Lotus FM News Break
#PODCAST Babita Deokaran's family say justice will only be served once the mastermind behind her killing is jailed #sabcnews
The family of slain whistle-blower Babita Deokaran has called for more arrests in her killing - saying justice will only come when the mastermind is behind bars. Deokaran was assassinated on 23 August 2021 - after revealing massive fraud and corruption at the Tembisa Hospital in Ekurhuleni. She was gunned down in a hail of bullets outside her complex, in Winchester Hills, South of Johannesburg - after dropping her daughter at school. Neria Hlakotsa filed this report...
#PODCAST The community of Shallcross, south of Durban prepare to stage a mass march in protest over crime #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Activists and community members from Shallcross, south of Durban will tomorrow stage a mass march in protest of the crimes such as robberies, hijackings and kidnappings which they say are plaguing the area. According to locals, crime is on the increase and calls are mounting for more to be done by law enforcement to protect residents. Director of community organisation the '100 Strong' Movement, Marcus Richards says they will be handing over a memorandum to the local ward councillor, SAPS and other stakeholders in the area...
#PODCAST The HQA release its 2024 results, revealing both progress and gaps within SA's private health sector #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The Health Quality Assessment (HQA) has released its 2024 results, revealing both progress and significant gaps in the quality of care within South Africa's private healthcare sector. The report highlights improved metrics for diabetes management and breast cancer screening, while also identifying concerning trends such as a decline in HIV viral load testing and alarmingly high Caesarean section rates. Ultimately, the findings emphasize that consistent quality measurement is essential for guiding investments and ensuring that healthcare spending leads to better patient outcomes and system sustainability. Professor Jacqui Miot is the Chairperson of HQA's Clinical Advisory Board...
#PODCAST Newsbreak Fishing Report - 22 August 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 DISCUSSION: 40 years later and justice remains elusive for survivors of the 1985 Inanda Riots #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - The horror of the 1985 Inanda riots remain etched in the memories of the survivors and families of those killed in the tragic unrest. Those are the sentiments of Phoenix community activist and IFP councillor - Dr. Jonathan Annipen. This August marks 40 years since the 1985 riots in Inanda broke out, claiming three lives and displacing more than 1-thousand-five hundred families of Indian descent. The homes of the displaced families were looted and set alight. Annipen says 40 years later, and justice remains elusive...
#PODCAST UP's newest lecturer - Dr. Ashley Burke fights mosquito-borne diseases through her "detective work" #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Medical entomologist Dr. Ashley Burke, a new lecturer at the University of Pretoria, is at the forefront of the fight against mosquito-borne diseases. Her research, which she describes as a mix of detective work and public health, focuses on understanding the biology and behavior of disease-carrying mosquitoes to develop new and effective control strategies. As an expert in malaria vectors, she emphasizes that stopping the mosquito is a critical way to break the transmission cycle of diseases. Her work is crucial because mosquitoes are constantly adapting, requiring ongoing innovation and monitoring to protect communities and save lives. Let's find out more about the work she does, in this week's Greenscene...
#PODCAST Tamil Ambassador to SA - Sadie Kandan plans to further cultural drives following her trip to India #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Tamil Ambassador to South Africa, Sadie Kandan says she will use the knowledge gained from her recent trip to India to further the culture and language in South Africa. Kandan was conferred with the title after being chosen by the Tamil Nadu Government to participate in a two-week cultural tour across the state. The program showcased the rich tapestry of Tamil civilization and aimed to re-connect the diaspora with their roots. She is the Secretary of the Shree Veeraboga Emperumal Temple at Tongaat north of Durban and Executive Member of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha. Kandan explains her plans for the future, especially for youth...
#PODCAST Political parties calm concerns of traditional leaders ahead of the 2026 local government elections (LGE) #sabcnews
Political parties have moved swiftly to allay fears of traditional leaders ahead of the 2026 local government elections. This follows threats by some traditional leaders that they will not encourage their subjects to take part in the local polls if government continues to treat them with contempt. The ANC, EFF, IFP, the MK Party and Action-SA were invited to address the three-day National House of Traditional and Khoi Leaders Imbizo in Boksburg east of Johannesburg on Wednesday. The meeting was called to review the progress made in the development of rural areas. Ntebo Mokobo was there and filed us this report...
#PODCAST Civil society groups in Phoenix, north of Durban continue to push for a Commission of Enquiry into the 1985 Inanda unrest #sabcnews
Civil society groups in Phoenix, north of Durban are calling for a Commission of Enquiry into the 1985 Inanda unrest. The unrest claimed three lives and displaced more than 1-thousand-five hundred families of Indian descent. August month marked 40 years since the 1985 riots in Inanda broke out. The homes of the displaced families were looted and set alight. The violent attack happened at the time of the Tricameral Parliament, and just after activist Victoria Mxenge was murdered by an apartheid regime death squad. Surviving victims and organisations believe a Commission will help to give a clear picture of what triggered the attacks as well as the driving force behind it. Nonjabulo Mntungwa-Makamu reports...
#PODCAST SANTACO say members involved in the killing of an e-hailing driver outside Maponya Mall, will be immediately suspended #sabcnews
Taxi organisation, SANTACO, says any member of its organisation found to be responsible for the brutal killing of the e-hailing driver outside Maponya Mall or any other form of violence, will be immediately suspended. Mthokozisi Mvelase was murdered and his vehicle set alight outside the Soweto mall last week Wednesday evening. Two other people were also shot at and another vehicle torched. The incident sparked outrage in the community, resulting in protests around the iconic mall where the incident occurred. Sashin Naidoo reports...
#PODCAST We find out more about Directors' & Officers' (D&O) insurance - and why it's critical for executives #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Amid economic pressures, corporate failures and the risks of cyber liability making the news, experts say that Directors' & Officers' or D&O insurance is critical for executives. A D&O liability policy is designed to protect directors against claims arising from decisions made in their official capacity. However, coverage under a D&O policy is typically subject to key exclusions, particularly in cases of dishonesty, fraud, or willful misconduct. Partner at the law firm "Cox Yeats", Mongezi Mpahlwa explains...
#PODCAST How on-demand, flexible work is reshaping modern employment and moving away from the traditional 9 to 5 #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - On-demand, flexible work is reshaping modern employment by moving away from the traditional nine-to-five schedule - to a more dynamic, contribution-driven culture. This shift, driven by technology and changing worker expectations, is evident in the rise of freelance and contract roles and is now being integrated into permanent employment structures. By focusing on outcomes rather than hours, companies can access a wider talent pool and become more agile. Daniela Thom, Business Development Manager at Strider Digital says on-demand work also providing employees with greater autonomy and work-life integration...
#PODCAST Day 6: Search for missing pilot after Durban plane crash continues
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Today marks day 6 of search and rescue efforts for a pilot whose plane crashed into the Durban beach last week. The pilot has been identified as 61-year-old, Andrew Blackwood-Murray from Johannesburg. The light aircraft crashed into the sea while the pilot was giving an aerial display to school children following an international aviation conference. ALS Paramedics Operations Director, Garrith Jamieson is at the site and says specialised equipment has been brought in to aid with search efforts....
#PODCAST Amantle Samane’s mother testifies in her child’s murder case
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Pre-sentencing proceedings are underway in the case against Phethe Simiao who has been convicted of the rape and murder of 6-year-old Amantle Samane. Simiao, a 25-year-old Mozambican national, has plead guilty to kidnapping, rape and murder of Amantle in October last year. Samane's mother Ntombi Zodwa has testified in the high court in Johannesburg about the pain and trauma she suffered following the rape and murder of her daughter. Today Amantle would have turned 7-years-old. Her mother has taken the stand in the pre-sentencing procedures. SABC reporter, Pearl Magubane is at court and brings us an update....
#PODCAST Medical Monitor: Experts highlight the critical need for Organ & Tissue donations in South Africa #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - August marks Organ and Tissue Donor month, and experts are highlighting the significant gap between the thousands of people on the waiting list, to the mere few hundred transplants that actually take place. The month is used to raise awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation and to encourage people to register as donors. According to the Organ Donor Foundation, one donor can save up to seven lives. Executive Director of Operations at the Foundation, Samantha Nicholls explains the process of becoming a donor and debunks some of the misinformation and myths on the subject...
#PODCAST Africa urged to use the current trade war as an opportunity to manufacture locally, instead of importing #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - Economist at Stellenbosch Business School, Dr Nthabiseng Moleko is calling for Africa to use the current trade wars as an opportunity to manufacture locally instead of importing. South Africa is fighting for lower tariffs in a proposed trade deal with the U.S. after it was given the highest rate in Sub-Saharan Africa. The U.S. is South Africa's second-biggest bilateral trading partner after China. The country exports mainly citrus, grapes, apples, pears, nuts and wine to the U.S. and has warned that tens of thousands of jobs in the farm sector could be lost due to the impact of tariffs. Dr Moleko warns that the current crisis may worsen job security on the continent. In part two of her interview with Newsbreak, Dr Moleko explains how policy changes are urgently needed to strengthen the labour market...
#PODCAST Parliament's ad hoc committee concludes that Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi will be the first witness before it #sabcnews
Parliament's ad hoc committee has concluded that KwaZulu Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, will be the first witness to appear before it. This is one of the terms of reference of the committee, that are being in the process of beong finalised. It was established following allegations by Mkhwanazi of serious corruption in the criminal justice system. Zalene Merrington reports...
#PODCAST ANALYSIS: Trade wars threaten Africa's job security
By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - The ongoing trade wars is bound to have a devastating impact on women in Africa. That is according to Dr Nthabiseng Moleko, Economist at Stellenbosch Business School. Reciprocal tariffs of up to 50% levied by the USA on imports from more than 90 countries around the world have highlighted the precarious nature of employment and economic security for workers in the Global South. As governments and employers in Africa move rapidly to negotiate more favourable trade agreements with the USA in order to protect domestic manufacturing and save jobs, economist Dr Moleko warns that the current crisis may worsen already fragile employment security on the continent.....
#PODCAST Women Who Lead: Lerissa Naidoo on Mentorship, Growth & Breaking Barriers
By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - As South Africa marks Women's Month, female professionals in male-dominated industries are calling for more youth mentorship that will inspire women to take up their space in working world. Lerissa Naidoo, Legal Counsel – Governance and Compliance at Zutari says mentoring young professionals is incredibly rewarding as it builds a more resilient workplace and contributes to a culture of knowledge-sharing. Naidoo, who hails from KwaZulu-Natal, explains how her career has been shaped by a continuous drive to learn and lead.
#PODCAST Local entrepreneur launches the Mzansi Women Expo to empower female business owners & bridge access gaps #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Building bridges for female entrepreneurs to access the business world is what Tebogo Moatshe aims to do with the upcoming Mzansi Women Expo. Having 21-years of business experience herself, Moatshe knows the challenges women in business face and is keen to help women who have otherwise been undermined in the business world. Moatshe shares on the upcoming expo and what led her to organise it...
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