A look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoeswana, author of Africa Is Open For Business and Africa Bounces Back

The Security Personnel Party of South Africa, SPPSA is marching to Tshwane House today. The party says it wants to place its concerns about governance and service delivery directly before city leadership. The march comes as political campaigning heats up in the capital ahead of the municipal elections. We spoke SPPSA President and founder, Sello Mashula to unpack the party's demands.

Police have detained forty-year-old Hlengiwe Buthelezi for her alleged involvement in the killing of popular musician Warrick Stock, known as DJ Warras. Investigators believe Buthelezi supplied vehicle details of the victim and his partner to the primary accused, Victor Majola, who is her boyfriend. Stock was fatally shot in the Johannesburg central business district in December last year. The latest suspect faces charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. SABC senior reporter, Chriselda Lewis has more.

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, aimed at raising awareness and tackling stigma around mental health. Campaigners say the day encourages open conversations about emotional distress. They warn many people struggle to ask for help or share what they are going through. South African Comedian Barry Hilton has spoken publicly about his own experiences to help bring the issue into the open.. My colleague, Tracey Boomgaard caught up with Barry Hilton and began by asking him why it remains so difficult for people to openly say, "I'm not okay" or ask for help when they are struggling.

As the candidate lists for the 2026 Local Government Elections are finalised, one trend is hard to miss, the rise of personality politics in small and emerging parties. From reality TV stars to former celebrities and academics and podcasters, parties appear to be banking on name recognition over track record to win votes. So what does this say about the quality of our democracy? Are we voting for people or for policies and promises made in manifestos? To answer this and more, we spoke to  Dr. Kagiso Pooe, Public Policy specialist and at the African school of Governance in Rwanda, to unpack the politics of personalities.

The DA has filed papers to oppose the ANC's court bid to submit candidates in six municipalities after the deadline. The ANC missed the IEC cut-off date on the 28th of August last month. The DA says all parties submitted on time. The party says deadlines must apply equally to everyone to ensure free and fair elections. For reaction we spoke to the DA's Representative on the IEC's National Political Liaison Committee, Werner Horn.

The City of Joburg is defending its R192 million budget to rebuild Lilian Ngoyi Street, three years after a gas explosion. The street in the CBD remains a construction site after missing an August deadline. Mayor Dada Morero says cash-flow challenges caused delays, with a new deadline set for October. Officials say the work is complex and involves more than just road repairs. We spoke to Professor Nthatisi Khatleli, Associate Professor at the School of Construction Economics and Management at Wits University.

Black Business Unity has resolved to halt formal government petitions, declaring the state an enemy of the people due to systemic neglect of township economies. The group accuses the Department of Small Business Development of ignoring funding accountability queries and failing to implement the Gauteng Township Economic Development Act. The Unity vows to mobilise informal traders, stokvels and local professionals into an organised campaign demanding equal law enforcement and strict parliamentary oversight. For more, we spoke to Mike Molloyi, Black Business Unity founding member

The ANC is defending its candidate filing in a court battle over the 2026 municipal elections. The party has gone to the Electoral Court after nearly 200 candidates failed to register for the November fourth elections, blaming a technical glitch on deadline night. The ANC says 44 other parties faced the same electronic system problem. For more on this, we spoke to ANC Electoral Committee Secretary, Chief Livhuwani Matsila.

ActionSA says 16 suspended Road Accident Fund employees have been paid 29 million rand while sitting at home. The figure was revealed by the Transport Minister in a reply to a parliamentary question. The party says the officials have been on suspension for months but continue to draw full salaries. It is now calling on the Fund's board to finalise disciplinary processes. For more we spoke to Alan Beesley, ActionSA Member of Parliament.