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.
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.
Ekurhuleni mayor linked to murder scene nearly two years later
Fresh revelations place Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza at the scene of DJ Bongani Mfito’s murder, a fact never disclosed to police at the time. With the case now reopened and linked to another high-profile killing, serious questions are being asked about police failures, political power and who was protected. Phemelo…
SAHRC exposes systemic failure and R1 billion corruption in North West scholar transport
As learners return to class, a damning SAHRC report reveals how broken scholar transport in the North West is failing children daily. From unroadworthy vehicles and unsafe conditions to over R1 billion paid for services never delivered, the Commission says government departments violated learners’ rights at every turn. Phemelo speaks…
Thirteen pupils killed in Vaal scholar transport crash
A routine school run ended in heartbreak in Vanderbijlpark, where 13 pupils lost their lives after a scholar transport minibus taxi was collided with a truck. As families mourn and survivors fight for recovery, Gauteng leaders admit long-standing loopholes in private scholar transport may have cost young lives. Phemelo speaks…
No breath, no drive: Santaco moves to stop drunk taxi drivers
Imagine taxis that simply won’t start if the driver has been drinking. That’s the plan from Santaco, which is rolling out breathalyser devices across its fleet to crack down on drunk driving. Drivers will have to pass a breath test before setting off and retest along the way. With the…
Whistleblowers at risk: ActionSA pushes for tougher protection laws
Blowing the whistle on corruption in South Africa can cost you your life and ActionSA says that has to change. The party has unveiled a new “Fallen Whistleblowers’ Bill” aimed at strengthening protection for those who expose corruption and even rewarding them for doing so. This comes after the murder…