European Union foreign ministers are meeting in Cyprus as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East and Ukraine.

Fresh uncertainty surrounds Middle East peace efforts after reports of new US-linked airstrikes during negotiations, while Iran is warning it could walk away from talks altogether.

In Argentina, opposition leaders are attempting to form a broad political alliance as President Javier Milei faces declining approval ratings ahead of another expected election battle.

Guest: Professor Bheki Mngomezulu - Professor of Political Science & International Relations and Director of the Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy (CANRAD) at Nelson Mandela University 

 

The Municipal Watch: The Newcastle Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal is being accused of concealing unauthorized expenditure when approving the 2026/27 budget which includes development plans. They are criticized for not publicly disclosing unauthorized expenditure.

Guest: Matthew Shunmugan - Chairman of the Newcastle and District Residents Forum and also a former councillor 

Guest: Samkelisiwe Yende - Councillor from Osizweni Newcastle East 

Guest: Mr Zamani Mcineka - Municipal Manager for the Newcastle Local Municipality (Accounting Officer)

Built in Mzansi: How a Doctor has built a healthcare facility: Queen Mokope Modjadji Healthcare center to address the health needs of the impoverished areas of rural Mopani.

Guest: Dr Mike Ramothwala - Founder of the Queen Mokope Modjadji Healthcare Center

Built in Mzansi: How the has Youth Employment Service built a partnership where young people can access to learning pathways and 50,000 globally recognised Microsoft certification exam vouchers at no cost

Guest: Ravi Naidoo - Chief Executive Officer of The Youth Employment Service

The Briefing Debate: Is the idea of Cape Independence constitutionally and practically possible in South Africa?

Guest: Shabodien Roomanay - Political commentator, Activist, Writer and Freelance Radio host.  

Guest: Phil Craig - Leader of the Cape Independence Advocacy Group 

 

The National Prosecuting Authority has now said that the prosecutor in the Joe Sobanyoni case was threatened and that he would be assassinated if he arrived for the court appearance.

Guest: Kaizer Kganyago - NPA Spokesperson

 

Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Enoch Godongwana, conducted a site visit to Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital to assess progress on repairs to the fire-damaged sections of the hospital and the impact on healthcare delivery. Beyond infrastructure, serious questions remain around the state of public healthcare in South Africa

Guest: Professor Alex van den Heever, Chair of Social Security Systems, Administration and Management Studies at the Wits School of Governance  

The National Prosecuting Authority has now said that the prosecutor in the Joe Sobanyoni case was threatened and that he would be assassinated if he arrived for the court appearance.

Guest: Kaizer Kganyago - NPA Spokesperson

South Africa’s political spotlight once again turns to President Cyril Ramaphosa after he filed an application to review and set aside the Section 89 Independent Panel Report linked to the Phala Phala matter.The President argues that the panel misunderstood its mandate and failed to properly assess whether there was sufficient evidence to prove a serious violation of the Constitution or the law.

Guest: Bophelo Seleke - Independent Legal Analyst  

Market Brief with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter

• South Africa’s leading indicator rises ahead of interest rates announcement
• Pepkor moves closer to launching its bank
• Market update

The Reality Check with Dr Gcina Mhlophe: Inter generational dialogues - What lessons can we draw from those who came before us

Dr Gcina Mhlophe - Author, Storyteller and Founding Director of GCINAMASIKO Arts & Heritage Trust and eThekwini UNESCO City of Literature Ambassador

 

South Africa’s political spotlight once again turns to President Cyril Ramaphosa after he filed an application to review and set aside the Section 89 Independent Panel Report linked to the Phala Phala matter.The President argues that the panel misunderstood its mandate and failed to properly assess whether there was sufficient evidence to prove a serious violation of the Constitution or the law.

Guest: Bophelo Seleke - Independent Legal Analyst  

 

1.Ethiopia – Addis Ababa

Ethiopia's opposition braces for ruling party election landslide

Ethiopian opposition parties go into elections on June 1, facing threats, insurgencies, near-total state control of the media, and what they see as a pre-determined victory for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

This time, Abiy's PP is running completely uncontested in 64 of Ethiopia's 547 constituencies.

No voting will take place in the northern Tigray region, where tensions are still high with the federal government over a civil war in 2020-2022 from which some one million people remain displaced.

2.    Republic of Congo – Afrika 

Congo Brazzaville throws open its borders to Africa

From January 1, 2027, the Republic of Congo will abolish visa requirements for all African citizens, marking a major step toward continental integration. 

President Denis Sassou Nguesso made the declaration on May 25 during the 2026 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank in Brazzaville, held alongside celebrations marking Africa Day. The move positions Congo among Africa’s champions of free movement.

3.    Senegal – Dakar 

 Ousmane Sonko was elected the national assembly president, and Faye appointed an economist, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, as the Prime Minister 

Senegal's National Assembly elected ousted prime minister Ousmane Sonko its speaker on Tuesday in a vote boycotted by the opposition, following months of tension that culminated in the firebrand's sacking.

He received a long ovation after getting 132 votes, with no member voting against him and one abstaining, according to the session's presiding member, Ismael Diallo. Sonko was the sole candidate for the position.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye appointed senior economist and former central banker Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo as prime minister, days after abruptly dismissing his former mentor, Ousmane Sonko and dissolving the government.

4. In our historical archives, it was on this day 27, May 1963, when Mzee Jomo Kenyatta was elected Prime Minister of Kenya after his party, the Kenya African National Union, won the country’s first general elections. A few years earlier, Kenyatta had been sentenced to hard labour and was restricted following his arrest in 1952, related to allegations of his complicity in the Mau Mau rebellion. He was released on 14 August 1961.   In 1964, he became the first President of the Republic of Kenya

 

 

• US consumer confidence slips in May
• 2. China industrial profits surge in April
• 3. Market update