The National Briefing

Good Work Foundation is passionate about closing the digital divide through building a holistic learning environment for learners and school leavers in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga. The organization has also worked in partnership with universities to upskill their staff and the broader community to become facilitators. Guest: Gemma Thompson - Head of Development at the Good Work Foundation

The residents of Ward 126 (Randpark Ridge and Weltevreden Park and surrounding areas), are voicing their collective outrage and exhaustion over the deliberate and sustained collapse of electricity supply that plunges thousands of households into darkness for days on end, recurring every week. What began as a national load-shedding crisis has now mutated into a local man-made disaster of gross negligence, maladministration and alleged corruption at the highest levels, with no end in sight Guest: Dorothy “Dot” Marx - Chairperson of Willow Tree Retirement Village.

Guest: Ronnie Kasrils - Former Minister of State Security of South Africa

Ratepayers associations under the Msunduzi Municipality are objecting to a tariff hike for the 2026/27 financial year, sighting poor service delivery. The municipality is proposing a 9.26% electricity hike, 13% for water, 1.2% for rates, 3.70 for waste removal and 13% for sanitation. The Msunduzi Association of Residents, Ratepayers and Civics say that the municipality is in financial crisis. Why should residents pay more? Guest: Councillor Mzimkhulu Thebolla - Mayor Msunduzi Local Municipality Guest: Anthony Waldhausen - CEO of the Msunduzi Association of Residents, Ratepayers and Civics Guest: Ross Strachan - DA Caucus leader at the Msunduzi Municipality and sits on the Finance Committee

The Reality Check: Do commissions of inquiries make a difference? Guest: Prof. Thuli Madonsela - Director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in the Faculty of Law at Stellenbosch University

The South African Communist Party will today have a media briefing on latest developments on elections and the question of dual membership, on the other hand, the ANC will also brief the media on the communique of special NEC following SACP resolution Guest: Samkele Maseko - SABC Politics Reporter

Major South African retailers Pick n Pay, Pepkor and The Foschini Group are taking action against suppliers linked to a sweatshop in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. The investigation of the sweatshop uncovered workers enduring long hours, poor pay and unsafe condition raising fresh concerns about labour abuses and accountability in the country’s clothing supply chain. Guest: Fachmy Abrahams - National Collective Bargaining Officer at the South African Clothing & Textile Workers Union

23 April 2026 1. Tanzania- Dar es Salaam Election Commission to Submit Inquiry Report Today THE Independent Commission of Inquiry into the breach of peace during and in the days following the October 2025 General Election is expected to present its report to President Samia Suluhu Hassan tomorrow, after collecting evidence from more than 63,000 people. Speaking at a press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Commission's Chairperson, retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, said the report is intended to pave the way for national healing and reconciliation. 2. Russia- Seychelles Putin hosts Seychelles president at the Kremlin Russian President Vladimir Putin met Seychelles President Patrick Herminie at the Kremlin on Wednesday for talks focused on bilateral ties and international issues. Putin said trade and economic relations between the two countries remain limited, but several noted that there is significant room for closer cooperation. He also thanked Seychelles for supporting several Russian initiatives at the United Nations. 3. Lesotho- South Afrika South Africa and Lesotho launched the Senqu Bridge The inauguration of the bridge represents a landmark achievement under Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) and stands as a testament to the enduring partnership and close cooperation between the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa. The LHWP is a multi-phased, binational infrastructure initiative established under the 1986 Treaty between the two countries and the Phase II Agreement concluded in 2011. The project is a flagship example of bilateral cooperation, contributing significantly to regional water security and economic development.

Market Brief with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Strong US earnings overshadow geopolitical risks (US companies profits for Q1 have been topping expectations leading to markets trading near record highs) 2. Memory chip company, SK Hynix continues to benefit from AI boom3. Market update

The Global Brief: Cuba has confirmed that it held rare talks with the United States to ease its energy crisis. The delegation has accused Washington of committing acts of economic coercion by intimidating countries assisting Havana with tariffs. In Venezuela, opposition leader María Corina Machado warns that delays in declaring elections date and timeline could lead to political unrest. Guest: Prof. Siphamandla Zondi - Professor of Poltiics University of Johannesburg

Market Brief with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter The South African reserve bank flags stagflation risks 2. Business confidence takes a dip in March3. Market update

Built in Mzansi: Journey as a medtech company that is developing medical devices for early screening for chronic diseases and reducing the cost when it comes to access to healthcare. Guest: Braden van Breda - Chief Executive Office of AI Diagnostics

Guest: Prof Alex van den Heever - Chair of Social Security Systems, Administration and Management Studies at the Wits School of Governance. Guest: Makone Maja - Strategic Engagement Manager at the Institute of Race Relations Guest: Dr Kelle Howson - Workers' Rights and Social Security Senior Researcher for the Institute for Economic Justice

The Reality Check: What is equality? Does it mean everyone must be treated the same regardless of different circumstances as Elon Musk seems to suggest? Guest: Prof. Thuli Madonsela - Director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in the Faculty of Law at Stellenbosch

Yesterday, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola appeared in court over charges linked to a controversial tender, amid growing questions over accountability. Will President Cyril Ramaphosa be compelled to place him on suspension while the case unfolds? Guest: Dr Hennie Lochner - Independent Researcher on Crime with a speciality on serious and violent crimes

The Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi held a Ministerial Engagement session with the legal fraternity where issues of transformation were discussed. How can transformation be achieved without overlooking black and women lawyers? Guest: Mmamoloko Kubayi - Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development

Africa in Focus with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 22 April 2026 1. Senegal – Dakar The 10th Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security: How defence forces and media can ensure peace and security in Afrika The 10th edition of the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa concluded yesterday at the Abdou Diouf International Conference Centre (CICAD) in Diamniadi. Guest: Sophie Moekoena - SABC News Specialist Correspondent

The Independent Police Union of South Africa weighs in as National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola appears in court over allegations linked to a controversial health tender—raising fresh concerns about accountability and oversight within SAPS leadership. Guest: Bethuel Nkuna - President of the Independent Police Union of South Africa

Oil price movements surprisingly muted despite Trump announcing a ceasefire extension After delays Trump’s Fed chair pick, Kevin Warsh states his case before the banking committee (Warsh’s fate lies in the committee he has to convince lawmakers to vote for him to become Fed chair)

Pressure is mounting in the European Union as Spain, Slovenia, and Ireland push to debate suspending the EU’s agreement with Israel over alleged human rights violations in Palestine. EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas said in a media briefing that a partial suspension was still being negotiated. Can political and economic partnerships come with enforceable consequences? Guest: Gustavo de Carvalho - Acting Programme Head on African Governance and Diplomacy at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)