The National Briefing

Experts have now warned that giving in to the demands of rioters might encourage other angry citizens to embark on similar actions. This after City of Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza suspended the new fixed electricity tariff charge following viole 23.07.2025 5:09 ↓

    Guest: Dawie Roodt: Chief Economist Efficient Group 

The South African Students Federation (SASF) welcomes the removal of Minister Nobuhle Nkabane as Minister of Higher Education and Training, a direct result of our relentless advocacy and pressure highlighting her catastrophic failure to address the higher 23.07.2025 7:11 ↓

    Guest: Keamogetswe Masike: South African Students Federation (SASF) National President 

As South Africa joins the global community in observing World Brain Day on 22 July 2025, a powerful message is resonating across the medical field: dementia is not inevitable — nearly half of all cases are preventable. 22.07.2025 5:28 ↓

    Guest: Dr Prakash Kathan: Member of the Neurological Association of South Africa

The Ekurhuleni Mayor has now suspended the Tembisa electricity hike, this after Residents shut down entrances and exits to the area in protest of new fixed electricity tariffs introduced by the City of Ekurhuleni. 22.07.2025 6:42 ↓

    Guest: Nkosingiphile Xhakaza: Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor.

South Africa’s outdoor advertising industry is facing mounting scrutiny after revelations that none of the billboards along the R21 freeway are legally installed. 22.07.2025 7:05 ↓

    Guest: Nomadlozi Nkosi: MMC for developmental planning and real estate, City of Ekurhuleni

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated sharply overnight as Moscow unleashed a massive barrage of missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, killing civilians and sparking fires in major cities. 22.07.2025 7:47 ↓

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

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has warned that South Africa’s rising electricity prices are becoming “unsustainable” and pushing millions into energy poverty, especially in poor and rural communities. 22.07.2025 5:34 ↓

    Guest: Ruse Moleshe: Managing Director of RUBK Pty Ltd

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 22.07.2025 5:18 ↓

    22 July 2025   1.    Senegal- Dakar Political tensions persist between Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye highlight a need for dialogue and inclusive governance.   A real need for authority and cohesion The political climate in Senegal is currently marked by palpable tensions within the government, revealing cracks in an alliance which was once perc...

Eskom has been ordered by the Western Cape High Court to pay more than R1 billion to French nuclear contractor Framatome following a botched steam generator replacement at the Koeberg nuclear power station. 22.07.2025 4:32 ↓

    Guest: Mohamed Madhi: Energy Analyst

President Cyril Ramaphosa has fired Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane amid growing controversy surrounding the appointment of politically connected individuals to the boards of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) 22.07.2025 11:52 ↓

    Guest: Karabo Khakhau: Democratic Alliance National Spokesperson   Guest: Tebogo Letsie: Chair of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education

Astronomer Inc. is facing a public relations crisis after CEO Andy Byron abruptly resigned in the wake of a viral video showing him in an intimate moment with a colleague — who was not his wife — at a Coldplay concert. 21.07.2025 5:24 ↓

    Guest: Tshepo Matseba: MD of Reputation 1s t and Reputation Analyst   

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has made public the report looking into the collapse of George Building. The five-storey structure, known as 75 Victoria, collapsed during construction, killing 34 people and injuring 28 ot 21.07.2025 6:30 ↓

    Guest: Dr Msizi Myeza: CEO of the Council for the Built Environment 

Gauteng police have launched a manhunt after a tragic mass shooting at an illegal shebeen in the Shoba Informal Settlement in Olievenhoutbosch, near Pretoria on Friday evening which claimed the lives of five people and left three others injured 21.07.2025 5:47 ↓

    Guest: Lucky Ntimane: Convenor of the National Liquor Traders Council 

A bridge project in Diepsloot (Gauteng), launched after the tragic drowning of a schoolgirl in 2016, has become a costly symbol of government failure. Despite nearly R70 million spent over four years, the JB Marks bridge remains unfinished 21.07.2025 7:17 ↓

  Guest: Loyiso Toyiya: Chair: Diepsloot Community Forum

Over one million South Africans have applied to join the South African Police Service (SAPS) through its Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP) for the 2025/2026 cycle. The programme is aimed to fill 5,500 police trainee positions across the 21.07.2025 4:11 ↓

    Guest: Brigadier Athlenda Mathe: National Police Spokesperson 

 Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 21.07.2025 8:10 ↓

    21 July 2025 1.    Morocco – South Afrika - MKP South Africa’s MK Party Recognizes Morocco’s Sovereignty Over Western Sahara Zuma’s move may signal a growing divergence within South African politics regarding Western Sahara and broader continental alliances. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met on Tuesday with former South African P...

Residents of Tembisa have shut down entrances and exits to the area in protest of new fixed electricity tariffs introduced by the City of Ekurhuleni. The tariffs were approved for the 2025/2026 financial year. 21.07.2025 8:55 ↓

    Simphiwe Mavuso - Executive Member: Tembisa Community Forum

The South African Department of Health has raised concern over a gradual increase in confirmed mpox cases, with two new infections reported in Gauteng and the Western Cape. 21.07.2025 6:16 ↓

    Guest: Dr Lesley Bamford: Child Health Specialist, National Department of Health

FlySafair confirms that operations continue largely as scheduled today, but unfortunately a quantity (8%) of flights have had to be cancelled today, amid the ongoing pilots' strike over wages and scheduling 21.07.2025 7:50 ↓

    Guest: Kirby Gordon: Spokesperson, FlySafair

Japan's ruling coalition is reeling from a significant electoral blow as exit polls indicate it may lose its majority in the upper house following Sunday’s elections. 21.07.2025 6:59 ↓

    Guest: Prof David Monyae is the Director for the Centre for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg

We honour veteran journalist Sophie Mokoena, for her 31-year career at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) as a profound contribution to public broadcasting and the country’s democratic discourse. She'll be retiring end of July, leaving behi 18.07.2025 20:36 ↓

  Guest: Sophie Mokoena: SABC’s International News Editor 

The National House of Traditional and Khoi San Leaders and the South African Alcohol Policy Alliance will be hosting a joint community conversation focusing on the urgent issue of alcohol related harms in traditional and rural communications on #MandelaDa 18.07.2025 5:57 ↓

  Guest:   Kgosi Thabo Milton Seatlholo - Chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders 

There will be a series of protests on #MandelaDay as recent allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi expose a dire threat: criminal syndicates within the SAPS and state institutions—shielded by senior officials—undermine 18.07.2025 4:41 ↓

    Guest: Estelle Holworthy: Concerned Citizen of SA

The Gauteng Department of Health has been allocated a R67 billion budget for the 2025–2026 financial year, aimed at boosting healthcare service delivery, expanding infrastructure, and addressing critical health needs across the province. 18.07.2025 9:19 ↓

    Guest: Dr Mkhulu Selepe: Gauteng Department of Health Acting COO 

A new parliamentary report on farm murders and rural crime has sparked strong reactions after proposing a series of reforms to address violence in South Africa’s farming communities. 18.07.2025 6:05 ↓

    Guest: Willie Aucamp: spokesperson, agriculture portfolio committee