Lotus FM News Break
21 March: A critical moment to take stock of global human rights- UN's Human Rights Council #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad. This year is the 30th anniversary of the South African Constitution. It's also 60 years since the United Nations adopted the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), marking a pivotal moment in the global fight against racism. And so on this Human Rights Day which is also the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination- it's a critical moment to take stock of global human rights. That's the assessment of Abigail Noko, the United Nations Human Rights Regional Representative, Southern Africa office. She spoke to Newsbreak about how these significant anniversaries must inspire a greater committment to Human Rights
Active Citizens Movement questions the state of Human Rights as access to water remains an issue #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Shanell Daniel The fact that many South Africans do not have access to running water and efficient service delivery reveals a failing government and detrimental human behaviour. That's according to EXCO member of the Active Citizens Movement, Ashok Chandika. He was speaking to Newsbreak as the country commemorates Human Rights Day amidst constant service delivery challenges...
#PODCAST Minister Leon Schreiber on Muslim marriage law reform in SA
By Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad & Taliesha Naidoo - Muslim marriage officers will no longer be required to renew their certification every five years- following a landmark decision by the Department of Home Affairs. Muslim marriage officers are now recognised on the same basis as other religious marriage officers under the Marriage Act 25 of 1961. But why was this not the case initially? To discuss this, we are joined on the line by Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber...
#PODCAST COGTA Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa confronts local government failures
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Issues of corruption, maladministration and accountability are featuring prominently at a ministerial engagement session in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg. The engagement is being led by Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa. Hlabisa has highlighted political instability, declining revenue, and systemic governance failures as some of the challenges facing municipalities. SABC reporter, Thabiso Radebe is on the ground and brings us an update.
#PODCAST Adoption specialist, Jeevie Pillay, to launch new handbook
By Newsbreak Producer, Matthew Veeran - Adoption specialist Jeevie Pillay is set to launch her new handbook "Welcome to Adoption" this Sunday at the Umhlanga Book Fair. The launch serves as a key feature of the three-day literary event, aiming to provide prospective parents with a practical method of navigating the notoriously complex adoption system. Speaking to Newsbreak, Pillay says her guide seeks to demystify the daunting institutional hurdles that often deter adoptions...
#PODCAST SA Booksellers Association discuss the ever-popular Umhlanga Book Fair - which gets underway today #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - Books are not on their way out. That's the unwavering view of Mohamed Karwa, executive member of the South African Booksellers Association. He will be discussing the evolutionary process of marketing books at the Umhlanga Book Fair in Durban this weekend. With the fast-changing needs of book consumers- the Fair aims to showcase how books are adapting to the needs of communities. Karwa explains how local books are telling the stories of the communities they serve... *The Umhlanga Book Fair runs from the 20th to the 22 March at the Apart-Hotel.
#PODCAST Film producer Anant Singh joins Newsbreak for an exclusive update on the R7.5 billion Durban Film City project #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Now, veteran film producer Anant Singh joins Newsbreak for an exclusive update on the R7.5 billion Durban Film City - a landmark project near the beach front, that has remained his vision for over two decades. After years of being stalled by complex legal battles and municipal hurdles, the development is finally seeing renewed momentum through strategic interventions by the Presidential eThekwini Working Group. In this interview I asked the man behind it all to discuss how this world-class precinct will finally overcome its past challenges to transform the local economy and the South African cinematic landscape as we know it...
#PODCAST Newsbreak Fishing Report - 20 March 2026 #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Cast away with this week's Newsbreak Fishing Report, brought to you by KZN angler Sanjay Ramsarup...
#PODCAST Azarrah Karrim highlights vital role of women and passive resistance in modern journalism #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Intern Snenhlanhla Dlamini - Journalism is probably more important now than it has been in any moment in South Africa's democratic history. That's the view of investigative journalist Azarrah Karrim- ahead of her keynote address at the Annual Mahatma Gandhi Media Lecture at the Phoenix Settlement in Durban today. The lecture aims to immortalize the link Gandhi had with social journalism. Amid her several accolades in investigative journalism Karrim believes that media today draws greatly from Gandhi in the form of passive resistance. Karrim also explains how the role of women in resistance has inspired her work... *The lecture takes place today (Friday) at the Mahatma Gandhi House, Phoenix Settlement Durban from 2pm
#PODCAST SAMNET welcome the decision to recognize Muslim marriage officers on the same basis as other religious leaders #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Islamic organisations has welcomed Government's decision to finally recognize Muslim Marriage Officers on the same basis as other religions. This comes just two years after the 2024 introduction of marriage certificates that recognized Muslim marriages for the very first time. The Department of Home Affairs made the announcement yesterday, adding that Muslim religious leaders certified as Marriage Officers will no longer be required to reapply for certification every five years. chairperson of the South African Muslim Network (SAMNET), Dr Faisal Suliman says this is a step in the right direction to breaking apartheid prejudice and embracing multiculturalism...
#PODCAST Verulam Water Crisis Committee relay frustrations as residents feel impact of continued supply disruptions #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The Verulam Water Crisis Committee (VWCC) north of Durban says frustration is building as residents continue to feel the impact on continued water supply disruptions. The Committee says there are certain communities experiencing interrupted water supply for several years while others are left with dry taps for pro-longed periods without notice. This comes as the eThekwini Municipality is still rationing water - as it aims to allow levels to stabilise in reservoirs. Committee spokesperson, Roshan Lil-Ruthan has laid out demands which he believes if done correctly, would prove fruitful for the community...
#PODCAST Economists warn that private transport services will bear brunt of possible "exorbitant" April fuel hike #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - While South African's brace themselves for potentially exorbitant fuel price hike next month- economist John Loos says the private transport sector will be the hardest hit. He was basing this on the 2022 oil price surge- where the private transport inflation rate peaked 45.64% year-on-year in June 2022 while the minibus taxi fare inflation rate peaked at a significantly lower 19.6%. Geo-political uncertainty following the conflict in Iran has plunged global oil prices into the red. Current data from the Central Energy Fund suggests an approximate price increase of over R7.00 per litre for diesel while petrol could surge by over R4.00 per litre. But while the public transport sector may better endure the financial storm brewing- Loos says the ripple effects for the lower income consumer will be strongly felt...
#PODCAST Boil water advisory issued for Amanzimtoti and surrounding areas amid serious water quality concerns #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - A boil water alert has been issued for Amanzimtoti and surrounding areas in the south Durban basin, as contractors ramp up remedial work and water quality monitoring. Residents are being urged to boil tap water for at least one minute before drinking, cooking, or making baby formula. Authorities say preliminary tests show water meets national standards, but taste, smell, and appearance concerns persist. The alert will remain in place until next week while investigations continue. Former Community Crime Prevention Organisation (CCPO) member and community Activist - George Snodey echoes the frustration amongst residents in the area...
#PODCAST Pietermaritzburg Ramakrishna Centre treat hundreds of people for free during weekend medical camp #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Snenhlanhla Dlamini - Non-governmental organisation, the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa held a successful medical camp this past weekend at Northdale, in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal - where its clinic treated over 500 patients at no cost. The clinic was founded in 1959 as a way to treat people with medical conditions during the apartheid era. Chairperson of the Center's Clinic, Dr Shivani Singh says through its many sub centers across KZN, they have attended to over 6 thousand patients annually since 2016...
#PODCAST Economists warn prolonged US Israel Iran conflict could disrupt global supply chains and make fuel prices rocket in SA #sabcnews
by Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Economists believe that should the conflict between the U.S, Israel and Iran be prolonged - there will be dire consequences for the global supply chain and energy markets. Today marks 19 days of the conflict, and the economic repercussions are being felt globally, with the price of brent crude surging over 100-dollars a barrel and an imminent fuel price hike for South Africa by next month. Economist at Coface - a global credit insurance and risk management company, Aroni Chaudhuri explains the implications for South African's should this conflict rage on, crippling key trade routes....
#PODCAST UK and Ukraine team up to export drones as NATO joins talks and rising oil prices boost Russia #sabcnews
by Producer, Snenhlanhla Dlamini - Britain and Ukraine have agreed to work together to sell drone technology abroad meant to reinforce support for Kyiv as surging oil prices are proving beneficial for Russia. European leaders are keen to keep Ukraine in focus as global attention has switched to the Middle East. NATO are set to join the talks to discuss drones related technologies and Euro-Atlantic security. Newsbreak's Snenhlanhla Dlamini Reports.
#PODCAST Upper uThukela catchments under pressure as water week highlights need to protect key water source #sabcnews
by Newsbreak Producer, Hoosen Ebrahim - As South Africa marks National Water Week, the spotlight falls on one of the country's most critical water sources in KwaZulu-Natal – the Upper uThukela catchment. This vital catchment is under severe pressure from invasive alien plants, land degradation, climate change, and the rising demands of a growing population. To tackle these threats head-on, the Upper uThukela Water Fund (UTWF) is rolling out science-driven, nature-based solutions to safeguard water for millions of South Africans. Project Officer at the WILDLANDS Programme, Mbongiseni Shongwe, says these long-term interventions are more than just conservation, but securing the future of the region's water supply in the face of escalating environmental pressures...
#PODCAST: Concern raised amid trend of scholars inhaling fire extinguisher chemicals
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The City of Johannesburg's Emergency Management Services (EMS) has raised health and safety concerns over a growing trend of learners inhaling chemical substances from fire extinguishers. This follows the circulation of disturbing videos on social media showing pupils participating in such behaviour. The Department of Education warns that such behaviour poses severe health risks, including brain damage, respiratory failure, and even death. Spokesperson for the City of Johannesburg's EMS, Robert Mulaudzi is urging schools and parents to act urgently to curb the spread of this harmful trend....
#PODCAST Experts call for stronger community role in South Africa's fight against TB #sabcnews
by Newsbreak Presenter, Tashlan Naidoo - Experts are calling for more community involvement to fight the scourge of Tuberculosis (TB) in South Africa. This comes as March marks TB Awareness month under the theme, "Yes! We Can End TB! Led by countries, Powered by people". According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), South Africa's multi-pronged efforts have led to a 53% reduction in its TB incidence rate since 2015, while treatment coverage has increased from 58% to 77% since 2020. However, it is still the second greatest killer worldwide due to a single infectious agent. Non-profit company specialising in TB and HIV, TB-HIV Care say the cure rate for TB remains low at 83% in South Africa - largely due to socio-economic factors....
#PODCAST Durban tyre shop break-in sparks renewed security concerns in the Musgrave area #sabcnews
by Newsbreak Presenter, Hoosen Ebrahim - Police are investigating a break-in at Supa-Quick Tyre Shop in Musgrave, Durban after criminals struck in the early hours of Sunday morning. The suspects allegedly bypassed security before stealing computers from the premises. The incident has raised fresh concerns about business security in the area. Berea Musgrave activist - Dees Ahmed visited the scene shortly after the break-in. He explains the plan ahead to curb the influx of car guards and beggars in the Musgrave vicinity..
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