ECR Newswatch Interviews
Hear the latest news soundbytes or interviews from KZN's No. 1 news team: East Coast Radio Newswatch. © East Coast Radio.
'It's absolutely frustrating': Newcastle resident on ongoing water disruptions
Hutton Heights resident Lorraine Saunders says ongoing water supply disruptions have made basic household tasks a daily struggle. The resident, who lives alone in a flat, has told Newswatch's Kubobonke Luthuli that she has to carry bottles of water up the stairs just to flush her toilet.
Microsoft's global Outlook outage: What South Africans need to know
Microsoft says efforts to repair a major Outlook outage are not going as expected, and that the company is seeking alternative solutions. Newswatch’s Tsakane Mhlongo has been speaking to analyst and technology commentator Arthur Goldstuck about the impact of the outage that is also affecting users in South Africa.
Missing Durban father Deven Naicker: Family plans trip to Thailand
The family of Durban father Deven Naicker who has gone missing in Thailand is planning to send relatives there to look for him. His nephew, Limahl Hurbans says his uncle was meant to take the trip with his late wife in 2021. Hurbans told Newswatch's Asa Gxigxa that Naicker's daughter…
Durban flooding: Motorists warned as heavy rain causes road closures and accidents
Heavy rainfall is causing flooding on several roads across Durban, with motorists warned to exercise extreme caution and avoid affected routes. Several routes have been declared no-go areas due to flooding. Motorists are urged to reduce their speed, maintain a safe following distance and never drive through deep water.
Friend recalls final moments after Eastern Cape shark attack
The friend of an Eastern Cape woman killed in a shark attack has described the moment he and other swimmers cradled her on the shore at Orient Beach. In an interview with Newswatch's Nushera Soodyal, Mike Loewe says experts confirmed that Janine Lochrenberg was attacked by a 3.5m great white…
Down syndrome: Moving beyond awareness to meaningful inclusion
Linda Davis, branch director of the Down Syndrome Association, discusses what Down syndrome is, challenges common misconceptions and explains the importance of inclusive education, employment opportunities and support for people with Down syndrome. She also shares how the association empowers young adults and why inclusion must go beyond awareness to…
‘She clung to me like a koala bear’: Man recalls helping stabbed Umhlali girl
Rocky Shaper, director of Sovereign Intervention, recounts how he rushed to help a six-year-old girl who had been stabbed three times at a school facility in Umhlali, comforting her while emergency responders arrived.
Fugitive winner grabs second chance after near miss 10 years ago
Bluff resident Chris Tomlinson says he went hunting for the East Coast Radio Fugitive 10 years ago but missed him in Amanzimtoti. He told Newswatch reporter, Aerusha Naidoo that this time, he and a friend planned their search for the the mystery man, and it paid off.
From Tough Times to R30K: Chatsworth Mum’s Fugitive Win Brings Back Her Smile
After a week of clues, chaos and a whole lot of searching, 35-year-old Ludfia Munsamy finally found the fugitive and walked away with R30,000. With her five-year-old daughter by her side and her husband cheering her on, the Chatsworth mom says the win came at just the right time after…
‘I had to stop to refill fuel’: R40k Fugitive winner says chase was worth it
East Coast Radio Fugitive winner Jacques “JP” Jacobs says he and his partner plan to use the prize money to free up their family’s finances over December and settle some debts, which would help them avoid unnecessary expenses over the festive season.
From lunch run to winning R54K: How she found the East Coast Radio Fugitive
How does a casual lunch run turn into a R54 000 payday? The latest East Coast Radio Fugitive winner takes us inside the moment she connected the clues, spotted the man she believed was the fugitive and chased after him, all while wondering if she had actually found the right…
‘I need answers’: Durban mother questions son’s death aboard MSC cruise ship
Nearly a year after Laeeq Adams died aboard the MSC Euribia, his Durban mother is demanding medical records and answers about his final hours.
‘Our search has not ended’: Family continues hunt for missing Durban woman in Nepal
Terricia Govender’s family spent two weeks searching hospitals, rescue camps and riverbanks in Nepal after she went missing during devastating floods. They are now seeking permission to continue the search on the Tibet-China side of the border.
Petty crimes force Verulam Hospice to divert funds to security
Petty criminals have hit Verulam Hospice three times in a single week. The hospice’s Shoshi Chetty told reporter Aerusha Naidoo that they now have to divert patient care funds towards security measures.
Forecaster unpacks KZN’s triple weather warning
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued three warnings for KwaZulu-Natal and has advised residents to take precautions ahead of very cold and wet conditions in the south-western parts on Thursday. The alerts include an Orange Level 6 warning for large parts of southern KZN. Newswatch’s Kubobonke Luthuli spoke…
'I carried her on my back’: Chef's heroic rescue during Greek restaurant fire
Local chef, Chef Ayakha Godlwana, has described the terrifying moments he risked his life to rescue an elderly woman trapped inside a burning building that housed a popular restaurant in central Durban. Delphi Greek Taverna caught alight late on Thursday afternoon, destroying what has been described as an institution in…
Aviation expert weighs in on Airlink flyover - ‘everybody must just calm down’
An aviation expert has weighed in on the passionately debated flyover over the weekend. Two passenger jets swept low over the DHL Stadium on Saturday, moments before the rugby match. Wouter Botes spoke to Newswath Senior Reporter, Nushera Soodyal…
Remembering Monkey Helpline founder Steve Smit
Steve Smit, the animal rights activist known as the "Monkey Man" and founder of Monkey Helpline, has died. Speaking to Newswatch's Lauren Hendricks, his partner Carol Booth remembers a man who never earned a salary in 20 years, dedicating his life instead to fundraising and rescuing injured wildlife.
Dr Kirthi Ramdhani hopes to inspire more women to pursue careers in medicine
Tongaat-born surgeon, Dr Kirthi Ramdhani says her greatest achievement isn't about making history, it's proving that women don't have to choose between their careers and having a family. She has been speaking to Newswatch's Lauren Hendricks ahead of Women's Day.
New AI-powered tool could help doctors detect life-threatening illness earlier
An AI-powered clinical risk prediction tool has been submitted to SAHPRA for approval to help doctors detect critical illness before symptoms appear in patients. Netcare's Professor Reitze Rodseth shas been speaking to Newswatch's Kubobonke Luthuli about the technology.