Lotus FM News Break
#PODCAST: Music industry in shock after passing of singing legend Umita Kalyan
By Newsbreak Senior Producer, Taresh Harreeparshad and Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The local music industry is reeling from the shocking death of singing legend Umita Kalyan. Kalyan passed away today- leaving behind a music legacy that has touched the hearts of thousands. Alongside her husband music producer Tansen Nepaul- Umita performed several music concerts over the past three decades- while at the same time nurturing young talent. She leaves behind two loving children Bihaag and Himani. Close friend and local music veteran Sagren Naidoo describes the legacy she leaves behind...
#PODCAST:Minara Chamber of Commerce welcomes 2026 Budget
By Newsbreak Producer, Hoosen Ebrahim - The Minara Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the 2026 National Budget tabled by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, describing it as a decisive step toward fiscal stability and infrastructure-led growth. The Chamber says narrowing deficits, reduced borrowing and a 1-trillion-rand infrastructure pipeline signal renewed economic discipline. It also praised tax relief measures and support for small businesses, while warning that rising fuel levies could squeeze key sectors. Minara Chamber of Commerce President, Ebrahim Patel told Newsbreak that he only hopes now these reforms be implemented effectively...
#PODCAST: Labour unions demand Government reverse GEMS increase
By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - Public sector unions affiliated to labour federation COSATU have given the Government Employees Medical Scheme seven days to reverse the nine point eight percent premiums hike for 2026. They staged a demonstration outside the GEMS headquarters in Pretoria. The union has described the increase as unlawful and unaffordable. Newsbreak spoke to Dr Stan Moloabi - Principal Officer of the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS).....
#PODCAST Newsbreak Fishing Report - 27 February 2026 #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer, Hoosen Ebrahim - In our fishing report feature, Sanjay Ramsarup updates you on the latest from the angling front...
#PODCAST Latest Allianz Country Risk Atlas maintains South Africa's economic risk as "stable" #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Global financial service provider, Allianz has maintained South Africa's economic risk as stable. The Country Risk Atlas, assesses the economic outlook, risks, and opportunities across 83 countries, representing approximately 94% of global GDP. Among the key drivers of the rating are the stable electricity grid, the Government of National Unity and increased trade relation among other things. Country Manager for Trade at Allianz South Africa, Luke Morawitz explains what needs to be done for long term sustainability and a better future rating...
#PODCAST King Misuzulu KaZwelithini reiterates calls for KwaZulu-Natal to be renamed "KwaZulu" #sabcnews
King Misuzulu KaZwelithini reiterated his call for KwaZulu-Natal to be renamed KwaZulu during the opening of the legislature in Pietermaritzburg. He originally made the call at the commemoration of the Battle of Isandlwana, earlier this year. The province was named KwaZulu-Natal - combining the apartheid and Zulu names. This after the first democratic elections in a period when parties sought reconciliation following the political violence between the ANC and IFP since the 1980's. According to King Misuzulu - the renaming will restore the dignity and identity of the people, which he says was distorted during the colonial era. Khalesakhe Mbhense reports . . .
#PODCAST Durban's Mitchell Park unveils a new statue honoring Nellie the elephant - the park's most iconic resident #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producers Matthew Veeran & Salma Patel - Durban's Mitchell Park Zoo hosted a special ceremony yesterday, to unveil a new elephant statue honoring the legendary Nellie - the park's most iconic historic resident - and trustee Dhunniram Moolchun. Donated by the Moolchun family of Overport, the statue celebrates a lifetime of heritage for the 99-year-old, who fondly remembers his first ride on the actual elephant Nellie over nine decades ago. We are joined by Durban veterinarian and trustee Dr. Sanil Singh, who elaborates further on Nellie's enduring legacy and why this new landmark is so significant...
#PODCAST: Alcohol industry welcomes inflation based 'sin tax' in effort to fight illicit trade
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The National Liquor Traders Council has welcomed the increase in alcohol excise duties in line with inflation. The 'sin taxes' are placed on non-essential items to discourage excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption, while also generating additional revenue for the government. A 340 milliliter can of beer or cider increases by 8 cents, a 750 milliliter bottle of wine goes up by 15 cents, a 750 milliliter bottle of spirits will increase by R3.20. Convener, Lucky Ntimane says this will also help curb the illicit alcohol trade which has boomed in the country....
#PODCAST: Grant recipients express mixed emotions after budget speech announcement
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Grant recipients have expressed mixed reactions to the increases announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in his Budget Speech yesterday. Old age grant will increase by 85-rand from R2 315 to R2 400. Disability grant will also go by 85-rand up from R2 315 to R2 400. Foster care grant rises by 45-rand from R1 250 to R1 295. Child support grant goes up by 20-rand from R560 to R580. The SRD grant will remain at R370, with payments to continue until next year. IFP Councillor Dr Jonathan Annipen says while these increases may be slight, it will assist recipients....
#PODCAST: Frustration mounts for Ottawa residents facing water shortages since last year
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Residents from Ottawa north of Durban have expressed frustration as they continue to face daily water shortages since November last year. Ottawa community leader, Sagren Moodley says what started off as water shedding has now become a nightmare for residents who now go days with water. He says the eThekwini Municipality does not communicate with residents, placing a dire strain on the community, especially the elderly and frail... In a written response to Newsbreak, the eThekwini Municipality says that "although the plant is supplying the agreed water volumes, the water demand in Waterloo and surrounding areas far exceeds these allocations. As a result, the City has been shutting the reservoir at night to restore adequate capacity. This measure is necessary to ensure that consumers in Parkgate, South and Riet River are able to receive water supply. If this intervention is not implemented, these communities would not receive any water at all. The system has begun to stabilise, and the City anticipates that full supply to the affected area will resume soon."
#PODCAST Port Shepstone Volleyball Association accuse KZN Volleyball of sidelining local sports development #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The Port Shepstone Volleyball Association and sponsor Aqua Darshan have publicly accused KZN Volleyball of deliberately obstructing the PSVA tournament, by refusing to grant the event official sanction. Aqua Darshan CEO Logan Naicker alleges that provincial leadership is failing to play the ball, characterising this standoff as an effort to sideline local sports development. Naicker warns that these "bureaucratic hurdles" also threaten to stifle the growth of volleyball across the South Coast region...
#PODCAST REACTION: KwaZulu-Natal Volleyball deny all allegations of obstructing the PSVA's latest tournament #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The Port Shepstone Volleyball Association and sponsor Aqua Darshan have publicly accused KZN Volleyball of deliberately obstructing the PSVA tournament, by refusing to grant the event official sanction. KZN Volleyball President Aadil Khan has clarified that the association has not rejected the PSVA tournament, but is instead requesting a reduction in event dates to accommodate other districts and the launch of the upcoming provincial Super League. Khan emphasized that the provincial body is actively seeking a compromise through ongoing meetings, denying any allegations of obstruction... *You can contact Aadil on 071 123 4007 or email him on president@kznvolleyball.co.za
#PODCAST The Phoenix Youth Centre prepare to host a free Medical Wellness Day Clinic this Sunday #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Residents will gather at the Phoenix Youth Centre this Sunday for a free Medical Wellness Day Clinic open to the entire community. The clinic will run from 10am to 3pm at 20 Featherstone Place, offering check-ups and medical advice at no cost. Organisers say doctors will be on site to assist both children and the elderly completely free with vital medical examinations also being done for males and females. Secretary of the Phoenix Youth Centre, Sharm Maharaj urges the elderly to take advantage of this initiative... *Health care volunteers who wish to participate can contact Sharm on 071 885 9971
#PODCAST Budget Speech praised as "promising", but analysts lament the various governmental inefficiencies that still exist #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Economists say that while the budget was promising, there are still many inefficiencies that Government must address. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Economist, Dr Sanele Gumede says the budget is in line with plans announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last week...
#PODCAST KZN Tourism & Film Authority discuss their participation at the continent's leading trade show "Meetings Africa" #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - KwaZulu-Natal is participating in Meetings Africa 2026, the continent's leading trade show for the business events sector, currently under at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg until tomorrow. KZN Tourism and Film is among the exhibitors engaging with buyers, industry leaders and conference organisers from across Africa and beyond. KZN Tourism and Film spokesperson, Pinky Radebe unpacks what this platform means for the entity and for the broader tourism sector...
#PODCAST BUDGET 2026: Durban job seekers plead with government to create more employment opportunities #sabcnews
As Minister Godongwana prepares to deliver his budget speech today, job seekers in Durban are calling on government to create more employment opportunities. They're also urging both government and the private sector to prioritise hiring South Africans for non-scarce skills jobs. This comes as Statistics South Africa reports the country's unemployment rate declined slightly to 31.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025. Statistics SA says the data reflects a labour market that is gradually stabilising, but still marked by deep structural inequalities, limited opportunities, and uneven participation across the population. Celumusa Zulu reports...
#PODCAST The 10th Innovation Festival gets underway in Durban this April under the theme "Sustainable Futures" #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The 10th annual Innovation Festival will take place next month - continuing its role in skills development, harnessing technology, collaboration and investment. Hosted by non-profit organisation "Innovate Durban" in partnership with the eThekwini Municipality, the festival will be a coming together of industry leaders, venture capitalists and budding innovators. The festival will take place on the 16th of April in Durban. Research and Impact Lead at Innovate Durban, Patrick Martel explains how its theme for a sustainable future resonates in a country with a high unemployment rate amidst a call for skills development...
#PODCAST New Profmed Stress Index reveals that South African professionals are living in a permanent state of stress #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - South African professionals are now grappling with a permanent state of multi-layered stress that is becoming part and parcel of daily life. This as the 2025 Profmed Stress Index revealed that nearly half of the local workforce feels completely overwhelmed, despite actively using coping strategies. Most concerningly, many are now delaying medical support because of high costs and unsupportive workplace cultures. Here's Profmed Clinical Executive Justine Lacy, who helps us to uncover the key findings of this latest index...
#PODCAST SA women seek "safer" alternatives following a startling study on the harmful chemicals found in popular sanitary pads #sabcnews
Women say they feel lied to by sanitary towel brands who promised chemical free and organic products. This follows research done by the University of the Free State which revealed that 16 brands of sanitary pads have traces of chemicals that might lead to hormonal imbalance. The study was conducted over three years, with the initial plan being to develop cost effective sanitary pads for underprivileged learners. The SABC NEWS team spoke to some women around Bloemfontein, who say they don't know what other alternatives are there now that they have this information. Kamogelo Seekeoi compiled this report...
#PODCAST Local astrophysicists discover ancient cosmic laser, originating from a galaxy more than eight billion light-years away #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Astronomy researchers led by the University of Pretoria's Doctor Thato Manamela have discovered the most distant hydroxyl mega maser ever recorded. In simple terms, this is a powerful "cosmic laser" originating from a violent galaxy merger more than eight billion light-years away. The breakthrough was made possible by the MeerKAT radio telescope and "gravitational lensing" - a phenomenon where a foreground galaxy acts as a natural magnifying glass. Matthew spoke to Dr. Manamela about this remarkable discovery and what it means for the study of space in South Africa...
Save video to ...
