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.
Music Feature: Songs of Spring
Spring has sprung and Dr. Sheldon Rocha Leal is celebrating the season in song. From Jill Scott’s uplifting Golden, to Zahara’s soulful Loliwe, and Jonas Gwangwa’s iconic Flowers of the Nation, he explores how music captures renewal, hope, and fresh beginnings.
Legal Matters
From wrongful arrests to WhatsApp chats landing in court this week’s Legal Matters, Nthabiseng Dubazana unpacks what counts as admissible evidence in the age of digital messaging, the rights of candidate attorneys, and why getting your will in order has never been more important.
Johannesburg Municipal Billing Issues
Joburg’s broken billing system is more than a nuisance - it’s a nightmare. Residents are being slapped with sky-high, error-riddled accounts, some running into millions, while others see their services cut off illegally, even against court orders. Judges are losing patience as case after case hits the courts. At a…
Israel vows to kill Hamas leaders after failed Qatar strike
“If Israel didn’t succeed this time, it will next time.” Those were the chilling words from Israel’s ambassador to the US, after reports emerged of a failed strike targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar. The escalation has sparked fears that ceasefire talks in Gaza could collapse, while Israel has also launched…
Westbury residents demand answers from Joburg Mayor amid water issues
Frustration is boiling over in Westbury. Residents say they’ve had enough of dry taps and broken promises. They’re demanding Joburg Mayor Dada Morero face the community directly and say they won’t stop protesting until he does. Earlier, police fired rubber bullets as tensions escalated. Locals want to know, why should…
Protests over Water Outages in Ivory & Ebony Park
Frustrated residents of Ivory Park and Ebony Park in Midrand took to the streets, venting their anger over prolonged water cuts that have left homes dry for weeks. Protesters blocked Republic Road with burning tyres and debris, though police say the demonstrations remained relatively calm. Community leaders warn they will…
Mamelodi East Hostage Drama
A Boschkop police officer is at the centre of a hostage drama that has gripped Mamelodi East. Shocked residents say they heard gunshots and screams as the officer barricaded himself inside a house with a Grade 12 learner and her mother. Tactical police units, negotiators, and TRT members surrounded the…
Spotlight on Africa’s Free Trade Future
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was under the microscope at a high-level symposium hosted by Nedlac and the Labour Research Service in Johannesburg. Delegates from 12 African countries agreed the trade pact could unlock growth, jobs, and integration. But concerns remain will AfCFTA fuel industrialisation, or accelerate job…
Flotilla for Gaza Boat Struck By drone at Tunisian port
A boat from the Global Sumud Flotilla for Gaza was struck by a drone at Tunisia’s Sidi Bou Said port. The group says its vessel caught fire after being hit from above. All six people aboard were unharmed, but the incident drew crowds waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Free Palestine.”…
UJ Prize Shortlist Revealed
The University of Johannesburg has unveiled the shortlist for its prestigious UJ Prize for South African Writing. Celebrating excellence across genres, the prize recognises outstanding books published in 2024. In the Debut Prize category: Khumisho Moguerane’s Morafe, Siphokazi Jonas’s Weeping Becomes a River, and Anna Stroud’s Who Looks Inside. For…
Trump Snubs Joburg G20 Summit, Sends VP JD Vance Instead
In a move raising diplomatic eyebrows, US President Donald Trump confirmed he will skip the G20 Summit in Johannesburg this November. At a White House press conference, Trump said Vice President JD Vance would lead the delegation. That wasn’t the only headline he also announced a controversial executive order to…
Six Killed in Jerusalem Shooting, City’s Deadliest Attack in 2 Years
Jerusalem was left reeling after two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a crowded bus stop, killing six and injuring several more in what Israeli officials are calling the city’s deadliest attack in years. The attackers, identified as young men from villages in the West Bank, were shot dead on site…
Eastern Cape’s Child Pregnancy Crisis: 85 Girls Aged 10–14 Have Given Birth Since April
An alarming surge in child pregnancies has rocked the Eastern Cape, with 117 children aged just 10 to 14 giving birth in public hospitals between April and July. The stats paint a grim picture, over 4,700 births by teens aged 15 to 19 in the same period. Authorities are now…
Boko Haram Massacre: Over 50 Killed in Nigerian Village Attack
A horrific assault in Nigeria’s Borno State has left at least 55 people dead, some reports say as many as 70 after fighters believed to be from Boko Haram stormed the village of Darul Jama. Many of the victims had only recently returned after years of displacement. Homes were torched…
De Lille Heads to Court, But First Hosts G20 Ministers in Mpumalanga
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille is gearing up for a major court battle with the SA Tourism board, but before that, she’ll be welcoming the world to Mpumalanga. On 12 September, De Lille hosts the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, where global tourism leaders will finalise a bold action plan for…
Gauteng Municipalities Under Fire: Parliament Demands Accountability
After a sweeping oversight mission across Gauteng and North West, a joint parliamentary delegation has delivered a stern message to failing municipalities, clean up your act or face the consequences. From poor service delivery to mismanagement, the visit uncovered a web of issues crippling local governance. Phemelo speaks to Dr…
Profile Feature: Nelson Makamo
Renowned artist Nelson Makamo joins Phemelo in studio for an intimate profile feature. Known globally for his vibrant portraits that capture the pulse of African urban life, Makamo’s work draws deeply on the innocence and resilience of children, especially those in rural South Africa. From humble beginnings at the Artist…
What to Watch: Caught Stealing, The Toxic Avenger
This week on What to Watch Leroy Marc reviews Caught Stealing on the big screen, the wild and quirky Toxic Avenger, and a magical stage revival of The Frog Prince at the Joburg Theatre (running until 21 September 2025). Whether you’re into action, satire, or fairytales, Leroy’s got your weekend…
SASSA Assures Grants Will Be Paid
Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe has moved to allay fears in Parliament, saying social grants will not be disrupted when SASSA’s contract with Postbank ends on 30 September. MPs voiced concerns about oversight and possible panic among the three million beneficiaries who use Postbank. But SASSA insists the bank remains…
Legal Matters with Nthabiseng Dubazana
This week on Legal Matters, Nthabiseng Dubazana unpacks three complex but pressing issues with a focus on pension fund law and divorce and the gaps in the current legal framework around spousal consent in property transactions, particularly in unregistered customary marriages