Australia is days away from enforcing one of the world’s toughest social media age restrictions — a full ban on under-16s using platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Threads. And ahead of the 10 December deadline, Meta has already begun shutting down accounts belonging to young teens. It’s a move that’s sparked support from parents, concern from digital rights groups, and confusion among thousands of users who say they’ve been wrongly targeted.   

Guest: Sarah Hoffman, digital parenting expert and  co-founder of Klikd 

 

 

A damning report by the Health Ombud has exposed severe negligence, misconduct, and systemic failures in two separate patient deaths in Gauteng and Limpopo. The findings, prompted by family complaints, reveal substandard care, falsified records, and inadequate clinical oversight in the public sector case, while also highlighting risks and gaps in the private healthcare system. The Ombud has issued sweeping recommendations aimed at overhauling accountability, clinical governance, and patient safety across both sectors.  

Guest: Prof Taole Mokoena: Health Ombud  

MultiChoice’s long-running channel carriage battle with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has reached a breaking point. On Tuesday, MultiChoice confirmed that 12 WBD-owned TV channels — including Discovery Channel, CNN International, Cartoon Network and Food Network — will be removed from DStv on 31 December 2025, affecting subscribers in South Africa and across the Rest of Africa. The announcement follows months of stalled negotiations and arrives as Canal+, MultiChoice’s new owner, pushes aggressive cost-cutting and restructuring across the group. 

Guest: Thinus Ferraira: independent TV critic, writer and journalist in South Africa as well as a pop culture and media expert. 

 

 

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter

• Business confidence improves in Q4
• 2. US firm, Prudential eyes Alexforbes exit
• 3. Markets

 

A new Ipsos Safety Index commissioned by Bolt reveals a significant shift in how South Africans perceive transport safety, with ride-hailing emerging as the preferred and most trusted option. The findings show overwhelming confidence in e-hailing — driven by safety features, convenience, and the platform’s ability to protect both riders and their loved ones.  

Guest: Simo Kalajdzic: senior operations manager at Bolt South Africa

 

South Africa’s Department of Public Service and Administration has revealed new data showing that foreign nationals make up less than half a percent of the country’s public servants. While their presence is small, these workers are heavily concentrated in critical sectors such as education and healthcare — areas grappling with significant skills shortages and high staff turnover. As the government moves to tighten regulations governing the employment of foreign nationals, questions about capacity, skills gaps, and the broader challenges facing the public service have come to the fore.  

Guest: Dr Anusha Naidoo: Chief Director for Human Resources Planning, Employment and Performance Management at the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) 

 

Suspended Ekurhuleni metro police deputy chief Brig Julius Mkhwanazi appeared before the Madlanga commission on Wednesday, where he denied allegations that he unlawfully authorised blue lights for vehicles belonging to attempted-murder accused businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. His testimony sought to counter a series of serious accusations involving irregular procurement, improper promotions, and even alleged involvement in a murder-scene cover-up.  

Guest: Canny Maphanga: SABC Reporter 

 

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

4 December 2025

1.    USA- Rwanda – DR Kongo 

 Trump to host Rwanda, DRC leaders at White House to sign peace agreement today

USA President Donald Trump will host the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today as the White House has announced.

Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters that DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda President Paul Kagame will sign a “historic peace and economic agreement that [Trump] brokered”.

 

2.    Senegal- Dakar

Clashes erupt at Senegal’s main university over stipends 

Tensions escalated at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Senegal’s capital as students clashed with security forces demanding stipends and financial aid amid the country’s deepening economic crisis.

 

3.South Afrika – SADC Parliamentary Forum

The 58th SADC PF Adopts Resolution to Move from Parliamentary Forum to SADC Parliament

The need to transform the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) into a fully-fledged regional parliament - the SADC Parliament resolution - received overwhelming support from member Parliaments yesterday.

In its plenary assembly session yesterday, the 58th SADC PF currently underway in Durban considered the reports of member parliaments in implementing the resolutions taken at the 57th plenary session held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe in June 2025.

 

3.     In our historical archives, it was on this day 4 December 1996 when the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa was approved by the constitutional court and took effect on 4 February 1997.

 

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter

• Hiring continues to slow in America

• 2. Airbus cuts its delivery guidance
• 3. Markets

 

NATO’s new chief has issued a firm warning after Vladimir Putin claimed Russia does not want to fight Europe but is “ready” if necessary.

Guest: Professor Abel Esterhuyse is a member of the Department of Strategic Studies in the Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University