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Reflecting on the legacy of the 1976 struggle and what it has delivered
South Africa cannot discuss illegal employment, economic reform, and social stability without confronting the uncomfortable truth at the centre of it all: millions of young South Africans still have no credible pathway into work. This, according to Thembi Chagonda, Joint CEO of Global Business Solutions and a commissioner on the Employment Equity Commission representing business. She further adds that every June, South Africa honours the courage and contribution of young people. But for a young person sitting at home without work, training, income, or a realistic next step, commemoration is not enough. The Human Sciences Research Council also hosted a youth dialogue this week to examine past and present struggles. It says that although the challenges may differ, today’s youth still face systemic barriers. To unpack this and more, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Thembi Chagonda, Joint CEO of Global Business Solutions and commissioner on the Employment Equity Commission representing business, and Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, Fees Must Fall activist.
PSA proposes hybrid work model amid cost-of-living pressures
The Public Servants Association has officially proposed a hybrid work from home model for South Africa's public sector. The union says rising fuel, food, electricity and medical aid costs are placing severe financial pressure on workers. It argues that flexible work arrangements, proven during the COVID-19 pandemic, can ease commuting costs while maintaining productivity. The PSA says hybrid work could also reduce government spending on office operations and utilities. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to the Public Servants Association general manager Reuben Maleka
Professor Sekhampu calls for the consolidation of municipalities for better governance.
This morning we unpack or examine the crisis in South African municipalities. The latest Auditor General report found that there were no clear improvement in audit outcomes, financial management, service delivery performance, accountability, transparency or institutional integrity. Only 151 government entities received unqualified audits out of 417. Professor Joseph Sekhampu, Chief Director of the North West University Business School says hundreds of local councils operate as if the Constitution demanded their existence but not their viability. He says South African municipal landscape is not collapsing in a single moment of crisis. It is eroding in slow motion and that the Auditor General's warnings that only a small fraction of municipalities remain functionally stable no longer sound like outliers, they describe the system. Meanwhile, in April this year President Cyril Ramaphosa called for urgent reforms to unlock local economies, warning that poor governance at municipal level is undermining service delivery and stifling economic growth. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Professor Joseph Sekhampu, chief director of the North West University Business School
Runners support each other at Comrades Marathon: Muntu Khanyile
The much-talked-about human race is finally here. Runners from all walks of life have converged in Durban for South Africa's biggest ultramarathon. The 2026 Comrades Marathon will follow the traditional up-run route, which starts at Durban City Hall on Dr. Pixley Ka Seme (West) Street. The 86km marathon will finish at Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse in Pietermaritzburg. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC's Athletics Club member Muntu Khanyile.
Constitutional Review Committee opens public submissions process
The Parliamentary Constitutional Review Committee is calling on South Africans to step forward and have their say on possible changes to the country's Constitution through its annual review process. Committee Chairpersons, Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach and Mr Mtikeni Patrick Sibande, say the process is designed to test whether citizens believe any amendments are necessary, and to strengthen public participation in constitutional democracy. Now the deadline for submissions must reach the committee by 6 July 2026. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to the Constitutional Review Committee Chairperson Adv. Glynnis Breytenbach
Focus turns to Bafana Bafana versus Czech Republic on Thursday
South Africa's return to the FIFA World Cup after a 16-year absence ended in disappointment as Bafana Bafana went down 2-nil to co-hosts Mexico in the opening match at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Thursday. Julian Quinones put Mexico ahead early before Raul Jimenez sealed the victory with a second-half header. Hugo Broos' side struggled to impose themselves, creating few clear-cut opportunities and offering little threat in attack. The challenge became even greater when Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were both sent off, reducing South Africa to nine men. Mexico's Cesar Montes also received a late red card. Meanwhile, the 2026 World Cup has already faced off-field challenges linked to visa delays, travel bans and entry restrictions. Somali referee Omar Artan, who was set to become the first official from Somalia to feature at a World Cup, was denied entry to the United States following vetting concerns. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC Sports Anchor and Reporter Mawande Mateza
Consumers warned over rising debt counselling scams.
South Africans facing debt challenges are being cautioned about scammers impersonating legitimate debt counsellors. The National Credit Regulator says more than half of the country's 27 million credit active consumers have impaired credit records, making them vulnerable to fraud. Debt Busters Executive, Head Benay Sager says consumers should be cautions of unsolicited calls claiming to represent the NCR. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Debt Busters Executive, Head Benay Sager
SAHRC says Makana municipality dissolution must be considered
The South African Human Rights Commission has released a damning report on the Eastern Cape's Makana Municipality water and sanitation crisis, finding systemic governance failures and repeated service delivery breakdowns. The Commission says residents have endured prolonged water outages, sewage spills and infrastructure decay despite years of interventions. It now recommends that the Eastern Cape Provincial Executive consider dissolving the municipal council as a last resort due to ongoing constitutional rights violations affecting residents. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Eastern Cape SAHRC Provincial Manager, Dr Eileen Carter
It is within President Ramaphosa’s constitutional right to approach the court: legal expert
President Cyril Ramaphosa has filed papers in the Western Cape High Court, Cape Town seeking to interdict the commencement of the impeachment process pending the determination of his review against the section 89 independent panel report. Ramaphosa - in May - launched a review into the report which found that he MAY have a case to answer regarding the February 2020 robbery of foreign currency at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo. The review bid - which is set to be heard in September - seeks to invalidate the section 89 report itself, as well as any steps taken by the National Assembly pursuant to the report. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to legal expert Advocate Lufuno Nevondwe,
Dr Mpho Tlali says alcohol study findings among young women is concerning.
A University of Cape Town study has found alarming levels of alcohol use among adolescent girls and young women in SA. Researchers found that nearly one in 3 young women surveyed consumed alcohol, some of them engaging in binge drinking. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr. Mpho Tlali, senior research officer at the Center for Integrated Data and Epidemiological Research (CIDER) in the School of Public Health at the University of Cape Town.
Economists say GDP growth is a positive outcome.
South Africa's economy has grown by a modest zero-point-five percent in the first quarter of 2026 from zero-point-four percent in last quarter of 2025. The latest data released by Statistics South Africa shows that Gross Domestic Product was supported by increased output in the agriculture, finance, trade, transport and the mining sectors contributed positively to the economy in the first quarter of the year. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to KPMG Economist, Frank Blackmore
Suspect to appear in court following brutal assault of an elderly woman captured on video.
Zakhele Mthethwa, the 22-year-old man seen in a viral video allegedly assaulting an elderly woman, has appeared in court. The charge against him has been upgraded from assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to attempted murder. Mthethwa has been remanded in custody to secure legal representation through legal aid and is expected back in court on Thursday, 11 June 2026. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Mpumalanga Police Spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli
Interdepartmental cooperation strengthens enforcement against illegal hiring. - Labour Department
President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is intensifying efforts to curb the employment of undocumented foreign nationals. He says the South African Police Service, Home Affairs and the Department of Employment and Labour will step up inspections at workplaces. Ramaphosa says the Labour Department has begun recruiting 10,000 inspectors this financial year to strengthen enforcement. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Employment and Labour, inspector general Aggy Moiloa.
Home Affairs Parliament Committee welcomes interventions and urges their effective implementation.
The Chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Mosa Chabane, has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's call for stronger action against illegal immigration. Chabane says government departments must urgently implement the President's directives to strengthen immigration enforcement, tackle corruption, and improve border security. He also backed plans to increase labour inspectors and immigration officers, while stressing the need for regional cooperation to address migration challenges across Africa. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Committee Chair Mosa Chabane
Former EPWP workers say employment status hinders them from seeking new employment opportunities.
More than 300 EPWP workers otherwise called Green Army will today march to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi's office in Johannesburg to demand their reinstatement. The Green Army claim their contracts were unlawfully terminated and some of them have never been paid while others were paid a monthly stipend of 2-thousand 800 instead of the government mandated monthly allowance of 5-thousand - 700 rand. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC reporter Horisani Sithole
Calls intensify for tougher enforcement of existing laws to curb violence against children.
This week Section 27 released a new report titled "Protecting the Future Today: The Need for an Efficient National Child Protection Register to Curb Violence Against Children". The report reveals serious shortcomings in the implementation of the National Child Protection Register and that more than 15 years after its adoption, the NCPR is severely underutilised. In March 2025, only 49 000 educators, that is 12% of all educators, had been vetted against the NCPR. Section 27 says this undermines the ability to protect children from violence, particularly in schools. This brings a sharp focus on the long standing debate over the unsealing of the Sex Offenders Register. Some experts have argued that the rights of children and the vulnerable must supercede the privacy rights of convicted predators , while legal scholars also warn that publicising the registry violates constitutional privacy protections. Meanwhile, a draft amendment bill is being developed to make the NRSO accessible to citizens... To unpack this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Tendai Mafuma, Senior Legal Researcher at SECTION 27 and Dr. Suhayfa Bhamjee, Senior Lecturer in Criminal law at The University of KwaZulu Natal ..
Rescue operations expected to resume at Coerney River in Addo, in the Eastern Cape.
Search operations are expected to resume this morning at the Coerney River in Addo in the Eastern Cape after two bodies were recovered yesterday and one person remains missing. Authorities say the search may extend into tomorrow if the missing person is not found today. Police say five people were travelling in a Toyota Hilux bakkie when it was swept off while attempting to cross the river. Three occupants were carried away by the current, while two men on the back of the vehicle managed to jump to safety.
Security analyst says SAPS under immense pressure
Gauteng police have instituted disciplinary action against a police officer seen in a viral video allegedly returning money linked to a bribery incident, with authorities confirming the officer has been identified and placed under investigation as a departmental probe continues to establish the full circumstances. Meanwhile, SAPS management has this week dismissed suspended head of organised crime Richard Shibiri following a disciplinary process that found him guilty of misconduct. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Andy Mashaile , security analyst and former SA interpol Crime Ambassador
Authorities warn that resistance to Ebola burial protocols in parts of the DRC is slowing containment efforts.
Angry residents of the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are angry over being denied access to the body of their loved ones during burials. They have attacked a tam of healthcare workers in the town of Kotana in the South Kivu province as they attempted to carry out a safe burial of an Ebola victim. Many communities in the DRC observe traditional funeral rites that involve touching the deceased during burial. But health workers have prohibited the practice because the bodies of Ebola victims are highly infectious. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC's correspondent in the DRC, Chris Ocamringa
Health minister urges continued use of HIV preventative measures.
Ramaphosa launched the rollout of Lenacapavir in Mpumalanga yesterday. Lenacapavir is a new injectable prevention drug for HIV. Speaking at the launch Ramaphosa said the launch of Lenacapavir marks a turning point in South Africa's fight against HIV. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Minister of Health Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi.
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