POWER Talk

South Africa has increasingly become a pivotal node in global drug trafficking networks, serving as a transit hub, consumer market, and source of drug mules. Its strategic geographic position, advanced infrastructure, and socio-economic disparities have created conducive conditions for both international criminal syndicates and local operators. This evolving role has garnered attention from global law enforcement agencies and policy researchers, as South Africa becomes further entrenched in the international narcotics economy.

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In 2024, South Africa had a crime index of 75.4, which is to be considered high. However, this was one of the lowest indexes recorded in the country since 2017. Over the observed period, the value continuously fluctuated between 75 and 77. South Africa has the highest crime index in Africa and ranks as the fifth most dangerous country globally according to the same index. Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi was joined by South African police minister, Senzo Mchunu. 

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The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has committed to accelerating its efforts to recover all debt and to catch tax evaders to increase revenue collection. This comes after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a 2025/26 financial year revenue estimate of R1.986 trillion in his budget speech this week. Sars said it recognized the funding challenges the country faced and was steadfast in its commitment to serve the nation with integrity and efficiency in its role of collecting revenue to support service delivery. Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with Edward Kieswetter, commissioner of the South African Revenue Services. 

Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner, SARS

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South Africa reported 548 cases of bullying in schools since January, prompting the Minister of Basic Education to unveil new initiatives aimed at combating this growing issue. Twenty-nine cases were reported in KwaZulu-Natal, 23 in Gauteng and 305 in Limpopo. These shocking statistics were released last week by the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, in a parliamentary response to Lorato Florence Tito-Duba, a member of the National Assembly for the Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF). Education experts said bullying was an age-old problem and warned it was “becoming more complex in the age of technology”. Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi spoke to Sifiso Ngobese, director for school safety from DBE and, Dr Andrea Juan, chief researcher at the Human Sciences Research Council. 

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ANC stalwart Gertrude Shope has died at the age of 99. According to the party, Shope, also known as MaShope, died peacefully at her Gauteng home on Thursday morning. "A lifelong revolutionary, MaShope was a leader of profound discipline, courage and humility. From her early activism to the dawn of democracy, she served the Struggle with unmatched commitment in the underground, in exile and in the democratic Parliament. 

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Although South Africa's President Mbeki has played (and continues to play) an important role in the contemporary discourse on the African Renaissance, the roots of this particular concept hark back much further in time, and as early as 1948 the well-known West African academic, author and thinker, Cheikh Anta Diop (1923- 1986), published on an African Renaissance. 

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Kamal is a story of growth. Started in 2004, it is one of the biggest conglomerates in Tanzania having businesses in diverse sectors. Kamal has a strong presence in East Africa, South Africa, Middle East and India. Since its inception, growth has always been a watchword at Kamal and over the years Kamal has given newer facets to it.Kamal’s mission is to be one of the leading business groups in Africa with diverse interests and build a better Africa through inclusive growth with pride. 

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During an extraordinary meeting at the White House on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump presented South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with a collection of press clippings, video footage and commentary alleging that South Africa’s white farmers were being systematically targeted for murder and land confiscation. Central to Trump’s presentation were clippings from various obscure websites, a debunked video montage of opposition politician Julius Malema, and an aerial video he described as evidence of mass graves of white farmers.

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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has met Donald Trump in Washington, DC, amid tensions over Washington’s resettlement of Afrikaners, who the US president claims are the victims of “genocide”. Ramaphosa’s office says Trump must prove the charge that white South Africans are persecuted if it continues to push the claim after Ramaphosa’s government has repeatedly rejected it. Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi was in conversation with Rohit Sharma, independent US journalist. 

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Nestled at the foot of the Uluguru Mountains, in the heart of eastern Tanzania, Morogoro stands as a powerful yet understated symbol of African resilience, cultural continuity, and liberation- era solidarity. Often overlooked in mainstream narratives, this city is a microcosm of Tanzania’s agricultural power, environmental wealth, and postcolonial identity. It is also a place of deep historical resonance for the broader Pan-African struggle, especially for the South African liberation movement.

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