South Africa’s political landscape could be heading for another major showdown after the African Transformation Movement welcomed the Constitutional Court ruling on the Phala Phala matter and announced plans to table a motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa. 

Guest: Vuyo Zungula - Leader of the African Transformation Movement 

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

11 May 2026

1.    Botswana – Gaborone 

Botswana’s former President Gontebanye Festus Mogae has died at the age of 86, and the government of Botswana has announced three days of national mourning.

Mogae led the southern African country for a decade and won praise for good governance and the fight against HIV/AIDS. He was Botswana’s third president from 1998 to 2008, handing power ‌to Vice President Ian Khama in a smooth transition that highlighted Botswana’s reputation for political stability.

"As a nation, we grieve the loss of a remarkable leader and servant of the people, whose commitment to Botswana remained unwavering throughout his life," President Duma Boko said in a statement to the nation

Mo Ibrahim, founder and chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, stated:

Festus was not only a close friend but someone who stood with the Foundation from its very beginning, sharing our belief in the importance of strong, principled leadership. 

He was a true statesman who used his wisdom and experience to advance Africa's development where it matters most: in the well-being of its people. He was deeply committed to ensuring that every African could live in health, in dignity, and in peace.

1. DR Kongo – Kinshasha 

Opposition stalwart Martin Fayulu has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi of wanting to stay in power beyond the maximum two mandates "at any cost".

In power since 2019, Tshisekedi is due to step down as leader of the corruption- and conflict-ridden country in 2028 after hitting the two-term limit -- a limit the Congolese constitution insists cannot be revised.

Tshisekedi had likewise mooted a potential postponement of the 2028 election if the conflict in the eastern DRC, where the Rwanda-backed M23 militia has seized swathes of territory, were to drag on.

3.    Burundi – Bujumbura 

Burundi will hold presidential elections on May 3 next year, the electoral commission has announced, during a meeting boycotted by the opposition.

President Evariste Ndayishimiye has led the small, landlocked East African country of 15 million, taking over following the death of longtime leader Pierre Nkurunziza in 2020.

Burundi is one of Africa's poorest countries and has seen years of internal conflict and repression.

Ndayishimiye has sought to lessen the influence of powerful generals while maintaining a firm grip on the country.

4.    In our historical archives, it was on this day, 11 May 1981, that the soul and international face of reggae music and Rastafari culture, Robert Nesta Bob Marley, died due to the spread of cancer to his lungs and brain. Marley's final words to his son Ziggy were: "On your way up, take me up. On your way down, don't let me down

The National Coloured Congress has come out strongly in defence of its leader and Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams following his controversial arrest linked to the Sindiso Magaqa murder investigation. Yesterday, the party held a media briefing to address what it calls misinformation surrounding the arrest.

Guest: Sakeena Frenchman - Secretary General for the National Coloured Congress 

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• 3. Market update

 

The Global Briefing: Spain remain on high alert after a cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak docked on the island.

India and Pakistan, tensions between the two countries remain fragile as the unresolved dispute over Kashmir continues to fuel uncertainty in the region.

Hopes for a breakthrough in the war between Ukraine and Russia appear to be fading after reports of fresh clashes and drone strikes despite a recently announced ceasefire.

Guest: Prof. Andre Duvenhage - Professor of Research at the North West University 

 

 

Guest: Mashoabathe Noko, Programme Manager at the Foundation for Human Rights and member of the Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia coordinating committee  

Guest: Kenneth Kgwadi, political scientist, columnist, former spokesman of the PAC. and research fellow at Middle East Africa Research Institute. 

Built in Mzansi: How Namhla Collection is transforming indigenous South African plants into eco-luxury skincare and home spa products

Guest: Namhla Dotwana - Founder of Namhla Collection 

Omry Makgoale - ANC Veteran

The pressure is mounting on President Cyril Ramaphosa after the African Transformation Movement confirmed it will pursue a motion of no confidence linked to the Phala Phala scandal. What does this political moment mean for the country, parliament, GNU and could it deepen uncertainty in South Africa? 

 

The Constitutional Court has ruled in favour of the Economic Freedom Fighters, finding that the National Assembly acted unlawfully when it voted in December 2022 to reject the Section 89 Independent Panel report into President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala scandal.
The judgment, delivered at 10AM this morning at Constitutional Hill in Braamfontein, marks one of the most consequential rulings against a sitting head of state in the country's democratic history. The court has ordered Parliament to properly process the Section 89 panel report, reopening the possibility of a full impeachment inquiry into the President.

Guest: Nhlamulo Ndhlela, MK Party Spokesperson

As the nation waits for this pivotal Phala Phala court ruling, what could it mean for the country’s political landscape and for public trust in leadership?

Guest: Ntebo Mokobo - SABC Political Journalist