Lotus FM News Break
#PODCAST Kruger National Park temporarily closes amid floods
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The Kruger National Park which is located in both the Limpopo and Mpumulanga Provinces has suspended day visits and closed off access to certain points due to flooding. General Manager for Communication at the Park is Rey Tlakudi....
#PODCAST US-Iran Tensions: Sanctions, threats and international law explained
By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - After weeks of escalating tension, U.S. and Iranian officials faced each other Thursday at the U.N. Security Council, where America's envoy renewed threats against the Islamic Republic despite President Donald Trump's efforts to lower the temperature between the two adversaries. The US has imposed new sanctions on five Iranian officials it accuses of being behind the deadly crackdown on protesters as the Trump administration attempts to keep up pressure on Iran's leadership. The US Treasury says the sanctions target the Secretary of the Supreme Council for National Security and others. We speak to Professor of International Public Law UJ - Prof Hennie Strydom...
#PODCAST Weather warning issued for Mpumulanga amid persistent rain
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Heavy rains continue to wreak havoc in parts of the Limpopo and Mpumulanga Provinces, destroying homes, road and bridges. In Mpumulanga, dozens of homes have been flooded as disaster management teams assess the extent of the damage with more rainfall expected throughout the weekend. SABC reporter, Mthobisi Mkhaliphi says humanitarian aid teams are on the ground assisting those in need....
#PODCAST From Africa to the world: Gas Motorshow International 2026 officially kicks off
By Newsbreak Producer, Matthew Veeran - The Gas Motorshow International 2026 officially launched its buildup phase today, marking its evolution into Africa's top automotive exhibition with a new, globally-focused format. While the high-profile lineup of international celebrities and industry experts remains strictly under wraps for now, the application window has officially opened for exhibitors, media and the ever- popular spinning event. Organiser Yash Ori has emphasised that with the show's new international status driving record-breaking interest, fans are urged to secure their tickets quick to avoid missing out on this year's landmark event...
#PODCAST Jaipur Literature Festival convenes with experts exploring geopolitics & culture in Rajasthan's "pink city" #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - The 19th Jaipur Literature Festival, underway in Jaipur, India has transformed Rajasthan's Pink City into a global crossroads of ideas and storytelling. The festival, which runs from the from 15-19 January, will see around 500 speakers from over around the world, including Nobel laureates, economists, artists and writers. The festival will host 266 sessions across literature, geopolitics, science, technology, culture and more. Writer, historian and world traveler, Kiru Naidoo, is attending the festival and share more details...
#PODCAST Authorities issue urgent warning after two drown following heavy rain and floods in Mpumalanga #sabcnews
Authorities have once again called on citizens to stop crossing overflowing rivers and bridges as heavy rainfall continues to pour in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Two people drowned in Msholozi Village near Mbombela in Mpumalanga. The 45-year-old Esther Mathenjwa, was swept away after attempting to cross an overflowing bridge on Wednesday night. And on Tuesday, a two-year-old toddler drowned in the same area . Mthobisi Mkhaliphi reports...
#PODCAST Matriculants urged to prioritise mental health over results as experts highlight alternative pathways #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Following the release of the 2025 Matric results, wellness experts are reaching out to students and families who may be navigating the emotional weight of unexpected or disappointing outcomes. Student Wellness Specialist Eshana Ratibar Ghela says that these results do not define a person's worth, urging matriculants to prioritize their mental health and use "emotional first aid" to manage any sudden stress. By highlighting alternative academic pathways, Ghela also reminds the Class of 2025 that a temporary setback is simply a detour, not a dead end...
#PODCAST Specialists warn over dropping maths aggregates - despite the record matric pass rate for class of 2025 #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - A learning and behavioural specialist believes while it is warranted to celebrate the 88% pass rate by the class of 2025, we must be concerned about the decrease in the average mathematics mark. The pure mathematics aggregate in 2025 stands at 64%, an almost 5% drop since the previous year. Only 34% of the 927 000 candidates chose mathematics, as the majority opted for mathematics literacy - this notes a four percent drop since 2024. Learning and Behavioral Specialist, Junaid Bayat also expressed worry around the minimal places at universities offering bachelor's degrees. He elaborates on other options and paths if a learner did not get their desired marks or placement...
#PODCAST Newsbreak Fishing Report - 16 January 2026 #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer, Hoosen Ebrahim - In our fishing report feature, Sanjay Ramsarup updates you on the latest from the angling front...
#PODCAST Pressure mounts as over 3,000 learners still no placed at schools in Gauteng
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Scores of parents continue to queue outside Department of Education District offices in Gauteng seeking placement for their children. Over three-thousand children have not been placed, despite the new academic year already having started. SABC reporter, Puseletso Mokoena is following the story and has the details....
#PODCAST Tragedy in Tongaat: 23-year-old dies as fire guts his wood and iron structure home #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - A 23-year-old man was declared deceased in Tongaat, north of Durban, after he burnt to death in his home while asleep. According to spokesperson for local security company Reaction Unit South Africa, Prem Balram, the wood and iron structure was engulfed in flames on Tuesday night. He says the cause of the fire still remains unknown at this stage...
#PODCAST Minister of COGTA Velenkosi Hlabisa says discussions are underway to determinate the date of the Local Government Elections #sabcnews
Discussions are at an advanced stage to determine the local government elections date. This is according to Minister of COGTA, Velenkosi Hlabisa. Hlabisa spoke to the media on the sidelines of a follow-up meeting between CONTRALESA and COGTA that is aimed at addressing issues that were raised by traditional leadership. So far, 100 thousand candidates are contesting for 10 thousand municipal seats at the local polls. Zara Groenewald filed this report...
#PODCAST Three murder suspects are to appear at the Chatsworth court today, following the brutal killing of a 20-year-old man #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - Three suspects are expected to appear at the Chatsworth Magistrates Court today facing charges of the murder. On Monday, a 20-year-old man was shot multiple times outside an informal settlement in Chatsworth, south of Durban and was declared dead at the scene. The next day, police arrested three suspects. One of the suspects led the police to where he had hidden the firearm, which was used in the commission of the crime. The firearm was found with eight rounds of ammunition. Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the suspects was on the wanted list for a double murder which he committed in July 2025 at Crossmoor in Chatsworth. KZN police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda has more details...
#PODCAST AD Hoc Committee hears that political interference in the police service began to intensify in 2007, following an ANC conference #sabcnews
Former Acting National Police Commissioner Khomotso Phahlane, has acknowledged that political interference in the South African Police Service has been prevalent for a long time. Phahlane says it began after the ANC Conference held in Polokwane in 2007. He was testifying before the Ad Hoc Committee investigating wide-ranging allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption and political interference in the justice system. The allegations were made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi during a media briefing last year. Abongwe Kobokana reports...
#PODCAST NAPTOSA concerned over state of readiness for 2026 academic year
By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - Teacher union - the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) has expressed concern regarding the school's state of readiness for the 2026 academic year earlier in the week. A survey conducted over a two-day period, completed by 150 schools across the province, indicated that a significant number of schools were not fully prepared for Day one. NAPTOSA CEO in KZN - Thirona Moodley has more details....
#PODCAST Gauteng parents frustrated over school placement delays
By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - Parents are still queuing outside the Gauteng Department of Education's district office in Morningside in Johannesburg waiting for school placements for their children. This as the 2026 academic year has officially kicked off, despite ongoing placement challenges. Approximately 4-thousand learners are still unplaced in Gauteng schools. SABC News reporter, Puseletso Mokoena joins us for an update on the situation...
#PODCAST Gauteng Education MEC urges learners to stick with STEM subjects despite recent decline in maths results #sabcnews
Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane has pleaded with the province's learners not to give up on Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics as subject choices. His plea comes after the province performed dismally in Mathematics dropping from 72-point-7 percent to 66-point-7 percent. Chiloane also said they are working around the clock to enroll learners who have not found schools in the province as yet. He was outlining the Gauteng's 2025 matric performance in Centurion where they awarded well performing schools. Thabiso Radebe reports...
#PODCAST US invests R1.8 billion in counter-drone tech to secure venues at the 2026 FIFA World Cup #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The United States will invest $115 million or One Billion, Eight-Hundred Million rand in counter-drone measures to bolster security around the FIFA World Cup and America's 250th Anniversary celebrations. The move is part of the Department of Homeland Security stepping up drone defenses in the country. The 2026 edition of the football showpiece will take place between June and July in the United States, Canada, and Mexico....
#PODCAST Star College Durban pupil among KwaZulu-Natal's top achievers with an outstanding 93% aggregate #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Diya Hargoon from Star College Durban who achieved 11 distinction says she is pleased with an aggregate of 93% and was pleasantly surprised being among the top achievers in KZN. Like many in her position, the 18-year-old plans to pursue a career in medicine...
#PODCAST Police arrest a man in Umlazi after social media outrage prompts action in domestic violence assault case #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - The power of social media is once again under the spotlight after public outrage online prompted swift police action in KwaZulu-Natal. A 24-year-old man has been arrested in Umlazi, south of Durban, less than 48 hours after his girlfriend took to social media, accusing police of failing to act on her assault complaint. He now faces charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, while the woman, who is currently in hospital, is expected to be charged for allegedly setting his car alight. KZN police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda says both incidents stem from a volatile domestic dispute and are urging couples to seek help before conflicts turn violent...
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