POWER Breakfast

Senior officials at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa have allowed two tenders amounting to almost R18-billion, to be awarded to a company, seemingly without the basic bid criteria being met. A report compiled by a whistleblower alleges PRASA has also fraudulently made advance payments to the company – Maziya General Services – amounting to almost R2.7-billion through five transfers during December 2023 and December 2024. Tessa Dooms spoke with Collen Msibi National Spokesperson at the Department of Transport .

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has proposed the establishment of a presidential working group similar to the one implemented in the eThekwini metro as part of efforts aimed at turning the once City of Gold’s role as the engine of growth for SA’s economy. Ramaphosa led a national executive delegation, which met the Johannesburg executive council on Friday, as part of efforts aimed at addressing service delivery challenges in a metro that is responsible for 16% of SA’s GDP and employs 12% of the national workforce. Tessa Dooms spoke with Cyril Ramaphosa proposes working group to rescue Joburg. 

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Exploring the relationship between the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), German elections, and South Africa’s ANC, particularly how the two systems relate or intersect, especially considering the ANC’s role in South African elections and how Germany’s political dynamics might influence or mirror the ANC’s performance. Tessa Dooms spoke with Sebastian Sperling, Director FES South Africa. 

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Gauteng Province has been grappling with significant drug-related challenges, including the proliferation of illicit drug manufacturing and distribution networks. Recent law enforcement operations have shed light on the scale of this issue. Tessa Doms spoke with Samuel Moela member of ANC Study group on police and, Thabang Bogopa Independent crime researcher and forensic scientist. 

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When we see “tested under laboratory conditions”, we often assume real-world conditions will lead to faster degradation of a product. But experts from Stanford University have found the opposite is true for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Their new research shows traditional laboratory testing leads to faster degradation, while real-world use gives substantially more battery life, extending the lifespan of the entire EV. Researchers found the stop-start way we drive and the variable rate the battery discharges power actually prolongs battery life by up to 38% compared to traditional tests. This is good news for EV drivers – and for efforts to electrify transport. This extra battery life would translate to more than 300,000 more kilometres an EV could drive before needing battery replacement, the researchers say. Tessa Dooms spoke with motor analyst, Lele Maboi. 

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Tessa Dooms spoke with Naledi Pandor, Former International Relations Minister. 

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Joburg's Human Settlements department is unveiling plans to revitalise hostels in Meadowlands, Soweto. Several of these buildings have deteriorated badly over the years. The city's MMC for Human Settlements backs the project to succeed where previous ones failed. Previously, the ANC's National Development Plan had aimed to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030 and this included revitalising hostels. But with the ANC having lost its Parliamentary majority after 2024 elections it was unclear what would become of hostel dwellers who had hopes of better living spaces. Tessa Dooms spoke with Mlungisi Mabaso MMC of Human settlements at the City Of Joburg.

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The Cry Of Winnie Mandela is a compelling journey through history, emotion, and the enduring strength of the female South African spirit. Based on the popular novel by poet, novelist, and essayist Njabulo Ndebele, The Cry of Winnie Mandela is a poignant theatrical production brought to life by The Market Theatre. This thoughtful new play of resilience is adapted by Alex Burger and directed by the award-winning MoMo Matsunyane who is the current Standard Bank Young Artist Winner for Theatre. Dessa Dooms spoke with Rami Chuene, South African Actress.

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The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) have recently confirmed that four high treason dockets have been opened in response to allegations that misleading information about South Africa's Expropriation Act was distributed in the United States. Hawks head Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya told the SABC that the dockets have been opened by different individuals from different political parties. Tessa Dooms spoke with Elton Hart, Attorney and Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg Law Clinic.

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While the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina declared there is no water crisis in South Africa, the DA in Gauteng has challenged this assertion, pointing to infrastructure failures rather than resident overconsumption as the root cause of the province's water crisis. This comes after the opposition  in the province accused Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi of failing to take responsibility over the province's water challenges, accusing him of by blaming residents for water wastage. Tessa Dooms spoke with Dr Sean Phillips, Director General · Department of Water and Sanitation and Dr. Ferrial Adam, Executive manager WaterCAN initiative for the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse.

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