#SONA2026: South Africa can turn global turmoil into an African opportunity, President Cyril Ramaphosa must outline a bold but practical reform agenda to unlock growth, attract investment and tackle unemployment. 

Guest: Jason Hamilton: Guest lecturer in Corporate and Development Finance at Stellenbosch Business School 

The National Business Initiative (NBI) is urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to use the State of the Nation Address (SONA) to frame South Africa’s water, energy and climate challenges as urgent economic priorities rather than environmental side issues.

Guest: Shameela Soobramoney: ​​​​CEO: National Business Initiative 

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria, IPID’s director of investigations and acting national head, Thuso Keefelakae, outlined the structural and operational challenges facing the police watchdog — particularly in high-profile murder investigations involving members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD).  

Guest: David Bruce: Independent Researcher in Policing, Crime and Criminal Justice and ISS Consultant 

• IMF flags global risks for SA recovery despite slight growth boost 2. First time buyers fuel South Africa’s residential property recovery 3. Market update

 

As anticipation builds ahead of the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), The African National Congress (ANC) has added its voice to the national conversation, setting out its demands and priorities as the country looks to the President for clear plans on tackling economic challenges, service delivery failures, and governance reforms. 

Guest: Mdumiseni Ntuli: African National Congress (ANC)'s parliamentary Chief whip 

 

As a party in the Government of National Unity (GNU), the Democratic Alliance (DA) enters President Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) with high expectations. 

Guest: Jan de Villiers: DA MP & Spokesperson

 

As anticipation builds ahead of the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), political parties are outlining what they expect to hear from the podium. The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has added its voice to the national conversation, setting out its demands and priorities as the country looks to the President for clear plans on tackling economic challenges, service delivery failures, and governance reforms.

Guest: Mmabatho Mokoena: MK Party Caretaker Chief Whip 

 

 

 

• US job growth picks up in January
• Heineken plans to cut up to 6000 jobs
• Market update

12 February 2026

1.    Ethiopia – AUPSC-South Afrika 

South Africa’s election to the Peace and Security Council of the African Union

Yesterday, during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, South Africa was elected by Member States to serve a two-year term on the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, starting from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028. These pivotal elections took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

 South Africa was elected alongside the Kingdom of Lesotho to represent the Southern region for the two available seats.

2.    Zambia – South Afrika 

 Lungu Family Finally Appeals South Africa Ruling as Asset Forfeiture Tightens Pressure

The family of late former Zambian president Edgar Lungu has finally filed a formal appeal in South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), in a move widely seen as driven less by burial preferences and more by mounting legal and financial pressure back home.

The appeal was lodged this week, nearly two months after the SCA granted them leave to appeal -- and just one day after Zambia's Economic and Financial Crimes Court (EFCC) ordered the forfeiture of 79 vehicles and 23 properties, including a filling station and luxury double-storey apartments allegedly gifted by Lungu to his son, Dalitso Lungu.

 

3.    Zimbabwe – Harare 

 Constitutional Revolution - New Bill Proposes 7-Year Presidential Term

Zimbabwean CABINET yesterday approved the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill of 2026, which proposes a parliamentary process for the election of the President and seeks to replace the current five-year term with a seven-year term. 

The Bill also introduces a raft of legal reforms aimed at strengthening constitutional governance, clarifying institutional roles, promoting political stability and enhancing the efficiency of the State architecture.

4.    In our historical archives, it was on this day 12 February 1951 when Kwame Nkrumah is released from jail for leading a disturbing ‘positive action’ campaign in Ghana against British rule in 1950. 

He was released to lead the newly formed government a year later 12 February 1951, after his party, the Convention People's Party (CPP), won the 1951 elections.  

4.1   In our historical archives, it was on this day 12 February 1982 when former journalist and anti-apartheid activist, Thami Mazwai was jailed for two years after refusing to present facts against a former fellow student-leader charged under the Terrorism Act. 

On 9 October 1969 Mazwai received a letter from Steve Biko explaining the reason for not wanting to make a press statement with regards to the work of the South African Students Organisation (SASO).

Bangladesh heads to the polls today in its most consequential election in nearly two decades, marking the first parliamentary vote since the 2024 student-led uprising that toppled longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Guest: Cynthia Farid: Research Associate with the Center for Asian Studies in Africa (CASA) at the University of Pretoria