The National Consumer Commission has announced a recall of certain baby formula products manufactured by Nutricia Southern Africa, after concerns that a raw ingredient used in production may contain traces of a toxin that could pose health risks to infants.  

Guest: Pheto Ntaba: National Consumer Commission Spokesperson 

South Africans could soon face record-breaking fuel price hikes as rising global oil prices and a weakening rand put pressure on the cost of petrol and diesel. New data from the Central Energy Fund suggests motorists may see one of the largest monthly fuel increases in the country’s history when prices are adjusted at the start of April.  

Guest: Adv Stephanie Fick:  Executive Director of the accountability division at OUTA 

 

Aris Danikas, a former police reservist has made explosive allegations at the Nkabinde Inquiry, claiming that former South African Police Service Major-General Johan Booysen held racist views and endorsed violent tactics against suspects.

Guest: Bophelo Seleke: Independent Legal Analyst 

 

The recent escalation between Iran, the United States, and Israel has placed the Gulf region at the centre of a rapidly expanding geopolitical crisis. Following missile and drone attacks by Iran on Gulf states—including Qatar—Doha has moved to strengthen its defence partnerships with the United States and European allies.

Guest: Dr Kingsley Makhubela - former ambassador and Director of Risk Recon

 

 

South Africa’s economy recorded modest growth in 2025, expanding by 1.1%, according to new data released by Statistics South Africa. An Economist argues that the reason for chronically low GDP growth of 1.1% a year for 17 years is that there is not enough demand (or spending power) in the economy.

Guest: Duma Gqubule: Independent Economist 

South Africa’s Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says a hospital may need to approach the High Court to authorise life-saving treatment for a 15-year-old boy whose family refuses a blood transfusion on religious grounds.

Guest: Karabo Ozah: Director of the Centre for Child Law at the University of Pretoria  

 

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa

11 March 2026

1.    Egypt- Cairo- 

Many Egyptians are fretting over price hikes that have driven up the cost of everyday goods.

It comes after the government increased fuel prices, blaming soaring global energy markets due to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

El-Sayed Mohamed, a truck driver, is among those affected. "Prices are high because vendors use trucks to transport vegetables from wholesalers, which increases the costs. 

Today, the cost of transporting vegetables has risen to 3,000-4,000 Egyptian pounds [78-57 USD] from the previous 2,500 pounds," 

2.    Ethiopia-Tigray 

Residents of Ethiopia's Tigray region start to flee amid fears of renewed civil war

Less than four years after a peace agreement in Tshwane, South Afrika, which ended the civil war in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, conflict is looming once again. And civilians aren’t waiting for the fighting to start - they’re already starting to flee.

It's deep in the night in Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia's Tigray region, but dozens of young men with backpacks and suitcases are searching for a bus to Addis Ababa.

3.    Madagascar- Antananarivo

The President of Madagascar, Michael Randrianirina, has dissolved the entire government, including dismissing the Prime Minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo.

In a statement issued this week through the government spokesperson, the government has ceased its functions, and President Randrianirina will appoint the next Prime Minister as stipulated by the country's constitution.

4.    In our historical archives, it was on this day, 11 March 1870, when Moshoeshoe I, the first King of Lesotho and Chief of the Bamokoteli, transitioned at the age of 94.

At a young age, he was already involved in politics, helping his father gain control over some small clans. By the age of 34, he became the first king of Lesotho from 1822 to 1870. He achieved this by creating his own clan, becoming a chief and settling in the Butha-Buthe mountain.

4.1  It was on this day in our historical archives, 11 March 1982, when two Soweto student leaders, Khotso Seathlolo, 25, and Mary Loate, 23, were given long-term imprisonment under the Terrorism Act.

Seathlolo was given 15 years, and his companion, Mary, was given 10 years. The two were convicted for events related to the 16 June 1976 uprising.

 

• Tencent accelerates its AI strategy
•  Weaver’s bet on fintech continues to bear fruit
• Market update

 

 

• Mercedes mulls joint production with China’s GWM at its SA plant

• 2. Santam steps up international strategy 

3. Market update

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa

10 March 2026

1.    Kenya – Mara and Talek River

Kenya evacuates tourists as death toll from flooding rises

Tourists and staff were airlifted from a national reserve in Kenya following severe flooding in the east African country.

“A few days ago we had the Mara River and the Talek River also burst their banks… So a lot of the tourists and camp staff had already evacuated the camps,” Marc Goss explained, the CEO of Mara Elephant Project Trust.

2.    UN – Senegal 

Senegal is divided over former president Macky Sall's candidacy for UN chief

Macky Sall to succeed United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres? Not everyone in Senegal likes the idea. Victims of the violence in 2021 and 2024 under the former president’s regime are strongly opposed. So are some of ruling majority, including this Member of Parliament for PASTEF.

Sall’s candidacy was put forward by the President of Burundi, the current chair of the African Union. But at home, he's still awaiting support from Senegalese authorities.

3.Iran – Afrika 

Iran war sends shockwaves through African fuel market and economies

Africa imports most of the petroleum products it consumes, leaving many economies highly vulnerable to supply disruptions tied to tensions in the Middle East, a region central to global oil flows.

Surging oil prices triggered by the war with Iran are rippling across African economies, threatening higher fuel costs, rising inflation and renewed pressure on currencies across the continent.

4.In our historical archives, it was on this day, 10 March 1994, when former and late president of Bophutswana, Lucas Manyane Mangope, retreated from the capital, Mmabatho, due to the people’s uprising.

President Lucas Mangope, the leader of the apartheid homeland Bophuthatswana, retreated from the capital, Mmabatho, in the face of a popular uprising after he had tried to boycott participation in South Africa's first democratic elections.