Point of View with Phemelo Motene
Point of View with Phemelo Motene, delves into the day’s current affairs, touching on real issues and sharing expert advice on the audience questions between 8pm to 10pm Mondays to Thursdays.
Sassa calms fears over grants as Postbank court fight continues
Millions of South Africans can breathe a little easier after Sassa assured beneficiaries that grant payments will continue despite its escalating legal battle with Postbank. The Constitutional Court has ordered the bank to keep processing payments while the dispute over Sassa’s cancelled contract plays out in court. Concerns were raised…
Parliament grills IPID over classified Phala Phala report
Questions are mounting in Parliament over the controversial classification of IPID’s Phala Phala report, with Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia insisting there was no political interference from the ministry. The report, which probed how police handled the alleged theft of $580 000 from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm, found…
Book Feature: Milani’s Gift
What happens when a child with a beautiful talent is too afraid to share it with the world? Milani’s Gift tells the touching story of Milani, a shy young girl who loves singing quietly at home alongside the sounds of the morning rooster and birds in her father’s chicken coop…
ActionSA heads to police over ‘new’ Phala Phala claims targeting Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing renewed pressure as ActionSA prepares to lay criminal charges linked to the controversial Phala Phala farm saga. The party claims the amount stolen during the 2020 burglary may have been as high as R15 million, far more than previously reported and says this raises serious…
R80bn spent, but where are the commuters? SA’s struggling BRT systems spark outrage
South Africans are demanding answers after revelations that nearly R80 billion has been spent on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems over the past two decades, despite relatively low commuter uptake. The controversy gained momentum following concerns over near-empty Rea Vaya stations in Johannesburg, with critics questioning whether taxpayers are getting…
Johannesburg shelters stretched as winter cold drives more people indoors
As icy temperatures grip Johannesburg, homeless shelters are battling growing pressure with more vulnerable people seeking warmth and safety. NGOs say beds, blankets and resources are being stretched as demand rises across the city. Phemelo speaks to Homeless Programme leader at PEN, Katleho Ncaphe, about the harsh realities shelters face…
Teen pregnancy rates plunge in SA - but experts are puzzled by the sharp drop
A dramatic decline in teenage pregnancies across South Africa has left researchers both encouraged and searching for answers. A new study published in the South African Medical Journal found births among girls aged 10 to 19 dropped by 16% between 2021 and 2025, with pregnancies among girls aged 10 to…
Ramaphosa digs in: ‘I will not resign’ after ConCourt ruling
President Cyril Ramaphosa has made it clear - he has no plans to step down following the Constitutional Court’s explosive ruling on the handling of the Phala Phala scandal. In a brief address to the nation on Monday, Ramaphosa said nothing in the judgment compels him to resign and confirmed…
Music Feature: Celebrating the genius of Stevie Wonder
This week’s music feature shines the spotlight on legendary singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder. Musicologist Dr Sheldon Rocha Leal unpacks some of the icon’s timeless classics, including Sir Duke, Isn't She Lovely, Knocks Me Off My Feet and Another Star, exploring the artistry and influence behind the music.
What to Watch: Big screen drama and stage action this week
From gripping cinema releases to adrenaline-filled theatre productions, this week’s What to Watch has something for everyone. Leroy Marc reviews Animal Farm and Silent Friend, both now showing in cinemas, while Mortal Kombat brings high-energy action to the Market Theatre from 8 May 2026.
Joburg residents could pay 66% more before even opening a tap
Johannesburg households may soon face a massive hike in water charges, with the city proposing a 65.6% increase to its monthly water demand management levy from July 2026. The fee charged regardless of how much water residents use could jump from just over R65 to nearly R108 a month as…
Storm chaos shuts schools in parts of Western and Eastern Cape
Deadly weather conditions have forced schools across parts of the Western and Eastern Cape to close as authorities race to protect pupils and staff from severe flooding and snowfall. The South African Weather Service has issued Orange Level 8 warnings as a powerful cut-off low-pressure system batters the country, with…
‘I did not mislead Parliament’: Tolashe pushes back on vehicle controversy
Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe is standing her ground, rejecting claims that she misled Parliament over two luxury vehicles allegedly linked to the ANC Women’s League. Appearing before MPs, Tolashe addressed a string of governance concerns - from disputed appointments to food aid issues - but it’s the vehicle saga…
‘We are on track’: Steenhuisen unveils fast-track FMD vaccination plan
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen says South Africa is shifting gears in its fight against foot-and-mouth disease, rolling out a new fast-track vaccination scheme to help farmers protect their livestock. Speaking in Parliament, Steenhuisen announced a gazetted Routine Vaccination Scheme that allows farmers to take immediate action under veterinary supervision, instead…
‘SA is not xenophobic’: Ramaphosa hits back amid rising tensions
President Cyril Ramaphosa is pushing back against claims that South Africa is xenophobic, dismissing such labels as “lazy” as tensions over migration continue to simmer. The presidency says concerns about undocumented foreign nationals must be addressed without painting the country with a broad brush. The remarks come against a backdrop…
Joburg on the brink: Treasury warning sparks fears of financial collapse
South Africa’s economic powerhouse is teetering on the edge, with the National Treasury warning it may freeze billions in funding to the City of Johannesburg. A damning letter from Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana paints a picture of a city deep in crisis - owing over R25 billion but holding just…
Legal Matters: From construction falls to police bail rulings
This week on Legal Matters, Nthabiseng Dubazana unpacks a trio of key cases shaping the legal landscape - from a construction site injury and questions of contributory negligence to a defective truck dispute testing consumer protection laws. She also breaks down a significant Supreme Court of Appeal ruling on police…
Nigeria raises alarm over attacks on its citizens in South Africa
Tensions are simmering after Nigeria condemned attacks on its nationals in South Africa and announced plans to repatriate citizens who wish to return home. At least 130 people have already registered. Abuja has summoned South Africa’s acting High Commissioner, warning that rising xenophobic rhetoric and violence could strain diplomatic ties…
Book feature: ‘Thando Goes to the Sea’ sparks imagination
A new children’s book is capturing young imaginations with a journey of wonder and discovery. Thando Goes to the Sea by author Thandi Xaba follows a curious young boy whose magical window transforms everyday scenes into extraordinary adventures - from oceans to forests and beyond. With rich illustrations and a…
Green solution takes root to clean polluted Jukskei River
A new eco-innovation is offering hope for the heavily polluted Jukskei River. An EcoFilter system using indigenous plants has been installed near Victoria Yards to naturally clean contaminated water flowing from sewage leaks and urban runoff. The modular units act like a wetland, filtering toxins and improving water quality for…