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Taking a close-up to boost local economies through film production in KZN #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Salma Patel Choosing locations for film productions can help to boost local economies through tourism in small towns in KwaZulu-Natal. That was the main conclusion drawn from the panel discussion by the KZN Tourism and Film Authority entitled Filming the Future. Panelists at Africa's Travel Indaba spoke about the reciprocal relationship between tourism and the film industry. Durban International Film Festival director - Sakhile Gumede - says that by renting out homes to film crews or working as an extra on a production can benefit a township economy and boost tourism...
#PODCAST The increased ship traffic around the Cape of Good Hope raises concerns over whale populations #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - South African researchers are warning that a sharp rise in global shipping traffic around the Cape of Good Hope is placing whales along the country's coastline at greater risk of deadly ship strikes. The warning follows the rerouting of vessels away from the Red Sea and Suez Canal after attacks linked to Houthi rebels and escalating tensions in the Middle East. New research presented to the International Whaling Commission shows commercial traffic around southern Africa has nearly doubled since 2023. Scientists say the increase is creating dangerous overlap between major shipping corridors and globally significant whale populations off the Western Cape coast. Conservationists fear more whale deaths could follow if mitigation measures are not introduced urgently. In this week's Greenscene, we spoke to Chief Scientist and Manager at UP's MRI Whale Unit, Professor Els Vermeulen...
#PODCAST Insurance providers urge the public to review risk cover, as high-value personal item theft surges #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - South Africans are increasingly carrying high-value personal items - ranging from smart phones to specialised sports equipment - that often exceed R50,000 in combined value, leaving these possessions exposed to significant risk outside the home. While many residents prioritise securing their property behind locked doors, insurance experts warn that daily commutes and public spaces now represent the primary frontier for theft and accidental damage. To address this, "moveables cover" is something being cited as an essential safeguard, designed to protect personal belongings wherever they are used in this modern, mobile world. Insurance executive Sherry Sibeko joined me to take this conversation further...
#PODCAST COSATU warns of a worsening jobs crisis after the official unemployment figures hits 32.7% #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Trade Union COSATU are concerned that the unemployment figures for the second quarter of the year will grow even further due to increased economic uncertainty. This after Stats SA revealed that the official unemployment rate rose by one-point-three percent to 32-point-seven percent in the first quarter of this year. This means that 8.1 million out of the almost 25-million labour force are unemployed. Unemployment increased in all the country's provinces except KwaZulu Natal, with the highest increases recorded in the North West and Eastern Cape. The unemployment rate among young people aged 15 to 24 stood at 60-point-nine percent and 40-point-six percent among those aged 25 to 34 in the same quarter. COSATU National spokesperson, Zanele Sabela says this should be declared a national emergency...
#PODCAST Section27 predict a rise in unwanted pregnancies following the crippling US health funding withdrawal #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - Civil society organisation Section27 is concerned that last year's PEPFAR funding pullout by the United States will have a negative impact on the rate of un-wanted pregnancies in the country. The Stop Stockouts Project has just released a report entitled Impact, Adaptation and Opportunity – South Africa's Health System Post-PEPFAR. It shows that adolescent girls and young women were the first to experience reduced access to contraceptive and HIV prevention or management services during the pullout. According to the report in April to June last year the number of patients who were unable to access their preferred contraceptive method increased sharply across eThekwini, King Cetshwayo and uMgungundlovu. These three districts in KwaZulu-Natal have a high HIV prevalence. Section27 chief executive Sasha Stevenson says there are some key recommendations that government needs to implement to ensure unwanted pregnancies are reduced...
#PODCAST SA and Mauritius sign a memorandum of understanding to strengthen tourism partnerships #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - South Africa and Mauritius have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen partnerships in tourism between the two nations. The MOU forms part of the Indian Ocean Island's drive to appeal to the local travel market. Mauritius has a bigger and better presence at Africa's Travel Indaba this year, featuring stakeholders from hospitality and travel to promote improved tourism packages for South Africans. Newly appointed chairman of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, Dinesh Burrenchobay, says the Island will also be hosting the Africa Rugby Sevens Tournament in June as part of their new offering to sport-lovers...
#PODCAST: South Africa to host Global Flagship Event marking International Day for Biological Diversity
By Newbsreak Senior Producer, Taresh Harreeparshad - South Africa will host the Global Flagship Event to mark International Day for Biological Diversity in Johannesburg next week- in what is billed as a global first. this follows the first ever request by the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity to host the flagship event. South Africa is recognised as one of the world's largest bio diverse countries. Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Narend Singh explains how this year's theme resonates so significantly with local communities...
#PODCAST: Case against suspended National Police Commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola, Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala and co-accused postponed
BY Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The case against Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, suspended SAPS Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and 15 others in the 360-million Rand Medicare 24 SAPS tender, has been postponed to the 26th of June. Matlala is tried with 16 co-accused in the matter facing charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering. The charges are linked to improper procurement processes in which senior SAPS officials were allegedly bribed. The contract was later cancelled due to the irregularities. Masemola is accused no 17 in the matter, he is charged with contravention of the Public Finance Management Act. SABC reporter Luyanda Danca was at court and brings us an update....
#PODCAST: Inclement weather wreaks havoc on Garden route, leaving hundreds destitute
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Disaster management teams in the Garden Route and Little Karoo regions of the Western Cape say clear weather conditions will allow them to continue with rescue operations and assessments. Back to back storms wreaked havoc in the region exacerbating power outages and road closures. Hundreds of people still remain displaced and in need of humanitarian aid. SABC reporter, Sagree Chetty has the details...
#PODCAST With cyber-criminals using high-tech fraud tactics, WhatsApp users are being warned to safeguard their accounts #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - A wave of sophisticated WhatsApp account takeovers is continuing to target South Africans, with hackers increasingly using impersonation to defraud unsuspecting contacts of their money. These cyber-criminals often pose as friends or family in distress, exploiting personal trust to facilitate quick, fraudulent transfers. Security experts are now urging all users to immediately activate two-step verification on WhatsApp to create a secondary barrier against these rising digital attacks. Joining us to take the conversation forward is comms and tech specialist representing Naz Consulting - Nazareen Ebrahim...
#PODCAST Minister Chikunga sounds the alarm on a deepening mental health crisis among South African men and boys #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga has sounded the alarm over what she calls a growing mental health crisis among men and boys in South Africa. She describes the situation as a silent national emergency fuelled by unemployment, substance abuse, violence and the breakdown of families and communities. The Minister says many men are suffering in silence while access to mental health support remains limited, especially in rural areas. Government is now calling for urgent intervention from communities, institutions and civil society to confront the crisis. The warning comes amid rising concerns over depression, suicide and social instability affecting young men across the country. In an exclusive interview with Newsbreak, Minister Chikunga explains...
#PODCAST Defend Our Democracy insist President Ramaphosa's judicial review will not stall any impeachment proceedings #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - President Cyril Ramaphosa's judicial review of the Section 89 independent panel's report into the Phala Phala saga will not stop Parliament from implementing impeachment proceedings. This is according to civil society movement, Defend Our Democracy (DOD) who says the President is well within his rights to take the report on judicial review. Interim Executive Director of Defend Our Democracy, Martha Ngoye says the Constitutional Courts ruling has instilled some sort of confidence within the electorate about accountability within the judicial process...
#PODCAST 41-thousand left destitute after rains batter the Western Cape
by Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Over 41-thousand people have been left destitute in 26 informal settlements across Cape Town due to the inclement weather that has been battering the province. The City of Cape Town's Disaster Risk Management spokesperson, Charlotte Powell, says over 10-thousand informal structures have thus far been destroyed in the storms that made landfall on Sunday. SABC reporter, Mlamli Maneli is on the ground and brings us an update...
#PODCAST Search intensifies for Phoenix runaway teen and 53 year old man
by Newsbreak's Executive Producer, Salma Patel - The search for a 15 year old high school learner from Phoenix has intensified after it was discovered she could have possibly run away with a 53 year old man. The private security company involved in the search says that incidents like this are growing at an alarming rate. If it is established that the 53 year old man is involved in a relationship with the teenager he could be charged with statutory rape and face jail time. Spokesperson for Reaction Unit South Africa, Prem Balram, says the teenager is yet to be found.......
#PODCAST Political analyst says Ramaphosa's decision to take Phala Phala report on judicial review is a delay tactic
by Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Political Analyst Professor André Duvenhage says President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to take the Independent Panel Report on Phala Phala on judicial review is a delay tactic. Ramaphosa last night made the announcement from his offices at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. This follows the judgment of the Constitutional Court last Friday finding that the rules governing Parliament's impeachment process are unconstitutional. The rules were challenged by the EFF and ATM who argued that the National Assembly in 2022 acted irrationally when it decided not to appoint a committee to look into the recommendations of an independent panel into the matter. The panel found that Ramaphosa had a prima facie case to answer regarding foreign currency stolen from his Phala Phala farm in 2020. Prof Duvenhage explains how these processes are likely to unfold going forward...
#PODCAST President Ramaphosa rejects mounting calls for his resignation, vows to the fight Phala Phala report in court #sabcnews
President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will not resign from his office but will rather take the Independent Panel Report on Phala Phala on judicial review. Ramaphosa announced this in an address to the nation last night beamed from his offices at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. This address follows the judgment of the Constitutional Court last Friday finding that the rules governing Parliament's impeachment process are unconstitutional. The rules were challenged by the EFF and ATM who argued that the National Assembly in 2022 acted irrationally when it decided not to appoint a committee to look into the recommendations of an independent panel into the matter chaired by Former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo. The panel found that Ramaphosa had a case to answer regarding foreign currency stolen from a couch on his Phala Phala farm in 2020. This report by Busi Bopela...
#PODCAST Ahmed Kathrada Foundation welcome the ConCourt Ramaphosa ruling, label it "a win for accountability" #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation (AKF) has welcomed the Constitutional Court ruling, ordering that an Impeachment Committee be established to investigate President Cyril Ramaphosa. On Friday last week, the apex court ruled that Parliament acted unlawfully in 2022 when it voted to reject an independent panel's report that had recommended an impeachment inquiry into Ramaphosa. This relates to the theft of more than 500-thousand dollars at Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm in Limpopo in February 2020. Executive Director of the Foundation, Neeshan Balton says this decision will help to strengthen democracy and improve accountability...
#PODCAST President Cyril Ramaphosa expected to officially open the 2026 Africa Travel Indaba in Durban today #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to officially open the 2026 Africa Travel Indaba in Durban today (Tues 12 May 2026). The Indaba is one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African calendar, showcasing the widest variety of the continent's best tourism products. Tourism Minister, Patricia de Lille, says some of the 22 African countries in attendance have raised concerns about the recent anti-illegal immigrant marches in Durban. Speaking at the exclusive tour of the new Club Med Beach and Safari Resort on the KZN North Coast, Minister de Lille says they are prepared for a safe and successful Indaba 2026...
#PODCAST Medical experts shed light on the Hantavirus - as SA monitors contacts following the latest developments #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The Spanish Health Minister has confirmed that the final two evacuation flights for passengers of the hantavirus-stricken MV Hondius ship have departed Tenerife, following the successful removal of 94 individuals from the vessel since its arrival on Sunday. In South Africa, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases is currently monitoring 62 potential contacts and treating a critically ill British national in Johannesburg. This containment effort follows the recent death of a Dutch passenger at OR Tambo International Airport. Supplementing this report, the BBC's Health Correspondent Dominic Hughes explains that while the Andes strain is primarily spread via rodent waste, its rare capacity for human-to-human transmission has now necessitated these unprecedented global quarantine measures... Credits: BBC News
#PODCAST: New KZN based resort expected to boost tourism and employment
By Newsbreak Executive Producer, Salma Patel - The north coast of KwaZulu-Natal is expected to see a boost in tourism and job creation when an international resort brand welcomes its first guest in July this year. Club Med South Africa Beach and Safari promises an all-inclusive resort stay for couples or families to relax and unwind and enjoy the warm waters of the Indian Ocean including a safari featuring the Big 5. The project has provided employment for over 1800 people with the possibility of overseas travel to other venues listed in the brand's resort portfolio. As Africa's Travel Indaba kicks off this week in Durban, the resort hosted an exclusive tour for Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille at the venue. Chris du Toit, the Project Lead at Club Med South Africa says the opening of the resort will have many spin-offs for the area......
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