The discovery of 11 women’s bodies in and around Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, has horrified South Africans. Then the last few days provided a stark reminder of the country's violent crime problem:  two separate mass shootings left 28 people dead, just days after 11 people were killed at a house in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province.

On this week’s episode, S’thembile Cele joins Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss her reporting on these latest incidents and whether a year after the South African government declared violence against women a national emergency there’s been any sign of any improvement, and how voters could send a message at next month’s municipal elections. 

For more stories from the region, subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter

The discovery of 11 women&rsquo;s bodies in and around Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, has horrified South Africans. Then the last few days provided a stark reminder of the country's violent crime problem:&nbsp; two separate mass shootings left 28 people dead, just days after 11 people were killed at a house in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province.
On this week&rsquo;s episode, S&rsquo;thembile Cele joins Jennifer Zabasajja to discuss her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-26/runner-s-murder-in-south-africa-reignites-push-to-stop-femicide">reporting on these latest incidents </a>and whether a year after the South African government declared violence against women a national emergency there&rsquo;s been any sign of any improvement, and how voters could send a message at next month&rsquo;s municipal elections.&nbsp;
For more stories from the region, subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/next-africa">Next Africa newsletter</a>

Next Africa is a weekly podcast about where Africa is going and why it matters to everyone.

Each episode tells a story from the continent and follows it through real life, business, politics and culture. From electricity and climate to jobs, migration, technology, sport and music, the podcast looks at the forces shaping daily life and how those changes connect to the wider world.

The show covers challenges and breakthroughs side by side. It explains the impact of energy shortages and climate risk, but also the rise of new industries, creative economies and young entrepreneurs. Stories are reported on the ground and told with clarity, combining data, context and lived experience.

Hosted by Jennifer Zabasajja and built on original journalism from reporters on the ground, Next Africa puts local voices at the centre of the story, delivering clear, factual reporting without cliché or assumption.

Whether you live on the continent or want to better understand a region shaping the future, Next Africa offers insight, perspective and stories worth listening to.

Next Africa is a weekly podcast about where Africa is going and why it matters to everyone.
Each episode tells a story from the continent and follows it through real life, business, politics and culture. From electricity and climate to jobs, migration, technology, sport and music, the podcast looks at the forces shaping daily life and how those changes connect to the wider world.
The show covers challenges and breakthroughs side by side. It explains the impact of energy shortages and climate risk, but also the rise of new industries, creative economies and young entrepreneurs. Stories are reported on the ground and told with clarity, combining data, context and lived experience.
Hosted by Jennifer Zabasajja and built on original journalism from reporters on the ground, Next Africa puts local voices at the centre of the story, delivering clear, factual reporting without clich&eacute; or assumption.
Whether you live on the continent or want to better understand a region shaping the future, Next Africa offers insight, perspective and stories worth listening to.

Inside the stories shaping the world’s fastest-growing continent.

Next Africa

Why South Africa’s Fight Against Violent Crime Is Failing 

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