Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Thursday that the OPEC+ group of leading oil producers would continue working together despite the departure of the United Arab Emirates, Russian news agencies reported.

The US is "studying and reviewing" whether to reduce the thousands of troops it has stationed in Germany, President Donald Trump has announced via social media.

China will ban the sale of drones in Beijing and require permits to fly them under new rules that take effect on Friday(1 May). 

Guest: Dr Joan Swart - Researcher in Military Science at the University of Stellenbosc

Why was Makhudu Sefara elected chair of the South African National Editors Forum despite concerns raised by Editor of GroundUp, Nathan Geffen about his connections to the Lottery?

Guest: Reggie Moalusi - Executive Director at the South African National Editors Forum

Last night Bellarmine Mugabe left South Africa via OR Tambo International Airport after he sentenced to 24-months in prison or a R400 000 fine for pointing a toy firearm, as well as 18 months imprisonment or a R200 000 fine for being in the country illegally

Guest: Chriselda Lewis - Senior Reporter at SABCNEWS

 

 

Tensions around immigration took centre stage in Johannesburg today, as members of civil society, led by March and March, marched through Hillbrow to the Gauteng Legislature, calling for stronger action against illegal immigration. What are the demands being put forward, and how should the government respond?

Guest: Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma - Leader of March and March 

 

 

Municipal Watch: The Economic Freedom Fighters in Limpopo are calling for the Molemole Municipality to be put under administration following the arrest of 10 senior officials for tender corruption by the Hawks. Reports indicate that R38-million meant for a landfill site went missing

Guest: Charles Shilopo - Member of the Botlhokwa Community Concerned Group (Villages falling under Molemole Municipality) 

 Guest: Commissar Lawrence Mapoulo -  EFF Provincial Chairperson and member of the Limpopo legislature 

Guest: Rhofhiwa Mulaudzi  - Acting Municipal Manager at the Molemole Municipality 

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

30 April 2026 

1.    South Afrika – Kenya – China 

China’s zero tariff push wins backing from South Africa and Kenya

Officials and business leaders in South Africa and Kenya are welcoming China’s new zero tariff policy for 53 African nations, saying it will open fresh trade opportunities, cut costs for small businesses, and strengthen economic ties across the continent

Beginning May 1, China will grant zero tariff access to goods from 53 African countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Beijing.

1. South Afrika – Zambia 

The Zambian government and the family of former president Edgar Lungu are set for a legal confrontation in the High Court in  Tshwane today over the handling of his remains.

The dispute follows an urgent court order directing the Zambian authorities to return Lungu's body to a private mortuary, a ruling that came just hours after the government had acted on an earlier Gauteng High Court judgment permitting repatriation of the remains for a State funeral and burial in Zambia.

1. South Afrika -Benin 

Kemi Seba to remain in detention as hearing postponed

After a court postponed his hearing yesterday, anti-Western and Pan-Afrikan activist Kemi Seba will remain in detention until 11 May 2026.

 So, there's that atmosphere being created about how dangerous the man [Kemi Seba] is, yet he is not being charged with any level of dangerous or violent crime. 

Seba's lawyer has denied the accusations, describing them as exaggerated.

1. In our historical archives, it was on this day, 30 April 1982, when former Apartheid President P.W. Botha and Zambian Former President Kenneth Kaunda had a historic meeting.

This was the first meeting between any leader of a Front-Line State and a South African premier since the Victoria Falls meeting between Prime Minister B.J. Vorster and Kaunda on 25-26 August 1976. 

The two leaders were together for nearly 4 hours and parted amicably after approving a communique of just 4 sentences.

 

The Reality Check: How is the seat allocation done in an election or how is a vote converted into a seat.

Guest: Terry Tselane - Executive Chairperson of the Institute of Election Management Services in Africa (IEMSA) 

KwaZulu-Natal is facing a deeply troubling rise in teenage and even child pregnancies,  with hundreds of girls as young as 10 falling pregnant, and tens of thousands of teens affected in just the past year. What’s really happening in the minds and environments of these young people? And what does this say about the broader social and psychological pressures they face?

Guest: Tholinhlanhla Dlamini-Ngcoya - Counselling Psychologist  

The editor of the Sunday Times and chair of the South African National Editors Forum, Makhudu Sefara, has been placed on special leave after the Special Investigating Unit linked him to payments from a controversial lottery-funded project now under investigation. What does this mean for journalism, accountability, and public trust? 

Guest: Nathan Geffen - Editor at GroundUp

 

The Global Brief: In Switzerland, concerns about population growth reflect anxiety over the limits of infrastructure and economic sustainability

In Brazil, the slowing of tropical forest loss points to the fragile balance between environmental protection and continued human demand for natural resources.

Escalating violence in Lebanon underscores the breakdown of political and humanitarian systems meant to protect civilians during conflict.

Guest: Dr Asiphe Mxalisa - Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Studies and International Relations at North West University