SAfm Current Affairs
Four years after devastating fire, Parliament gets temporary R30 million dome to hold sessions
Four years after a devastating fire ripped through South Africa's Parliament, destroying the National Assembly as well as the Old Assembly chambers and displacing lawmakers, a new chapter is beginning. On Friday, Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson handed over a newly constructed Dome to National Assembly Speaker, Thoko Didiza. It's a temporary but fully functional structure that will host parliamentary sittings, including the upcoming State of the Nation Address debates. The project, completed in just more than ten weeks, is being presented as a critical step in restoring normal parliamentary business. Mkhokheli Bandla reports
SA food insecurity deepens, children most affected
Food insecurity in South Africa is worsening, even among households that are already receiving food aid. This is according to the latest report by FoodForward South Africa in colloboration with the University of Cape Town's Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit. The report further revealed that seventy percent of surveyed households in the report face moderate to severe food insecurity while one in four go entire days without food. For more on this, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Fund Development Manager for FoodForward SA, Bobbie Jacobs
Is South Africa's new minimum wage a living wage?
As South Africans continue to grapple with a high cost of living, the Department of Employment and Labour recently announced a 5% increase to the National Minimum Wage, raising it to R30.23 per hour effective 1 March 2026. While the government frames this as a necessary shield for vulnerable workers, critics argue that these figures still fall dangerously short of what is actually required to lead a dignified life in today's economy. Is this an effective step toward social justice, or are we simply formalising a 'poverty wage' that fails to cover basic essentials like food, transport, and electricity? To unpack the numbers and look at the human reality behind them, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr Dick Forslund, Senior Economist at the Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC)
Lily Mine families still seeking closure 10 years after tragic incident
Thursday marked exactly ten years since the tragic incident where three Lily Gold Mine workers were swallowed alive during a mine collapse back in 2016. The bodies of Pretty Nkabule, Yvonne Mnisi and Solomon Nyirenda have never been retrieved since after a container they were working on fell into a sinkhole. The families of the three miners have since lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission accusing the NPA and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy of failing to take action against the mine's management. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to the affected families' spokesperson, Harry Mazibuko
Western Cape pleads with Ramaphosa to declare a state of disaster over water shortages and wild fires
With dry and hot conditions expected to persist in the Western Cape in the coming months, provincial authorities are hopeful that during his State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa will make an announcement on their call for a Disaster Declaration. This after the wild fires that occurred in the province since October wrecked havoc, destroying thousands of hectares of vegetation and a number of properties. Tando Ntunja reports
South Africa seeks glory at T20 World Cup and Winter Olympics
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games officially started in northern Italy YESTERDAY. Some 2,900 athletes from more than 90 countries will compete on snow and ice over the next 15 days. South Africa is represented by its largest ever team at the Winter Olympics – with five athletes taking part. Thomas Weir and Lara Markhaler will participate in Alpine skiing, Malica Malherbe in Freestyle skiing, Matthew Smith in Cross Country skiing and Nicole Burger in Skeleton. Skeleton is a winter sport which starts with the athlete standing and after the initial push, jumps face down onto a sled, descending the icy track at speeds of 130-140 km/hr and guiding the equipment using body movements. We wish our athletes all the best!!!! Meanwhile...The 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup tournament, starts THIS MORNING in India and Sri Lanka.Twenty teams, including South Africa, will compete in the tournament. India are the defending champions, having won the previous edition in 2024 after defeating South Africa. The Proteas will face Canada on Monday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC Senior Sports Journalist, Samatha Marie
NPA to appoint permanent prosecutors to task team probing police misconduct
The newly-appointed National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Lekgoa Mothibi has committed to allocating state prosecutors to the police task team that has been established by National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola in order to fast track investigations and prosecutions emanating from proceedings of the Madlanga Commission. This follows a directive by President Cyril Ramaphosa to the police top brass to constitute a special investigations task team to investigate prima facie evidence of wrongdoing by people identified in the Madlanga Commission's interim report. NPA head, Advocate Mothibi says he will also add on the Asset Forfeiture Unit to the police task team. For further reaction, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Civil society organisation Accountability Now's Advocate, Paul Hoffman
Outrage after Donald Trump posts video showing Barack and Michelle Obama depicted as monkeys
US President Donald Trump has posted a video to his social media account showing former President, Barack Obama and the former First Lady, Michelle Obama depicted as monkeys. The video has prompted outrage online, with Democrats and commentators calling it "racist" and "vile". Nick Harper reports from Washington.
MISA welcomes SA's inclusion in AGOA extension
The Motor Industry Staff Association, MISA has welcomed South Africa's inclusion in the one-year African Growth and Oppportunity Act (AGOA) extension. MISA says duty-free US access gives relief after 2025 exports plunged from R26.5 billion to R9.8 billion following the programme's lapse and a 30% tariff from August. Elvis Presslin spoke to MISA's new spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, who is also the former Spokesperson of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, Numsa
City of Tshwane to hold open day in Region 6 at Eersterust Civic Centre
The City of Tshwane's Customer Relations Management Department will later this morning hold an open day in Region 6 today at Eersterust Civic Centre, starting at 08:00. Residents can meet officials from finance, billing, metering, electricity, indigent services, building control and other units to resolve long‑standing service‑delivery queries, with priority given to cases logged between 2019 and 2023, though recent issues will also be addressed. Elvis Presslin spoke to Tshwane Mayor Dr. Nasiphi Moya
AFRICA BRIEF with Victor Kgomoeswana
Elvis Presslin takes a look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoeswana, author of "Africa Is Open For Business" and "Africa Bounces Back". Victor is also the Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo
President Ramaphosa says security to be tightened for Madlanga Commission witnesses
President Cyril Ramaphosa says security for Madlanga Commission witnesses will be tightened after an attempted hit on Wiandre Pretorius in Ekurhuleni yesterday. Pretorius was named by murdered witness Marius Van der Merwe, also known as Witness D, who testified that Pretorius took part in the 2022 torture and killing of Emmanuel Mbense by Ekurhuleni Metro Police officers. Van der Merwe, was killed last year after his testimony. AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit which represents the Mbense family, stresses that Pretorius wasn't just mentioned but that he was directly implicated by Van der Merwe in the killing of Emmanuel Mbense. Elvis Presslin spoke to the Unit's spokesperson Barry Bateman
DA calls for investigation into maladministration and abuse of power at Parliament
The Democratic Alliance has called on the President, the Public Protector and Parliament to investigate allegations of maladministration and abuse of power at Parliament. The party submitted a 393‑page dossier requesting probes into the rapid salary increase of Secretary to Parliament Xolile George, questions over his appointment and alleged misuse of millions of rand for the 2023 BRICS Parliamentary Forum. DA MP Rikus Badenhorst said former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa‑Nqakula and former NCOP chairperson Amos Masondo should be examined for possible manipulation of George's appointment. For reaction Elvis Presslin spoke to Nehawu Parliamentary Chairperson, Sthembiso Tembe
Water supply in Midrand affects some schools in the area
Intermittent water supply in Midrand, Johannesburg has left some schools in the area grappling with sanitation challenges, increased staff and learner absenteeism and disrupted classroom activities. The dire situation has prompted SADTU's Site Secretary for Midrand High School, Lebogang Shovhote to call for urgent municipal intervention. She spoke to Elvis Presslin, to elaborate further on her concerns
Gauteng Learners Stranded as Education Department Fails to Pay Transport Operators
Thousands of Gauteng learners are reportedly without transport after the provincial education department failed to pay scholar‑transport operators. The Democratic Alliance says at least 20 schools are affected, with operators reporting they have not received payments for more than three months, breaching a 30‑day contract term. The Gauteng Small Bus Operators' Council says the Department of Roads and Transport has also not issued required permits, prompting many operators to suspend services. DA Shadow MEC for Education Sergio Isa Dos Santos says the situation has cost learners valuable school time and left parents in distress. Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Shadow MEC for Education Sergio Isa Dos Santos
NUM members protest outside IDC offices over job cuts
Members of the National Union of Mineworkers, NUM have been protesting outside the Industrial Development Corporation's head office in Sandton, demanding action over imminent job cuts at Cast Products South Africa, which faces liquidation. The union says hundreds of jobs are on the line and is calling on the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to intervene and find a solution. For more on the situation, Elvis Presslin spoke to NUM PWV Regional Organiser, Mpho Hlongwane
AgriSA welcomes extension of AGOA
AgriSA has welcomed the United States Senate's approval of a one‑year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA. The Act grants eligible sub‑Saharan African nations, including South Africa, duty‑free access to the US market. AgriSA says the so‑called "Liberation Day" tariffs of 30 percent have reduced some of AGOA's benefits but the programme remains vital for local exporters. To discuss the impact, Elvis Presslin spoke to AgriSA Chief Executive Officer, Johann Kotze
Malema: Permanent elections hurt service delivery.
Julius Malema says the EFF plenum reflected that South Africa is in a permanent state of elections, which undermines the focus of public representatives to deliver services as they are in constant campaigning mode. EFF leader Julius Malema was addressing the media on the outcomes of the party's Plenum which took place over the weekend
Malema: EFF enters 2026 polls to win.
EFF leader Julius Malema addressing the media on the outcomes of the party's Plenum which took place over the weekend says the party enters the upcoming local government elections with intention not merely to participate but to win and govern.
Parliament hears cybercrime victim's plea for help.
Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee probing allegations of police corruption hears from an anonymous witness claiming she's a long-time cybercrime victim. She reported her case in Postmasburg, Northern Cape, in 2021 referred to the Hawks in Bellville and Pretoria but says probes stalled after officers left, with no feedback despite gadget submissions. She alleges all her actives online are been monitored. And all her job applications on emails bounced email preventing her to get a job since 2019, and seeks parliamentary help.
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