The Weekend View

The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) condemns the fuel price increase that took effect on 7 October, which pushed petrol and diesel to the highest prices South Africans have ever paid. Early data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) signals a further rise of up to R4.58 a litre for petrol in November. Adding insult to injury is the Road Accident Fund (RAF), publishing its annual report for the 2025/26 financial year, and making a request to increase the RAF levy for both petrol and diesel locally. Automobile Association CEO, Bobby Ramagwede reacts to the latest increase in this conversation with, Jon Gericke...

The South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP), has expressed concern regarding the proposed Council for the Built Environment Bill. The Bill is aimed at giving the Council stronger investigative powers, consolidating regulatory functions, and establishing it as a single, more effective regulator for South Africa's built environment. The proposed bill was announced following the George building collapse which claimed 34 lives leaving 28 injured in May 2024. SACAP President, Charles Nduku explains their concerns...

As the country marks Mental Health Awareness month, we are encouraged to talk more openly about mental illness, but what happens when someone actually tells you they have a diagnosis? For Mental health advocate, Yael Geffen this is a question she has taken up her strides by challenging the stigma that can follow disclosure. Drawing on her own experience of living openly with a mental health condition, she says a diagnosis can quickly become the lens through which people reinterpret a woman's ambition, emotions, decisions, mistakes and even her successes. Bongiwe Zwane earlier caught up with Yael for more details...

Public outcry continues to pour over reports that the e‑Panic Button App, a tool residents rely on in moments of danger, exposed their most sensitive personal information. University computer science students discovered the flaws while analysing the app's code last week. The Gauteng Legislature's Portfolio Committee on e‑Government, Research & Development has described the breach as larming and most corncerning while the DA has called for an immediate investigation into the extent of the exposure of sensitive information belonging to residents who used the app to report crimes. For today's discussion,Bongiwe Zwane spoke to the  Chairperson of the Gauteng Legislature's Portfolio Committee on e‑Government,  Research & Development, Mbali Hlophe together with the spokesperson of the Information Regulator, Nomzamo Zondi 

Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC) says years of underfunding have undermined South Africa's fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). AIDC says government cannot keep acknowledging gender-based violence as a national crisis while treating its funding as optional. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Suraya Jawoodeen,  Economic Justice Programme Coordinator at Alternative Information and Development Centre 

The CEO of the SABC, Nomsa Chabeli, has assured MPs that the public broadcaster will cover the November 4 local government election, to the extent its finances will allow. The SABC and ICASA appeared before the Porfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, to brief MPs on its state of readiness to cover the election. In previous meetings the SABC has made the committee aware of its financial constraints to cover the polls. The Minister responsible for overseeing these entities, Solly Malatsi, has indicated that there is no clarity yet, whether the funding will be granted or not. SABC reporter Zalene Merrington has the details and Bongiwe Zwane spoke to William Bird,  Director of Media Monitoring Africa

Long before children can confidently explain their ideas, they find other ways to show us what they are thinking. A drawing, a sculpture made from clay, an imaginary game or a joyful dance can communicate things they may not yet have the words to express. For young children, creativity is not simply an enjoyable activity to fill the day. It is one of the most important ways they explore, understand and connect with the world around them. Abigail Smulders, Head of the Early Learning and Junior Preparatory School at Reddam House Bedfordview says creativity provides children with a safe way to express emotions that they may not yet have the vocabulary to explain.  To unpack why creativity matters in early childhood, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Abigail Smulders, Head of the Early Learning and Junior Preparatory School at Reddam House Bedfordview

The current murder rate and the mass killing of women are serious events that do not warrant side-show commentary from the government and the president. This is according to Senior Researcher at Africa Asia Dialogues,  Thembisa Fakude. He furtehr adds that these uncertain times require a different measure of intervention as the country is in state of terrorism.  For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Thembisa Fakude, Senior Researcher at Africa Asia Dialogues 

Calls are intensifying for the deployment of soldiers to Mashobote in Mpumalanga. This follows deadly gun battles allegedly involving rival groups of illegal miners in the area, along the N4 Schoemanskloof toll road. Two bodies with multiple gunshot wounds, believed to be those of suspected illegal miners, were found near the road on *Wednesday and Thursday*. For the latest Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Provincial police spokesperson in Mpumalanga Donald Mdhluli 

A recent regulatory and legal action against pharmacies illegally compounding GLP-1 weight-loss medicines has affected up to 300,000 South Africans.  Obiflex , a doctor-led health management programme says with the compounded route now closed, and with an appetite for weight-loss GLP-1s in South Africa estimated at R3 billion, affected patients face a tough choice, seek out other unregulated and potentially unsafe sources, or turn to a registered, doctor-prescribed alternative that many say they cannot afford. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Shaun Barns, co-founder and CEO of Obiflex