THE MORNING BRIEF

Yesterday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to ease the long-running trade war that has unsettled global markets. the two leaders announced a series of measures to reduce tariffs, stabilise critical supply chains, and restart agricultural and energy trade between the world’s two largest economies. Guest: Prof David Monyae is the Director for the Centre for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg

South African innovator and entrepreneur Gift Lubele has made history by releasing the country’s first AI-generated amapiano album, a groundbreaking project merging technology, creativity and African rhythm. Guest: Gift Lubele : Creator of South Africa’s First AI Amapiano Album

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Dischem moves ahead with its store expansion plan 2. Walmart to open first branded store in SA at Clearwater mall 3. Markets

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 31 October 2025 1. Tanzania – Kenya Tanzania’s post-electoral unrest isn’t confined to the country. It’s now spilling over into neighbouring Kenya. The town of Namanga is divided by the Tanzania-Kenya border. Tanzanian protesters fled into Kenya to avoid confrontations with police, but officers then threw tear gas canisters over the border. Sudan – UN- AU – South Afrika The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire in al-Fashir, the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur region. Addressing the Security Council yesterday, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, said the conflict has deteriorated even further since her last briefing. France – Afrika Several African leaders attend annual Paris Peace Forum in French capital under the theme “New Coalitions for Peace, People and the Planet" Several African leaders are among those in the city to take part in the two-day 8th annual Paris Peace Forum. This includes Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé, Ghana’s John Dramani Mahama, Joseph Boakai of Liberia, and Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo. USA- Nigeria Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka said the US revoked his visa and banned him from the country. The 91-year-old author, who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1986, said the US consulate asked him to bring in his passport so his visa could be cancelled in person as new unspecified information had come to light. In our historical archives, it was on this day 31 October 1949 when a Political activist, Teacher, Bank teller, Law lecturer, TRC Commissioner, Judge and Senior counsel Dumisa Buhle Ntsebeza was born in Cala, Eastern Cape.

Stockouts of essential medicines in South Africa continue to cost lives, threatening progress in the fight against tuberculosis (TB). To strengthen the country’s TB response, the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) has called for secure medical supply chains and local manufacturing capacity to guarantee uninterrupted access to quality medicines and diagnostics. Guest: Mr Russel Rensburg: Project Director: TB Accountability Consortium

What is the state of boxing in SA? Guest: Joyce Kungwane: Founder and owner of TLB Boxing Promotions

What inspired Umhlobo Wenene FM to collaborate with MaXhosa Africa for the Impolo Yabahlobo Lounge at Berlin November and what experience can guests expect? Guest: Loyiso Bala: Umhlobo Wenene Business Manager

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Adcorp’s earnings almost double 2. Gold demand soars in Q33. Markets

The ANC in Johannesburg stands by the City of Johannesburg as the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) and COJ are headed to the high court in a legal battle over the metro’s ongoing removal of informal traders from parts of the inner city. Guest: Masilo Serekele: ANC Greater Johannesburg Spokesperson

On Saturday 1 November, civil society organisations, community representatives, and residents of Johannesburg will be gathering in protest at the Johannesburg Council Chambers over the water crisis in the region. Guest: Belinda Belseck: Founding Director of Professionals and Business for Change

Today, the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa is in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg for a case against the City of Johannesburg in a legal battle over the metro’s ongoing clean-up campaign removal of informal traders from parts of the inner city Guest: Nkosinathi Sithole: Director of litigation at the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI)

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter President Trump and Xl agree on trade truce 2. Apple eyes further growth, spurred by iPhone sales3. Markets

A wave of violence swept across several Cape Flats communities over the weekend, leaving at least 22 people dead and 16 critically injured. The bloodshed, which spanned multiple neighbourhoods between Friday and Sunday, has prompted renewed calls for drastic government intervention to stem escalating gang warfare. Guest: Geordin Hill-Lewis: Executive Mayor of the Cape Town

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Dean Macpherson, yesterday presented plans to recover delayed construction projects and restore accountability within the public infrastructure sector. Guest: Dean Macpherson: Public Works and Infrastructure Minister

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Angola eyes Anglos majority stake in De Beers 2. Barloworld buyout plan is under Moody’s review3. Markets

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Ramaphosa is optimistic about US trade deal as talks continue 2. A report reveals young South Africans are gambling away 41% of their income3. Markets

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has spent nearly R1 million to vet 9,900 student teachers against the National Register of Sex Offenders (NRSO), marking a major step toward protecting learners and ensuring safer school environments. Guest: Lukhanyo Vangqa: Department Of Basic Education Media liaison Officer

Patrick Ngassa Piotie, chairperson of the Diabetes Alliance SA, calls for urgent collaboration across sectors to make modern, effective diabetes care accessible to everyone. Guest: Patrick Ngassa Piotie: Chairperson of the Diabetes Alliance SA

ActionSA’s proposed Constitutional Amendment to abolish the position of Deputy Ministers was once again validated by the shocking testimony delivered before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee yesterday by one of the two Deputy Ministers of Police, Cassel Mathale MP. Guest: Athol Trollip: ActionSA Parliamentary Caucus Leader

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Fed cuts rates again 2. Big tech companies up their AI spend 3. Markets