The National Briefing

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 19 December 2025 1.    Sudan – Egypt  Sudan’s top general meets Egyptian President amid growing pressure to resolve the war Sudan’s top general, Abdel-Fattah Burhan, met with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi in Cair...

The White House has unveiled a newly revamped “Presidential Walk of Fame” that replaces traditional, neutral historical descriptions of former US presidents with sharply opinionated plaques reflecting President Donald Trump’s personal views.  Guest: John Stremlau: Wits University Honorary professor Of International Relations   

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed and celebrated a landmark judgment by the Pietermaritzburg High Court ordering the eThekwini Municipality to take concrete steps to address the ongoing sewage pollution crisis affecting Durban’s beaches, rivers, and water bodies.  Guest: Zwakele Mncwango: ActionSA KZN Leader  

Gun Free South Africa says Bitou deputy mayor Nokuzola Kolwapi could still face criminal charges after a viral video showed her firing what appeared to be a gun during her son’s umgidi ceremony.   The organisation has praised police for opening an investigation, warning that public safety and the law apply whether the firearm was real or a replica.     Guest: Professor Nirmala Devi...

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Student Representative Council (SRC) has launched its 2026 SRC Trust Fund fundraising campaign, aimed at ensuring that no student is excluded from their studies because they cannot afford registration fees.     Guest: Lonwabo Xolo: Treasure General, The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) student representative council (SRC) 

A snap survey of South Africa’s water resources has revealed widespread contamination, with E. coli detected in up to two-thirds of tested water samples, raising serious concerns about public health and the state of the country’s wastewater and sewerage systems.     Guest: Ferrial Adam: Executive Director, WaterCan and Environmental Justice Activist   

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Anglo-Teck merger gets green light from Canadian authorities  2. Glencore snaps up another copper asset  3. Markets

The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola has stated that Ilegal Mining  in Bapong will not be allowed to continue, as the lives and livelihoods of our communities are at risk. General Masemola received a full briefing from the NATJOINTS on possible intervention measures that can be immediately implemented. Guest: Peter Major: Director, Mining at Modern Corporate Sol...

Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe, will undertake urgent oversight visits to the Eastern Cape following the deaths of 13 initiates during the current summer initiation season.     Guest: Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe: The Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) 

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has dealt a major blow to cross-border smuggling operations after seizing illicit goods worth nearly R1 million at the Beitbridge Port of Entry during festive season operations.     Guest: Dr Michael Masiapato: Border Management Authority commissioner   

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Warner Bros slams Paramount’s takeover bid, favours Netflix deal 2. Amazon eyes investment in OpenAI 3. Markets  

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 18 December 2025 1.    Ethiopia -India  During visit to Ethiopia, India's PM Modi rallies countries from Global South to stand together Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi rallied countries from the Global South on Wednesday to stand up for...

President Donald Trump sharply escalated pressure on Venezuela Tuesday, announcing what he called a “total and complete blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving the country. The move signals a major intensification of U.S. military and economic action against President Nicolás Maduro’s government, with Trump openly tying the campaign to control over Ven...

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 17 December 2025 1.    Tunisia- Tunis Tunisia Observes 15th Anniversary of Outbreak of Revolution in 2010 Tunisia observes, on Wednesday 17 December, the 15th anniversary of the outbreak of the Tunisian Revolution, a defining turning point in the...

Award-winning musician and producer Zakes Bantwini has publicly questioned the relevance and credibility of the South African Music Awards (SAMAs), arguing that the institution has become disconnected from the artists and cultural movements it was created to honour.  Guest: Zakes Bantwini: Award-winning musician and producer   

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 Universi...

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has confirmed that fake or adulterated honey products are primarily being found in informal, non-franchise outlets, with no major supermarket chains implicated so far. #StopFakeHoney initiative has been launched to educate consumers and safeguard the integrity of domestic honey production. Guest: Mashudu Mudzwiri: Acting regional manager in Gauteng, Natio...

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Another Chinese chipmaker delivers an impressive market debut  2. Japan’s export growth tops market expectations 3. Markets    

Police have confirmed Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras, was shot and killed yesterday in Johannesburg. Why is it easy to be killed by a gun in this country? Guest: Amb. Andy Mashaile - Security Strategist and Retired Interpol Ambassador.  

ANC veterans are pushing for a tougher application of the party’s controversial step-aside rule, proposing that all indicted ANC public representatives — including Cabinet ministers — be required to vacate their government posts while facing criminal charges. The proposal, discussed at the ANC’s National General Council (NGC), could mark a significant shift in how...

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have announced they will support the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party’s motion of no confidence against KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, a move that signals a major shift in provincial political dynamics. Despite deep political hostility between EFF leader Julius Malema and MK leader Jacob Zuma, the EFF says its support is driven by principle r...

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) is racing to place more than 15 000 learners who remain without confirmed school placements for the 2026 academic year, despite achieving an overall placement rate of 95.56%. The department says capacity constraints in high-pressure areas remain the biggest challenge but insists efforts are underway to place every outstanding learner.     Guest: Steve...

The Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Ms Khusela Sangoni Diko, has called for the immediate withdrawal of the policy direction issued by Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi to ICASA on Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE). Guest: Khusela Sangoni Diko: The Chairperson of the Portfolio...

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter WBHO scores Cape Town winelands airport construction project 2. JPMorgan turns more positive on SA banks stocks 3. Markets  

KwaZulu-Natal authorities have confirmed that a fourth body has been recovered from the rubble following a building collapse in Verulam, as search and rescue teams continue efforts to locate remaining victims. Operations remain underway despite worsening weather conditions, which have made access to the site increasingly dangerous.     Guest: Thulasizwe Buthelezi: KwaZulu-Natal&nbsp...