Jacaranda FM Newswatch - Interviews

On Monday the Nobel Prize for Physiology was awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi for their discoveries on how the immune system functions and how autoimmune disease work.

Emile Pienaar spoke with the Head of Medical Research in School of Medicine at the University of Pretoria, Botle Damane, to unpack the real world impact of this discovery. Latest news on our website

Paediatric Oncologist Professor Mariana Kruger at Stellenbosch University explained that there is a vast population in rural areas where it takes longer to get to primary medical facilities and secondary hospitals. Latest news on our website

Suid-Afrika se biodiversiteit is onlosmaakbaar deel van die land se erfenis, en voordat Erfenismaand verby is, vier ons die ontdekking van ‘n splinternuwe plantspesie, Moraea Anastasia. Dr Brian du Preez, verbonde aan die Universiteit Kaapstad - is passievol oor bewusmaking en die bewaring van inheemse plante. Dit het daartoe gelei dat hy 'n nuwe plantspesie ontdek het - en skouer aan die wiel sit om die omgewing te bewaar. Marlinée Fouché het by hom gaan kers opsteek: Latest news on our website

A group of South Africans are sleeping in Tunisia on Monday night as they prepare for their journey across the Mediterranean in an attempt to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid.

This comes as the United Nations' Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Organisation labelled the conditions in Gaza as a famine.

Israel has vehemently disputed these findings, claiming the report is based on cherry-picked data.

Jacaranda FM News spoke to Jared Sacks, a post-graduate fellow at the University of Johannesburg and member of Jews for a Free Palestine, on Monday afternoon. Latest news on our website

A group of South Africans is sleeping in Tunisia on Monday night as they prepare for their journey across the Mediterranean in an attempt to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid.

This comes as the United Nations' Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Organisation labelled the conditions in Gaza as a famine.

Israel has vehemently disputed these findings, claiming the report is based on cherry-picked data.

Jacaranda FM News spoke to Jared Sacks, a post-graduate fellow at the University of Johannesburg and member of Jews for a Free Palestine, on Monday afternoon. Latest news on our website

National Treasury’s decision to withdraw its proposed VAT hike has left a R78-billion gap in the national budget, forcing Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to explore new ways to raise revenue and curb government spending.

Treasury had initially planned to increase Value Added Tax (VAT) by 1%, moving it from 15% to 16%, in an effort to boost revenue.

However, the proposal was met with swift public backlash, prompting its reversal on Thursday.

Jacaranda FM news reporter Mmangaliso Khumalo spoke to Leonard Willemse, Director at AJM Tax, for more insight into the developments. Latest news on our website

South Africa grapples with a stark reality; staggering youth unemployment and the numbers unfortunately paint a grim picture. The country’s national unemployment rate stood at 32.1% in the third quarter of last year. According to Statistics South Africa, the official unemployment rate among young people aged 15 – 34 years was 45.5%. Concern is mounting that this figure could rise, especially in a modern and ever-changing world with rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. But is AI the villain in South Africa’s job crisis – or is it the answer the country needs to spark more new job opportunities than ever imagined. As part of a special feature, Jacaranda FM’s Chanel September looks at the possible impact of AI on the job market… Latest news on our website

Advocacy manager for Women and Men Against Child Abuse, Luke Lamprecht has expressed shock following the news of a 35-year-old South African male who was arrested in Midrand on Friday after he was found in possession of about 10 million photos and videos of child abuse material.

The arrest followed information received from international law enforcement agencies - including the FBI - about the suspect's Johannesburg operation.

Lamprecht spoke to Mmangaliso Khumalo. Latest news on our website

South Africa has one of the highest rates of gender-based violence on the globe. As we recently observed 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, it is important to recognise that while physical abuse remains a critical issue, another subtle form of violence that often escapes the spotlight is on the rise.

Chanel September has more... Latest news on our website

As South Africa continues to battle the scourge of gender-based violence, experts say strong support systems are key to breaking the cycle of abuse. Latest news on our website