The National Briefing

Mining production plunges in August, raising GDP concerns IMF lowers SA’s growth outlook Market update

Reality Check with Mark Heywood: Access to sufficient nutritious food and activism - Food pricing. It’s neither moral nor legal to set such high prices on essential food that it denies people access to it because they can’t afford it. Guest: Mark Heywood - Human rights and social justice activist

Following a Constitutional Court ruling on asylum applications, Home Affairs issued a directive to refugee reception offices, before withdrawing it on 9 October after violent protests in Durban, Soweto, Marabastad and Gqeberha. How does the Constitutional Court reach its decisions, and what happens when those judgments trigger public anger? Guest: Bond Nyoka - Attorney and Legal Expert   &nbs...

The High Court in Cape Town has heard arguments from the EFF and the African Legal Professionals Association in a legal challenge linked to Parliament’s Section 89 Impeachment Committee. Committee chairperson Makashule Gana says the committee will defend the decisions taken during the process. What is at stake in this legal challenge?  Guest: Abongwe Kobokana - SABC Reporter  &nbsp...

Shadrack Sibiya’s fall from grace has taken another turn, with explosive allegations emerging in a court recording as he faces serious criminal charges. The former deputy national police commissioner has since resigned from the SAPS, while allegations about his relationships and dealings with controversial businessman Cat Matlala continue to surface. How did a senior police officer end up he...

PetroSA is facing liquidation proceedings while grappling with an estimated R10.1-billion in environmental rehabilitation and decommissioning liabilities, against just R3.1-billion in ring-fenced funds. That leaves a potential shortfall of between R6.6-billion and R7-billion, raising serious questions about the future of abandoned oil and gas infrastructure, accountability at state-owned enterpris...

Africa in Focus with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa South Afrika – Cape Town- Afrikan Energy Week This week, energy ministers, investors and oil executives are meeting in Cape Town for African Energy Week, which runs until October 16. The conference focuses on investment in oil and gas, energy finance and ending ene...

JPMorgan misses earnings forecasts as uncertainty weighs on business China’s inflation picks up in September Market update  

The Global Briefing: The British government says Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was almost certainly behind a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, a military airbase used by US bombers. Prosecutors in the Philippines have dropped three of four impeachment charges against Vice President Sara Duterte, leaving allegations of unexplained wealth as the sole remaining count Colombia&rs...

Municipal Watch changes gear ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections - Six candidates who want to become the next mayor of Emfuleni Local Municipality will face our Know Your Candidates test. Guest:  Apa Pooe – PAC Mayoral Candidate of Emfuleni Local Municipality Guest: Kingsol Chabalala – DA Mayoral Candidate of Emfuleni Local Municipality Guest:  Jeanette Maloka &...

Municipal Watch changes gear ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections - Six candidates who want to become the next mayor of Emfuleni Local Municipality will face our Know Your Candidates test. Guest:  Cobus Cato – FF Plus Mayoral Candidate of Emfuleni Local Municipality Guest:  Rowan Lewaak - Patriotic Alliance Mayoral Candidate of Emfuleni Local Municipality Guest: Mlungi...

The National Senior Certificate examinations begin tomorrow, with thousands of Grade 12 learners across the country preparing to write their final exams. NAPTOSA is wishing the Class of 2026 well, while urging learners to maintain academic integrity and encouraging parents and teachers to provide the support they need. What should learners prioritise as they enter this critical period?  Guest...

IMF upgrades global growth outlook Global smartphone shipments decline in Q3 Market update  

Botswana – South Afrika South Africa fuel prices compared to Botswana seems no balance of equation and still challenging to be a South African motorist in the SADC region. Compare how much petrol R5 000 buys in South Africa and Botswana after October’s fuel price changes and where motorists save most. Motorists in South Africa are facing higher fuel costs following the latest petrol pr...

Guest: Annaphy Ntola – Al Jama-Ah Party  Mayoral Candidate of Collins Chabane Municipality Guest: Dr Tinyiko Khosa – Able Leaders Party Mayoral Candidate of Collins Chabane Municipality Guest: Basikopo Makamu – ANC Mayoral Candidate of Collins Chabane Municipality   Guest: Miyelani Holeni - Group Chief Advisor at Ntiyiso Consulting Group  

Municipal Watch changes gear ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections - Six candidates who want to become the next mayor of Collins Chabane Municipality in the Limpopo Province will face our Know Your Candidates test. Guest:  Hamlet Msisinyane – MKP Mayoral Candidate of Collins Chabane Municipality Guest: Dunani Baloyi – EFF Mayoral Candidate of Collins Chabane Municipality Gu...

The Global Briefing: Several countries are warning their citizens against travelling to Saudi Arabia following recent escalations involving Houthi attacks. North Korea has fired multiple ballistic missiles towards waters off its eastern coast, intensifying tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Pakistan is facing a fresh political crisis after President Asif Ali Zardari declared a state of emergency in...

The ANC is asking the Constitutional Court to overturn the IEC’s decision to exclude 181 of its candidates across six municipalities, arguing that their details were uploaded before the nomination deadline and that the “Submit as Final” button is not a legal requirement. The IEC maintains that the formal submission process was not completed. What does this dispute mean for electo...

Guest: Mark Heywood - Human rights and social justice activist   Reality Check with Mark Heywood: Access to sufficient nutritious food and activism - Local activism and why we can all help.

COSATU has reconvened its 15th National Congress amid growing divisions within the tripartite alliance. ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe walked out over speaking-order disagreements. What does this mean for alliance unity?   Guest: Matthew Parks, COSATU’s Parliamentary Coordinator   

Home Affairs has withdrawn its asylum directive following a Constitutional Court ruling, but the legal battle may not be over. Government says it plans to approach the courts to challenge the ruling. What happens next, and what are the implications for asylum seekers and Home Affairs’ legal obligations?  Guest: Mametlwe Sebei - Attorney at Lawyers for Human Rights   

South Africa is bracing for a potentially strong El Niño event during the 2026/27 summer season, raising concerns about drought and its impact on agriculture and food security. While the country is better positioned than during the 2015/16 drought, farmers still face significant risks, particularly from rising input costs and limited access to finance. Guest:  Mr Malapane Thamaga - Sen...

Reality Check with Mark Heywood: Access to sufficient nutritious food and activism - Linking hunger and activism Guest: Mark Heywood - Human rights and social justice activist

The 2026 matric final examinations begin this Tuesday, 13 October, with nearly one million candidates registered across the country’s examination bodies. Quality assurer Umalusi says its state-of-readiness audit has assessed everything from candidate registration and question paper security to marking and the management of exam irregularities. With the exams running until late November, are...

Municipal Watch changes gear ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections - Six candidates who want to become the next mayor of Buffalo City Metro Municipality in the Eastern Cape will face our Know Your Candidates test. Guest: Nqabayomzi Kwankwa – UDM Mayoral Candidate of Buffalo City Metro Municipality Guest: Mkhululi Dlevu – EFF Mayoral Candidate of Buffalo City Metro Municipality G...