What is unfolding in political parties' coalition discussions?

Guest: Prince Mashele - Political Analyst

Reality Check with Dr Sandy Africa: Rethinking national security to address South Africa’s security and developmental challenges.

Guest: Dr Sandy Africa - Director of Research at Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection

The CRL Rights Commission’s Section 22 Committee consultations in Mpumalanga have concluded, amid tensions, heated exchanges and objections from church leaders over the proposed regulatory framework for the Christian sector. Some pastors have questioned the legitimacy and transparency of the process, including who represents the church and what authority the committee has to regulate religious institutions. The South African Church Defenders have called for religious freedom and greater accountability. 

Guest: Dr John Maloma, Chairperson of the Section 22 Ad Hoc Committee for the Christian Sector. 

Nearly 1.8 million calls to the SAPS 10111 emergency line were abandoned during the 2025/26 financial year, meaning almost one in five callers failed to get through. SAPS has attributed the problem to severe staff shortages, long waiting times and technological challenges. These figures raise serious concerns about whether South Africans can rely on the police when their lives are in danger.

Guest: Juanita du Preez, National Spokesperson of Action Society

There are now reports that the government has set aside R300-million for once-off gratuity payments to councillors who will not return to office following the 2026 local government elections. This is expected to be the final round of payments, with concerns raised about the sustainability of the practice and the decision to reallocate funds from municipal infrastructure budgets. Who qualifies, how much will former councillors receive, and why is this benefit being phased out?

Guest: Velenkosini Hlabisa, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).

South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is posing an increasing challenge beyond the livestock sector, with new cases reported among wildlife in several parts of the country. KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo have recorded the highest number of wildlife outbreaks, with infections identified in species including buffalo, roan antelope, sable and kudu. For the wildlife ranching industry, the concern is not only the spread of the disease, but also the potential impact on game farming, conservation, tourism and the livelihoods linked to the sector. 

Guest: Garth Saunders - Chairman of Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) and Buffalo Owners' Association of South Africa (BOASA)

South Africa’s private household sector has lost 87,000 jobs over the past year, with domestic workers bearing a significant share of the losses. According to the latest Stats SA figures, the number of employed domestic workers has dropped by 48,000, leaving around 800,000 still employed in the sector. What is driving these job losses, and what does this mean for workers already facing economic pressure? 

Guest: Thato Maleka, Secretary-General of the Progressive Domestic Workers Union of South Africa. 

The Global Briefing:  Scott Colom has emerged as the latest winner in the 2026 midterm elections.

Spain has been hit by its first general strike in 14 years, with around four million workers taking part in a nationwide protest over soaring housing costs and the rising cost of living. There are growing concerns about the health and treatment of Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister, Imran Khan…

Built in Mzansi: How AURA app was built as an emergency response app to protect South Africa's frontline healthcare workers from hijackings and attacks.

Guest: Jade Pfohl, Global Medical Supply Operations Manager, AURA app

Municipal Watch: what happens during the transition from old council to the new administration. As we come out of fresh local government elections, political parties are still in discussions over who they will be forming coalition governments with. What then happens in between? What happens to the projects that were run by the previous administration? What falls off and what is carried over by the new administration?

Guest: Dr Zweli Mkhize – Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, COGTA