THE MORNING BRIEF

Johannesburg is set to host the 6th PASA International Payments Conference (PIPC 2025) from 16–17 October at the Sandton Convention Centre. With more than 780 delegates and over 70 expert speakers from around the world, the event will be a central platform for dialogue on the future of payments, innovation, and financial inclusion in South Africa and beyond. Guest: Dr Arif Ismail: Head of National Payment System Department, South African Reserve Bank (SARB)

In a sobering divergence from global health trends, South Africa’s life expectancy in 2023 was lower than it was over three decades ago, despite major gains in the fight against HIV/Aids. This reversal highlights the growing threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as stroke and diabetes, which are now among the country’s leading causes of death. Guest: Charles Wiysonge: study principal collaborator & extraordinary professor of global health at Stellenbosch

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Guest: Oshebeng Alpheus Koonyaditse: Author Politics of South African Football and Broadcaster

Gauteng’s schools are facing a growing crisis as months of unpaid invoices from the Department of Education have left critical services like school security and meal provision in disarray. Service providers have begun withdrawing their personnel, raising serious concerns about the safety and well-being of learners and educators in the province. Guest: Steve Mabona - Spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Education

The suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya appeared before Parliament’s ad hoc committee on police corruption to respond to allegations implicating him in the controversial disbandment of a task team investigating political killings. Guest: Prof. Kholofelo Rakubu: Criminologist from Tshwane University of Technology

South Africa has marked a major milestone in its commitment to disaster preparedness and climate resilience with the official launch of its Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Roadmap. Guest: Velenkosini Hlabisa: Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

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Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 1. France - Madagascar- Antananarivo Madagascar's president Andry Rajoelina has been evacuated from the country by a French military plane as protests and a military mutiny threaten to topple his government, RFI has confirmed and the AU Peace and Security and Council will dispatch the envoy and team of mediators. 2. Kenya – Nairobi Man 'Sent By Satan' Spears Ruto Guard to Death Outside State House A General Service Unit (GSU) officer guarding State House, Nairobi, was killed in a shocking spear attack outside Gate D, prompting a brief security lockdown as President William Ruto was inside the compound yesterday 3. Tanzania – Dar es Salaam As Tanzania decides in 15 days, Electoral Commission Announces Major Changes Ahead of Tanzania’s 2025 Election The move, which follows government-led administrative boundary adjustments, has resulted in the disqualification of seven councillor candidates from the ruling CCM. In our historical archives, it was on this day 14 October 1999 when the first president and father of Tanzanian independence Julius Mwalimu Nyerere died of leukaemia aged 77 in London. Nyerere became a symbol of the struggle against colonialism in Tanzania and to other African countries including South Africa.

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The establishment of a new oversight committee by the CRL Rights Commission to promote accountability in religious institutions has sparked a fierce national debate in South Africa, with church leaders saying that the committee is a threat to religious autonomy Guest: Mpiyakhe Mkholo: Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious, and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission)

France is grappling with its worst political crisis in decades as President Emmanuel Macron’s latest government faces no-confidence motions from both the hard left and far right. Guest: Everisto Benyera: Professor of African Politics at Department of Political Sciences, UNISA

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Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has condemned the recent violent unrest at the University of Fort Hare as "criminal" and not legitimate protest action. Guest: Buti Manamela: Minister of Higher Education and Training

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba will visit the accident scene of the fatal N1 bus accident that claimed 42 lives. The tragic bus accident happened on the N1north near Louis Trichardt, in a mountainous section of the road. Guest: Ndavhe Ramakuela - Limpopo Provincial Government Spokesperson

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) is facing a deepening financial crisis, with months of unpaid invoices to security and school nutrition service providers threatening the safety and well-being of thousands of learners across the province. Guest: Lisa Sukdev: spokesperson for affected bidders

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has disclosed that former PRASA CEO and current Member of Parliament, Lucky Montana, offered R5.4 million as a settlement against a tax debt of over R55 million. Guest: Professor Keith Engel : Ceo of SA Institute Of Tax

An application by the South African Human Rights Commission for an interdict against Operation Dudula and the March and March, has been struck off the roll with costs in the Durban High Court due to a lack of urgency. Guest: Zandile Dabula: President of Operation Dudula

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Author, Social Entrepreneur, Youth Activist, Michael Andisile Mayalo, argues that South Africa is home to over 400 registered political parties – a staggering number for a country of just over 60 million people, with few entrepreneurs, too many political parties Guest: Michael Andisile Mayalo - Author, Social Entrepreneur, Youth Activist