The Briefing Debate: Should corporal punishment be reinstated as a way to deal with crime and discipline? 

Guest: Dr Zukile Luyenge - Independent South African National Civic Organisation (ISANCO) President.  

Guest: Prof Faranaaz Veriava - Senior Fellow to the UNESCO Chair: Education Law in Africa and Associate Professor in the Law Faculty at the University of Pretoria 

The South African government has announced an extension on the fuel subsidy over the next 2 months. The R3 per litre reduction on both petrol and diesel continues in May. This extension will cost the National Treasury over R17,2 billion. How will this affect the fuel industry stakeholders and petrol station owners?

Guest: Avhapfani Tshifularo - Chief Executive Officer of the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa (FIASA) 

The South African government has announced an extension on the fuel subsidy over the next 2 months. The R3 per litre reduction on both petrol and diesel continues in May. An expert warns that tough policy choices lie ahead, as government tries to balance support for consumers with maintaining fiscal stability

Guest: Prof. Raymond Parsons - Economist and Professor at the North-West University Business School 

United Arab Emirates has now announced it will leave OPEC after nearly six decades of membership. How will it affect the Globe, South African and our oil security?

Guest: Dr. Azar Jammine - Director and Chief Economist at  Econometrix 

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

Former National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi has withdrawn from a high-stakes inquiry into Andrew Chauke after being denied legal representation, raising serious questions about procedural fairness and the integrity of the process. what does this mean for accountability, due process, and public trust in institutions like the National Prosecuting Authority?

Guest: Adv Paul Hoffman - Director of Accountability Now  

As tensions rise with movements like March and March calling for mass deportations, Malaika Mahlatsi asks whether South Africa should consider giving undocumented migrants legal status

Guest: Malaika Mahlatsi - senior researcher and government official

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

29 April 2026

1.    Mali- USA - United Nations 

The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the weekend’s attacks in Mali.

Jihadist militants joined forces with Tuareg separatists to launch the largest coordinated offensive the country has seen in more than a decade.

The two groups share an interest in routing the army and Russian mercenaries from northern and central Mali.

Briefing reporters this week, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric said António Guterres "calls for coordinated international support to address the evolving threat of violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel and to meet urgent humanitarian needs."

2.    Ghana – Kenya  

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday evening arrived in Accra, Ghana ahead of the high-level Tana Forum on Security in Africa.

It is a key continental platform that convenes African leaders and stakeholders to deliberate on African-led solutions to peace, governance, and regional security challenges.

Uhuru, who joined the Tana Forum Board in 2024, is among a select group of former African heads of state entrusted with the strategic oversight of the institution.

3.    Ethiopia – Addis Ababa 

The 5th annual joint retreat between the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) will begin today in Ethiopia for two days, under the theme “Good Governance: A Key Pillar for Conflict Prevention and Sustainable Peace and Security in Africa.” 

The theme reflects the evolution of the APRM-PSC collaboration from foundational governance assessments to deepened institutional operationalisation, with a specific focus on implementing the 4th Joint Retreat recommendations on governance as a pillar for conflict prevention.

Over its 23-year existence, the APRM has conducted 48 peer reviews and expanded participation to 45 of the African Union’s 55 member states, reflecting growing continental engagement in governance reform and accountability mechanisms.

4.    In our historical archives, it was on this day, 29 April 1994, when South Africa’s first democratic elections ended, and counting began two days after the first-ever democratic elections in South Africa. Nearly 20 million people participated in South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994.  The voting time was extended until 7 pm on 29 April in Venda, Gazankulu, Lebowa, KwaZulu, Transkei and Ciskei.

Market Brief with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter

• UAE leaves OPEC 

• 2. OpenAI misses its internal sales growth target, spooking investors 
• 3. Market update

The Global Brief: In Washington, King Charles addresses the U.S. Congress in a rare and symbolic moment in transatlantic relations.

China’s foreign minister is on a high-level tour of Southeast Asia, reinforcing Beijing’s push for regional influence and stability.

India is moving to repair strained ties with Bangladesh, appointing Dinesh Trivedi as the next High Commissioner to repair relations with their neighbours after tensions erupted in 2024.

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