The Weekend View

As South Africa observes Heritage Month , the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) calls on all South Africans to recognise language as one of the most important and enduring expressions of cultural heritage and to recognise that our languages are not merely tools of communication, but are living repositories of our traditions, histories, identities and knowledge. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr. Keaobaka Seshoka , Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Pan South African Language Board , Professor Nompumelelo Zondi, Mazisi Kunene Research Chair at the University of KwaZulu-Natal

The City of Johannesburg is warning residents about sophisticated scams involving people posing as City officials and contractors. Criminals are allegedly visiting properties with forged job cards, threatening immediate disconnections of water or electricity and demanding payment. The City says reported losses range from three-thousand five hundred to a 120-thousand rands. Residents are urged never to pay anyone demanding cash or an EFT at their property, and to verify their municipal accounts through official City channels. Spokesperson in the group finance department at the at the City of Johannesburg, Nkosana Lekotjolo explains how the scam operates...

As the country observes Anti-Suicide Month, there are concerns about escalating bullying incidents involving school children, which sometimes lead to suicides. In Mpumalanga, several assault cases stemming from bullying incidents have been reported to the police. Meanwhile, a number of videos of girls in schools reportedly assaulting each other have recently been circulated on social media. Mthobisi Mkhaliphi reports

Durban mother Linda Govender has returned to South Africa after spending two weeks in Nepal searching for her missing daughter, Terricia. Terricia was in Nepal when floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26. Linda says returning home does not mean giving up the search. The natural disaster left more than a thousand four-hundred people dead, while over six thousand remain missing. Linda Govender is now relying on authorities and people in Nepal to continue searching for clues about her daughter's whereabouts. Bongiwe Zwane caught up with Linda for the latest from the search in Nepal

The Standing Committee on Appropriations in Parliament says it will be taking a proactive role in examining government funding to address gender-based violence (GBV). This follows the tragic recent discovery of the bodies of nine women in Kempton Park and other parts of Ekurhuleni in Gauteng. Chairperson of the Standing Committee on AppropriationS, Dr Mmusi Maimane says the committee will examine whether sufficient funding has been allocated to respond effectively to gender-based violence and to engage with relevant stakeholders on the planning and funding required to deal with this crisis.. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Appropriations, Dr Mmusi Maimane

Colombia's new government has withdrawn its intervention in South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. South Africa accused Israel of violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention with its military operations in Gaza, allegations Israel, rejects. As Khayelihle Khumalo reports, Colombia informed the World Court about its decision...

South Africa has used the United Nations' biggest diplomatic stage to defend its democracy while demanding fundamental changes to a global system it says is failing Africa and the developing world. Addressing the General Assembly in New York, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said South Africa had built a democracy strong enough to resist what he called "external supervision and tutelage." He again accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, criticised the use of economic measures to coerce countries, and demanded permanent African seats on the UN Security Council. Lamola argued that multilateralism helped defeat apartheid — and must now prove it can deliver in a deeply unequal and increasingly divided world. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

City Power is continuing its cut-off operation in Johannesburg’s Inner City, targeting problematic buildings affected by electricity theft, illegal connections and vandalism. The entity says five buildings in Doornfontein and surrounding areas owe almost five-million-rand. City Power says it is monitoring more than 108 problematic buildings, with combined outstanding debt of about 115-million-rand, while also addressing safety risks. Joburg City Power Spokesperson is Isaac Mangena,

Four people, including businessman Vusumuzi Matlala and his wife Tsakani, have appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on fraud, forgery and uttering charges linked to an alleged fraudulent lease agreement. NPA says three accused were granted R20, 000 bail each, while Matlala abandoned his bail application. The National Prosecuting Authority says the State will oppose his bail application, which is scheduled for 14 and 15 October. The matter against the other three accused has been postponed to 29 October for further investigations. NPA Gauteng Regional Spokesperson for the Pretoria Division, is Lumka Mahanjana.

SAPS has activated a 72-hour operation to track suspects linked to the KwaMakhutha mass shooting, south of Durban. Eleven people were killed and three others injured after armed suspects opened fire at a house in the Ziko area on Tuesday night. The motive remains unknown, while police say they are following a promising lead. SAPS Head of Communications is Major General Nonkululeko Phokane

KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma says verification following Saturday’s fire in the Swapo informal settlement in Copesville, Pietermaritzburg, found that 20 shacks were destroyed. Duma says 19 foreign nationals occupied the affected shacks, while one South African had an identification document whose authenticity is being verified by Home Affairs. He says the woman who died, her injured partner and their child are foreign nationals. Duma says the fire started in their shack. He also alleges that some South Africans are fronting for foreign nationals to access government assistance. Duma says foreign nationals will not qualify for emergency housing assistance, building materials or RDP houses. Ndabezinhle Sibiya is the spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements.

SAPS and the Border Management Authority have arrested a 52-year-old South African man at OR Tambo International Airport. Police say suspected heroin worth more than two million rand was found in his luggage. Police say the suspect had arrived from Accra, Ghana, when he was intercepted during an intelligence-led operation. Police say they found bullet-like objects and blocks containing substances suspected to be heroin. He is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court later this week on drug trafficking-related charges. This is the third suspected drug mule arrested at OR Tambo in three weeks. Police spokesperson is Lt Col Amanda van Wyk

Feminist movement - Black Women Caucus has given the Kempton Park police station in Ekurhuleni 10-days to convene a multi-stakeholder engagement to outline how to deal with the murder of women. The group led a picket outside the police station on Friday. This follows the discovery of a woman's body in Villa Liza in Boksburg on Thursday- bringing to NINE the number of women's bodies discovered across Ekurhuleni since July this year. For our Sunday morning discussion on gender-based violence and femicide, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Steve Letsike, Kwanele Foundation founder Sihle Sibisi, NOT IN MY NAME INTERNATIONAL President and Founder Themba Masango, and South African Human Rights Commission Commissioner Sandra Makoasha

In Cape Town, the GOOD Party and the United Democratic Movement's (UDM) election campaigns ahead of this year's Local Government Elections saw a focus on issues including making the City of Cape Town more affordable for Capetonians and the ongoing scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. Tando Ntunja reports

Chronic stress may be doing far more than affecting South Africans' mental health – it could be contributing to the country's growing burden of obesity, diabetes and other metabolic disorders, many of which are also major risk factors for cardiovascular disease . While stress is often viewed as an unavoidable part of modern life, mounting scientific evidence suggests that prolonged psychological stress can trigger biological changes that increase the likelihood of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease . Bongiwe Zwane caught up with by Pamela Naidoo, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA and asked her what are we talking about essentially when referring to chronic stress

One woman has died, while her child and partner sustained serious burn wounds following a fire that destroyed between 13 and 14 shacks at the Swapo Informal Settlement in Copesville, Pietermaritzburg. KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma says he was contacted by a distressed community leader at around 3:30 this morning. Duma says teams from his office, provincial and national human settlements departments have been assigned to work with the Msunduzi Municipality to assist affected residents. He says the fire has caused further emotional and financial trauma for families already facing socio-economic challenges. Ndabezinhle Sibiya is the spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements.

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and alleged Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, commonly known as the Madlanga Commission, has welcomed the final extension of its deadline announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The Commission says the extension to 25 January 2027 will allow it to hear outstanding testimony and finalise its report. The Commission's Spokesperson is Jeremy Michaels

Police say two suspects have been arrested, while three others were fatally wounded following a 72-hour operation into the murder of two police officers in Libode, near Mthatha. The officers were killed while responding to a robbery at a spaza shop. Police say an AK47, three handguns and ammunition have been recovered. Charges including attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition are being investigated. Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana Explains

For South Africa's landlords, few situations are as financially damaging as a tenant who stops paying rent but remains in the property. While their rental income has come to a stop, they'll still have to cover rates, levies, insurance and in some cases, monthly bond repayments. But even after cancelling the lease, the way South Africa's eviction laws are structured, it means that a landlord cannot simply remove the tenant or change the locks after months of non-payment. According to Grant Smee, CEO of Only Realty Property Group, this is why proposed amendments to the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act, better known as PIE, will be closely watched by landlords across the country. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Grant Smee, CEO of Only Realty Property Group

Applications for special votes for the 2026 Local Government Elections will open on Monday, the 21st of September. The IEC says the application period will close on the 12th of October at 5pm. Special votes are available to registered voters who cannot physically travel to their voting station, as well as essential service workers, media personnel and voters who can reach their voting station but cannot vote there on election day. Meanwhile, the IEC has published the final candidate lists, showing the ANC has no candidates in six municipalities. The Electoral Court has dismissed the ANC's challenge over 181 excluded candidates. The party says it intends to appeal. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Electoral Commission Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo

US President Donald Trump says he is banning three major news outlets – CNN, MS NOW and Politico – from the White House in his latest threat to the independent press. The move is almost ​certain to face legal challenges as free-speech experts said it conflicts with the US Constitution's First Amendment protections for free speech and a free press. Here is a snippet of President Trump taking a question over the ban. Here is a snippet of President Trump taking a question over the ban

The National Health Department has warned of the rapid increase in MPOX cases, with 18 confirmed cases and one probable case recorded across South Africa. The department says the Western Cape has recorded the highest number of cases, while three have been reported in Gauteng and one in KwaZulu-Natal. Health officials say people who have been in close contact with an infected person are urged to monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days and seek medical attention if they become ill. Ednah Baloyi - Director for Malaria and Vector-Borne Diseases at the National Health Department elaborates...

Disaster Management Teams in KwaZulu-Natal have been on standby for any eventuality overnight as persistent rains continue to batter various parts of the province. In eThekwini, disaster teams have opened the Isipingo Canal in order to prevent flooding along the R103 of the Industrial area. Mud slides have also been reported in Umsinga where stones have fallen onto the R33 road due to prolonged rainfall. Motorists have been warned to exercise caution on the roads while local residents are advised to keep away from low lying areas. Here is the spokesperson for the department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Siboniso Mngadi

Social movements including various sectors of society have expressed great displeasure and impatience towards law enforcement authorities setting deadlines for meaningful engagements aimed at effectively dealing with the murder of women and children. In Ekurhuleni, many took to the streets leading pickets at various police stations. This follows the discovery of a woman's body in Villa Liza in Boksburg on Thursday- bringing to NINE the number of women's bodies discovered across Ekurhuleni since July this year. We caught up with Convenor of the GBV Community Forum Keamogetswe Masike ahead of a planned shutdown next week in Ekurhuleni

Freedom Front Plus leader Corné Mulder says coalition governments could become the new norm in municipalities after the November elections. He was speaking in Pretoria today as the party launched its 2026 local government election manifesto, outlining a ten-point plan focused on service delivery, accountability and tackling maladministration. Zara Groenewald reports.

What happens after the tax is collected? And who ultimately pays when government needs more revenue? With South Africa heading towards the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, questions around VAT, tax increases, economic growth, fiscal sustainability and the future of SARS are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. These questions will take centre stage at the South African Institute of Taxation's (SAIT) 13th Annual Tax Indaba, taking place from tomorrow the 14th to the 16th of September in Sandton , Johannesburg. For more Jon Gericke spoke to the South African Institute of Taxation (SAIT) CEO Professor Keith Engel..

A spokesperson in the office of Water and Sanitation minister, Pemmy Majodina, says she is not available for comment, after an incident at a recent government event at Kouga municipality in the Eastern Cape. A video is trending on social media, where Majodina can be heard allegedly swearing at a member of the public. Two parties in Parliament have laid complaints at the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests. Zalene Merrington reports...

It's been almost a year since the Madlanga Commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa, following Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's controversial press briefing on 6 July 2025. During the briefing, Mkhwanazi made allegations of criminal infiltration within law enforcement agencies and political interference in these institutions. Since its establishment, the Commission has heard evidence from more than 100 witnesses and has made a number of recommendations and referrals for further investigation. Sibahle Motha takes a look at a year of evidence and allegations before the Madlanga Commission. We follow this up with our Sunday Discussion with Advocate Ilene Power, a labour law specialist turned purpose-driven ethics advocate and Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast, Acting Director of the Centre for Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution at Nelson Mandela University

AmaZuluKing MisuZulu ka Zwelithini has used this year's Umkhosi Wo Mhlanga, or Reed Dance, to call on the nation to take a stronger stand against gender-based violence. Speaking during the annual cultural gathering at Emashobeni Royal Palace in uPhongolo, the King urged men and communities to respect and protect women and girls. His message comes as the Reed Dance continues to provide a platform for young women to celebrate their purity, culture and identity. He has also denounced the abuse of alcohol, saying it is among the contributing factors to violence in communities. Jayde Paulse has teh details

COSATU says preparations to host its 15th National Congress at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand from the 14th to the 17th of September this week are on track. The union says it expects 1800 delegates to be in attendance including members from its sixteen union affiliates. The congress will see the election of the new leadership who will be tasked with taking the resolutions and the agenda of the working class forward. Jon Gericke caught up with COSATU's national spokesperson, Zanele Sabela...

When South Africa's two-pot retirement system was introduced, the big question was whether people would treat their retirement savings as easy money to dip into, or leave it alone for retirement. Two years later, the data tells a more complicated story – one driven primarily by real financial pressure. A survey conducted by Momentum Corporate on the two-pot system and who is making the most withdrawals shows that it is not the poorest South Africans, but rather established, middle-income households who are making repeat withdrawals most often. Too find out why Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Nashalin Portrag, Head: FundsAtWork & Distribution at Momentum Corporate.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has expressed his frustration over the absence of representatives from countries whose nationals are among the refugees camped outside the Department of Home Affairs offices in Che Guevara Road for about four months now. He visited the offices yesterday (FRIDAY) , together with the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo to South Africa John Kalunga Nyakeru to assess the situation on the ground. This after tensions flared on Thursday between march and march supporters and refugees. For reaction Bongiwe Zwane spoke to General Sithole from the Civic Engagement Forum of Zimbabwe

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned that South Africa is likely to experience below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures this spring as a strong El Niño event develops in the Pacific Ocean. According to the weather service, the latest predictions indicate that El Niño is likely to intensify further and could become the strongest event in living memory. According to experts , the severe weather could threaten harvests, water supplies, household budgets, public health and electricity generation across Africa. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr Henno Havenga, senior lecturer in climatology at the North-West University's (NWU's) School of Geo- and Spatial Sciences

AZAPO President, Nelvis Qekema, says the seventh democratic local government elections should be about the full restoration of the dignity of black people who are still living in squalor over three decades after the attainment of their freedom. He insists this would be a fitting tribute to the late Black Consciousness Movement Leader, Steve Bantu Biko. The late BCM leader was killed by the apartheid government on the 12th of September 1977. Qekema says the fact that black people remain the face of poverty in South Africa, 32 years into the democratic dispensation, would have seen Biko arguing that their ongoing suffering stems from an incomplete liberation and a hatred for black people. Ntebo Mokobo has more

The freedom front plus will target structural change within municipalities come the local government elections. This comes as the Freedom Front Plus is set to launch their local government elections manifesto in Pretoria TODAY. National Spokesperson, Wouter Wessels spoke on what voters can expect the party to focus on if successful after the November 4th polls. Zara Groenewald reports...

TODAY'S South African Football Association's elective congress could be a watershed moment for football in South Africa. Incumbent, Danny Jordaan, will bid for a fourth term as president of the association, while businessman, Sandile Zungu, has promised to transform football and take it to new heights. A SAFA National Executive Committee meeting in preparation of the congress in Midrand, was disrupted YESTERDAY. Mahudi Molapo filed this report

President Cyril Ramaphosa says BRICS countries must build local manufacturing industries and move beyond being suppliers of raw materials and consumers of goods produced elsewhere. Speaking at the opening of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, Ramaphosa said the BRICS block should use shifting global trade patterns, technological advances and climate challenges as an opportunity to build a more resilient, diversified and inclusive economy. We caught up with Research Director at the Centre for Africa-China Studies, University of Johannesburg, Dr Emmanueal Matambo for his thoughts...

Government has come out strongly condemning the fatal chaos which resulted from Spring Day festivities on Tuesday. What was meant to be a joyful celebration on the 1st of September descended into turmoil as youths lined up the streets, hurling buckets of water at motorists and passersby. This turned fatal in Cullinan, east of Pretoria, where 21-year-old Tshepang Nyathi was stabbed to death after an argument broke out when his group splashed water on a 53-year-old man. Some commentators have since called for stronger enforcement of municipal bylaws while most have questioned the moral fabric of the country's young people. For an in-depth look into this for our Sunday discussion, we are now joined on the line by social commentator, Donovan E. Williams together with Dr Bongane Mzinyane, Lecturer in Social Work at the University of KwaZulu-Natal

Political parties in KwaZulu-Natal are to meet this month in a summit aimed at promoting peace and tolerance ahead of the Local Government Elections on November 4. Premier Thami Ntuli says the gathering - which will involve parties contesting elections and the Independent Electoral Commission - is in part rallying stakeholders to ensure peaceful, free, and fair elections. This comes in the wake of reports of intimidation and deadly attacks against councillor candidates. However, it's not yet been established whether the attacks are politically motivated. Zanele Buthelezi has more...

Build One South Africa (BOSA) supporters braved the cold Johannesburg weather to gather at Fairview Primary School to launch the party's first local government election manifesto. Party leader, Dr Mmusi Maimane delivered the keynote address and outlined five key priorities. These include reliable basic services, local jobs and economic growth, safer communities, clean government and accountable leadership. BOSA, which turns four this year, will contest in 24 municipalities, with close to 800 candidates vying for seats on councils. Sibahle Motha reports.

UNAIDS, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the South Africa National AIDS Council (SANAC) and the Global Health Innovation Institute (GHII) have brought together the Government of South Africa, the Government of China, Chinese pharmaceutical companies and regional and global partners in a major new collaboration to strengthen pharmaceutical manufacturing across Southern Africa. The groups facilitated a five-day exchange exploring how African manufacturing capacity can be strengthened. To find out more Bongiwe Zwame spoke to Dr Thembisile Xulu, Outgoing CEO of SANAC and Incoming Director-General of the Department of Health.

With the cost of living stretching budgets to breaking point, South Africans are increasingly looking for ways to save. Many turn to loyalty programmes, which can be an effective way to cut costs. A loyalty programme is a marketing system that companies use to reward customers who shop or use services repeatedly. For tips on how to maximise loyalty rewards producer Sisanda Jonas spoke to Sarah Nicholson , Head of customer experience at JustMoney and began by asking her to explain more about the loyalty programmes and whether there's an uptake of these programmes in South Africa....

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has published the latest political party funding disclosures. The disclosures provide details into whom is financing South Africa's political parties ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. In the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, four political parties declared a combined R116.8 million in donations. The Democratic Alliance (DA) accounted for approximately R104 million - nearly 89% of the total. By comparison, approximately R175 million was declared in private political donations across the entire 2025/26 financial year. My vote counts says these figures make it increasingly important to look beyond simply who donated and to ask what these donations tell us about political influence. The group is now calling for stronger political funding disclosure. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Ramakwe Pule, Senior Project Coordinator for Money in Politics at My Vote Counts

To Nepal now, where more than a week after flashfloods hit, the death toll has continued to climb. More than 1300 people have died, and more than 5,000 are still missing. But there have also been stories of miraculous survivals, as Neha Poonia has the latest details followed by a live chat with F Linda Govender, mother to Terricia Govender who remains part of six South Africans still missing in Nepal

The ANC has called on the Independent Electoral Commission to urgently investigate technical glitches that it alleges prevented the capturing of its candidates on the Online Candidate Nomination System. This, after the party said it experienced difficulties in submitting its full list of candidates contesting the local government elections. The IEC has denied claims that its Online Candidate Nomination System experienced technical failures. Meanwhile, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking while on a campaign trail in Ekurhuleni called for a solution to the alleged technical failures they experienced that prevented the party from capturing all their candidates. To unpack what this all means Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Political analyst, Prof. Ntsikelelo Breakfast from Nelson Mandela University...

Springbok captain SiyaKolisi says it is an honour to play at the FNB stadium and pay tribute to Soweto for the role it played in fighting for the freedom he enjoys today. The Springboks will face off against the All Blacks in the third test match of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry hoping to create their own history at the venerable stadium, where they have never beaten the All Blacks. The four test series is deadlocked at 1-all with two matches to go. We caught up with SABC sports reporter, Thando Mxoli on what to expect for the game...

Can mining be sustainable without communities at the table? David Sturmes, Community Voices Programme Director at Mining Indaba says host communities must move from being consulted to becoming active partners in decisions that shape mining projects, livelihoods and local economies. As South Africa's mining sector faces continued pressure to deliver jobs, skills, local development and environmental responsibility, Mining Indaba 2027 is putting community participation at the centre of the industry conversation.For more David Sturmes, Community Voices Programme Director at Mining Indaba now joins us on the line from Kenya...

The Madlanga Commission has heard how Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni allegedly raised concerns with then Police Minister Bheki Cele about a cartel he believed was operating from the farm of late taxi boss Mswazi Msibi. Sibanyoni took the stand at the Madlanga Commission on Friday to testify about Msibi, attempted murder accused Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala and murder accused Katiso "KT" Molefe. He was himself implicated at the Commission by suspended SAPS Sergeant Fannie Nkosi. Sibahle Motha reports

President Cyril Ramaphosa says they have accepted the humble apology by Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero for what he says was an unacceptable remarks he made to a community member. Last week Morero lost his temper after he was called a criminal by a resident during a community meeting. The ANC has reprimanded him saying his remarks did not represent it and he had since apologised. Speaking during his campaign in Soweto, Ramaphosa said he hopes people do accept his humble and sincere apology. Ntebo Mokobo has more.

The Umkhonto weSizwe party urgently needs to adopt the principles of democracy,or face the risk of performing very badly in this year's local government elections. This is the sentiment of at least two political analysts, commenting on the latest expulsions at the party. Earlier this week, two members of Parliament, Doctor Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala and Pumlani Kubukeli, were expelled with immediate effect. The party said this was because they brought it into disrepute, through some of their actions

The PAC has put land and service delivery at the centre of its manifesto ahead of the local government elections. The party on Saturday (29/08) launched its offering to voters in Jabulani Soweto, where it was founded in 1959 by Robert Sobukwe. Leader Mzwanele Nyontso declared that it would continue to struggle against apartheid spatial inequality and ensure the decolonisation of services and spaces for South Africa's communities. Busi Bopela has the details...