THE MORNING BRIEF

AfriForum has secured a court order halting a proposed out-of-court settlement between Eskom and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), which would have allowed Eskom to increase electricity tariffs by an additional R54 billion over three years. Guest: Morne Mostert: Head of Local Government Affairs at AfriForum

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Increased purchases of Indian and Chinese car brands gives CMH a boost 2. Competition commission gives the Cashbuild-Allbuildco deal the thumbs up3. Markets

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police has strongly criticized acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola for failing to attend a crucial committee meeting on Wednesday. Guest: Mr Ian Cameron: The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police

African penguins have now been listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species as scientists warn they could vanish from the wild by 2035. Guest: Pierre de Villiers: Senior Manager Marine and coasts at CapeNature

South Africa is set to receive R2 billion in funding over the next six months from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support and sustain its existing HIV and Aids programmes. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has also strongly defended South Africa’s public healthcare system amid growing criticism over specialist shortages and long waiting times. Guest: Aaron Motsoaledi: Health Minister Guest: Anele Yawa: General Secretary Treatment Action Campaign

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter 1. Retail sales growth moderates in August 2. DHL earmarks R6 billion to invest in Africa 3. Markets

City Power has expressed serious concern following a violent armed break-in at its Alexandra substation on October 10, in which two on-duty security officers were attacked. The incident comes amid growing challenges faced by the utility, including infrastructure vandalism, cable theft, and the dangers of illegal electricity connections. Guest: Isaac Mangena: City Power Spokesperson

After an oversight visit to several schools in the Free State province, the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education highlighted discriminatory hiring practices, language policy bias, decaying infrastructure, and severe staff shortages - all of which are undermining the quality of education, particularly for disadvantaged learners. Guest: Joy Maimela: Chairperson: Portfolio Committee on Basic Education

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 16 October 2025 1. Kenya- Nairobi Kenyans mourn the death of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo “Baba” “Hummer” Odinga Kenyans and its political leaders took to the streets of Nairobi on yesterday to mourn the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Odinga passed away after suffering a heart attack in India, where he was traveling. He was 80 years old. 2. Madagascar- Antananarivo Madagascar’s military coup leader Col Michael Randrianirina yesterday said that he is “taking the position of president” in an interview with the Associated Press at his barracks. 3. Ivory Coast- Abidjan Ivory Coast decides in Nine 9 days and who are the main challengers to President Ouattara? SIMONE GBAGBO Gbagbo, 76, was Ivory Coast's first lady during the tumultuous tenure of her then-husband Laurent Gbagbo, who led the country during a civil war between 2002 and 2007. JEAN-LOUIS BILLON Billon, 60, is representing the Democratic Congress, a new grouping of 18 parties and political movements. AHOUA DON MELLO A former protege of Laurent Gbagbo who served as his spokesperson during the 2010-11 election crisis, Don Mello is running this year as an independent. 4. In our historical archives, it was on this day 16 October 1985, when the longest trial in the history of SA, started in Delmas, east of Pretoria. ( Delmas Treason Trial), Twenty-two Transvaal United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders, including former premiers of the Free State and Northwest provinces, Mosiuoa "Terror" Lekota and Popo Molefe, were indicted for treason in June. All the accused pleaded not guilty.

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter 1. LVMH posts surprise rebound in Q3 2. AECI CEO unexpectedly steps down 3. Markets

Venezuela has announced the closure of its embassy in Norway, just days after Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Guest: Professor Lyall White: Faculty Member at GIBS

More than 50 magistrates from the Durban magisterial district took to the streets in a peaceful lunchtime picket on Monday, protesting poor salaries, lack of benefits, and longstanding inequities in the judiciary. Organised by the Judicial Officers’ Association of South Africa (JOASA), the protest highlighted deep frustration among magistrates, who say their calls for reform have been ignored for decades. Guest: Neelan Karikan: the president of The Judicial Officers’ Association of South Africa (JOASA)

Bafana Bafana has officially qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Guest: Nkululeko Nkewu: Co-founder of iDiski Media

Nearly 80% of township businesses in South Africa remain unregistered, limiting their access to finance, markets, and growth opportunities. This is one of the headline findings from Standard Bank’s first-ever Township Informal Economy Report, which casts a spotlight on one of the country’s most vital but underserved economic sectors. Guest: Naledzani Mosomane: Head of Enterprise and Supplier Development for Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank

Gauteng Health Department Head of Department (HOD) Lesiba Malotana has been suspended with immediate effect, following explosive revelations about a procurement syndicate operating within the province's health structures. Guest: Elijah Mhlanga - Spokesperson for the Gauteng Provincial Government

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Mining production slips in August 2. Higher costs weigh on Bytes’ earnings 3. Markets

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter 1. Moody’s pegs SA growth at 1.6% in 2026 2. Business confidence ticks higher in September 3. Markets

Academic activities have been halted at the main campus of the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein. This amid ongoing protests by students over the cancellation of provisional registration. Students mobilised from Sunday night to completely shut down the campus. Guest: Lacea Loader: Senior Director: Communication and Marketing, University of the Free State

The Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) has launched an awareness campaign to help consumers recognise scams. According to the SAFPS, the scam in question involves fraudulent phone calls, commonly referred to as “vishing”, where criminals manipulate unsuspecting individuals into divulging sensitive banking information or clicking on malicious links. Guest: Manie Van Schalkwyk: CEO, the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS)

An urgent legal challenge by Daily Maverick and News24 is pushing back against a decision by the Madlanga Commission to hold a full week of its hearings behind closed doors. Guest: Jillian Green: editor in chief, Daily Maverick