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Lotus FM News Break
#PODCAST Author Fakir Hassen launches a new tribute book honoring the late broadcasting icon - Zakia Ahmed Siddiqi #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - former Lotus FM station manager Fakir Hassen has authored a new book honoring the life and legacy of the late broadcasting veteran Zakia Ahmed Siddiqi. The publication provides an insider's perspective on Siddiqi's influential career and her impact on South African radio, following her recent passing. Official launch events are scheduled for January 28th at Suncoast Cine Centre and February 8 at the Killarney Cine Centre... *To secure your spot at any of the two book launches, you can contact Fakir on 082 457 3737
#PODCAST Matriculants warned against unaccredited institutions amid desperate search for limited university spaces #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - With South Africa's public universities offering only 235,000 first-year spaces in 2026, thousands of qualified matriculants are facing a desperate search for alternative tertiary pathways. This high-pressure environment has seen a rise in "fly-by-night" unaccredited institutions, who look to exploit families who are scrambling for placement. Joining us to help navigate these choices and explain how to identify a credible, institution is Professor Thiri Padayachee. She is the Dean of Business and Management Sciences at Richfield...
#PODCAST RECAP: A tense standoff in Durban, as groups protest foreign national enrolment at Addington Primary #sabcnews
A tense stand-off has erupted once again between anti-illegal immigration protesters and foreign nationals at Addington Primary School in Durban. A group of March and March, Operation Dudula and MK Party supporters resumed their demonstration at the school over the enrolment of foreign nationals. They are demanding that learners who are South African citizens be prioritised for admission at all schools. Zanele Buthelezi has the report…
#PODCAST CROW promotes wildlife conservation via practical workshops, ahead of Environmental Education Day #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Ahead of World Environmental Education Day next week, the Centre for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife or CROW are shining the spotlight on Wildlife Enrichment for Children. World Environmental Education Day is observed annually on the 26th of January in an effort to raise awareness about environmental issues, promote sustainable living, and highlight the vital role of education in fostering a healthier planet for current and future generations. Operations Director at CROW, Clint Halkett-Siddall says the workshop will give children the opportunity to learn about wildlife conservation through practical activities that mirror real-life rehabilitation and enrichment techniques that are being used by the organisation... *For more information, you can phone: 031 462 1127 or email: education@crowkzn.co.za
#PODCAST Dr. Raj Govender releases a bilingual Pongal song to connect younger generations with their cultural heritage #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - As the world celebrates Pongal - a festival rooted in gratitude, renewal and harvest - music has once again become a powerful bridge between tradition and contemporary life. Dr Raj Govender - anthropologist and commissioner at the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic (CRL) Commission has composed a Pongal song in both the Tamil and English language. Speaking to Newsbreak, Dr Govender explains how the song celebrates heritage while making the meaning of Pongal accessible to younger generations and wider audiences...
#PODCAST Earthlife to protest over electricity hikes - as consumers could be forced to account for Eskom's revenue shortfall #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Non-profit organisation, Earthlife Africa will today stage a peaceful placard demonstration outside the offices of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) in Pretoria, protesting another electricity tariff hike. The demonstration coincides with the with Nersa's deadline for public comment on Eskom's Sixth Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD6). This comes in the wake of Nersa miscalculation of revenue when it determined Eskom's allowable price increases in 2025, which amounted to 12.7% for 2025, 5.4% for 2026, and 6.2% for 2027. The shortfall, after court processes now stands at 76-billion-rand, which will effectively have to be paid by citizens. Senior Programs Officer at Earthlife South Africa, Thabo Sibeko says any increase will have a detrimental impact on the most vulnerable in society...
#PODCAST The SAHRC issue a 60-day deadline, calling for a complete overhaul of scholar transport in the country #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - The South African Human Rights Commission has sounded the alarm over serious failures in the scholar transport system, warning that learners are being placed in danger by overloaded and unroadworthy vehicles. This comes in the wake of a tragic accident in Gauteng this week, where 12 children lost their lives while being transported to school. The Commission says these problems are deep-rooted and has given provincial authorities 60 days to report on corrective action, and 90 days to implement consequence management against officials accused of poor oversight. Provincial manager of the South African Human Rights Commission in the North West, Shirley Mlombo explains the seriousness of the situation...
#PODCAST The Gauteng government pledges funeral assistance to families, following the tragic Vanderbijlpark taxi crash #sabcnews
The Gauteng government says it will help the families of the victims of the Vanderbijlpark scholar transport crash with funeral arrangements. This emerged during a media briefing led by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube and other dignitaries in Sebokeng in the Vaal. Twelve learners were killed when a scholar transport minibus they were travelling in along the Golden highway near Vanderbijlpark collided with a heavy-duty truck on Monday. Thato Letsaba and Phanuel Shuma filed this report...
#PODCAST The MK Party slams Thabo Mbeki's claims that Jacob Zuma was an apartheid operative and election saboteur #sabcnews
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has come out in full defense of party leader, Jacob Zuma. In his address at the ANC's uMkhonto weSizwe Liberation War Veterans (MKMLV) conference in the Free State this past weekend, Mbeki insinuated that Zuma was an apartheid operative. Mbeki further blamed the party's electoral loss in 2024 on Zuma. However, the MKP have not taken the utterances lying down. The party has described Mbeki's comments as an attack on the integrity of MKP members. Sibahle Motha reports...
#PODCAST Medical Monitor: Experts advocate screenings & vaccinations during Cervical Cancer Awareness Week #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - This week marks cervical cancer awareness week, and experts are trying to raise the alarm to ensure more girls get vaccinated and women go for screenings. According to Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) cervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer among South African women, but the leading cancer of which women die. National Manager for Health Programs at CANSA, Lorraine Govender says cervical cancer can be successfully treated should it be detected early on...
#PODCAST New book explores University of Durban-Westville's historic transition into an institution of democratic resistance #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - A new publication titled "University of Durban-Westville 1961-2003: Undoing Apartheid, Building a Non-Racial Culture" looks back at 42 turbulent years of a campus that evolved from an apartheid-era experiment into a powerhouse of democratic resistance. This comprehensive work, edited by Saleem Badat and Goolam Vahed unpacks key historical milestones, including the rise of student-led protests, the influence of Black Consciousness leaders - and the institution's transition toward progressive academic stewardship. Joining us to comment on the book and the university's enduring legacy is veteran journalist, Marlan Padayachee...
#PODCAST 14 learners killed in Vanderbijlpark collision involving scholar transport and truck, with four others hospitalised #sabcnews
Gauteng police are investigating a case of culpable homicide following a collision involving a scholar transport and a truck that claimed the lives of fourteen learners in Vanderbijlpark in the Vaal yesterday morning. Four others including the driver of the minibus taxi have been taken to hospital. The Gauteng Education Department says it is devastated by the tragic incident which took the lives of pupils from four schools in the Vaal. Thabiso Radebe reports...
#PODCAST Flood Recovery: KNP General Manager gives update as park reopens to the public #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - As weather conditions improve across parts of the country, Kruger National Park has confirmed it has reopened to day visitors. Sections of the park were closed last week after severe flooding caused damage and safety concerns. With restrictions now lifted in the southern region, questions remain about safety, infrastructure, and the impact on tourism. Kruger National Park General Manager, Reynold Thakhuli brings us the latest...
#PODCAST Education Department warn that a Bachelor's pass does not guarantee university admission #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The Department of Higher Education and Training has emphasized that a Bachelor's pass in matric does not automatically guarantee a university spot and encourages prospective students to explore multiple options within the post-school education and training (PSET) system. This as universities throughout the country have limited spaces and are inundated with applications for the 2026 academic year. The reality is that many post-school students won't be accepted to university because of these constraints, however Professor at the School of Education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Labby Ramrathan, says people need to be progressive and take a more diverse approach as they seek to meet their educational goals...
#PODCAST Class of 2025: Why tech-savvy matrics could be the future of modern accounting #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Accounting is no longer a static profession - rather in a more technologically driven world, adaptability has become an accountant's most valuable currency. That's according to Chartered Accountant and Academic at Regent Business School, Madeleine Engelbrecht. She says the Matric Class of 2025 is more tech-savvy and so can handle the modern practice of accounting. Engelbrecht explains that the profession now needs a different kind of practitioner: one who can interpret data with discernment, challenge emerging technologies, and guide organisations through complexity...
#PODCAST Torrential rains devastate Northern KZN: Over 70 homes destroyed in Jozini #sabcnews
Disaster management teams in KwaZulu Natal continue to assess the damage caused by torrential rains. Since Friday rain battered parts of northern KwaZulu-Natal into the weekend. The areas of Jozini and uMhlabuyalingana are among the hardest hit. In Jozini alone, more than 150 homes were affected, with at least 70 completely destroyed in the Emakhonyeni area. Relief efforts are currently underway, as residents try to recover from the devastation. Celumusa Zulu has more details....
#PODCAST Medical experts encourage regular movement, as prolonged desk work increases the risk of chronic conditions #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - As many of you take a seat at your desk for your work year by now - here's an important fact for you: the human body is not designed to be in the same seated position for 8 hours a day. So says Dr. Sarvesh Maharajh from Back on Track Wellness. We have often heard that sitting is the new smoking - with experts warning that a lack of movement during your shift can lead to everything from high blood pressure to degenerative spine health. In this week's Wellness Wake-Up Dr Maharajh explains why regular breaks from your desk is pivotal...
#PODCAST Kruger National Park temporarily closes amid floods
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The Kruger National Park which is located in both the Limpopo and Mpumulanga Provinces has suspended day visits and closed off access to certain points due to flooding. General Manager for Communication at the Park is Rey Tlakudi....
#PODCAST US-Iran Tensions: Sanctions, threats and international law explained
By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - After weeks of escalating tension, U.S. and Iranian officials faced each other Thursday at the U.N. Security Council, where America's envoy renewed threats against the Islamic Republic despite President Donald Trump's efforts to lower the temperature between the two adversaries. The US has imposed new sanctions on five Iranian officials it accuses of being behind the deadly crackdown on protesters as the Trump administration attempts to keep up pressure on Iran's leadership. The US Treasury says the sanctions target the Secretary of the Supreme Council for National Security and others. We speak to Professor of International Public Law UJ - Prof Hennie Strydom...
#PODCAST Weather warning issued for Mpumulanga amid persistent rain
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Heavy rains continue to wreak havoc in parts of the Limpopo and Mpumulanga Provinces, destroying homes, road and bridges. In Mpumulanga, dozens of homes have been flooded as disaster management teams assess the extent of the damage with more rainfall expected throughout the weekend. SABC reporter, Mthobisi Mkhaliphi says humanitarian aid teams are on the ground assisting those in need....
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