A team of South African scientists using the South African Radio Observatory's (SARAO), MeerKAT radio telescope, has spotted a rare and extremely faint radio glow coming from a huge cluster of galaxies about 7 billion light-years away. 

This type of glow - called an ultra-steep-spectrum radio halo - is the most distant one ever found. The discovery, led by Isaac Magolego, a PhD student at the University of the Witwatersrand, supervised by Professors Roger Deane and Kshitij Thorat, from Wits and the University of Pretoria, has been accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters. The student project is supported by the SARAO.

For more on this, Magolego joins us on the line.

A team of South African scientists using the South African Radio Observatory's (SARAO), MeerKAT radio telescope, has spotted a rare and extremely faint radio glow coming from a huge cluster of galaxies about 7 billion light-years away.&nbsp;
This type of glow - called an ultra-steep-spectrum radio halo - is the most distant one ever found. The discovery, led by Isaac Magolego, a PhD student at the University of the Witwatersrand, supervised by Professors Roger Deane and Kshitij Thorat, from Wits and the University of Pretoria, has been accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters. The student project is supported by the SARAO.
For more on this, Magolego joins us on the line.

SA Scientists spot most distant ultra-steep radio Halo using MeerKAT

A recent judgment in South Africa has put the legal fraternity on notice, as confirmatory affidavits can no longer be treated as administrative paperwork. In a recent case, the court dismissed one party's reliance on confirmatory affidavits because the witnesses provided nothing more than boilerplate, template phrasing.

Thuto Ngobeni compiled this report.

A recent judgment in South Africa has put the legal fraternity on notice, as confirmatory affidavits can no longer be treated as administrative paperwork. In a recent case, the court dismissed one party's reliance on confirmatory affidavits because the witnesses provided nothing more than boilerplate, template phrasing.
Thuto Ngobeni compiled this report.

Judgment puts SA legal fraternity on notice over template affidavits

We turn now to developments across Central Africa, where political transitions, humanitarian crises, and shifting regional alliances continue to shape the outlook for millions. The Central African Republic is preparing for a crucial election later this month amid growing concerns about insecurity and the shrinking space for opposition. At the same time, the conflict in Sudan is pushing new waves of displaced families into neighbouring Chad - a country already struggling with its own economic and humanitarian pressures. And across the wider region, issues from political detentions in Cameroon to new energy projects in Angola and diplomatic manoeuvring around the DRC-Rwanda peace process are all making headlines. To help us make sense of these stories, is geopolitical analyst, Aaron Ng'ambi...


TALKING POINTS

** Central African Republic head to the polls, later this month

** Waves of Sudanese families flee troubled and war torn Sudan, into Chad - but there is no much help in chad either

** Cameroon opposition leader, Anicet Akane has died in detention.

** DRC and Rwandan leaders are in the US today and expected to sign a peace deal at the White House

** And Angola launch a New Gas Consortium project

We turn now to developments across Central Africa, where political transitions, humanitarian crises, and shifting regional alliances continue to shape the outlook for millions. The Central African Republic is preparing for a crucial election later this month amid growing concerns about insecurity and the shrinking space for opposition. At the same time, the conflict in Sudan is pushing new waves of displaced families into neighbouring Chad - a country already struggling with its own economic and humanitarian pressures. And across the wider region, issues from political detentions in Cameroon to new energy projects in Angola and diplomatic manoeuvring around the DRC-Rwanda peace process are all making headlines. To help us make sense of these stories, is geopolitical analyst, Aaron Ng'ambi...
 TALKING POINTS
** Central African Republic head to the polls, later this month
** Waves of Sudanese families flee troubled and war torn Sudan, into Chad - but there is no much help in chad either
** Cameroon opposition leader, Anicet Akane has died in detention.
** DRC and Rwandan leaders are in the US today and expected to sign a peace deal at the White House
** And Angola launch a New Gas Consortium project

Central Africa wrap with Geopolitical analyst, Aaron Ng'ambi

Day two of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Africa Members' Convention is set to begin in Mombasa in the next few hours. Delegates are expected to build on yesterday's discussions, which focused on technology, professional visibility and the evolving role of accountants across the continent.

For a look back at day one and what's ahead today, is George Njari, A-C-C-A's Head of the Eastern Africa Cluster.

Day two of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Africa Members' Convention is set to begin in Mombasa in the next few hours. Delegates are expected to build on yesterday's discussions, which focused on technology, professional visibility and the evolving role of accountants across the continent.
For a look back at day one and what's ahead today, is George Njari, A-C-C-A's Head of the Eastern Africa Cluster.

Day two of ACCA Africa Convention kicks off in Mombasa

The G20 Presidency - the United States, has effectively blocked South Africa from taking part in next week's Sherpa meeting - citing claims, widely dismissed as false, that white South Africans are being persecuted.

 The Sherpa meeting forms the first round of discussions ahead of the next G20 cycle, following Washington's decision to skip the Leaders' Summit held in Johannesburg last month.

For more on this let's now talk to Dr. Joseph Upile Matola- Head of the Economic Resilience and Inclusion Programme at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).

The G20 Presidency - the United States, has effectively blocked South Africa from taking part in next week's Sherpa meeting - citing claims, widely dismissed as false, that white South Africans are being persecuted.
&nbsp;The Sherpa meeting forms the first round of discussions ahead of the next G20 cycle, following Washington's decision to skip the Leaders' Summit held in Johannesburg last month.
For more on this let's now talk to Dr. Joseph Upile Matola- Head of the Economic Resilience and Inclusion Programme at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).

US Blocks South Africa From Upcoming G20 Sherpa Meeting

Zimbabwe's Labour Economists and Afrikan Democrats, LEAD, have issued a strong condemnation of US president Donald Trump's recent remarks on South Africa and the G20, describing them as racist, false, and rooted in neo-colonial thinking.

The party says the comments undermine African sovereignty and revive harmful narratives about the continent. 

LEAD President Linda Tsungirirai Masarira joins us now to outline the party's position.

Zimbabwe's Labour Economists and Afrikan Democrats, LEAD, have issued a strong condemnation of US president Donald Trump's recent remarks on South Africa and the G20, describing them as racist, false, and rooted in neo-colonial thinking.
The party says the comments undermine African sovereignty and revive harmful narratives about the continent.&nbsp;
LEAD President Linda Tsungirirai Masarira joins us now to outline the party's position.

Zimbabwe's LEAD party condemns Trump's G20 remarks as racist, neo-colonial

Now we look at some of the stories making headlines in the West Africa region and we speak to Political Scientist and Conflict resolution analyst, Dr David Matsanga


TALKING POINTS

** Nigeria has granted asylum to Guinea-Bissau's presidential candidate Fernando Dias da Costa, just days after a coup disrupted the announcement of the country's election results.

**  And Nigeria's defence Minister resigns amid security crisis and kidnapping cases rise in the country

** Liberia has welcomed Congolese surgeons to bolster national healthcare

** Ghana has joined in, in moving into nuclear energy as the country builds its first Nuclear plant

Now we look at some of the stories making headlines in the West Africa region and we speak to Political Scientist and Conflict resolution analyst, Dr David Matsanga
 TALKING POINTS
** Nigeria has granted asylum to Guinea-Bissau's presidential candidate Fernando Dias da Costa, just days after a coup disrupted the announcement of the country's election results.
** &nbsp;And Nigeria's defence Minister resigns amid security crisis and kidnapping cases rise in the country
** Liberia has welcomed Congolese surgeons to bolster national healthcare
** Ghana has joined in, in moving into nuclear energy as the country builds its first Nuclear plant

 West Africa wrap with Political Scientist and Conflict resolution analyst, Dr David Matsanga

President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Maputo for the 4th South Africa-Mozambique Bi-National Commission, a platform aimed at strengthening political, economic, and security cooperation between the two neighbours.

Over the next two days, the President will hold bilateral talks, address the opening session of the BNC, and later officiate at the launch of a major Sasol energy project in Inhambane.

To help us unpack the significance of this visit and what South Africa hopes to achieve, is the President's Spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Maputo for the 4th South Africa-Mozambique Bi-National Commission, a platform aimed at strengthening political, economic, and security cooperation between the two neighbours.
Over the next two days, the President will hold bilateral talks, address the opening session of the BNC, and later officiate at the launch of a major Sasol energy project in Inhambane.
To help us unpack the significance of this visit and what South Africa hopes to achieve, is the President's Spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya.

SA, Mozambique relations in focus as Ramaphosa visits Maputo

In northern Mozambique, escalating conflict has forced tens of thousands to flee, leaving host communities and humanitarian agencies under severe strain. Many families lack basic food, water, and shelter, while insecurity hampers aid delivery.

UNHCR warns that $38.2 million will be needed in 2026 to support displaced families and overstretched communities.

 Joining Asanda Beda this morning is Isadora Zoni, Communication Officer at UNHCR Mozambique, to discuss the latest situation

In northern Mozambique, escalating conflict has forced tens of thousands to flee, leaving host communities and humanitarian agencies under severe strain. Many families lack basic food, water, and shelter, while insecurity hampers aid delivery.
UNHCR warns that $38.2 million will be needed in 2026 to support displaced families and overstretched communities.
&nbsp;Joining Asanda Beda this morning is Isadora Zoni, Communication Officer at UNHCR Mozambique, to discuss the latest situation

Humanitarian crisis worsens as conflict displaces families in northern Mozambique

Suspended South African Police Minister Senzo Mchunu testified at the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday amid serious corruption allegations.

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has accused Mchunu of unlawfully disbanding the National Political Killings Task Team and suggested he may have links to criminal syndicates, including Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, who is facing attempted murder charges.


For more on this we are joined by political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe.

Suspended South African Police Minister Senzo Mchunu testified at the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday amid serious corruption allegations.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has accused Mchunu of unlawfully disbanding the National Political Killings Task Team and suggested he may have links to criminal syndicates, including Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, who is facing attempted murder charges.
 For more on this we are joined by political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe.

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