THE MORNING BRIEF

How the Tongaat Hulett crisis could devastate South Africa's rural sugar economy Guest: Higgins Mdluli: Chairman of SA Canegrowers

The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mr Gwede Mantashe, will today, 20 February 2026, undertake an oversight visit to the EKapa Mine in Kimberley, Northern Cape, following a mudslide incident at the mine. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has expressed deep distress after a catastrophic mudslide left five mineworkers trapped underground since the early hours of Tuesday morning. Guest: Mosepedi Sanane: The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Kimberley Regional Secretary

Zimbabwe’s cabinet has approved draft legislation that could extend the rule of President Emmerson Mnangagwa until at least 2030. Guest: Everisto Benyera: Professor of African Politics, UNISA

The GCINAMASIKO Arts and Heritage Trust will tomorrow, 21 February, celebrate International Mother Tongue Celebration 2026 under the theme "See Me, Hear me, Let’s Dance." Guest: Dr Gcina Mhlophe - Executive Director of GCINAMASIKO Arts and Heritage Trust

Four South African MK fighters have returned home from Russia’s war in Ukraine, bringing with them disturbing accounts of abuse, injury and trauma. Family members say the men described racist and degrading treatment at the hands of Russian officers — forced to burn their belongings, stripped of their identities and sent into combat without training. Guest: Ricardo Teixeira: Defense and National Security Analyst

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) remains in a state of uncertainty as it works to digitise South Africa and complete the long-delayed transition from analogue to digital broadcasting. A 15-year digital migration process has been repeatedly stalled — most recently by a court ruling — while infrastructure backlogs, funding constraints, and socio-economic barriers continue to hinder universal access to digital services. Guest: Arthur Goldstuck: Tech Expert and Founder of World Wide Worx and Gadget Magazine

The Road Traffic Infringement Agency announced it would outsource the rollout to a private company — at an estimated additional cost of R1.2 billion. Citing financial constraints, the agency missed its third implementation deadline on December 1 and, shortly thereafter, issued a tender for a 60-month “turnkey solution” to design, build, and operate core Aarto systems. Guest: Wayne Duvenage: CEO of the Organization Undoing Tax Abused (OUTA)

On Friday the 20th, students at the University of Cape Town (UCT) held a peaceful and silent demonstration to express their grief, disappointment, and anger at the growing failures within higher education and the way UCT continues to operate. This demonstration was both a cry and a call for meaningful change. Guest: Mfundo Azi Zondo: University of Cape Town(UCT) student

Update on rescue efforts at the Ekapa Minerals Joint Shaft Mine in Kimberley, where hope is fading for five miners trapped nearly 890 metres underground. Guest: Tebogo Msimanga: SABC Reporter ( Northern Cape)

There are protest underway at Tembisa, City of Ekurhuleni. what's behind the people's grievances? Guest: Lele Lefakane, Chairperson of the Tembisa Community Forum

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 23 February 2026 1. Russia- Madagascar Putin meets Madagascar's president at the Kremlin Russian President Vladimir Putin endorsed Madagascar's new leader during a Kremlin meeting last week, as Russia looks to strengthen its influence in Africa. "I would like to note that we have many interesting areas of cooperation. These include agriculture, geological exploration, energy, medicine, healthcare and education. 2. Uganda – North Sudan President Yoweri Museveni Pushes for Dialogue to End Sudan War after meeting with RSF Leader Gen Dagalo President Museveni has hosted Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leader of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), at State House, Entebbe, for high-level talks focused on ending the ongoing conflict in Sudan and restoring regional stability. 3. Rwanda- International Security Conference in Africa 2nd Kigali security summit looks to expand Israel-US partnership to Africa GOP Senator Ted Cruz addresses Americans, Israelis, and participants from across Africa at the Kigali Security Summit, in Kigali, Rwanda (Kigali Security Summit) Americans, Israelis, and participants from across Africa convened in Rwanda this weekend for the Kigali Security Summit, titled “Aligning the United States, Israel, Africa, and the New Middle East.” 4. In our historical archives, it was yesterday, 22 February 1940, when Johnson Philiip Mlambo was born in Pilgrim’s Rest, Mpumalanga.

Trump raises global tariffs to 15% after Supreme Court setback 2. Northam secures R2 billion to fast track renewable energy drive3. Market update

Herman Mashaba has officially announced that he is stepping back into the race for Mayor of Johannesburg, setting up what is shaping up to be ahigh-stakes political showdown ahead of the upcoming local government elections. Guest: Herman Mashaba: Action SA President

President Donald Trump has escalated his trade battle with the judiciary by raising global import tariffs to 15%, just a day after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down his sweeping trade levies. Guest: Iraj Abedien - CEO of Pan African Investment and Research Services

One year after the brutal murders of Pretoria-based journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdhluli, the Africa Media and Communications Forum (AMCF) has condemned repeated court delays in the case and called for urgent intervention to prevent further setbacks. The matter, involving five accused men, has been postponed at least 14 times in the KwaMhlanga Magistrate’s Court. Guest: Elijah Mhlanga: Chairperson, Africa Media and Communications Forum (AMCF)

South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition has stepped in to safeguard jobs and restore investor confidence in the country’s film and television sector amid growing uncertainty over government incentives. The move follows engagements with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and industry stakeholders. Guest: Mzwandile Masina: Chairperson, The Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Global central banks rally behind Powell amid DOJ probe2. JPMorgan pushes back on Trump’s proposed cap on credit card interest3. Markets

The African National Congress (ANC) has decribed the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey released by Statistics South Africa, which shows a 0.5 percentage point decline in the country’s official unemployment rate as a “measurable improvement” and a sign that sustained government economic interventions are beginning to deliver tangible results. Guest: Fèbe Potgieter: ANC NEC Member

Global central banks rally behind Powell amid DOJ probe 2. JPMorgan pushes back on Trump’s proposed cap on credit card interest3. Markets

20 February 2026 1. Niger – International Monetary Fund (IMF) IMF approves $91 million in funding for Niger following programme review The International Monetary Fund has approved about $91 million in funding for Niger which includes support for climate resilience and sustainable development. Following the latest review of its programmes in the country, it said Niger’s economic growth is expected to remain strong at 6.7% in 2026. 2. Malawi- USA Malawi Signs Strategic Minerals Deal, but Questions Linger Over Transparency and Long-Term National Benefit Malawi has signed what government officials are calling a landmark mineral deal with a United States-based trading firm, a move that could position the country within Washington's strategic supply chain ambitions — but also raises familiar questions about transparency, long-term value, and national benefit. 3. Uganda -Kampala National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, said his wife and children fled Uganda for their lives following the January 15 presidential election. Kyagulanyi made the remarks while addressing delegates at the Geneva Human Rights Conference, where he spoke about the aftermath of the polls and his family's safety. DR Congo – North Kivu Fighting between Congolese forces and the M23 rebels has continued in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) despite a ceasefire scheduled to take effect this week. The clashes were reported in villages in eastern Congo’s South Kivu province. Locals say government forces and the M23 rebels attacked each other’s positions in the Luvungi and Bikenge areas. The European Union has allocated more than 96 million dollars in humanitarian aid to support populations affected by the conflict. In our historical archives, it was on this day, 20 February 1925, when a South Afrikan Novelist, short story writer and Political activist, Justin Alexander (Alex) La Guma, was born in District Six, Cape Town 5.1 In our historical archives, it was tomorrow, 21 February 1924, when Former President of Zimbabwe Robert Gabriel Mugabe was born in Kutama, Zvimba district, Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia).