest: Jack Miller: Cape Independence Party leader    

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 7 January 2026  1.    Central African Republic – Bangui  CAR's President Touadéra wins third term in office, provisional results show Central African Republic’s President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has been re-e...

US President Trump administration’s National Security Strategy. Why is the United States now pursuing Greenland—and could Cuba be next?   Guest: Ricardo Teixeira: Defense and National Security Analyst    

Johannesburg Water has confirmed its full operational readiness ahead of the final phase of Rand Water’s planned maintenance, scheduled to take place from 6 January 2026 at 04:00 to 8 January 2026 at 08:00. This critical intervention marks the concluding stage of Rand Water’s long-term infrastructure investment programme, aimed at strengthening system capacity, improving reliability, a...

The Information Regulator has taken its battle with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) over the publication of matric results to the Supreme Court of Appeal, challenging a Pretoria High Court ruling that allowed results to be published in newspapers using examination numbers.  Guest: Advocate Pansy Tlakula: Chairperson of the Information Regulator