The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has officially touched down in KwaZulu-Natal to begin critical groundwork ahead of the 2026 local government elections. Addressing Parliament’s Home Affairs Committee, the commission highlighted that the road to the polls is paved with significant logistical and administrative hurdles that must be addressed well in advance to ensure a smooth democratic process. Mondli Makhanya spoke to IEC Deputy CEO Masego Shiburi. 

 

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has officially touched down in KwaZulu-Natal to begin critical groundwork ahead of the 2026 local government elections. Addressing Parliament&rsquo;s Home Affairs Committee, the commission highlighted that the road to the polls is paved with significant logistical and administrative hurdles that must be addressed well in advance to ensure a smooth democratic process. Mondli Makhanya spoke to IEC Deputy CEO Masego Shiburi. 
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POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show that 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. The host 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 that 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. The host also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners make sense of their world.

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IEC notes significant looming challenges ahead of local government polls

Amnesty International South Africa has issued a firm call to the government, demanding tangible progress on the promises of dignity and equality first established during the transition to democracy in 1994. In a statement marking Freedom Day, the human rights organization reflected on the persistent service delivery failures that continue to plague the country’s most impoverished areas, noting that the vision of a truly free society remains unfulfilled for many. Mondli Makhanya with Genevieve Quintal Amnesty International SA.

Amnesty International South Africa has issued a firm call to the government, demanding tangible progress on the promises of dignity and equality first established during the transition to democracy in 1994. In a statement marking Freedom Day, the human rights organization reflected on the persistent service delivery failures that continue to plague the country&rsquo;s most impoverished areas, noting that the vision of a truly free society remains unfulfilled for many. Mondli Makhanya with Genevieve Quintal Amnesty International SA.

Amnesty SA wants government to deliver on 1994 promise of dignity, and equality for all

In an ironic turn of events, the Draft National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy for South Africa was formally withdrawn on Sunday, April 26, 2026, by the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi.  The withdrawal followed a scandal involving what has been termed a "fictitious AI policy framework," where it was discovered that the document cited academic sources and journal articles that do not exist. Mondli Makhanya spoke to Prof Stella Bvuma, Director of the School of Consumer Intelligence and Information Systems at UJ.

In an ironic turn of events, the Draft National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy for South Africa was formally withdrawn on Sunday, April 26, 2026, by the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi.&nbsp; The withdrawal followed a scandal involving what has been termed a "fictitious AI policy framework," where it was discovered that the document cited academic sources and journal articles that do not exist.&nbsp;Mondli Makhanya spoke to Prof Stella Bvuma, Director of the School of Consumer Intelligence and Information Systems at UJ.

Response to fictitious AI Policy frame work

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) has officially began exploring the integration of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) into the national power grid. By issuing a formal Expression of Interest (EOI), Necsa is inviting private sector players to provide critical data on the technical specifications and logistical feasibility of deploying these portable units locally. This move signals a strategic shift toward diversifying South Africa’s energy mix with flexible, next-generation nuclear technology. Mondli Makhanya spoke to Professor Vally Padayachee, power and energy expert and a former executive manager of Eskom and a former senior executive of City Power Jhb.

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The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) has officially began exploring the integration of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) into the national power grid. By issuing a formal Expression of Interest (EOI), Necsa is inviting private sector players to provide critical data on the technical specifications and logistical feasibility of deploying these portable units locally. This move signals a strategic shift toward diversifying South Africa&rsquo;s energy mix with flexible, next-generation nuclear technology. Mondli Makhanya spoke to Professor Vally Padayachee, power and energy expert and a former executive manager of Eskom and a former senior executive of City Power Jhb.
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IEC notes significant looming challenges ahead of local government polls

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