The National Briefing

Guest: Vincent Magwenya: Presidency Spokesperson  

Guest: Samkele Maseko: Political Reporter, SABC  

Guest: Dr Mzwanele Ntshwanti: G20 Senior Researcher, Institute For Economic Justice (IEJ)  

Guest: Mr Richard Zulu: National Secretary General National Africa Federated Chamber of Commerce (Nafcoc)  

Guest: Professor Abel Esterhuyse is a member of the Department of Strategic Studies in the Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University  

HughFest returns on Sunday, 30 November 2025, bringing South Africans together once again in a vibrant celebration of music, heritage, and creativity. Now in its 12th year, and its fourth gathering at Nirox Sculpture Park, the festival continues the living legacy of the iconic Bra Hugh Masekela—a space where intergenerational stories, cultural pride, and artistic brilliance meet. This year&r...

Africa’s entry into the G20 marked far more than symbolic inclusion—it signalled a structural shift in the global order. With a rapidly expanding population, rising GDP, and an unparalleled share of the minerals essential to the global energy transition, Africa is moving from the periphery of international governance to one of its central organising forces. South Africa’s 2025 G2...

Madlanga commission: Alleged political fixer Oupa Brown Mogotsi faced intense scrutiny on Thursday at the Madlanga Commission, where he was pressed to clarify his lack of qualifications and produce evidence of his claimed role as an undercover agent for the South African Police Service (SAPS). The commission is investigating allegations of political interference, corruption, and criminal conduct w...

The upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg — the first ever hosted on African soil — is unfolding under the shadow of a full U.S. boycott and an empty chair reserved for incoming G20 president Donald Trump. South Africa is pushing an ambitious agenda centred on multilateralism, climate resilience, energy transition, and fairer global economic structures. But Washington’s refusal to...

Madlanga commission Brown Mogotsi on the stand Day 3:  Controversial businessman and self-proclaimed state agent Brown Mogotsi shocked the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry when he openly admitted to having lied under oath in the past — insisting that deception was part of his supposed intelligence “duties.” His testimony, which has been riddled with contradictions and unverifi...

With the South African Reserve Bank’s MPC set to announce its final interest rate decision for 2025, businesses and investors are closely watching for potential impacts on growth, borrowing costs, and market confidence. Economists remain sharply divided over whether the MPC will keep rates unchanged or opt for a 25 basis-point cut, as inflation ticks up to 3.6%—slightly above the newly...

A surge in violence shook the Gaza Strip on Wednesday as Israeli strikes killed at least 25 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. The escalation, one of the deadliest days since a ceasefire took effect five weeks ago, unfolded just days after the UN Security Council endorsed a US-led plan aimed at stabilising the region and demilitarising Gaza. Both Israel and Hamas tr...

  Guest: Mr Siphiwe Mpungose: Secretary General of the Educators Union Of South Africa (EUSA) 

Education experts, gender-based violence activists, and national education bodies have expressed deep alarm at the growing number of statutory rape and sexual misconduct cases in South African schools. Their concerns follow new statistics released by the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC), revealing that 176 teachers were found guilty of sexual misconduct involving pupils between 2021&ndash...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has formally declared gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) a national crisis, marking one of the strongest statements yet from government on the epidemic of violence facing women and children in South Africa. Speaking at the G20 Social Summit in Ekurhuleni, the president acknowledged the national outcry and growing pressure from civil society, including the Women for...

  Afrika Update Report  20 November 2025 Guinea Bissau-Bissau Guinea Bissau decides in three days and who are the main opposition candidates in this presidential and legislative elections? And what are the electoral and governance issues dominating these elections? Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, a 53-year-old ex-army general, is seeking a second term, but faces 11 challeng...

The Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS), South Africa’s largest restricted medical aid scheme, has released its Roadmap for 2026, outlining plans to strengthen long-term sustainability, enhance member benefits, and improve operational efficiency. Central to the announcement is an average 9.8% contribution increase for 2026, subject to approval by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS)....

E-hailing drivers across South Africa have been given 180 days to comply with new regulatory requirements introduced under the amended National Land Transport Act, which formally recognises e-hailing as a legal mode of public transport. The Department of Transport has outlined the steps drivers and platforms must follow to meet the new standards, which include obtaining operating licences, vehicle...

South Africa stands at a defining moment. Inequality, corruption, and unemployment continue to undermine the country’s democratic promise — yet within these challenges lie powerful opportunities for renewal. At this year’s 3rd Annual SAfm Public Lecture, esteemed Chancellor of Nelson Mandela University, Dr Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, will lead a compelling exploration of how South...

The Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS), South Africa’s largest restricted medical aid scheme, has released its Roadmap for 2026, outlining plans to strengthen long-term sustainability, enhance member benefits, and improve operational efficiency. Central to the announcement is an average 9.8% contribution increase for 2026, subject to approval by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS)....

Farmers and agricultural leaders from across the world convened in Stellenbosch on 17 September 2025 for the G20 Farmers Dialogue, hosted by the Southern Africa Agricultural Initiative (Saai) at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. The hybrid gathering connected in-person delegates with digital participants from Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa—ensuring th...

Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr Sello Seitlholo, will lead a two-day Sanitation Month awareness campaign in commemoration of World Toilet Day on 19–20 November 2025 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The campaign is a collaborative initiative undertaken by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the Water Research Commission (WRC), the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and eThekwini Metr...

Madlanga Commission Day 2 recap:  Commissioner Sesi Baloyi sharply questioned the credibility of North West businessman Brown Mogotsi’s testimony during Wednesday’s session of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria. Baloyi criticised Mogotsi for presenting serious allegations without conducting even basic verification. The commission is set to resume on Thursday.  Gue...

Madlanga Commission Day 2 analysis on claims made by Mogotsi: Alleged political “fixer” and self-described Crime Intelligence contact agent Oupa Brown Mogotsi returned to the witness stand for a second day before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria, where he forcefully rejected accusations that he is a habitual or “professional” liar. His testimony on Wednesday c...