SONA 2026 ( State Of The Nation Adress ) ANALYSIS

THE EVE OF SONA 2026 ANALYSIS

PROF. NTSIKELELO BREAKFAST - POLITICAL ANALYST OMPHILE MAOTWE - EFF TREASURER GENERAL & MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT MZANDILE MASINA - MEMBER OF THE ANC NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) & MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT MUZI XABA: FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NUZTEK VISVIN REDDY - MK PARTY MEMBER AND MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT JAN DE VILLIERS - DA SPOKESPERSON JASON HAMILTON - GUEST LECTURER IN CORPORATE AND DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AT STELLENBOSCH BUSINESS SCHOOL

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: STUDENT ACTIVISM: CHALLENGES ON CAMPUS AND ARE WE HARNESSING YOUTH LEADERS?

Student activism in South Africa has a powerful history and has often been a militant force driving social change, with a legacy rooted in fighting the injustices that occurred in this country. In recent years we’ve seen students campaign for free, decolonized education and financial aid. A long list of issues continues to have an impact on many students across the country and this evening we’ll be talking about the issues faced by students and where student activism finds itself in today’s world? Are we harnessing youth leaders?

O’SULLIVAN FINALLY FACES PARLIAMENT ( LULAMA MATYA - SABC NEWS SENIOR REPORTER )

The Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee heard a heated exchange between the private investigator Paul O’Sullivanand Members of Parliament – after he told the commission that while he had taken an oath to tell the truth, he was not obliged to answer every question if doing so could place his family at risk. The remarks drew a sharp response from MPs, who expressed dissatisfaction and demanded that O’Sullivan amend or clarify his statement. MPs pushed for fuller cooperation, including answers about his time in South Africa during and before 1990. O’Sullivan has denied allegations of being a spy. He faced several allegations, including having undue influence over the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

TWO ASTON MARTINS, TWO FERRARIS, AND A ROLLS-ROYCE LINKED TO MAUMELA TO BE RETURNED BY THE SIU ( KAIZER KGANYAGO - SIU SPOKESPERSON )

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is pouring cold water over an order by the Special Tribunal that it release luxury vehicles believed to be owned by corruption-accused tenderpreneur - Hangwani Maumela who’s been linked to the alleged R2 billion fraud at Tembisa Hospital. The SIU obtained a preservation order, in September last year, to seize the supercars from the Omar dealership in Witbank, which the SIU believes is linked to Maumela. Last week, the SIU handed over evidence against Maumela to the National Prosecuting Authority.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: THE EMOTIONAL RECESSION: THE IMPACT OF DECLINING EQS ON SOCIETY, THE ECONOMY AND OUR FUTURE

Research seems to be indicating that the world is experiencing a sustained, multi-year decline in emotional intelligence (EQ). Some studies and academic analyses have identified this trend as an "emotional recession," characterized by decreasing abilities to recognize, understand, and manage emotions, alongside falling levels of empathy, well-being, and resilience.

BUSINESS REVIEW

RAND WATER WARNS AGAINST HIGH WATER USAGE AS TEMPERATURES REMAIN HIGH ( NOMSA DAELE - FROM ACTIVISM GROUP WATERCAN )

As communities lament dry taps - Rand Water says it remains concerned about persistently high water consumption in Gauteng, particularly in the City of Johannesburg and Tshwane. The utility warns that usage above the allocated volumes continues to place significant strain on the overall supply network. Rand Water Spokesperson, Makenosi Maroo, says current demand is forcing the system to operate under pressure, stretching infrastructure capacity to accommodate abnormally high usage levels.

RICARDO TEXEIRA (TAX-SAYRA) - DEFENCE ANALYST AT THE INSTITUTE OF RACE RELATIONS & ASSOCIATE EDITOR AT DAILY FRIEND

ARE WE RESPONSIBLE FOR HELPING KEEP PEACE IN OUR NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES? South Africa has withdrawn its contribution of soldiers to theUnited Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission (MONUSCO) in the DRC, President Cyril Ramaphosa has informed the UN Secretary‐General Antonio Guterres. South Africa has contributed troops to MONUSCO for almost 30 years - in which Pretoria deployed over 700 soldiers in the DRC in support of the Mission’s peacekeeping mandate. President Ramaphosa has indicated that the country’s decision to withdraw is influenced by the need to consolidate and realign the resources of the South African National Defence Force. But, what else went wrong with this mission?

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: “Rich Auntie”, “Rich Uncle” And The Family Dynamic

The “rich auntie” & “rich uncle” title is one that has various meanings in most cases pointing towards members of a family who wield a lot of power in the family as a result of their financial and academic success, and social class. These individuals, and their children, frequently navigate complex dynamics between traditional obligations and modern, individualized lifestyles, serving as both providers and potential sources of conflict. This evening we look at the impact of the “rich auntie” and/or “rich uncle” in families.

LINDIWE SHIBAMBO- SOUTH AFRICAN DOMESTIC WORKERS FORUM( SADWF) CHAIRPERSON & FOUNDER OF MAID4U

Households not meeting the required minimum wage for domestic workers. The Labour Department raised concerns over non-compliance with the national minimum wage, citing farm owners and households as the main culprits. The national minimum wage is set to increase from R28.79c to R30.23c per hour, from the 1st of March 2026. The South African Domestic Workers Forum has welcomed the government's minimum wage increase but says much needs to be done to ensure that employers comply with the legally required minimum wage and don’t mistreat their domestic workers.

AMANDA QITHI - ESKOM: GAUTENG SPOKESPERSON

Illegal electricity connections and meter tempering continues to weigh heavy on the country’s power distribution system, leaving many without power and endangering lives. Eskom joins us this evening as we discuss some of these serious matters affecting our communities.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: SOUTH AFRICA’S CULTURE OF CORRUPTION

Normalised, systemic corruption in South Africa has become deeply entrenched across public and private sectors, and society at large. It has evolved from grand-scale looting to "everyday" bribery, nepotism, and patronage in our everyday lives. This normalisation of corruption has resulted in public apathy, a breakdown in service delivery, and a culture where corruption is viewed as unavoidable and a normal way of life in the country.

South Africans could be allowed to carry 750grams of Cannabis

South Africans could be allowed to carry up-to 750 grams of cannabis for personal use according to new draft regulations published by The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development. The department is asking for public comment on the regulations in terms of the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act of 2024. The draft regulations form part of the ongoing process to get the Act signed into law by the president. It’s been seven years since the Constitutional Court decriminalised the private use and cultivation of cannabis by adults, and while retailers of such products have mushroomed all over the country, questions remain about what’s legal and what’s not when it comes to the consumption of cannabis.

JAN DE VILLIERS - DA NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON & PROF. NTSIKELELO BREAKFAST - POLITICAL ANALYST

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has announced that he will not seek re-election at the party’s Federal Congress in April. Addressing the media in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on Wednesday, Steenhuisen added that his heart is full, knowing that he’s accomplished his “moonshot mission”which led the DA into the executive branch of national government via the Government of National Unity. The statement by Steenhuisen follows months of controversies including debunked allegations of misappropriated party funds and a spat with senior party member Dion George.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Is South Africa a Safe Haven for Transnational Organised Crime?

Since the publication of the first Organized Crime Index in 2019, South Africa has consistently been ranked among the top 10 most criminal countries. High criminality, weakened law enforcement, and transnational connections are some of the factors making the country attractive for fugitives and international criminal networks to do their dirty business in. Have we become a safe haven for fugitives and what makes us vulnerable to international crime syndicates?

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT UNHAPPY WITH SPEAKER OVER O’SULLIVAN & MOGOTSI

The Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate allegations made by the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has expressed concern over speak of parliament - Thoko Didiza’s - decision not to grant the committee subpoenas for Brown Mogotsi & Paul O’Sullivan who requested to give virtual testimony to the committee citing security issues. Didiza said the committee failed to show that it had adequately dealt with the witnesses’ security concerns about appearing in-person before parliament. For more on this Faith was joined by Leigh-Ann Mathys, EFF Deputy Secretary General & Member of Parliament.

SA Prisons are at 150% full! ( LINDIWE NTSHALITSHALI - DEPUTY MINISTER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES )

South Africa’s (SA) inmate population has surged to more than 170 000, far exceeding the Department of Correctional Services’ approved bed capacity of just over 100 000 - National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale has revealed. Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria on the outcomes of the Department’s Festive Season Security Operations, Thobakgale said the prison population peaked at 170 739 and described the figure as the highest recorded in recent years, placing severe strain on infrastructure, staffing, security management and the department’s budget.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: BEYOND DIETS & EXERCISE

The genetic, hormonal, metabolic & mental reasons you struggle to manage your weight. You’ve tried to lose or gain weight via multiple routes over the years and despite following the plans, you never really see the results or the successes are short lived? Well more and more experts are highlighting that weight management is not simply a will power or motivation thing. There are genetic predispositions , hormonal imbalances, metabolic adaptations & mental factors to consider.

IRREGULAR NSFAS FUNDS RECOVERED ( ISHMAEL MNISI - NSFAS SPOKESPERSON )

Thousands of students remain under investigation after incorrectly receiving funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme - NSFAS. The Special Investigating Unit has so far recovered around 1.7 billion-Rand, which also includes funds that were held for more than a year by institutions of higher learning. The SIU says more than R120 million was recovered from parents of unqualified beneficiaries. Most of the funds claimed are from institutions of higher learning from allocated NSFAS funds.