THE MORNING BRIEF

The Business Update with Ntaoleng Lechela

Residents near Johannesburg’s Bert Close Park in Roodepoort are demanding stronger enforcement after repeated incidents of public nudity, animal slaughter, and fires linked to religious and cultural rituals in local nature reserves. City officials say they respect cultural practices but must balance them with public safety, environmental protection, and community wellbeing. Guest: Phillip Mkhombo, North Conservation Specialist, Conservation Management Department at Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo

In a landmark ruling, the Constitutional Court has declared South Africa’s parental leave laws unconstitutional for unfairly burdening mothers and excluding fathers. Justice Zukisa Tshiqi said both parents should be entitled to share parental leave, calling the current system outdated and inconsistent with gender equality and family dignity. Guest: Dr. Dennis Matotoka – CEO: Commission for Gender Equality

The Foundation for Human Rights (FHR), along with families and survivors of apartheid-era crimes, has welcomed the Pretoria High Court’s dismissal of the government’s application to delay their landmark constitutional damages case against the state. The judgment paves the way for the long-awaited case to proceed, marking a crucial step toward truth, justice, and closure for victims after decades of state inaction. Guest: Sesethu Holomisa – Programme Officer for TRC for the TRC Programme at Foundation For Human Rights

Three national political parties — Build One South Africa (BOSA), GOOD, and Rise Mzansi — have joined forces to form a new political movement called Unite for Change, aimed at offering South Africans a united, values-based alternative ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. The alliance pledges ethical leadership, competent governance, and citizen-driven renewal across the country. Guest: Songezo Zibi – Leader of Rise Mzansi

Veteran journalist and media executive John Bailey has taken ownership of the Sunday World and Sunday Sun, marking a new era for the popular weekly publications. Bailey says his vision is to strengthen their editorial quality, broaden their reach, and ensure sustainability in South Africa’s evolving media landscape. Guest: John Bailey - Veteran journalist and media executive

The South African Medical Association (Sama) has suspended all ties with the Israeli Medical Association (IMA), citing Israel’s actions in Gaza and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Sama says the IMA has failed to condemn attacks on healthcare infrastructure and has joined global calls for accountability in the medical community. Guest: Dr Zanele Bikitsha – Vice Chairperson: South African Medical Association

Public Service and Commercial Union (PSCU) Secretary-General Maepa has accused South Africa’s banking sector of enabling large-scale corruption, saying financial institutions are complicit in laundering public funds stolen from hospitals, pension funds, and state entities. Writing in a scathing column, Maepa argues that without holding banks accountable, South Africa’s war on corruption will fail. Guest: Tahir Maepa - Public Service and Commercial Union (PSCU) Secretary-General

Hamas has formally responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed plan to end the war in Gaza, expressing conditional acceptance of key elements — including the release of hostages and the formation of a new Palestinian administration — while insisting on a complete Israeli withdrawal and the protection of Palestinian sovereignty. Guest: Thembisa Fakude - Senior Research Fellow, Africa Asia Dialogues

As South Africa prepares to host the prestigious G20 Summit, the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to face a far more urgent audience: his own people, through the media. Guest: Tshamano Makhadi: Deputy Chairperson, the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF)

As Breast Cancer Awareness is marked this October, health experts are raising red flags over an alarming trend: breast cancer is increasingly affecting younger, pre-menopausal women in South Africa. Guest: Dr Peter Schoub: Chair of the Breast Imaging Society of South Africa

The Energy Intensive Users Group (EIUG) has issued a stark warning that continued uncertainty around South Africa’s electricity tariff trajectory poses a significant threat to industrial stability, economic growth, and investor confidence. Guest: Fanele Mondi: CEO Energy Intensive Users Group of The Energy Intensive Users Group (EIUG)

Plans by KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi to introduce a pension fund for approximately 300 amakhosi have sparked division within the province's Government of Provincial Unity (GPU). Guest: Thulasizwe Buthelezi: MEC, KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta)

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Naspers’ share split is in effect, shrinking its share price 2. JSE slaps Trustco with a fine3. Markets

In a stark and candid admission, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula revealed at a media briefing in Johannesburg that the African National Congress (ANC) has been infiltrated by criminal elements and even cartels. His remarks come in the wake of damning allegations presented at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry Guest: Dr Ongama Mtimka: Political Analyst

Police raids across Cape Town this week have intensified a high-stakes investigation into R1.6 billion in alleged corruption linked to City of Cape Town municipal contracts. Guest: Ndithini Thyido: The ANC in the Dullah Omar Region chairperson

South African taxpayers have footed the bill for over R546 million in compensation paid to foreign nationals through the Road Accident Fund (RAF) in the 2024/25 financial year. Guest: Alan Beesley: ActionSA MP

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 03 October 2025 1. Cameroon - Yaoundé As Cameroon decides in 9 days, what are the top issues for investors? Cameroon's voters will decide on October 12 whether to grant 92-year-old President Paul Biya, the world's oldest head of state, an extension of his four-decade rule. 2. Madagascar - Antananarivo Six countries encourage peaceful dialogue in Madagascar crisis. Anti-government protesters in Madagascar declared a "strategic withdrawal" on Thursday, pausing a week of youth-led demonstrations as international diplomats intensified calls for constructive dialogue to resolve a political crisis sparked by allegations of misgovernance and crippling utility outages. 3. Uganda- Kenya Kenyan activists reportedly abducted in Uganda while supporting Bobi Wine. Two Kenyan human rights activists, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, remain missing after what rights groups allege was an abduction in Kampala on 1 October 2025. Haiti – United Nations Security Council U.N. security council approves new gang suppression force for Haiti. As gangs tighten their grip on Port-au-Prince, the UN Security Council has approved a new international force to combat the violence. 5.In our historical archives, it was on this day 3 October 1935 when Italy invades Ethiopia, and the League of Nations was faced with another crucial test.

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Shein set to open first permanent physical store in France 2. Tesla reports record deliveries in Q33. Markets