The National Briefing

Built in Mzansi: Thulani Khumalo - Founder of Technical Plumbing Solutions (TPS) has developed a technology solution to detect and report sewage blockages and missing manhole covers. Guest: Thulani Khumalo - Founder of Technical Plumbing Solutions (TPS)

Road Rage incident in Emmarentia puts gun legislation under spotlight Guest: Dr. Sheetal Bhoola, senior lecturer at the University of Zululand and director of StellarMaths Durban

The Public Servants Association says government has lost over R1 billion in the past five years due to prolonged suspensions that drag on without resolution. The union warns this isn’t just about money, it’s weakening accountability, straining essential services, and eroding public trust, as calls grow for urgent reform within government departments. = Guest: Reuben Maleka - Public Servants Association General Manager

How did Edward Kieswetter turn around the South African Revenue Services? Guest: Edward Kieswetter - outgoing Commissioner of the South African Revenue Services

The Reality Check: What have we done well and what can we scale up to catalyse progress on the transformative promises we made to ourselves regarding healing the divisions of the past and establishing a new society that is based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights Guest: Prof. Thuli Madonsela - Director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in the Faculty of Law at Stellenbosch University

President Ramaphosa suspends National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and appoints Major General Puleng Dimpane as acting police commissioner Guest: Firoz Cachalia - Acting Police Minister

As protests intensify in Durban’s CBD and authorities vow a month-long crackdown, fears are growing that tensions could spiral into wider unrest. At the same time, civil society groups are pushing back—uniting to call for jobs, dialogue and an end to violence against foreign nationals. Guest: Thamsanqa Ntuli - KwaZulu-Natal Premier

Africa in Focus with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 24 April 2026 1. United Nations – Senegal/ Afrika Senegal's former president, Macky Sall, urged peace and diplomacy during his bid to succeed United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Macky Sall, one of the candidates for the top UN job, spoke to reporters after an informal dialogue this week. Sall was endorsed by Burundi, but neither Senegal nor the African Union is backing his candidacy. 2. South Afrika – Zambia A South African high court has blocked the repatriation of the remains of former Zambian president Edgar Lungu, halting fresh plans for a state funeral and deepening a dispute that has dragged on for nearly 10 months. It marks the latest setback for President Hakainde Hichilema's government, which wants him buried in Zambia, against the family's preference for South Africa, where he died in hospital on June 5. 3. South Afrika – SADC The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, will deliver the closing remarks at the three-day High-Level Inter-Departmental SADC Workshop hosted by DIRCO today. The workshop aims to develop a strategy and identify priorities for South Africa’s SADC Chairship. 4. Tanzania – Dar es Salaam Tanzania poll violence claimed 518 lives: government enquiry Violence around Tanzania’s October general election left 518 people dead, a government-appointed commission said Thursday — a figure far below opposition estimates of thousands killed. “The total number of deaths resulting from the general elections was 518, of whom 490 were male,” said commission chairman Mohamed Chande Othman. He added that 21 children and 16 security officers were among the dead, and more than 2,000 people were injured. 5. In our historical archives, it was on this day, 24 April 1993, when the former President of the African National Congress (ANC), Oliver “OR” Tambo, died in Gauteng after a long battle with illness. Tambo was born in the village of Bizana in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. He was the first black person to open a law firm in the country with Nelson Mandela.

The Global Brief: John C. Phelan’s departure from the US Navy signals fractures in American defence leadership during an active crisis. Russia’s possible return to the G20 highlights the growing ambiguity of global alliances. Meanwhile, the Strait of Malacca—now under sharper focus as pressure mounts on the Strait of Hormuz—underscores how exposed global trade routes have become. Guest: Dr Joan Swart - Researcher in Military Science at the University of Stellenbosch

Good Work Foundation is passionate about closing the digital divide through building a holistic learning environment for learners and school leavers in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga. The organization has also worked in partnership with universities to upskill their staff and the broader community to become facilitators. Guest: Gemma Thompson - Head of Development at the Good Work Foundation

The residents of Ward 126 (Randpark Ridge and Weltevreden Park and surrounding areas), are voicing their collective outrage and exhaustion over the deliberate and sustained collapse of electricity supply that plunges thousands of households into darkness for days on end, recurring every week. What began as a national load-shedding crisis has now mutated into a local man-made disaster of gross negligence, maladministration and alleged corruption at the highest levels, with no end in sight Guest: Dorothy “Dot” Marx - Chairperson of Willow Tree Retirement Village.

Guest: Ronnie Kasrils - Former Minister of State Security of South Africa

Ratepayers associations under the Msunduzi Municipality are objecting to a tariff hike for the 2026/27 financial year, sighting poor service delivery. The municipality is proposing a 9.26% electricity hike, 13% for water, 1.2% for rates, 3.70 for waste removal and 13% for sanitation. The Msunduzi Association of Residents, Ratepayers and Civics say that the municipality is in financial crisis. Why should residents pay more? Guest: Councillor Mzimkhulu Thebolla - Mayor Msunduzi Local Municipality Guest: Anthony Waldhausen - CEO of the Msunduzi Association of Residents, Ratepayers and Civics Guest: Ross Strachan - DA Caucus leader at the Msunduzi Municipality and sits on the Finance Committee

The Reality Check: Do commissions of inquiries make a difference? Guest: Prof. Thuli Madonsela - Director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in the Faculty of Law at Stellenbosch University

The South African Communist Party will today have a media briefing on latest developments on elections and the question of dual membership, on the other hand, the ANC will also brief the media on the communique of special NEC following SACP resolution Guest: Samkele Maseko - SABC Politics Reporter

Major South African retailers Pick n Pay, Pepkor and The Foschini Group are taking action against suppliers linked to a sweatshop in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. The investigation of the sweatshop uncovered workers enduring long hours, poor pay and unsafe condition raising fresh concerns about labour abuses and accountability in the country’s clothing supply chain. Guest: Fachmy Abrahams - National Collective Bargaining Officer at the South African Clothing & Textile Workers Union

23 April 2026 1. Tanzania- Dar es Salaam Election Commission to Submit Inquiry Report Today THE Independent Commission of Inquiry into the breach of peace during and in the days following the October 2025 General Election is expected to present its report to President Samia Suluhu Hassan tomorrow, after collecting evidence from more than 63,000 people. Speaking at a press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Commission's Chairperson, retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, said the report is intended to pave the way for national healing and reconciliation. 2. Russia- Seychelles Putin hosts Seychelles president at the Kremlin Russian President Vladimir Putin met Seychelles President Patrick Herminie at the Kremlin on Wednesday for talks focused on bilateral ties and international issues. Putin said trade and economic relations between the two countries remain limited, but several noted that there is significant room for closer cooperation. He also thanked Seychelles for supporting several Russian initiatives at the United Nations. 3. Lesotho- South Afrika South Africa and Lesotho launched the Senqu Bridge The inauguration of the bridge represents a landmark achievement under Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) and stands as a testament to the enduring partnership and close cooperation between the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa. The LHWP is a multi-phased, binational infrastructure initiative established under the 1986 Treaty between the two countries and the Phase II Agreement concluded in 2011. The project is a flagship example of bilateral cooperation, contributing significantly to regional water security and economic development.

Market Brief with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Strong US earnings overshadow geopolitical risks (US companies profits for Q1 have been topping expectations leading to markets trading near record highs) 2. Memory chip company, SK Hynix continues to benefit from AI boom3. Market update

The Global Brief: Cuba has confirmed that it held rare talks with the United States to ease its energy crisis. The delegation has accused Washington of committing acts of economic coercion by intimidating countries assisting Havana with tariffs. In Venezuela, opposition leader María Corina Machado warns that delays in declaring elections date and timeline could lead to political unrest. Guest: Prof. Siphamandla Zondi - Professor of Poltiics University of Johannesburg

Market Brief with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter The South African reserve bank flags stagflation risks 2. Business confidence takes a dip in March3. Market update