• Treasury confident public finances can withstand Middle East fallout
• 2. Economists warn of risks in the manufacturing sector if US-Iran conflict persists 
• 3. Market update

During Eating Disorder Awareness Week (24 February to 2 March) in South Africa, professionals emphasised that weight alone is not a reliable indicator of physical or mental health. Eating disorders affect people of all shapes, sizes, genders and backgrounds — and many cases remain hidden in plain sight. 

Guest: Elske Rich: Dietitian and Spokesperson for The Association of Dietetics in South Africa 

South Africa’s Acting Police Minister, Firoz Cachalia, has confirmed that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) report into the 2020 burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm has been declassified. 

Guest: Lizzy Suping: Spokesperson, Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) 

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority has now imposed an administrative penalty of R358 750 000 on Mr Stephanus Johannes “Stehan” Grobler

Guest: Rob Rose: Editor at Currency News 

Last month we spoke to Professor Deon Visser from the University of the Free State who did a study that found  dozens of sanitary pads and pantyliners sold in South Africa contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). What should women do with the sanitary pads that they have and which sanitary pads should they go for?

Guest: Prudence Moilwa: Head of Complaints and Investigations, National Consumer Commission  

This World Hearing Day (3 March), Spec-Savers Audiology is challenging a common misconception: that hearing is simply about turning up the volume. Experts say hearing is not just about how loud sounds are — it’s about clarity and how efficiently the brain processes sound. 

Guest: Olivia Blackbeard: Head of Spec-Savers Audiology

3 March 2026

1.    Rwanda – USA 

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF)—Rwanda's military—and four of its senior officials.  

The RDF is actively supporting, training, and fighting alongside the March 23 Movement (M23), a U.S.- and United Nations (UN)-sanctioned armed group responsible for human rights abuses and a mass displacement crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 

2.    USA/ Israel- Iran – Afrika 

US-Iran conflict will have 'serious implications' for Africa, the African Union and ECOWAS warns

The intensifying military action in the Middle East will have serious consequences for Africa, the West African economic community ECOWAS has said in a statement.

ECOWAS joins the African Union in expressing deep concern over the conflict, which began when Israel and the United States launched strikes against Iran early on Saturday.

3.    Zimbabwe - Harare

The Government of Zimbabwe yesterday began releasing nearly 4,000 inmates who were granted presidential amnesty in a bid to ease overcrowding in prisons.

The cabinet announced the amnesty in February on the same day it approved sweeping changes to the constitution as part of a plan to extend 83-year-old President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term till 2030.

4.    In our historical archives, it was on this day, 3 March 2004, when former President of Haiti Jean-Bertrand Aristide, after two-and-a-half months' exile in Jamaica, was offered exile safe space in South Africa, where he and his family where the guests of the South African government.

• Global gas prices surge on US-Iran fallout

• 2. Rio Tinto approves expansion of Richards Bay Minerals project after years of delays 
• 3. Market update

Global energy and financial markets were jolted after escalating military action involving the United States and Israel against Iran triggered sharp disruptions to oil and gas supplies.

Guest: Timothy Walker: Maritime Project Leader & Senior Researcher, Institute for Security Studies 

Business and markets update with Ntaoleng Lechela