Lotus FM News Break
Activists say government should treat the root cause of gangsterism- as SANDF expected to take on gang violence #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad. President Cyril Ramaphosa plans on deploying the SANDF to assist police in the fight against gang violence and illegal mining. While many have welcomed the move- activists on the ground say this is just a temporary relief mechanism- as gangsterism flourishes amid a whole host problems that need to be systemically addressed. Founder of Cape Flats Stories Stan Jacobs and Public Relations Officer for the Western Cape Provincial Community Police Board Rafique Foflonker joined the conversation.
Foot and Mouth Disease: restricting movement of cattle is crucial #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad. Experts say that restricting the movement of cattle is key in the control of Food and Mouth Disease (FMD). President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared the FMB outbreak a national disaster. Government seeks vaccinate 80% of the national herd. This amounts to approximately 12 million cattle. To help us understand the severity of the disaster KZN MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa and Senior Lecturer in Animal Science in the School of Agriculture and Science at UKZN Dr Ntuthuko joined the programme:
#PODCAST SONA 2026: Political analyst says Ramaphosa delivered an election manifesto
By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to wage war on gangs in Gauteng and the Western Cape, end the country's devastating water crisis and raise two-trillion rand of investment in the next five years. These are some of the promises he made in his 20-page State of the Nation Address delivered in Parliament last night. Joining us on the line to discuss this further is North West University (NWU) Political Analyst, Professor Andre Duvenhage...
#PODCAST 25 days without water: Gauteng residents fear a possible Day Zero
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Today marks 25 days since some residents of Gauteng have had running water and frustrations are running high as communities dread the possibility of a day zero. Protests have been ongoing over the last week and are expected to continue until the City of Joburg comes up with a concrete plan to address the issue. In his SONA last night, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of a National Water Crisis Committee, which he will chair in an effort to solve water issues across the country. Executive Director of civil Society group, the Joburg Community Action Network or JoburgCAN - Julia Fish says the President will not be successful in his plan should communities be left out....
#PODCAST Activists at the 17th Alternative Mining Indaba demand billions of rands in mining reparations #sabcnews
By Newsbreak producer Matthew Veeran - As global investors talk multi-billion rand deals at the CTICC this week, a parallel gathering at St. George's Cathedral is exposing the environmental and social price tags often left out of the corporate narrative. The 17th Alternative Mining Indaba serves as a direct challenge to the industry, insisting that the extraction of SA's wealth must finally serve the people. The Alternative Mining Indaba is headlined this year by the "100-Year Debt Campaign" which demands reparations from mining giants for a century of community dispossession. Spokesperson Hassen Lorgat explains...
#PODCAST Analysts argue that President Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address (SONA) lacked real substance #sabcnews
President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to wage war on gangs in Gauteng and the Western Cape, end the country's devastating water crisis and raise 2 trillion rand of investment in the next five years. These are some of the promises he made in his 20 page State of the Nation Address delivered in Parliament last night. Meanwhile, political analyst, Professor Bheki Mgomezulu says President Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address lacked concrete deliverables...
#PODCAST One of SA's "big four" banks spearhead a new digital revolution for the country's R50-Billion Stokvel sector #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - For decades, stokvels have been the heartbeat of community finance — trusted, disciplined, and built on relationships. From burial societies to grocery clubs, millions of people have relied on these collective saving schemes to survive tough economic times. But now, stokvels are stepping into the formal banking space. A new dedicated stokvel banking solution is bringing group savings into the mainstream financial system. This move could transform how stokvel members manage contributions, track funds, and grow their money — all while maintaining the spirit of community that makes stokvels so powerful. FNB CEO of cash investments, Himal Parbhoo explains what this means for the 11 million South Africans who belong to stokvels...
#PODCAST Newsbreak Fishing Report - 13 February 2026 #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer, Hoosen Ebrahim - In our fishing report feature, Sanjay Ramsarup updates you on the latest from the angling front...
#PODCAST SA Weather Service issue a Level 4 severe thunderstorm warning for Friday in KwaZulu-Natal #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - The South African Weather Service has issued a Level 4 severe thunderstorms warning for today lasting until midnight in KwaZulu-Natal. The eThekwini Municipality has urged residents to remain vigilant. Forecasts indicate severe widespread showers and intense thunderstorms across most parts of KZN. Severe weather conditions such as, heavy downpours, excessive lightning, hail and strong damaging winds are expected. Weather forecaster, Edward Engelbrecht says the public is strongly advised to stay indoors, where possible, and avoid unnecessary travel....
#PODCAST Design student Joash Gounden wins global award for his biodegradable noodle packaging innovation #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - A Communications Design student from the Emeris Vega School in uMhlanga, has earned international acclaim by securing a WorldStar Student Certificate of Recognition for his biodegradable instant noodle packaging. Deeply inspired by his favorite manga series "Naruto" Joash Gounden developed a sustainable design using seaweed and mycelium, that even unfolds from a bowl into a functional place mat. This prestigious award highlights the former art teacher's successful transition into the global design arena, proving that even a guilty pleasure can be redesigned to solve real-world environmental problems...
#PODCAST Symphony by the Water event to highlight the Midlands & Drakensberg as prime, high-value destinations #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - KwaZulu-Natal has been the go-to for a beach holiday for many years. This is poised to be amplified through a new multi-million-rand strategy. At the launch of the 'Symphony by the Water' event next month, tourism officials will unveil a massive push to turn the KZN Midlands and the Drakensberg into a global destination for 'high-value' travellers. It's not just about music but a deliberate move to use the province's cinematic landscapes to lure in filmmakers and big-spending tourists who want more than just a day at the shore. KZN Tourism and Film Authority spokesperson Pinky Radebe explains what they hope to achieve moving into the future...
#PODCAST SONA 2026: Government faces trust deficit, as experts warn against constant "false promises" #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Brand management and consultancy group, Reputation 1st says trust and public confidence in the Government will continue to decline should tonight's SONA be one with more promises than execution. Managing Director, Tshepo Matseba says it will be a tough balancing act, given the current issues like the water crisis and scholar transport in Gauteng coupled with the high rate of crime and unemployment gripping the country...
#PODCAST Social media powerhouses Meta and YouTube accused of designing "addiction machines" #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - A landmark trial opened in Los Angeles this week, with Meta and YouTube accused of intentionally designing "addiction machines" that caused severe mental health issues in a young plaintiff. The lead attorney alleges that these tech giants are prioritising advertising revenue over child safety. This trial has meanwhile set the stage for a six-week legal battle expected to serve as a benchmark for thousands of similar lawsuits in the United States. Matthew found out more in this morning's Techno Touch...
#PODCAST eThekwini Municipality advise on the alternatives - as the shortage of black refuse bags continues #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - eThekwini Municipality has confirmed an ongoing shortage of black refuse bags in some areas and has advised residents to use makeshift alternatives in the interim. The municipality says it is working to address supply chain issues causing the shortage...
#PODCAST Critics oppose the renaming of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape to Robert Sobukwe Town #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Government has now approved 21 new name changes and registrations in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. One of the most talked-about decisions is the renaming of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape to Robert Sobukwe Town. Critics argue the process exposes deeper political and governance concerns, including the concentration of power and the role of opposition parties within the Government of National Unity. Civil society advocacy group "Lex Libertas" says that a poll in Graaff-Reinet shows over 80% of residents are opposed to the name change. Executive Director, Dr. Ernst Roets says the name changes are nothing but a deflection of government failures...
#PODCAST PMB Economic Justice & Dignity Group: Ramaphosa must detail food security progress in tomorrow's SONA #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Non-profit organisation, the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group (PMBEJD) says President Cyril Ramaphosa must provide a progress report from the previous year when he delivers the State of the Nation Address (SONA) tomorrow. The Group which focuses on household affordability says tangible solutions and plans around food insecurity, especially amongst youth need to be focused on. Programme Coordinator at the Group, Mervyn Abrahams is hopeful that the President will deliver a strong and positive SONA this year...
#PODCAST Floods trigger urgent malaria alert, as the breeding habitats of mosquitos in Southern Africa increase #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The University of Pretoria's Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control has issued an urgent alert as record flooding in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Mozambique creates an unprecedented spike in mosquito breeding habitats. Dr. Taneshka Kruger, Project Manager at the institute, warns that stagnant floodwaters are placing millions of people at risk, potentially reversing years of progress toward malaria elimination. In response, the institute is now working alongside the National Health Department to deploy vector control and intensive health promotion drives...
#PODCAST Madlanga Commission: Crime analyst Chad Thomas delves deeper into the death of Wiandre Pretorius #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producers Tashlan Naidoo & Taliesha Naidoo - Newsbreak spoke to crime analyst, Chad Thomas about the death of former police reservist, Wiandre Pretorius. Pretorius committed suicide at a filling station in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni on Saturday night. Police have confirmed that he was a person of interest in the recent murder of Marius van der Merwe, known as Witness D, as well as the 2022 murder of Emmanuel Mbhense. Just last week, Pretorius survived an apparent hit, after three gunmen approached his vehicle and opened fire on him outside a house in Boksburg. Thomas unpacks the red flags that stand out to him as crime analyst and forensic investigator from the recent developments...
#PODCAST Life Insurance Ombud warns that criminal behaviour can void claims - despite active, fully paid policies #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Insurance claims arising from criminal activities or illegal behaviour will not be paid out under exclusionary clauses. That's according to Lead Ombud of the Life Insurance Division of the Ombud Scheme (NFO), Denise Gabriels. She says that although your policy is active and premiums are fully paid, Insurers will not indemnify losses that arise from unlawful conduct - reflecting the principle that insurance is designed to protect against unforeseen risks, not deliberate or illegal acts. Gabriels elaborates on a case recently where somebody was declined citing criminal conduct...
#PODCAST SONA 2026: NAPTOSA call on President Ramaphosa to address critical issues, including the BELA Act #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Teacher Union, NAPTOSA are calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to address critical issues such as austerity measures and the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act during the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA). President Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the SONA this coming Thursday. Executive Director of NAPTOSA, Basil Manuel says issues such as funding, infrastructure, scholar transport and Early Childhood Development (ECD) are among some of the critical points that they hope will be touched on...
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