The Weekend View

Mpumalanga MEC for Human Settlements, Speedy Mashilo, says electricity supply and water provision have been cut off in some of the communities affected by the floods. He says a state of disaster could soon be declared following the destruction caused by the persistent rain in the province. Mashilo visited some of the affected villages in the Nkomazi area yesterday . For more on this, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs, Freddy Ngobe

There are reports emerging of violent clashes between police and opposition supporters in Uganda following presidential elections yesterday. Local media say several people have been killed. There has been tension as the party of the presidential candidate Bobi Wine says the security forces have surrounded his house as votes are counted. This comes as Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has taken a commanding lead in Thursday's presidential election - well ahead of his main challenger Bobi Wine, whose party has already questioned the credibility of the results. Figures so far give Museveni 75% of the vote, with Wine on 21%, based on returns from 70% of polling stations. The elections were held amid a countrywide internet shutdown imposed earlier in the week. To get a sense of the situation in the country, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Juliet Nankufa, a Digital Rights Researcher 

A recent call for help by a South Africa family whose son died while visiting Zimbabwe, has placed focus on the difficulties involved in repatriating loved ones who die outside their home country. Losing a loved one is a universal pain, but for the millions living in the diaspora, that grief often comes with a double trauma, when families are suddenly thrust into a high-stakes race against time, navigating complex international laws, staggering costs, and the logistical nightmare of bringing a body home for burial. It's a reality many of us avoid discussing at the dinner table until it's a crisis. For a look at what you need to know about the costs relating to the complexities of repatriating the remains of a loved one, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to founder and CEO of Diaspora Insurance, Jeff Madzingo

The family of 20-year-old Lindelani Munyai, the Limpopo woman who was swept away while attempting to cross a flooded river in Thoyandou, hopes that he is still alive. The Chitawa Mafefera village resident is believed to have been crossing the Mutale River with his father when the incident occurred. Rescue teams have been deployed to the area and are continuing the search for him. The area is one of the hardest hit by floods that have left a total of eleven people dead in that province since the heavy rains began last Christmas day. For a look at the humanitarian situation on the ground, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  Director of Communication at the Limpopo Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affrairs, Tsakani Baloyi

Incessant rains have submerged villages across Limpopo and Mpumalanga, sweeping away homes, cutting off roads and leaving communities isolated and desperate. The Kruger National Park had to suspend visits and evacuate some guests and staff by helicopter. The floods have claimed 11 lives in Limpopo while 20 people have died in Mpumalanga since that start of the heavy rains last month. Besides the human cost, the two provinces now face repair bills to roads, bridges and other public infrastructure that will cost billions of rand, money the provinces simply do not have.  An orange level 9 warning has been issued by the South African Weather Service, forecasting yet more rain in affected areas and warning communities to remain alert and to stay clear of roads and overflowing rivers. But with food and other resources running low, many have no option but to brave the flooded, damaged and dangerous roads. To get more details about the weather in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to South African Weather Service forecaster, Amukelani Mkhari

With local elections just few months away, the ANC has declared 2026 as the year to fix local government and transform the economy. This came out during President Cyril Ramaphosa's delivery of the party's January 8 Statement at Moruleng Stadium, outside Rustenburg YESTERDAY. The ANC's main 114th birthday celebrations were attended by thousands of party faithfuls, leaders from the alliance partners, as well as fraternal parties, which included Zanu-PF from Zimbabwe, Mozambique's Frelimo, MPLA of Angola and Namibai's ruling party, Swapo, as well as diplomats from Cuba, Venezuela and Palestine, among others. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Sanusha Naidu, Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Global Dialogue and Prof. Lesiba Teffo, political analyst from UNISA

The South African National Blood Services is encouraging people to donate blood as its stocks are critically low. The Blood Service often faces a dip in national blood collection during the festive season. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SANBS senior communications manager, Thandi Mosupye 

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group says it has been inundated with calls from matriculants and parents ahead of the release of the 2025 National Senior Certificate examination results next week. SADAG Project Manager for Education, Roshni Parbhoo-Seetha says this period is very stressful for many former matriculants, which makes it important for parents to be supportive and pay attention to their children's behaviour. For a look at how parents and caregivers can better equip their children to handle whatever comes their way on results day, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Clinical Psychologist, Dr Khosi Jiyane

Political parties in KwaZulu-Natal's Government of Provincial Unity say the withdrawal of the National Freedom Party will not collapse their coalition. The provincial's coalition government was formed after the 2024 general elections, consisting of the IFP, DA, ANC and the NFP.  The NFP announced its withdrawal from coalition government and further instructed its sole representative, Mbali Shinga, to resign as the KZN Member of the Executive Council. This after Shinga defied party orders during the December vote of no confidence against Premier Thami Ntuli. The vote of no confidence was brought forth by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party. For a look at what the NFP's exit means for the province's political landscape, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to IFP leader, Velenkosini Hlabisa

The National Freedom Party has reaffirmed its decision to withdraw from the KwaZulu-Natal's Government of Provincial Unity. Speaking at a media briefing in Durban. Party leader Irvan Barnes said the decision was due to administrative challenges and political agreements that were not honoured by coalition partners. The provincial's coalition government was formed after the 2024 general elections. It consisted of the IFP, DA, ANC and the NFP. Celumusa Zulu reports..