The South African Department of Transport, through Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa, has reinforced its partnership with the South African Council of Churches (SACC) to promote road safety ahead of the high-risk Easter 2026 travel period. This collaboration forms part of the national Easter Road Safety Campaign themed “It begins with me.”  

Guest: Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa: Transport Deputy Minister 

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has called for a more youth-focused economic response following the South African Reserve Bank decision to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.75%. The agency argues that while monetary policy remains cautious amid global uncertainty, it does not go far enough to address South Africa’s deepening youth unemployment crisis.  

Guest: Tshepo Moloi: Head of Research and Economics at the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA)

Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, has emerged as a pivotal figure in African National Congress (ANC) provincial politics after being elected unopposed as Limpopo chairperson.

Guest: Dr Phophi Ramathuba: first female provincial chairperson of the African National Congress(ANC) in Limpopo and Limpopo Premier  

The indefinite postponement of the African National Congress (ANC) Eastern Cape provincial conference, following an interim court ruling, should not be viewed as a political defeat for any faction within the party.

Guest: Nkosikhulule Nyembezi: Political Analyst 

Guest: Velenkosini Hlabisa: Minister, The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) 

Guest: Dr Michael Masiapato: Border Management Authority commissioner 

30 March 2026

1. Republic of Congo - Brazzaville

Congo-Brazzaville Constitutional Court confirms Elder Sassou Nguesso re election with 95% this past weekend. The March 15 election gave Sassou Nguesso, who has led the oil-rich Central African Republic for 4 decades, a new 5-year term.=

2. Benin – Porto Novo

With just over two weeks to go to Benin’s presidential elections, the two candidates vying for the country’s top job have kicked off their campaigns.

Incumbent Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni is a strong favourite to win against opposition candidate and seasoned politician, Paul Hounkpé, who spoke to supporters in Cotonou this weekend.

3.    Senegal- Dakar-AU-UN Secretary General

The Senegalese government has not endorsed Macky Sall's candidacy for UN Secretary-General, despite AU support.

The Permanent Mission of Senegal to the African Union informed the AU Commission on Friday that the Senegalese government has at no stage endorsed the candidacy of former president Macky Sall for the post of Secretary-General of the United Nations, even as the continental organisation was calling for African solidarity around this bid.

4.    In our historical archives, it was on this day, 30 March 1960, when the UN Security Council began deliberations on the situation in South Africa.

The UNSC began deliberations on the situation in South Africa, under an agenda item entitled: "The situation arising out of the large-scale killings of unarmed and peaceful demonstrators against racial discrimination and segregation in the Union of South Africa

• GLP 1 drugmaker, Eli Lilly extends partnership with Insilico Medicine

• 2. France’s Pernod Ricard confirms merger talks with Brown-Forman
• 3. Markets update

Efforts to de-escalate the growing Middle East conflict are underway as Pakistan hosts high-level talks with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt. Iran has warned it will respond to any U.S. ground invasion, the United States is deploying Marines to the region, and Yemen’s Houthi movement has entered the conflict, raising serious concerns about global shipping and energy security. 

Guest: Thembisa Fakude: Director at Africa Asia Dialogues

South Africa’s pay-TV giant MultiChoice is facing an escalating battle against digital piracy, as illegal IPTV syndicates offer premium content at a fraction of the cost—or even for free. The issue raises serious legal, economic, and technological questions. We speak to a legal expert to unpack how deep the problem goes, whether the law is keeping up, and if this is a fight the industry can realistically win.  

Guest: Tshegofatso Phahlamohlaka: Associate at PPM  Attorneys  (Technology law, Media law, Telecommunications law, Commercial law and Competition law)