Point of View with Phemelo Motene
Point of View with Phemelo Motene, delves into the day’s current affairs, touching on real issues and sharing expert advice on the audience questions between 8pm to 10pm Mondays to Thursdays.
State of Readiness: Higher Education Sector and the Road to 2026
Phemelo is in conversation with Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, to assess just how ready the higher education sector is for the 2026 academic year. From registration backlogs to student accommodation and funding pressures, the conversation draws on the Deputy Minister’s recent oversight visits to…
Book feature: Your Health Starts in Your Gut – Part 3
In part three of our gut-health series, author and dietician Mpho Tshukudu dives deeper into how everyday food choices shape overall health. From grains, legumes and nuts to the white bread debate and even the benefits of coffee, Tshukudu unpacks a holistic, science-backed approach to eating for a healthier gut…
DA hires tracing agent to track down Edwin Sodi
The DA says it has hired a tracing agent to locate controversial businessman Edwin Sodi, in a bid to move forward with action against those linked to the failed Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant project. The R292-million tender, meant to benefit Hammanskraal, was paid out despite the work not being completed…
Gauteng steps up fight against Foot-and-Mouth Disease
Gauteng has rolled out an aggressive response to one of South Africa’s worst Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreaks, with more than 261,000 animals affected across the province. Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Agriculture MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa have announced a multi-stakeholder plan that includes R16 million in funding, close to 300,000 vaccine doses and…
Tshwane revenue drive sparks clash with Correctional Services
Tshwane’s hardline revenue collection campaign has landed the metro in a standoff with the Department of Correctional Services. Mayor Nasiphi Moya and city officials recently targeted government-owned buildings in arrears, including the Kgosi Mampuru and Baviaanspoort correctional facilities, said to owe the metro around R8 million. Attempts to disconnect electricity…
Minneapolis protests deepen & SA pulls back from G20 under US presidency
In Minneapolis, residents are refusing to retreat after the fatal shootings of two people by federal agents. Instead, communities are organising night patrols, marching through freezing streets and pushing back against what they see as heavy-handed enforcement under the Trump administration. The deaths of ICU nurse Alex Pretti and Renee…
ActionSA has joined forces with these two political parties
ActionSA is making a play for growth ahead of this year’s local government elections. The party has officially welcomed two smaller political parties the Azanian Independent Community Movement and the Creatives Congress Movement under its green umbrella. Leader Herman Mashaba says the merger strengthens ActionSA’s ground game, adding seven councillors…
Chauke inquiry hits a wall as Batohi refuses to testify
The inquiry into Advocate Andrew Chauke’s fitness to hold office has entered murky territory, with National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi refusing to return to the witness stand. Batohi says she will not continue her testimony without legal representation a position she has maintained since halting proceedings in December…
Scholar transport drivers plead for 3 to 6 -month grace to get their permits
Learner transport drivers are asking government for a lifeline a three to six-month grace period to get their permits in order. More than 200 operators descended on the Transport Department this week, saying they want to comply with the law but are being held back by slow systems and paperwork…
1. Vanderbijlpark scholar transport crash: driver abandons bail bid
The 22-year-old driver accused in the Vanderbijlpark scholar transport crash that claimed the lives of 14 schoolchildren has abandoned his bail application as the state tightens its case. What began as culpable homicide charges have now escalated to 14 counts of murder, after prosecutors say the evidence points to far…
What to Watch: RIP, Mercy and more
In this week’s What to Watch, Leroy Marc breaks down what’s worth your time, from Netflix’s The RIP to big-screen releases like 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and Mercy. Whether you’re into edge-of-your-seat thrillers or thoughtful cinema, this review helps you decide what to stream, skip, or rush to…
Music Feature: Hip-Hop’s global impact
Hip-Hop isn’t just music, it’s a global language. In this week’s Music Feature, musicologist Dr Sheldon Rocha Leal traces how Hip-Hop reshaped sound, culture, and influence across borders. From DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince’s Summertime to Daddy Yankee’s Despacito, and Nasty C’s Particula, this conversation unpacks how Hip-Hop…
Legal Matters: Marriages, Absenteeism & Insubordination
This week on Legal Matters, Nthabiseng Dubazana explains why civil marriages don’t erase existing customary marriages, what counts as absenteeism or gross insubordination, and she answers your tricky legal questions.
Macpherson on Public Works plans, IDT & Construction Mafias
Phemelo sits in conversation with Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson to unpack the department’s plans for the year. We also discuss the IDT CEO and spokesperson stepping down amid corruption claims, and the George Building collapse plus a look at the shady world of construction mafias.
‘We ran for our lives’: Randfontein families left homeless
Hundreds of families from the Sporong informal settlement in Randfontein have been forced to flee their homes after alleged threats from illegal miners. With little time to pack and nowhere safe to go, many women and children are now sheltering in an overcrowded community hall, fearing for their safety and…
BOOK FEATURE: Why gut health matters more than you think - Part 2
In part two of her conversation with Phemelo, dietician and author Mpho Tshukudu unpacks why gut health is at the centre of overall wellbeing. From digestion and immunity to mental health, she explains how what happens in the gut affects the entire body - and why lifestyle habits like sleep,…
Vanderbijlpark scholar transport tragedy: What we now know
Fresh details have emerged after the devastating Vanderbijlpark scholar transport crash that claimed the lives of 12 pupils. Police have confirmed the 22-year-old driver arrested in connection with the crash did not have a valid professional driving permit, which expired last year. As families and the Sedibeng community mourn, government…
Goodman Gallery drops Venice Biennale artist Gabrielle Goliath
Just days after being chosen to represent South Africa at the 2026 Venice Biennale, acclaimed artist Gabrielle Goliath was dropped by her longtime gallery, a move that shocked the art world. As questions of censorship, power and artistic freedom collide, Phemelo unpacks the fallout with art historian and freelance writer…
Madlanga Commission Phase One: Red flags for justice system integrity
An independent interim analysis of the Madlanga Commission proceedings warns of deep institutional risks, political interference and possible law-enforcement capture. While not ruling on guilt, the report raises urgent concerns about governance failures that could undermine South Africa’s criminal justice system. Phemelo is joined by Public Interest SA chairperson Tebogo…
International stories wrap
From Iran’s role in a joint naval exercise to Uganda’s election landscape and Donald Trump’s controversial Peace Board appointments, we unpack the global stories making headlines. Phemelo is joined by senior research fellow Thembisa Fakude for insight and context.