The National BriefingAfrica in Focus with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa
- South Afrika- SADC
SADC Strengthens Regional Preparedness for El Niño Impacts
The regional bloc opened its four-day 2026 Disaster Preparedness and Response Planning Workshop in Johannesburg this week, bringing together Member States and humanitarian partners to assess potential risks, improve contingency planning and ensure that early warnings translate into timely action.
Held under the theme: "From Forecast to Consequence: Anticipating the Cascading Impacts of El Niño 2026/27 in Southern Africa".
- United Nations – Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya
UN agencies appeal for help to protect weakest nations from super El Niño
The current event could be unprecedented in strength, literally off the monitoring charts that we have used for the past four decades, said Celeste Saulo, head of the UN's weather and climate agency.
UN agencies are appealing for help to boost resilience among the world’s most vulnerable communities already being impacted by the strongest El Niño on record.
It is due to peak in December, but the human impact of its associated extreme temperatures, floods and droughts is set to last into 2027 and beyond.
- Madagascar – Antananarivo
Madagascar pauses corruption cases relating to ex-president and officials
Madagascar’s Anti-Corruption Unit (PAC) said it had received complaints targeting several former officials, including ex-president Andry Rajoelina.
The proceedings have been suspended as it first must be determined whether the court has jurisdiction to hear the cases.
The Anti-Corruption Unit (PAC) said in a statement released that judicial proceedings relating to complaints filed by the Directorate of Legislation and Litigation (DLC) had been suspended.
- In our historical archives, it was on this day 23 October 1990 when the Lion of Azania, President of the Pan Afrikanist Congress of Azania, Uncle Zephania (Zeph) Mothopeng passed away at the age of 77.
Mothopeng was arrested in 1960 for his role in the anti-pass campaign and jailed for two years.
After his release Mothopeng was arrested again in 1963 and sentenced in May 1964 for furthering the aims of a banned organization. He served his sentence on Robben Island.
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Sonke Gender Justice is calling on the ANC to take action against its National Chairperson, Gwede Mantashe, following remarks about the alleged exchange of sexual favours for employment opportunities.
05:08
Residents of Bezuidenhout Valley in Johannesburg have been warned not to drink or use tap water following possible contamination linked to damage to a water pipeline during sewer repair work.
03:18
Johannesburg recorded more than 26,500 arrests for driving under the influence between 2023 and 2025, with arrests rising to nearly 9,900 last year. Data from the JMPD and AWARE.org partnership also shows that most recorded DUI arrests in 2025 occurred between 6 pm and midnight. As the organisations mark four years of collaboration, questions remain about enforcement, prosecution and whether public education is changing motorists’ behaviour.
06:50