Lotus FM News Break
#PODCAST 76-year-old local writer brings the wild west to life through his limited new novel "Gunfight at Gold Rush City" #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - A 76-year-old local writer is proving that it's never too late to chase your dreams. Pathamnaban Ramen, writing under the pseudonym - Nathan King, has brought the wild west to life in his new novel, Gunfight at Gold Rush City. Set during the 1852 American gold rush, the story is packed with suspense, gunfights and gripping twists in a booming frontier town. While the book is already written and independently published, Ramen is now seeking sponsorship to print and distribute it on a larger scale. He spoke to Newsbreak about the inspiration behind the story...
#PODCAST Projections for KwaZulu-Natal estimate a tourism spend of almost a billion rand over the Easter long weekend #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Tourism authorities in KwaZulu-Natal are projecting an estimated tourism spend of almost one-billion rand in the lead up to and over this Easter long weekend. The KZN Tourism and Film Authority say occupancy rates are higher than 2025 with over three-hundred and twelve-thousand domestic trips and almost fifty-eight thousand international visitors between the 30th of March and 5th of April. Deputy Chairperson of the Federation of Hospitality Association (FEDHASA) KZN & Eastern Cape, Mandy Massey says they noticed key trends such as shared accommodation and group travel as tourists look to more value driven stays....
#PODCAST Newsbreak Fishing Report - 03 April 2026 #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Cast away with this week's Newsbreak Fishing Report, brought to you by KZN angler Sanjay Ramsarup...
#PODCAST Phoenix residents encouraged to attend the 50th anniversary commemoration of the bus transport industry this weekend #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Residents will gather at the Sipho Sethu Grounds this Sunday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Phoenix bus transport industry. Since the township's founding in 1976, these privately-owned operators have served as a critical economic and social lifeline, sustaining the community for decades without state subsidies. Now an individual who knows this history well is author Zainul Aberdeen Dawood. He joins me in this interview, highlighting the unsung heroes of the road, explaining why their stories are so important...
#PODCAST SA activists demand immediate ceasefire in escalating Middle East conflict
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - South African activists are calling for the immediate end to the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran. The South African chapter of the Anti-Apartheid Movement says the conflict which has now spread widely into the Middle-East was unnecessary and unprovoked. The conflict has been going on for over a month, with no sign of a ceasefire agreement on either side. Anti-apartheid activist and chairperson of the South African chapter of the Movement, Reverend Frank Chikane says such violations of international law should not be tolerated and the global fraternity must stand together in ending the conflict....
#PODCAST The rarely used DND feature on smart phones can help silence mobile distractions at places of worship #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - Now you can concentrate on prayers at your place of worship without being distracted by your smart devices. This innovative automated (and existing) "Do Not Disturb" feature works on both IOS and Android devices through a simple process requiring access to your GPS location. The phone remains silent when you are in the prayer facility and automatically switches back when you leave. Durban cell phone franchise manager, Ebrahim Patel says the feature has kicked at the perfect time - ahead of an auspicious weekend for Christians, Muslims and Hindus...
#PODCAST Merebank community react to the murder of 82-year-old Indrawathy Rampersadh, who was allegedly strangled to death #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - Residents of Merebank, south of Durban are still grappling with the shock following the brutal killing of an 82-year-old grandmother. Indrawathy Rampersadh, was found dead at her Satara Road home on Monday afternoon. She was allegedly strangled to death by a suspect posing as a beggar. It's believed the suspect approached Rampersadh's home under the pretext of asking for assistance before targeting her and then fleeing the scene. Victor Kupsamy, Chairperson of the Merebank Alliance Forum says Rampersadh was a generous woman and deeply devoted to her family...
#PODCAST The IEC unveil new "Get Up. Show Up. Vote." theme for the upcoming local government elections #sabcnews
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) unveiled its logo for the upcoming government elections, under the theme "Get Up. Show Up. Vote". The IEC says the logo and tagline represent a forward-looking, voter-centric democracy, that reflects the aspirations of South Africans. IEC CEO, Sy Mamabolo and Chairperson Mosotho Moepya attended the launch in Midrand, Johannesburg. Sibahle Motha has more...
#PODCAST We find out more about "MeanKat Cafe" - a social space / dedicated sanctuary for rescued cats #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Durban's Morningside area has seen the introduction of the MeanKat Cafe - a specialised facility functioning as both a social space and a dedicated sanctuary for rescued felines. The establishment facilitates a structured adoption pipeline, allowing visitors to interact with the animals in a controlled environment before undergoing a formal vetting process. To discuss the motivation behind this sanctuary model and its impact on local animal welfare, we are joined this morning by representative Saif Osmani... MeanKat Cafe is located at 87 Smiso Nkwanyana Road (formerly Goble Road) in Morningside, Berea.
#PODCAST 39-year-old remanded in custody for alleged murder of his ex-wife Aleyka Shaik, who was pregnant with twins #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - A 39-year-old man has been remanded in custody for the alleged murder of his ex-wife, who was pregnant with twins. The accused appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate's Court yesterday and will be back in court on 7th April for a formal bail application. Aleyka Shaik, a 34-year-old nurse, was allegedly brutally stabbed by the suspect in the Northdale area on Sunday evening. It's believed Shaik was picking up her daughter when argument broke out between her and the suspect, which then led to the murder. Recounting the incident, Renisha Singh, Ward 28 Councillor in Pietermaritzburg, says the community is grappling with the shock of Shaik's senseless murder...
#PODCAST Action in Autism prepare to stage silent walk to the Durban City Hall, to mark World Autism Acceptance Month #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Non-Profit Organization "Action in Autism" are preparing to stage a Silent Walk to the Durban City Hall to mark World Autism Acceptance Month. Participants will use non-verbal communication methods to advocate for neuro-diverse rights and deliver a formal memorandum to the City Mayor. The campaign also features a series of capacity-building workshops designed to improve the employment rate of autistic individuals in the labour market. Action in Autism Chairperson, Liza Aziz joined Newsbreak to elaborate further on the April campaign... * The Silent Walk is set for the 23rd of April 2026. It starts at the Gugu Dlamini Park and ends at City Hall.
#PODCAST Tongaat Hindu Forum mark Hanuman Jayanthi with a call for communities to stand together in prayer #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Amid global wars, economic uncertainty and the looming rise in the cost of living in South Africa, religious organisation, the Tongaat Hindu Forum north of Durban are calling for communities to stand together in prayer. This as millions of Hindus across the world observe Hanuman Jayanthi today. The festival is a significant celebration of the birth of Lord Hanuman - the Hindu deity representing strength, devotion, and selfless service. The call to pray for peace is a joint effort between the forum and the South African Hindu Maha Sabha, as the world navigates through a difficult period. Public relations officer at the Forum, Yogan Naidoo is calling on all faith groups to stand together amid global turmoil...
#PODCAST South Africans wake up to significant fuel price increases - with petrol going up by over R3 a litre #sabcnews
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has confirmed that the price of both grades of petrol has increased by R3,06 per litre. Diesel prices meanwhile jump by between R7,37 and R7,51 per litre, while Illuminating paraffin records the steepest increase of R11,67 per litre from today. The latest adjustments to the fuel prices come after government stepped in to cut the general fuel levy by R3 a litre for a one-month period, ending on the 5th of May. Nosipho Radebe, has the story…
#PODCAST SA motorists rush to the filling stations, bracing for another round of fuel price increases #sabcnews
INTRO: South Africans are bracing for another round of fuel price increases from April 1st, with the latest data from the Central Energy Fund pointing to a petrol increase of over R5 per litre, while diesel is expected to increase by over R9 per litre. The hikes are driven by global oil market volatility linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, as well as local taxes and levies - including increases to the general fuel levy. Economists warn this could further strain already stretched households, with ripple effects expected across multiple sectors. Sisipho Ngcumbe reports....
#PODCAST South African Depression and Anxiety Group call for more awareness around Bipolar Disorder #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Intern Snenhlanhla Dlamini - The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) are calling for more awareness on the bipolar disorder. Yesterday marked World Bipolar Awareness Day. SADAG, which is South Africa's largest mental health non-profit organization operates more than 30 free nationwide helpline's and over 250 support groups. Anne Rajcoomar, a call center supervisor at SADAG in KwaZulu-Natal says more people need to be educated about bipolar in order to reduce the stigma associated with the disorder...
#PODCAST KZN Tourism and Film Authority partners with NEWF to drive rural economic growth #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority say its collaboration with non-profit organisation, the Nature, Environment, and Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) will go a long way in boosting tourism and economic growth in the lesser-known parts of the province. This follows the recent four-day summit held by NEWF which saw filmmakers and industry experts from across the globe visit and experience Sodwana Bay in northern KZN. Spokesperson for the Authority, Pinky Radebe says such a summit also helps in educating young people about to the broad spectrum of careers within the tourism and filmmaking sectors...
#PODCAST Medical Monitor: New global guidelines limit toddler screen time to one hour per day #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - New international guidelines on childhood development is sparking a vital conversation for South African parents, as the UK government releases its first evidence-backed rules for toddler screen time. These scientific findings now offer a crucial roadmap for local families navigating this technological age. The recommendation states that children under the age of five should be limited to just one hour of screen time per day. I find out more in this week's Medical Monitor...
#PODCAST New scientific research refutes global claims that wildlife populations have declined over the last 50 years #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - Research by Science Advances has refuted global claims that wildlife populations have decreased by about 70% over the past 50 years. Co-authored by University of Pretoria conservation scientist Extraordinary Professor Stuart L. Pimm the paper examines long-term wildlife population data from across Africa and finds that many wildlife populations, described to be on the global decline, are in fact stable or increasing where they are properly protected and managed. Prof Pimm explains that the data is rather illustrating the need to be smart in protecting more areas...
#PODCAST High cost of living in South Africa is driving premature pension withdrawals - Momentum #sacbnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - There is an increasing number of individuals relying on credit and prematurely accessing their pension funds to meet current short-term financial needs. That's according to Product Development Lead at Momentum Savings, Sino Booi. He says the current cost of living has propelled people into tapping into their retirement savings which ultimately means that they are stealing from their future-selves. Booi explains...
#PODCAST SA Muslim community await meeting with CRL Commission - as concern mounts over proposed religious regulation committee #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - It is not clear when the CRL Rights Commission will meet with the Muslim community to discuss their concerns about the Section 22 Committee for a Self-Regulatory Framework. Public consultations have commenced- with the CRL Rights Commission meeting Hindu groups in Durban at the weekend. Initially the Commission was waiting for the Islamic month of Ramadaan to conclude. Currently the commission is facing backlash for the proposed establishment of the section 22 committee that seeks to regulate the church. Already the group called South African Church Defenders filed papers in the Johannesburg High Court seeking to interdict the Commission's activities, while also calling for the removal of CRL Rights Commission chairperson Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva. South African Muslim Network Chairperson Dr. Faisal Suliman says there is no need for the committee because there are already existing regulations in the country to prohibit the abuse of religion and congregants... UPDATE: The CRL Rights Commission says it will continue its work unless instructed otherwise by a court of law.
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