Lotus FM News Break
Harsher consequences needed for perpetrators of bullying #Milnerton #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad Many have called for harsher penalties against the eight learners who were caught allegedly bullying and assaulting a fellow learner at the Milnerton High School in the Western Cape. In a viral video- a group of boys can be seen violently assaulting a fellow learner with a hockey stick. Eight learners have since been suspended. Six of the eight learners have been granted two thousand rand bail each, with conditions, while the two juveniles have been released into the care of their parents. The suspects will also be able to write the final term examinations. But how should bullying be eradicated at schools? Joining the conversation is Joy Maimela: Chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Basic Education and Vernon Chetty: KZN Rugby Union's Clubs and Operational Manager...
#PODCAST Newsbreak Fishing Report - 24 October 2025 #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Cast away with this week's Newsbreak Fishing Report, brought to you by KZN angler Sanjay Ramsarup...
#PODCAST The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund marks its 30th anniversary as one of SA's most trusted advocates for children & youth #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (NMCF) - established by Madiba in 1995 - marks its 30th anniversary this year as one of South Africa's most trusted advocates for children and youth. Evolving from a grant-making entity to a powerful development agency, the Fund's enduring impact is highlighted by its flagship project: the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital. The Fund is also known for its community-driven programmes focused on child safety, health and economic inclusion. Under the leadership of CEO Dr. Linda Ncube-Nkomo, the NMCF is now strategically planning the next three decades to build a child-rights movement that ensures safety, dignity and opportunity for every child...
#PODCAST Annual "Lights on After School" campaign begins in an effort to highlight the critical role of after school care #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The sixth annual Lights on After School (LOAS) campaign kicked off yesterday in an effort to highlight the critical role of after school care in reducing the dropout rate, alleviating poverty and creating employment. The global movement, under the theme "Investing in Brighter Futures are largely run by Community Based and Non-Governmental organisations serving learners in low to no fee-paying schools. Mentors play a big role in these programs, from sport coaches to literacy tutors - mentorship is the heart of reaching its objectives. Communications and Advocacy manager at Youth Organisation "Year Beyond" - Wayde Groep says these programs also serve as a safe space away from the social ills...
#PODCAST Protests continue outside Milnerton High School over student assault incident
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Protest action is continuing outside Milnerton High School in Cape Town after a viral video showing a group of male students assaulting a fellow pupil with a a hockey stick and other items, while laughing. The learners have been suspended pending a disciplinary hearing. A case of assault has been opened against the group– some of whom who are allegedly top-performing school rugby players. Yesterday, police fired stun fired grenades outside the school to disperse a group of demonstrators after a discussion between the school principal. SABC reporter Andile Mbanjwa is at the school and brings us an update....
#PODCAST Air quality in India's capital New Delhi remains at hazardous levels - with readings amongst the highest in the world #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The air quality spikes this week is partly due to the large number of fireworks which were set off to celebrate the Hindu festival of lights, or Deepavali. The Supreme Court of India last week relaxed a ban on firecrackers in the city, permitting the use of so-called "green crackers" for a maximum three hours each on Sunday and Monday, although there are reports of these crackers being set off outside the allotted times...
#PODCAST The South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) launch new campaign that looks to improve on donor retention #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Local stem cell registries are facing a critical challenge as a significant number of registered donors cannot be traced or contacted, severely hindering life-saving transplants. According to the World Marrow Donor Association, 50% of registered donors were removed from the database globally in 2023 due to being untraceable, while the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) noted an 11% non-contact rate, despite the odds of finding a match already being a low 1 in 100,000. The SABMR is launching a campaign to improve donor retention and urges registered individuals - especially younger donors - to update their contact details and ensure availability when a patient's life hangs in the balance. Deputy Director for the SABMR, Jane Ward explains... * For more information on joining the registry, you can visit www.sabmr.co.za or contact them on 021 447 8638
#PODCAST Over 3,000 people expected to participate in the Human Values Walk, in commemoration of spiritual leader Sri Sathya Sai Baba #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Over 3,000 people are expected to participate in a 4-kilometre Human Values Walk on Sunday, the 30th of next month. The event, starting at 8:30 in the morning from the Durban Film Studio site, is a local commemoration of the centenary of revered spiritual leader Sri Sathya Sai Baba's advent. The walk aims to highlight core principles, featuring placards on universal human values and eleven large floats promoting unity of faiths and crucial environmental protection messages. As the country grapples with societal issues, this mass gathering focuses on a foundation of ethics and service. Human values walk Organizer - Reuben Naidoo explains how this event hopes to translate spiritual teachings into concrete action for the community...
#PODCAST Police Minister Senzo Mchunu: SA security cluster "very weak" when it comes to curtailing corruption and crime #sabcnews
The placed on special leave Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has told Parliament's Ad Hoc committee that the security cluster is very weak, when it comes to curtailing corruption and crime. Mchunu appeared before Parliament's Ad Hoc committee that is looking into wide-ranging allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption and political interference in the justice system made by KZN Police Commissioner, Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Among others, Mkhwanazi alleged political interference resulted in a directive for the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team. Mchunu called for a single, anti-corruption unit to be established. Zalene Merrington reports...
#PODCAST Techno Touch: Indian worshippers turn to Artificial Intelligence (AI) for spiritual guidance #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Across India and the globe, a new spiritual evolution is underway. Worshippers are turning to a purpose-built, highly accessible middleman for religious worship and spiritual guidance - it's none other than Artificial Intelligence (AI). However, this shift asks a profound question - what happens when machines become our new spiritual advisors? Matthew found out in today's edition of the Techno Touch...
#PODCAST Heart and Stroke Foundation urge South Africans to #ActFAST ahead of World Stroke Week #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebraham - The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) are sounding the alarm early for their upcoming World Stroke Week, getting underway on Monday. The Foundation is calling for a national collective effort to #ActFAST to recognize the signs of stroke - specifically face drooping, arm weakness and speech difficulty. Their goal is to raise in-depth awareness to ensure stroke patients get timely access to healthcare, which can dramatically improve recovery. HSFSA Health Promotion Team Lead, Juandre Watson began by explaining the prevalence of the disease here in South Africa...
#PODCAST "People's Hearing" on activist protection kicks off at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg today #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Civil society groups, environmental activists and legal experts will gather at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg this morning to hold a "Peoples Hearing" in their fight to protect activists in the country. The events comes as activists continue to feel threatened when conducting their work and believe government is not doing enough to protect them. A jury panel composed of Advocate Louisa Zondo, Professor Tsepo Madlingozi and Mary de Haas will hear testimony and compile a report which will be sent to parliament. Human Rights Defenders Campaigner at Groundworx, Sfiso Dladla explains some of the human rights violations, threats and other issues facing activists and ordinary people that will come out during the hearings...
#PODCAST Experts urge Matric Class of 2025 to balance study and self-care
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Mental health and wellness experts are urging the class of 2025 to develop a study routine that prioritises rest and stress management. This as over 900-thousand candidates will sit for the National Senior Certificate examinations from today. Mental Health and Wellness Specialist, Keri Rudolph says with exam season comes high expectations, increased stress levels and fear for some. Rudolph says parents and guardians must monitor students and be as supportive as possible in order to foster a conducive and healthy environment through this period....
#PODCAST The Govenders of Malvern celebrate The Festival of Lights observed by Hindus worldwide #sabcnews
Hindu devotees in South Africa and from around the world are celebrating Diwali also known as the Festival of Lights - one of the most important events on the Hindu calendar. During the festival, Hindu families gather for prayer, lamps are lit and food is prepared which is shared with friends and neighbours. The colourful firework displays which light up the night skies, are part of the message of positivity and hope. Renee' Heine visited Raj and Nirmala Govender at their home in Queensburgh in Durban where they were celebrating Diwali with their family......
#PODCAST Youth mental health crisis feared amid surge in South African vaping and cannabis use #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - Experts are concerned about a link in poor mental health among young South Africans who use both cannabis and vapes. Head of the School of Health Systems and Public Health at the University of Pretoria Professor Olalekan Ayo-Yusuf recently presented a paper where he showed how cannabis-related psychiatric admissions among adolescents have more than doubled since 2017, coinciding with cannabis decriminalisation and the surge in vaping. Prof. explains how this complex interception could lead to a mental health crisis among youth...
#PODCAST 2025 Matric Exams: Experts stress importance of psychological support for the thousands of young South Africans writing #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Today marks a significant day for over a million young South Africans as the 2025 matric final examinations officially kick off. With education quality watchdog Umalusi giving the green light, and psychologists urging sensitivity to the immense pressure on learners, the spotlight is firmly on our future generation. But as the pens hit paper and the clock starts ticking, we asked the Chairperson of the Parents Association of KZN - Vee Gani about the crucial psychological support learners need during this challenge...
#PODCAST ANALYSIS: Police Minister Senzo Mchunu returns to face Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee today #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Specialised investigator, Mike Bolhuis says members of parliament must thoroughly and critically probe Police minister, Senzo Mchunu on his alleged links to organised crime and controversial figures. Mchunu will appear before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee today, where MPs are expected to cross-examine him. Mchunu appeared last week and defended his decision to issue a directive to disband the Political Killings Task Team - adding that he had briefed President Ramaphosa on the decision, and that the president backed him. Bolhuis says links between organised crime, high ranking government officials and businesspeople has been an ongoing issue for many years…
#PODCAST Vishwa Hindu Parishad battle Diwali blues with Festival of Lights celebration for the less fortunate #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - Hindu's around the country will celebrate the Festival of Lights or Diwali today. While this is a time of great joy with family and friends- for others, specifically the less fortunate and those without families - it can be a very dark day. But the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of South Africa will be spreading love and light for those who need it the most - by hosting a Diwali celebration in Durban today. The organisations Pravesh Hurdeen-Singh explains how the public can join in to spread some Diwali cheer... * The event takes place at 626 Clare Road, Clare Estate today (20/10/2025) at 3pm.
#PODCAST Concerns raised regarding the porous SA borders - with little to no effort made to prevent illegal crossings #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Serious concern has been raised regarding the country's borders which are effectively open, with little control to prevent illegal crossings. According to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence and the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans it is worrying that government departments and entities responsible for border management are not working together to find lasting solutions to the country's porous borders. Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, Malusi Gigaba explains...
#PODCAST Wellness Wake-Up: Dealing with Adult ADHD in South Africa and the Project Completion Crisis #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) not only affects children and adolescents but it is also known to impact the lives of adults. According to Netcare Akeso 24-hour Crisis Line manager, Megan Gonsalves, adults with ADHD may begin projects with intense focus and enthusiasm but lose momentum before completion, creating frustration for themselves and those around them. In this week's Wellness Wake-Up, Gonsalves explains adulthood ADHD and how to better handle the disorder...
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