Shows / The National Briefing
Episodes
- The National Briefing
Built in Mzansi: How Leadership for Conservation in Africa (LCA) launched its first Transformative Leadership in Conservation programme, aimed at strengthening the management and leadership of provincial nature reserves.
Guest: Dereck Milburn - CEO at Leadership for Conservation in Africa (LCA)
- The National Briefing
Now that the local government elections are over, the nation is now waiting for political parties to finish their negotiations in choosing their coalition partners. Many of their disagreements with each other are not just on ideology, but along racial lines. The worrying part about this is how it has led to some people taking to social media, depicting a scenario of South Africa going back to apartheid.
Guest: Terry Oakley-Smith - Diversity expert and founder of Diversity -T Guest: Professor Musa Xulu - Cultural Expert and Political Analyst
- The National Briefing
Reality Check with Dr Sandy Africa: National security under assault from within and what to do about it
Guest: Dr Sandy Africa - Director of Research at Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection
- The National Briefing
President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved salary increases of between 3.5% and 4% for public office-bearers for the 2026/27 financial year. While members of Parliament and provincial legislatures will receive a 3.5% increase, judges and magistrates are set to receive 4%. The increases come amid ongoing economic pressures and questions about public spending and accountability.
Guest: Neelan Karikan – President, Judicial Officers Alliance of South Africa
- The National Briefing
Former president Thabo Mbeki has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC’s top leadership to consider stepping down, arguing that there has been little positive progress under their leadership. But ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji has hit back, accusing Mbeki and the old guard of contributing to the party’s decline.
Guest: Collen Malatji – ANC Youth League President
- The National Briefing
The National Consumer Commission has announced a recall of 23,667 Chery and Omoda vehicles sold in South Africa between February 2023 and July 2026. The affected models include the Chery Tiggo 4, Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0 and Omoda C5. Reported defects include possible welding problems on the rear axle, which could cause suspension collapse, and a brake-pipe defect that could affect braking performance.
Guest: Prudence Moilwa, Head of Complaints and Investigation at the National Consumer Commission.
- The National Briefing
The Constitutional Court is hearing a case that could reshape liquor trading regulations in South Africa. The DG Murray Trust is challenging provisions in the Northern Cape's 2024 Liquor Act that allow some establishments to sell alcohol until 2am, nightclubs until 6am, and bottle stores on Sundays.
Guest: Kashifa Ancer - Project Lead of Rethink Your Drink
- The National Briefing
The Global Briefing: The six Gulf Cooperation Council member states have approved plans to establish an advanced military command headquarters in Kuwait and to deploy military forces to the facility.
Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has joined diplomatic discussions in Paris with G7 foreign ministers and Saudi Arabia…
- The National Briefing
Built in Mzansi: The third annual Gibela–WeSolve4x Maths Competition is putting the spotlight on South Africa's next generation of problem-solvers, with more than 8,300 Grade 4 to Grade 7 learners taking part in this year's first round. The initiative aims to make mathematics more engaging, build learners' confidence and strengthen foundational skills from an early age
Guest: Tsietsi Ngobese - CEO and Founder of WeSolve4x
- The National Briefing
SA delegation joins countries from around the world at the COP 31 in Turkey
Guest: Ms Pemy Gasela - Chief Director for International Climate Change Relations and Reporting at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
- The National Briefing
Municipal Watch: what are hung council and what parties need to do next to move forward and start working. Also what impact does it have in the everyday running of a municipality?
Guest: Miyelani Holeni - Group Chief Advisor at Ntiyiso Consulting Group
- The National Briefing
Al Jama-ah is celebrating a breakthrough in the 2026 local government elections, securing 13 council seats across four provinces and more than 49,000 votes nationally. The party also recorded outright ward victories in Lenasia, Johannesburg, and Madibeng in the North West. This marks significant growth in its support base since the 2021 elections.
Guest: Ganief Hendricks - Al Jama-ah President
- The National Briefing
Reality Check with Dr Sandy Africa: South Africa’s national security and the ongoing geopolitical challenges
Guest: Dr Sandy Africa - Director of Research at Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection
- The National Briefing
Residents in Primrose, Germiston, say they are living in fear as rival groups of illegal miners engage in almost daily shootouts around the old Simmer and Jack mine. Bullets have reportedly hit homes and vehicles, forcing some families to take cover inside their own homes. The community is now calling for increased police resources and the deployment of the SANDF to restore safety.
Guest: David-Hutch Barr – Chairperson, Primrose Ratepayers Association
- The National Briefing
The IFP has established a coalition negotiating team following the 2026 Local Government Elections, with the party emerging as the leading party in 19 hung municipalities. The party says it is open to working with other political parties, but negotiations will be guided by its manifesto, with a focus on stable administrations, service delivery and good governance.
Guest: Mkhuleko Hlengwa, IFP National Spokesperson
- The National Briefing
Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has made explosive allegations at the Madlanga Commission, claiming former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya pressured him to lie about their relationship during his testimony before Parliament’s ad hoc committee. Matlala alleges he was threatened and coached on how to answer questions, while also claiming Sibiya instructed him to delete their communications. What more has emerged from his testimony?
Guest: Sibahle Motha, SABC Reporter
- The National Briefing
Why are 1.1 million people still not accessing lifesaving HIV medication?
Guest: Dr Nombuso Madonsela, Country Programme Director of AIDS Health Foundation South Africa.
- The National Briefing
The Global Briefing: Qatar is stepping up its diplomatic engagement with the United States as efforts to address tensions in the Gulf region continue.
Pope Leo XIV has delivered a pointed rebuke of Argentine President Javier Milei’s austerity policies during his visit to Argentina, calling for an…
- The National Briefing
The UDM is the biggest winner in the Buffalo City Metro gaining 18.27% of the vote a huge improvement from 0.96% in 2021. The party's deputy Nqabayomzi Kwankwa attributed the gains to the message they were preaching during their campaign. He goes on to say that what the party needs to do is keep the momentum going.
Guest: Nqabayomzi Kwankwa - UDM Deputy President
- The National Briefing
Historic election results in the Eastern Cape.
Guest: Nontando Ngamlana - Executive Director at Afesis
- The National Briefing
Reality Check with Dr Sandy Africa: National security in South Africa: what does it mean today? A discussion about the policy frameworks guiding South Africa’s national security
Guest: Dr Sandy Africa - Director of Research at Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection
- The National Briefing
Are coalitions going to be a norm for South Africans?
Guest: Dr Sithembile Mbete - Executive Director at the Public Affairs Research Institute
- The National Briefing
Following its decision to contest the local government elections independently, the SACP says it will not bend over backwards to help the ANC retain power in hung municipalities. The party secured 230 council seats and says any coalition agreement will have to be based on firm conditions, including good-faith negotiations and a commitment to building state capacity.
Guest: Madala Masuku - First Deputy General Secretary at the SACP
- The National Briefing
The Border Management Authority says it is intensifying its efforts to root out corruption at South Africa’s ports of entry, following the arrest of two officials at the Emahlathini Border Gate in Mpumalanga. The officials, Msebenzi Abednigo Mgobo and Mbuso Mnisi, face allegations of corruption, fraud and immigration-related offences.
Guest: Mmemme Mogotsi - Deputy Assistant Commissioner: Communications and Marketing at the Border Management Authority
- The National Briefing
Madlanga Commission resumes as Vusimuzi Cat Matlala gives testimony
Guest: Sibahle Motha - SABC reporter
- The National Briefing
The Global Briefing: Newsrooms in Ireland and Bulgaria have reportedly received emailed bomb threats, raising fresh concerns about the safety of journalists and the growing threat of intimidation against media organisations.
New Zealand is facing a potentially prolonged period of political uncertainty as the governing National Party and opposition Labour Party battle for control of…
- The National Briefing
Elections: Political party leaders are beginning to negotiate with one another to form potential coalition governments.
Guest: Dr Thapelo Tselapedi - Senior Lecturer in Political Studies at the University of the Western Cape
- The National Briefing
Reality Check with Khalil Goga: International voices in the past, power and the role of the youth
Guest: Khalil Goga - Head of Dialogue and Advocacy at Nelson Mandela Foundation
- The National Briefing
What are political parties views on the election outcomes and who are they willing to work with to form coalitions?
Guest: Sixolise Gcilishe - EFF’s Elections Spokesperson
- The National Briefing
What are political parties views on the election outcomes and who are they willing to work with to form coalitions?
Guest: Michael Beaumont - National Chairperson for ActionSA
- The National Briefing
What is driving this wave of political violence, and should we be concerned that the killings could continue beyond the election period? What is driving this wave of political violence, and should we be concerned that the killings could continue beyond the election period?
Guest: Dr Chris de Kock - Independent Crime Analyst
- The National Briefing
The killing of political figures in South Africa continues, even after voters went to the polls. An uMkhonto weSizwe Party organiser, Lastborn Shazi, was shot dead at his home in Umzumbe, KwaZulu-Natal, while a suspected EFF member was stabbed to death in Polokwane. These latest incidents bring the reported death toll to 45 politicians killed since January.
Guest: Michael McLaggan, Senior Analyst at the Southern Africa Observatory at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC)
- The National Briefing
The Global Briefing: The United States has imposed sanctions on companies in India and Turkey accused of assisting Iran.
A second wave of bomb threats has disrupted air travel across Europe: affecting more than 10 flights and prompting diversions, emergency landings and security…
- The National Briefing
Elections: What can we expect to see as the results will be trickling in? Which municipalities and metros would be the most interesting to watch?
Guest: Dr Thapelo Tselapedi - Senior Lecturer in Political Studies at the University of the Western Cape Guest: Dr Sithembile Mbete - Executive Director at the…
- The National Briefing
Reality Check with Khalil Goga: The parallels between South Africa and Colombia and the need for dialogue - What can a country that lost twenty times as many lives as we did teach us about making peace?
Guest: Khalil Goga - Head of Dialogue and Advocacy at Nelson Mandela Foundation
- The National Briefing
Police in KwaZulu-Natal are investigating the theft of ballot papers and other IEC voting materials from a voting station in Hillcrest. The materials were reportedly left in an unlocked guardhouse on Tuesday night, with no overnight security. Police are also investigating why the sensitive materials were delivered a day before the elections and without a police escort.
Guest: Colonel Robert Netshiunda, KZN Police Spokesperson
- The National Briefing
With South African concluding their voting in the 2026 local government elections yesterday, independent election observers play an important role in monitoring the process and ensuring transparency. Defend Our Democracy deployed 2,433 trained observers across all nine provinces, monitoring everything from the opening of voting stations to the counting of ballots.
Guest: Wade Manning, Executive Director of Defend Our Democracy
- The National Briefing
In the US, Democrats have flipped at least seven Republican-held Senate seats, including historic victories in Kansas, Texas and South Carolina, while gaining more than two dozen seats in the House of Representatives.
Guest: Professor Dinesh Sharma - Chief research officer at Steamworks Studio and the author of The Orphan Paradox; Destinies, Autocracies, and Democracies in…
- The National Briefing
The Global Briefing: The European Commission is hosting discussions in Brussels involving Ukraine, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, NATO and the World Bank on Ukraine's reconstruction and long-term economic future.
US midterm elections are shaping up to be a significant political setback for Republicans, with Democrats making gains in both the House of Representatives and…
- The National Briefing
What influences one’s decision to vote for the party of their choice. Is it loyalty to a party or what they’ve managed to deliver in the time they were in power?
Guest: Prof Hlengiwe Ndlovu – Associate Professor at the Wits School of Governance and the Deputy Director: Special Initiatives and Partnerships at the…
- The National Briefing
Reality Check with Khalil Goga: Understanding the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture — 23 lectures, one argument. What can a lecture do?
Guest: Khalil Goga - Head of Dialogue and Advocacy at Nelson Mandela Foundation
- The National Briefing
US moves to eject South Africa from AGOA
Guest: Dr Lumkile Mondi – Economist and Senior Lecturer at the Wits Business School
- The National Briefing
With South Africa’s local government elections set for 4 November, the IEC will conduct special voting on 2 and 3 November. This gives eligible voters who are unable to visit their voting stations on Election Day an opportunity to cast their ballots early, including those approved for home visits.
Guest: Masego Sheburi - Deputy CEO: Electoral Operations at the Independent Electoral Commission
- The National Briefing
Angelo Agrizzi to appeal R1.66 billion confiscation order: the figure is Bosasa's contract turnover, not money he received
Guest: Angelo Agrizzi - former chief operating officer of Bosasa
- The National Briefing
The High Court has ordered former Bosasa chief operating officer Angelo Agrizzi to repay more than R1.6 billion to the State over corruption linked to the company. The judgment follows Agrizzi's admissions that millions of rand in bribes were paid to secure lucrative government contracts. The Motor Industry Staff Association has welcomed the ruling but says the National Prosecuting Authority must ensure that every cent stolen is recovered, including assets held abroad.
Guest: Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, Spokesperson for Motor Industry Staff Association
- The National Briefing
The Global Briefing: China is seeking to strengthen its diplomatic influence in the Middle East, with President Xi
Jinping warning against the region becoming an arena for great-power rivalry. A dramatic political split is emerging within the US Democratic Party after…
- The National Briefing
With South Africa’s local government elections set for 4 November, the IEC is conducting special voting today and 3 November. This gives eligible voters who are unable to visit their voting stations on Election Day an opportunity to cast their ballots early, including those approved for home visits.
Guest: Patricia Visagie - SABC reporter in Waterkloof, Pretoria
- The National Briefing
With South Africa’s local government elections set for 4 November, the IEC is conducting special voting today and 3 November. This gives eligible voters who are unable to visit their voting stations on Election Day an opportunity to cast their ballots early, including those approved for home visits.
Guest: Clyde Adams - SABC Reporter in Langa, Cape Town
- The National Briefing
With South Africa’s local government elections set for 4 November, the IEC is conducting special voting today and 3 November. This gives eligible voters who are unable to visit their voting stations on Election Day an opportunity to cast their ballots early, including those approved for home visits.
Guest: Chriselda Lewis - SABC Reporter in Diepkloof, Soweto
- The National Briefing
This past weekend, political parties held their final rallies and canvassed for votes. With promises of change, jobs, and better service delivery, who will the voter believe? The latest Ipsos survey has found that no party is commanding majority support, leading to coalition governments and hung municipalities.
Guest: Dr Sithembile Mbete - Executive Director at the Public Affairs Research Institute
- The National Briefing
Reality Check with Khalil Goga: When is silence complicity?
Guest: Khalil Goga - Head of Dialogue and Advocacy at Nelson Mandela Foundation
- The National Briefing
Taxi violence in parts of Cape Town is raising concerns about residents’ safety and their ability to vote in Wednesday’s local government elections. A deadly route dispute between rival taxi associations has resulted in several shootings, with communities fearing possible transport disruptions and intimidation. What is being done to protect residents and ensure they can reach polling stations?
Guest: Mawande Jara, Chairperson of the Khayelitsha Development Forum
- The National Briefing
South Africa is awaiting a crucial decision from the United States on its continued eligibility for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The announcement is expected later today, what is at stake for South African exporters, jobs and investment if the country loses its preferential access to the US market?
Guest: Prof Bonke Dumisa - independent economic analyst
- The National Briefing
Johannesburg Water says its water supply systems remain severely constrained, with high demand affecting reservoir levels and resulting in low water pressure, intermittent supply and prolonged outages in several parts of the city. The utility is implementing urgent interventions to stabilise the network and is proposing stricter water-use restrictions to reduce demand by 15%. What is being done to restore reliable supply, and how long can residents expect these challenges to continue?
Guest: Gugulethu Quma - Operations Manager at Johannesburg Water
- The National Briefing
The Global Briefing: Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in France for a third consecutive weekend of protests over the cost of living.
Diplomatic tensions are escalating between Brazil and Argentina after defeated presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro travelled through Argentina…
- The National Briefing
The Global Briefing: Israel is facing a political deadlock, with neither Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition securing a clear majority.
Gen Z protests are spreading across Europe, driven by frustration over living costs, inequality and limited opportunities, with demonstrations expected in…