As South Africa digests for the 2026 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, organised labour is looking for answers on government’s spending priorities, austerity measures and relief for struggling workers. SAFTU has also raised concerns over the failure of the promised 10 000 labour inspectors to materialise, as workers continue to face workplace challenges. 

Guest: Zwelinzima Vavi, General Secretary of SAFTU 

As South Africa digests for the 2026 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, organised labour is looking for answers on government&rsquo;s spending priorities, austerity measures and relief for struggling workers. SAFTU has also raised concerns over the failure of the promised 10 000 labour inspectors to materialise, as workers continue to face workplace challenges.&nbsp;
Guest: Zwelinzima Vavi, General Secretary of SAFTU&nbsp;

The National Briefing

As South Africa digests for the 2026 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, organised labour is looking for answers on government’s spending priorities, austerity measures and relief for struggling workers. SAFTU has also raised concerns over the failure of the promised 10 000 labour inspectors to materialise, as workers continue to face workplace challenges. 

A bomb threat involving FlySafair flight FA388 prompted an emergency security response at King Phalo International Airport in East London on Wednesday. Airports Company South Africa says all passengers and crew were safe, and the incident was stood down after security checks found no further risk.

Guest: Guy Leitch - Aviation analyst 

Guest: Willem Els - Security expert and Senior Training Coordinator at the Institute of Security Studies 

A bomb threat involving FlySafair flight FA388 prompted an emergency security response at King Phalo International Airport in East London on Wednesday. Airports Company South Africa says all passengers and crew were safe, and the incident was stood down after security checks found no further risk.
Guest: Guy Leitch - Aviation analyst&nbsp;
Guest: Willem Els - Security expert and Senior Training Coordinator at the Institute of Security Studies&nbsp;

A bomb threat involving FlySafair flight FA388 prompted an emergency security response at King Phalo International Airport in East London on Wednesday. Airports Company South Africa says all passengers and crew were safe, and the incident was stood down after security checks found no further risk.

South Afrika -SADC Virtual Extraordinary Summit

The closing remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Virtual Extraordinary SADC Summit yesterday focused priorities agreed at the 46th Ordinary Summit, our efforts must deliver tangible improvements in the lives of our people: greater security, stronger regional production, employment opportunities and shared prosperity.

We congratulate the newly appointed Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration. This role within the Secretariat is vital as we proceed with greater determination and purpose to build a Southern African economy that draws together the comparative strengths of all Member States.

We congratulate the Incoming Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. (Lesotho)
 Senegal – Dakar

Senegalese workers protest rising living costs ahead of three-day general strike.

Around 150 people marched in Dakar at the call of trade union federations, demanding that authorities implement previously reached agreements and address workers’ financial concerns.
 Zambia – Lusaka

Treason Drama in Lusaka High Court begins post electoral dispute of August 2026

For the first time since 27 August 2026, opposition leader hon. Brian Mundubile (55), his deputy Makebi Zulu (44), and 16 co accused detainees finally stood before a corte of three High Court judges — Justice Derrick Mulenga, Justice Ireen Tilisa Wishimanga, and Justice Davies Chibwili.

Sikota SC insisted the case is straightforward: “Our clients were arrested and held for more than 50 days instead of 48 hours. They must be set free. Treason is not a charge you investigate after arrest.”

This is not unprecedented. Zambia’s jurisprudence recalls cases where lawyers and activists were detained for weeks until bail was granted on grounds of unconstitutional detention.

Blink, and you miss it. Res ipsa loquitur — ‘the thing speaks for itself’.

4.In our historical archives, it was on this day 22 October 1936 when a well-known political activist and academic, Dr. Neville Alexander was born in Cradock, Eastern Cape.

In 1963, Alexander was arrested along with other members of the NLF and was imprisoned on Robben Island for 10 years. Upon his release, he did extensive work on language policy and planning in South Africa.

He is the recipient of the Lingua Pax Prize for his contribution to the promotion of multilingualism in post-apartheid South Africa. Alexander passed away on 27 August 2012 in Cape Town.

 

06:51 More than 300 people have reportedly been killed in military drone strikes across Sudan and the disputed Abyei region, including attacks on a funeral procession and a busy fuel market. The strikes have heightened tensions between Sudan and South Sudan, while the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen. What do these attacks tell us about the direction of Sudan’s civil war and the risks for regional stability? 

 

Guest: Polit Go’Waar, an advocate and researcher on South Sudan and Sudan

South Afrika -SADC Virtual Extraordinary Summit
The closing remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Virtual Extraordinary SADC Summit yesterday focused priorities agreed at the 46th Ordinary Summit, our efforts must deliver tangible improvements in the lives of our people: greater security, stronger regional production, employment opportunities and shared prosperity.
We congratulate the newly appointed Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration. This role within the Secretariat is vital as we proceed with greater determination and purpose to build a Southern African economy that draws together the comparative strengths of all Member States.
We congratulate the Incoming Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. (Lesotho)
<ol>
<li> Senegal &ndash; Dakar</li>
</ol>
Senegalese workers protest rising living costs ahead of three-day general strike.
Around 150 people marched in Dakar at the call of trade union federations, demanding that authorities implement previously reached agreements and address workers&rsquo; financial concerns.
<ol>
<li> Zambia &ndash; Lusaka</li>
</ol>
Treason Drama in Lusaka High Court begins post electoral dispute of August 2026
For the first time since 27 August 2026, opposition leader hon. Brian Mundubile (55), his deputy Makebi Zulu (44), and 16 co accused detainees finally stood before a corte of three High Court judges &mdash; Justice Derrick Mulenga, Justice Ireen Tilisa Wishimanga, and Justice Davies Chibwili.
Sikota SC insisted the case is straightforward: &ldquo;Our clients were arrested and held for more than 50 days instead of 48 hours. They must be set free. Treason is not a charge you investigate after arrest.&rdquo;
This is not unprecedented. Zambia&rsquo;s jurisprudence recalls cases where lawyers and activists were detained for weeks until bail was granted on grounds of unconstitutional detention.
Blink, and you miss it. Res ipsa loquitur &mdash; &lsquo;the thing speaks for itself&rsquo;.
4.In our historical archives, it was on this day 22 October 1936 when a well-known political activist and academic, Dr. Neville Alexander was born in Cradock, Eastern Cape.
In 1963, Alexander was arrested along with other members of the NLF and was imprisoned on Robben Island for 10 years. Upon his release, he did extensive work on language policy and planning in South Africa.
He is the recipient of the Lingua Pax Prize for his contribution to the promotion of multilingualism in post-apartheid South Africa. Alexander passed away on 27 August 2012 in Cape Town.
&nbsp;
06:51 More than 300 people have reportedly been killed in military drone strikes across Sudan and the disputed Abyei region, including attacks on a funeral procession and a busy fuel market. The strikes have heightened tensions between Sudan and South Sudan, while the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen. What do these attacks tell us about the direction of Sudan&rsquo;s civil war and the risks for regional stability?&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Guest: Polit Go&rsquo;Waar, an advocate and researcher on South Sudan and Sudan

Africa in Focus with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa

The South African Human Rights Commission and Wits University have launched a new Water Rights Tracker to assess water service delivery across all 144 water services authorities in the country. The tracker comes amid reports that more than 400 people in the Bronkhorstspruit area have suffered gastrointestinal illness after drinking non-chlorinated water.

Guest:Henk Boschoff - Commissioner at the SA Human Rights Commission 

 

 

The South African Human Rights Commission and Wits University have launched a new Water Rights Tracker to assess water service delivery across all 144 water services authorities in the country. The tracker comes amid reports that more than 400 people in the Bronkhorstspruit area have suffered gastrointestinal illness after drinking non-chlorinated water.
Guest:Henk Boschoff - Commissioner at the SA Human Rights Commission&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

The South African Human Rights Commission and Wits University have launched a new Water Rights Tracker to assess water service delivery across all 144 water services authorities in the country.

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