Sakeliga says that the Minister of Agriculture’s public statement on Tuesday responding to their letter of demand served to him on Monday this week falls short of complying with their requirements. He has until Friday, 30 January 2026 by close of business to comply.

Guest: Piet Le Roux: Sakeliga CEO

 

KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head, Major-General Lesetja Senona, has come under intense scrutiny at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, facing sharp criticism from commissioners over his relationship with criminally accused tender tycoon Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. 

Guest: Canny Maphanga: SABCNews Reporter 

 

East London will officially be renamed KuGompo City, while Graaff-Reinet will become Robert Sobukwe Town, following the approval of 21 geographical name changes by Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie. The changes, which followed nationwide public consultations, will be gazetted in the coming weeks and form part of South Africa’s ongoing programme to transform and decolonise place names.  

Guest: Professor William Gumede: associate professor, School of Governance, University of the Witwatersrand 

 

The South African Local Government Authority (SALGA) has called for a fundamental overhaul of South Africa’s municipal funding model, warning that local government is set up to fail under the current fiscal framework.

Guest: Councillor Bheke Stofile: President, The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) 

 

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

29 January 2026

1.    Zambia- International Monetary Funds (IMF)

IMF approves final review for loan to Zambia, unlocking $190 million

The International Monetary Fund’s IMF has approved the final review of Zambia's lending program. This is the sixth and final credit facility by the IMF board to the Southern African nation, unlocking $190 million.

In 2022, Lusaka had sought a $1.3 billion in financing from the IMF, which was later revised to $1.7 billion to help it avoid debt default and other economic woes.

 

2.    South Sudan- African Union 

AU Urges De-Escalation, Respect for Revitalised Peace Agreement in South Sudan

The African Union Commission has urged all parties in South Sudan to de-escalate rising tensions and respect the 2018 peace deal amid fresh violence that has forced civilians from their homes.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, expressed deep concern over what he described as a "deteriorating security situation" in parts of South Sudan, especially in Jonglei State, where clashes have displaced large numbers of people.

 

3.    Burkina Faso – UN Vienna Convention (Nuclear damage and Civil Liability)

Burkina Faso’s Transitional Assembly voted simultaneously on this week to join the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage.

It’s a significant step towards realizing Ouagadougou’s plans to build a nuclear reactor. In June, the West African nation signed a deal with Russia to build a nuclear power plant.

The Vienna Convention on Civil Liability aims at harmonizing the national law of the Contracting Parties by establishing some minimum standards to provide financial protection against damage resulting from certain peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

 

4.    In our historical archives, it was on this day 29, January 1986 when Yoweri Kaguta Museveni after five years in the bush, was sworn in as the new Ugandan Head of State. He ruled the country for a decade without having been elected to power.

Uganda experienced several changes of government since it attained its independence from British rule in 1962. 

In December 1980 Apollo Milton Obote, from the Uganda People's Congress (UPC), who had previously ruled Uganda, returned to power for the second time after multi-party elections.

 

 

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter

• The US Fed keeps rates steady

• 2. Samsung’s Q4 performance beats market expectations 
• 3. Market update

 

 

US–Iran tensions are escalating after President Donald Trump warned Tehran that “time is running out” to negotiate a deal on its nuclear programme, as Washington builds up a significant military presence in the Gulf. While Iran says it is open to dialogue, both sides are trading sharp rhetoric, raising fears of further confrontation in an already volatile region.  

Guest: Willem Els: Senior Training Coordinator on terrorism and explosives, Institute for Security Studies (ISS)

 

 

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter

• GEPF expands coastal property exposure in Cape Town

• 2. AVI expects to deliver topline growth despite struggling with a tough consumer environment 
• 3. Market update

The new school year is already a few weeks underway, yet hundreds of learners across the country remain without confirmed school placements. For many families, this ongoing uncertainty brings anxiety, disruption, and difficult questions about their children’s education and future.  

Guest: Louise Schoonwinkel: Managing Director of Impaq 

According to Statistics South Africa’s International Tourism and Migration statistics released on Tuesday, nearly four million travellers passed through the country’s ports of entry and exit during the month, underscoring the scale of seasonal movement despite changes in key overseas markets.  

Guest: Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the TBCSA (Tourism Business Council of South Africa)