Local government remains the most visible and immediate face of the state, yet it is also the weakest sphere in terms of institutional capacity, governance stability and public confidence. At the start of 2026, a significant proportion of municipalities continue to operate under conditions of financial distress, governance failure or administrative paralysis. Despite a robust legislative framework that includes the Municipal Systems Act, the MFMA, and Section 139 intervention mechanisms, structural weaknesses persist.  Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with COGTA Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa. 

Local government remains the most visible and immediate face of the state, yet it is also the weakest sphere in terms of institutional capacity, governance stability and public confidence. At the start of 2026, a significant proportion of municipalities continue to operate under conditions of financial distress, governance failure or administrative paralysis. Despite a robust legislative framework that includes the Municipal Systems Act, the MFMA, and Section 139 intervention mechanisms, structural weaknesses persist.&nbsp; Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with COGTA Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa.&nbsp;

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show programme, hosted by Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. The show delves deeper into the news of the day along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day’s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. Ndlozi also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners make sense of their world.

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show programme, hosted by Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. The show delves deeper into the news of the day along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day&rsquo;s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. Ndlozi also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners make sense of their world.

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From Interventions to Impunity: The State of Local Government in 2026 

South Africa’s participation at the World Economic Forum in Davos has yielded a range of political, economic and strategic outcomes, particularly in shaping international perceptions and strengthening engagement with global investors and policymakers. While Davos is not typically a platform where formal agreements are signed, its value lies in agenda-setting, confidence-building and relationship-deepening — areas in which South Africa’s delegation focused its efforts. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with Dirco Spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri

South Africa&rsquo;s participation at the World Economic Forum in Davos has yielded a range of political,&nbsp;economic&nbsp;and strategic outcomes, particularly in shaping international&nbsp;perceptions&nbsp;and strengthening engagement with global investors and policymakers. While Davos is not typically a platform where formal agreements are signed, its value lies in agenda-setting,&nbsp;confidence-building&nbsp;and relationship-deepening &mdash; areas in which South Africa&rsquo;s delegation&nbsp;focused&nbsp;its efforts. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with Dirco Spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri

South Africa Positions Itself as Gateway to African Markets at WEF

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is considering ending the use of the prime rate, the long-standing benchmark interest rate that commercial banks use to price trillions of rands in loans to households and businesses. The move, supported by SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago, is aimed at improving transparency in lending and making it clearer to consumers how loan rates are determined. In an interview from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Kganyago stated, “We would like to have much more transparency, so that consumers know what is actually going on.”  Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with Economists, Redge Nkosi and Dr Azar Jammine. 

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is considering ending the use of the prime rate, the long-standing benchmark interest rate that commercial banks use to price trillions of rands in loans to households and businesses. The move, supported by SARB Governor Lesetja&nbsp;Kganyago, is aimed at improving transparency in lending and making it clearer to&nbsp;consumers&nbsp;how loan rates are&nbsp;determined. In an interview from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Kganyago stated, &ldquo;We would like to have much more transparency, so that consumers know what is actually going on.&rdquo;&nbsp; Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with Economists, Redge Nkosi and Dr Azar Jammine.&nbsp;

SARB Considers Ending Prime Rate to Improve Transparency for Borrowers

Pan Macmillan South Africa has announced the publication of Ndibhala Intando Yam, the first isiXhosa translation of Steve Biko’s iconic book I Write What I Like. The edition is set to arrive in bookstores across South Africa on 18 December 2025, deliberately timed to coincide with the anniversary of Steve Biko’s birth. Biko, a central figure in the anti-apartheid struggle and leader of the Black Consciousness Movement, remains a symbol of resistance, empowerment, and intellectual rigour in South Africa.  Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with Professor at the University of the Western Cape’s Faculty of Education, Professor Simphiwe Sesanti and lecturer in the Department of Historical Studies at the University of Cape Town, Dr Athambile Masola. 

Pan Macmillan South Africa has announced the publication of&nbsp;Ndibhala&nbsp;Intando&nbsp;Yam, the first isiXhosa translation of Steve Biko&rsquo;s iconic book&nbsp;I Write What I Like. The edition is set to arrive in bookstores across South Africa on 18 December 2025, deliberately timed to coincide with the anniversary of Steve Biko&rsquo;s birth. Biko, a central figure in the anti-apartheid struggle and leader of the Black Consciousness Movement, remains a symbol of resistance, empowerment, and intellectual rigour in South Africa.&nbsp; Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with Professor at the University of the Western Cape&rsquo;s Faculty of Education, Professor Simphiwe Sesanti and lecturer in the Department of Historical Studies at the University of Cape Town, Dr Athambile Masola.&nbsp;

From Interventions to Impunity: The State of Local Government in 2026

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