The Portfolio Committee on Transport has raised serious concerns over the stalled Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN) programme in Pietermaritzburg’s Msunduzi Local Municipality. The programme, commonly known as the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, was intended to improve public transport, stimulate economic growth, and create employment opportunities. However, despite significant investment, the project is now facing discontinuation. 

Guest: Mr Selelo Donald Selamolela: Parliament’s Transport Portfolio Committee Chairperson 

 

 

The City of Tshwane has confirmed receipt of more than R90-million from the national Department of Public Works, a development it has described as a “constructive step forward” amid mounting tensions over its aggressive Tshwane Ya Tima revenue collection campaign. The payment comes as national and provincial departments push back against what they say are heavy-handed, inaccurate and publicly damaging enforcement actions by the metro.  

Guest: Cllr Eugene Modise: Deputy Executive Mayor & Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Finance, City of Tshwane 

 

 

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter

 

• SA weighs higher tariffs on Chinese and Indian vehicle imports

• 2. Chinese car boom squeezes South Africa’s used-car market
• 3. Market update

The escalating feud between Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero and the City’s MMC for Finance, Loyiso Masuku, has burst beyond local politics, drawing in the ANC’s provincial and national leadership. This after, the African National Congress (ANC) Greater Johannesburg Regional Conference ballot boxes were found in a house in Pretoria.

Guest: Prof Bheki Mngomezulu: Director: Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy (CANRAD) at Nelson Mandela University 

From January next year, South Africa’s telecommunications companies will be required to allow consumers to roll over unused mobile data bundles.

Guest: Arthur Goldstuck: Tech Expert and Founder of World Wide Worx and Gadget Magazine 

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

28 January 2026

1.    Sudan - UK

Sudan, UK Conclude Talks On Security and Bilateral Relations

Sudanese-British talks concluded this week in Port Sudan, with both sides underscoring the importance of sustaining constructive dialogue and expanding exchanges among political, economic, and security institutions in both countries.

The Government of Sudan received a United Kingdom delegation this week, headed by the British Assistant Minister of Defence for the Middle East and North Africa and including the UK Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa. 

The visit formed part of engagement with the Government of Sudan on a range of issues, foremost among them support for security and stability in Sudan and a review of bilateral relations and avenues for their development.

 

2.    Guinea- Conkary 

Amadou Oury Bah was re-appointed prime minister under Guinea's new government

Guinea’s new president, Mamadi Doumbouya, has appointed a prime minister, less than two weeks after being sworn in.

Amadou Oury Bah served as prime minister for almost two years under the country’s military junta. He and his cabinet submitted their resignation last week, following Doumbouya’s inauguration.

Oury is now back in the same role under the new government, according to a decree read on national television on Monday evening.

 

3.    Gabon- Libreville 

Teachers' strike in Gabon continues to paralyse the education system

Angered by a 10-year freeze on wages, thousands of teachers in Gabon have been on strike for the past six weeks, paralysing the school system.

It marks the first wave of social unrest under the rule of President Brice Oligui Nguema, who seized power in a military coup in August 2023.

"Today, we are in a situation where we are forced to express our anger, to say that enough is enough,” said French teacher Junior Anguila Obame.

“To sound the alarm, not only to improve our own living conditions, but also those of learners. As someone said, if you want to build a strong nation, you need a strong education system."

 

4.    In our historical archives, it was on this day, 28 January 2021, when a South Afrikan singer and songwriter born in Orlando West, Soweto, Gogo, Daughter of the fertile soil, Sibongile Khumalo, passed away at the age of 63 after suffering a stroke and a long-term period of illness prior to her death (5 years)

She sang classical, jazz, opera and traditional South African music 

She was noted for singing at the inauguration of Nelson Mandela in 1994 and at the Rugby World Cup in 1995

Khumalo was awarded the Silver class of the Order of Ikhamanga in 2008. This was in recognition of her contributions to the country's arts and culture

She was granted a Doctor of Music honoris causa one year later by Rhodes University in Grahamstown

She was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Musicology by the University of South Africa in Tshwane

Honorary Doctor of Philosophy by the University of Zululand

Honorary Doctorate Degree in Music from the University of the Witwatersrand, which was awarded subsequently in 2021

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter

• LVMH beats expectations as Chinese luxury spending stabilises
  2. Amazon’s ‘accidental’ email sparks job cut fears
  3. Market update

 

Meta, TikTok and YouTube are facing a pivotal legal test in the United States as a California court hears arguments that their platforms are contributing to a youth mental health crisis. The case, brought by a 19-year-old woman who says she became addicted to social media as a child, could set a precedent for how Big Tech is held accountable for harm to young users.  

Guest: Emma Sadlier: Social Media Law Specialist 

 

Security experts are warning that South Africa is edging toward becoming a war zone if the surge in mass shootings and targeted killings is not urgently addressed, following another deadly attack in Pretoria. 

Guest: Chad Thomas: Crime expert and director of IRS Investigations

Positioning Nedbank Mid Corporate as the purpose-built banking partner for South Africa’s mid-corporate businesses (‘the missing middle’), and unpacking the operating realities, opportunities and constraints facing this segment in the current economic environment. 

Guest: Herman de Kock:Managing Executive: Mid Corporate. Nedbank Business Commercial Banking