The Weekend View

Episodes

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  All eyes on possible political party coalitions 08.11.2026 7m

  While Parliament is yet to pass the Municipal Structures Amendment Bill, widely known as the Coalitions Bill - there are concerns in some quarters about the instability of coalition governments.   This comes as a number of municipalities are hung with no political party securing a majority of the votes cast, following this year's local government elections. Some political parties are also expected to enter into coalition negotiations soon. For more we speak to our reporter  Zara Groenewald.
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  Political parties expected to start coalition negotiations soon 08.11.2026 25m

  With more than 98% of the votes counted in the 2026  local government the IEC looks set to release the outcomes tomorrow afternoon. The ANC is still in the lead nationally with almost 31% of the vote, followed by the DA with 24.55 percent  and the MK-party in third place with almost 10% of the vote. This means that parties needs to start looking at coalition government. A coalition government occur when multiple political parties cooperate to form a legislature, usually because no single party won an outright majority. While common in proportional representation systems, the mechanics, stability, and cultural approaches to coalitions vary dramatically across the country. Joining us for this discussion we spoke to Independent political analyst, Raobaka Kalaote, CSIR Engineer Carike Karsten and SABC Research editot Dr Ronesh Dhawraj.
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  Observers say IEC succeeded in conducting free and fair local government elections in 2026 08.11.2026 11m

  Some observers say that the IEC succeeded in conducting free and fair local government elections in 2026; from voting to counting. This comes a the IEC has just concluded counting of the voting results. For more we spoke to Terry Tselane - Executive Chairman of the Institute of Election Management Services in Africa (IEMSA)
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  A number of political parties step into the limelight 07.11.2026 6m

  A number of political parties have stepped into the limelight following the 2026 Local Goverment Elections. While the final, official results are scheduled to be announced by the IEC on Sunday evening (8 November), the star performers of the polls are clear.  While some come as no surprise, such as the DA and arguably ActionSA and the Mkhonto weSizwe Party, others like the South African Communist Party and Patriotic Alliance have blindsided commentators. Senior Political Journalist Busi Bopela reports.
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  IEC pushes to conclude vote counting 07.11.2026 1m

  The Electoral Commission (IEC) in Gauteng yesterday deployed more data capturers to speed up the election results capturing process. This after the IEC confirmed it was falling behind in finalizing Joburg's municipal election results due to the sheer volume of ballots being processed. IEC'S Deputy CEO Masego Sheburi says they hope to conclude everything this morning 
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  A look at the shift of power in the US and Israel following elections 07.11.2026 14m

  Democrats have secured control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives in a sweeping midterm election victory in the United States of America. The results set the stage for a potentially difficult final two years of Donald Trump's presidency, with Democrats now in a position to scrutinize his administration and challenge his policies. While political parties remain divided over the formation of the next government in Israel. Ditaba Tsotetsi has more. We also spoke to International Relations expert, Prof Siphamandla Zondi
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  Are kids using their phones to the best of their abilities? 01.11.2026 5m

  As South Africa debates tighter cellphone controls in schools, the bigger question is not only how much time children spend on their phones, but what they are doing with that time. Smartphones can distract learners, but they can also place curriculum-aligned lessons, practice activities and exam preparation in their hands. A Stellenbosch University study has found that teenagers spend an average of three hours and 17 minutes a day on their smartphones, while almost all take their devices to school. According to James Lees, CEO of Advantage Learn, the question is not simply whether to allow or ban devices, but how parents, schools and learners can use them for learning while protecting learners' focus, wellbeing and online safety. We spoke to James Lees, CEO of Advantage Learn 
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  Voters Prepare to Cast Their Vote in the Local Government Elections 01.11.2026 20m

  With local government elections just a few hours away, over 29 million registered voters will decide on the control of councils across the country. Political parties have criss-crossed the country doing door-to-door campaigns, elections rallies have been held, debates have been conducted and elections manifestos launched...now its almost time for you, the voter to make your mark. Challenges are vast and huge, from decaying municipal infrastructure in many municipalities to the lack of provision of basic services such as water and refuse collection to crime, immigration challenges and the high cost of living while unemployment ravages many homes and communities, the question remains, what will shape your mark at the ballot box. We earlier caught up with the Director for the Centre for Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution at the Nelson Mandela University, Dr Ntsikelelo Breakfast   together with Lindiwe Mazibuko, Founder and CEO of Futurelect, a non-profit, non-partisan organisation committed to strengthening democracies in Africa 
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  Analysis on arrest of former IDAC Head, Advocate Andrea Johnson and former Deputy Head of Crime Intelligence, Feroz Khan 31.10.2026 5m

  Former IDAC Head, Advocate Andrea Johnson and former Deputy Head of Crime Intelligence, Feroz Khan have been granted bail of R10 000 each. This after the pair appeared briefly in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (Johnson as an accessory after the fact), and defeating the administration of justice. In addition, Johnson also faces a charge of contravening the National Prosecuting Authority Act. For analysis on the matter Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr. Mxolisi Mathebula, crime and policing expert.
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  Libraries and access to books can help strengthen children's literacy 31.10.2026 7m

  The 2030 Reading Panel's 2026 report featuring findings from the Department of Basic Education's (DBE) Funda Uphumelele National Survey, has revelaed that only 30% of learners in Grades 1–3 are reading at grade level in their home language, while 15% of Grade 3 learners cannot read a single word.  According to the DP World & Motus Community Trust, these findings highlight the urgent need for sustained reading support in children's earliest school years. In helping to address this need, the DP World & Motus Community Trust  opened its 100th library at Katlehong Primary School in Gauteng this week. The Trust says the milestone offers an opportunity to explore how access to books, supported by active reading programmes and community involvement, can help strengthen children's literacy. To discuss this further Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Berenice Francis, Group Executive for Risk, Sustainability and People at Motus Group       
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  African Universities called to do more than teach and research but drive social change 31.10.2026 6m

  African universities are often discussed in terms of what they lack: funding, infrastructure, research capacity or positions in global university rankings. But according to new research from the University of Cape Town, African universities can do more than teach and research, they can drive social change. The research examines how universities can contribute to social innovation and sustainable development . For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr. Annika Surmeier, Senior Lecturer and the Academic Director of the CEMS Master of Management Specialising in International Management programme at UCT Graducate School of Business  
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  Another Meeting Set For Monday Over Taxi Violence In Cape Town 31.10.2026 6m

  The Western Cape Mobility Department says legal action against the taxi associations in Cape Town are on the cards due to the unofficial go-slow at several taxi-ranks on Friday. The department says they have received reports of disruptions with services being suspended or operations of taxi's reduced. This follows the upsurge of taxi - violence that has claimed the lives of several people and injuring many others.  Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Isaac Sileku has the latest details...
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  WaterCan: 'We Need Water Now' 31.10.2026 6m

  WaterCAN has called on government to urgently intervene in the escalating water crisis in various parts of Johannesburg and the greater province of Gauteng. This as large parts have been without water for days, wish some reportedly enduring outages of up to 10 days.  Executive Director of WaterCAN, Dr Ferrial Adam warns that government should not mistake people's patience for acceptance adding that residents don't need another press release but simple a basic service of water. Dr Adam says the water crisis is not lending with City officials...
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  Law Expert: 'Durban Court In Line with Constitution Over Marchers' 31.10.2026 6m

  The Durban High Court has allowed March and March to continue protesting but ordered the movement to suspend demonstrations during next week's local government elections. The police had initially sought a two-week suspension, arguing that it needed to preserve police manpower to maintain public safety and secure the elections. Judge Peter Olson ordered that demonstrations must be peaceful, with no violence, intimidation, looting, property damage, weapons or face coverings. Protests must take place between 9 o'clock in the morning and 3 o'clock in the afternoon when demonstrations are allowed to resume on the 7th of November. For some analysis of this ruling, we caught up with Legal Analyst, Advocate Lufuno Nevondwe
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  Tearful Former MKP SG, Sibonelo Nomvalo Details of his Ousting From The Party 31.10.2026 4m

  Fired MK Party secretary general - Sibonelo Nomvalo - says fake intelligence reports and AI-generated images were used to manipulate the party leader - Jacob Zuma - into ousting him. Nomvalo addressed the media in Durban about his removal from the party. Last week, Zuma removed Nomvalo as secretary general and from it's parliamentary caucus. This came after allegations of tampering with the candidate lists and deployments.  Zanele Buthelezi reports.....
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  Suliman Carrim Court Care Postponed to 9th November 31.10.2026 3m

  The Musina magistrate's court postponed the case against North West businessman, Suliman Carrim to the 9th of November. He appeared in the magistrate’s court in Limpopo, applying for bail. In his affidavit, he denies knowing about the fraudulent documents allegedly found in July with his employees at the Beitbridge port of entry in Musina. The Malawian nationals and co-accused, Musa Phiri and Zakes Ibrahim were intercepted, while allegedly transporting two luxury vehicles to Malawi using fraudulent bank documentation. This while the State requested time to familiarise itself with the contents of the affidavit. Despite owning property in Dubai and United Arab Emirates, Carrim says he is not a flight risk. Our reporter, Nsuku Shiluvana has the details ...
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  Professor Bismark Tyobeka says South Africa has the capacity to train its doctors 25.10.2026 9m

  Its been 30 years since South Africa introduced the Nelson Mandela-Fidel Castro (NMFC) programme, a bilateral medical training agreement with Cuba aimed at addressing the shortage of Doctors in South Africa's public and rural health sectors. Recent reports have highlighetd the challenges faced by students.  Participants have reported deteriorating conditions, living in cramped rooms with inconsistent water access, poor sanitation and food quality. The Department of Health has acknowledged that it had not conducted an oversight visit to assess students' living conditions since 2022, citing financial pressures and austerity measures. Meanwhile, South Africa has trained 3 277 doctors in Cuba, but at a current cost of around R1.62 million per student, Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, Principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University is asking whether a programme created 30 years ago still serves the country's needs.  Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Professor Bismark Tyobeka, Principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University 
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  More Action Called For The Water Challenges in Bronkhorstspruit and Across the Country 25.10.2026 26m

  Some residents of Zithobeni in Bronkhorstspruit in Gauteng, have vowed to boycott the upcoming local government elections, saying they still do not have access to safe drinking water from their taps.  More than 400 people have been treated for gastrointestinal illness after drinking water that the City of Tshwane failed to chlorinate adequately. Residents are demanding that the water issue be resolved as soon as possible, saying that they refuse to cast their ballots. Meanwhile, residents of Bezuidenhout Valley in Johannesburg are also experiencing water problems after  Johannesburg Water cut the supply to the suburb earlier this week due to fears that the water may be contaminated. And you would be aware that water challenges are not limited to on Bronkhorstspruit. Here is 57-year-old, Busang Mere from Sebonelo village in the North West who says he still struggles to access clean drinking water, daily. For him democracy is just a pipe dream...From the North West, travel south to Makana Municipality in the Eastern Cape where you find an elderly member of the community, Norah Habana, who is raising her grandchild who lives with a disability. She struggles because she cannot leave the child unattended to go and fetch water. We could criss-cross the country and find numerous example of South Africans citizens who do not access to a basic human need but for more on this we are now joined on the line by David Mahlobo , Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation , Dr Ferrial Adam, Executive Director at WaterCan AND Vusumuzi Dlamini, provincial Head for Public Protector office in Gauteng  
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  South Africans urged to review their financial plans 24.10.2026 5m

  Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered the mid-year report card, also known as the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) this week,  announcing a temporary reduction in the fuel levy and revealing that government's finances have finally stopped deteriorating. However, economic growth is still too slow to make a real difference to most households. Therese Grobler, Head of Advice and Wealth Management at Momentum Financial Planning says the budget that will do the most to shape your financial future wasn't tabled in parliament. It's the one you manage at home.For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Therese Grobler, Head of Advice and Wealth Management at Momentum Financial Planning
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  'People Getting Sick Sounded The Alarm' MP Stephen Moore 24.10.2026 21m

  Water tankers supplying Bronkhorstspruit residents are now sourcing water from Cullinan, following the temporary shutdown of the Bronkhorstspruit Water Treatment Plant for rehabilitation after an E. coli contamination crisis. But the alternative supply has done little to reassure some residents, who question the safety of the tanker water and say the available trucks are insufficient. More than 400 people have been treated for gastrointestinal illness after drinking water that the City of Tshwane failed to chlorinate adequately. Sashin Naidoo has the details followed by an in-depth chat with local resident, Vusi Maridili and member of parliament's portfolio committee on Water and Sanitation, Stephen Moore says the water situation in the whole of Gauteng could be worse off than it is reported by officials.