Recent research by the Human Sciences Research Council has found that anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa is at its highest level since 2003, with growing hostility particularly evident in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. What are the risks ahead of the upcoming local government elections? 

Guest: Dr Steven Gordon, Chief Research Specialist in the Developmental, Capable and Ethical State (DCES) research division of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). 

The government is seeking funding to recruit an additional 10,000 labour inspectors in what could become one of the biggest workplace compliance drives in South Africa's history. The plan could cost as much as R10 billion over the medium-term budget framework. 

Guest: Nyiko Mabunda - Chief Director: Labour Market Policy in the Department of Employment and Labour

South Africa is set to officially roll out lenacapavir, a groundbreaking HIV prevention injection, on the 5th of June. While the treatment is being hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight against HIV, concerns remain over the more than one million people who have defaulted on their ARV treatment.

Guest: Sibongile Tshabalala - Treatment Action Campaign Chairperson  

1.Gabon – Libreville 

Gabon opposition leader kept behind bars as court rejects appeal

Gabon’s main opposition figure, Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, will remain in detention after an appeals court rejected his bid to invalidate legal proceedings against him. The decision deepens concerns over judicial independence and political freedoms in the Central African nation. Former Gabonese Prime Minister Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze will remain in prison after the Libreville Court of Appeal rejected his request to quash the proceedings against him.

2.DR Kongo- USA

US imposes fresh sanctions on M23 and FDLR leaders

The United States has imposed new sanctions on senior figures from the M23 rebel movement and the FDLR militia, escalating pressure on armed groups fuelling conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The move signals Washington’s determination to enforce commitments made under the Washington peace accords.

The United States announced fresh sanctions on Tuesday against two commanders accused of playing key roles in the conflict that continues to destabilise eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

3.Zimbabwe – Harare 

Zimbabwe’s parliament is considering a controversial constitutional amendment bill that would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term by two years to ‌2030. It would also do away with general presidential elections, giving parliament the power to appoint the head of state. In addition, the proposed change, introduced by Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi to the lower house of parliament on Tuesday, would see lawmakers' terms extended from five to seven years.

4.In our historical archives, it was on this day, 4 June 1986, when the Soweto Town Council asked SADF troops to stay. In June 1986, there were many necklacing incidents in Soweto, Johannesburg, with people being brutally killed.

• OECD warns of slower global growth in 2026
• 2. Broad based hiring boosts confidence in US economy
• 3. Market update

Iran has now launched missile and drone attacks targeting US military assets in Kuwait and Bahrain.

The United Kingdom and China appear to be exploring a diplomatic reset.

Canada is pushing for a 16-year extension of the North American Free Trade Agreement with the United States and Mexico

Guest: Willem Els - Senior Training Coordinator at the Institute of Security Studies

Built in Mzansi: How Surgical Assistant (PTY) Ltd has built an innovative health-tech platform in South Africa that has facilitated more than 7000 cases.

Guest: AD Schoeman – Co - Founder of the Surgical Assistant (PTY) Ltd 

Guest: Dr Shaheda Omar - Director of the Teddy Bear Foundation for Abused Children  

The Reality Check with Dr Lebohang Pheko: examining infrastructure, state capacity, debt, ratings agencies and ownership, arguing that the real question is not simply whether the state recovers, but who owns and controls the political economy emerging through that recovery.

Guest: Dr Lebohang Liepollo Pheko, Political Economist and Senior Researcher Fellow at Trade Collective.

The Gauteng Department of Social Development has introduced a new clause in its service level agreements that effectively bars NGOs from using provincial funding to pay non-South African social workers.

Guest: Lisa Vetten - Chairperson of the Gauteng Care Crisis Committee