listen to Lotus FM News Break
Lotus FM News Break
#PODCAST Social media powerhouses Meta and YouTube accused of designing "addiction machines" #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - A landmark trial opened in Los Angeles this week, with Meta and YouTube accused of intentionally designing "addiction machines" that caused severe mental health issues in a young plaintiff. The lead attorney alleges that these tech giants are prioritising advertising revenue over child safety. This trial has meanwhile set the stage for a six-week legal battle expected to serve as a benchmark for thousands of similar lawsuits in the United States. Matthew found out more in this morning's Techno Touch...
#PODCAST eThekwini Municipality advise on the alternatives - as the shortage of black refuse bags continues #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - eThekwini Municipality has confirmed an ongoing shortage of black refuse bags in some areas and has advised residents to use makeshift alternatives in the interim. The municipality says it is working to address supply chain issues causing the shortage...
#PODCAST Critics oppose the renaming of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape to Robert Sobukwe Town #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Government has now approved 21 new name changes and registrations in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. One of the most talked-about decisions is the renaming of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape to Robert Sobukwe Town. Critics argue the process exposes deeper political and governance concerns, including the concentration of power and the role of opposition parties within the Government of National Unity. Civil society advocacy group "Lex Libertas" says that a poll in Graaff-Reinet shows over 80% of residents are opposed to the name change. Executive Director, Dr. Ernst Roets says the name changes are nothing but a deflection of government failures...
#PODCAST PMB Economic Justice & Dignity Group: Ramaphosa must detail food security progress in tomorrow's SONA #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Non-profit organisation, the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group (PMBEJD) says President Cyril Ramaphosa must provide a progress report from the previous year when he delivers the State of the Nation Address (SONA) tomorrow. The Group which focuses on household affordability says tangible solutions and plans around food insecurity, especially amongst youth need to be focused on. Programme Coordinator at the Group, Mervyn Abrahams is hopeful that the President will deliver a strong and positive SONA this year...
#PODCAST Floods trigger urgent malaria alert, as the breeding habitats of mosquitos in Southern Africa increase #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The University of Pretoria's Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control has issued an urgent alert as record flooding in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Mozambique creates an unprecedented spike in mosquito breeding habitats. Dr. Taneshka Kruger, Project Manager at the institute, warns that stagnant floodwaters are placing millions of people at risk, potentially reversing years of progress toward malaria elimination. In response, the institute is now working alongside the National Health Department to deploy vector control and intensive health promotion drives...
#PODCAST Madlanga Commission: Crime analyst Chad Thomas delves deeper into the death of Wiandre Pretorius #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producers Tashlan Naidoo & Taliesha Naidoo - Newsbreak spoke to crime analyst, Chad Thomas about the death of former police reservist, Wiandre Pretorius. Pretorius committed suicide at a filling station in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni on Saturday night. Police have confirmed that he was a person of interest in the recent murder of Marius van der Merwe, known as Witness D, as well as the 2022 murder of Emmanuel Mbhense. Just last week, Pretorius survived an apparent hit, after three gunmen approached his vehicle and opened fire on him outside a house in Boksburg. Thomas unpacks the red flags that stand out to him as crime analyst and forensic investigator from the recent developments...
#PODCAST Life Insurance Ombud warns that criminal behaviour can void claims - despite active, fully paid policies #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Insurance claims arising from criminal activities or illegal behaviour will not be paid out under exclusionary clauses. That's according to Lead Ombud of the Life Insurance Division of the Ombud Scheme (NFO), Denise Gabriels. She says that although your policy is active and premiums are fully paid, Insurers will not indemnify losses that arise from unlawful conduct - reflecting the principle that insurance is designed to protect against unforeseen risks, not deliberate or illegal acts. Gabriels elaborates on a case recently where somebody was declined citing criminal conduct...
#PODCAST SONA 2026: NAPTOSA call on President Ramaphosa to address critical issues, including the BELA Act #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Teacher Union, NAPTOSA are calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to address critical issues such as austerity measures and the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act during the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA). President Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the SONA this coming Thursday. Executive Director of NAPTOSA, Basil Manuel says issues such as funding, infrastructure, scholar transport and Early Childhood Development (ECD) are among some of the critical points that they hope will be touched on...
#PODCAST Hundreds of learners in Ekurhuleni stranded due to scholar transport strike
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Hundreds of learners from various schools in the Ekurhuleni Municipality in Gauteng have been left stranded due to a scholar transport strike. According to scholar transport operators, the strike is as a result of non-payment by the provincial department of education to them as service providers. SABC reporter, Calvin Dludla is on the ground and brings us an update...
#PODCAST Witnesses at risk? Crime expert calls for protection at the Madlanga Commission
By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - Crime expert and specialist investigator Mike Bolhuis, said the Madlanga Commission should look into ways of protecting those who testify or are implicated at the inquiry. This after Saturday night's incident where former police reservist, Wiandre Pretorius committed suicide at a filling station in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni. Police have confirmed that he was a person of interest in the recent murder of Marius van der Merwe, known as Witness D, as well as the 2022 murder of Emmanuel Mbhense...
#PODCAST DebtBusters: South African high earners face debt crisis as unsecured borrowing outpaces income #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Shanell Daniel - Consumers who applied for debt counseling in the fourth quarter of 2025 had unsustainablly high levels of unsecured debt, especially amongst top earners. That's according to Executive Head of DebtBusters, Benay Sager. He says unsecured debt for those earning more than R35,000 a month is 75% higher than in 2016, vastly out-pacing inflation and net-income growth. Sager explains unsecured debt and how it affects consumers...
#PODCAST Johannesburg specialist warns that Artificial Intelligence (AI) cannot replace human doctors #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Taresh Harreeparshad - In a fast-evolving world where Artificial Intelligence or AI can do everything from edit your profile picture to write your academic assignments- could it replace your doctor? Well Dr Jess Morris at Mediclinic Morningside in Johannesburg says AI will never replace the human mind. In an era where patients are fast getting their diagnoses of AI- the margin of error could be great, because each health case is unique and individual. This could result in an inaccurate diagnosis or treatment plan - that could compromise your health. Dr. Morris explains how a doctor can interpret AI tools but still give you an individual consult about the unique needs of your personal health - something AI may not be able to do...
#PODCAST Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre unveils rare Warsaw Ghetto archive exhibition #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Shanell Daniel - The "More Important than Life: The Underground Archive of the Warsaw Ghetto" exhibition is a rare and rich expression of ordinary people. That's according to Education Manager at the Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre, Peter Houston. He was speaking on the centre's recent exhibition depicting some of the atrocious conditions people lived through in the largest Nazi-established Jewish ghetto during World War 2. Houstan elaborates...
#PODCAST Therapists warn that childhood trauma can stunt adult emotional growth - even decades later #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The concept of an "adult child" has come under the spotlight in the field of psychology as many people question why they behave the way they do. Psychology suggests that adults whose emotional growth was hindered by a dysfunctional, fearful, or abusive childhood, often leads to them having difficulty navigating adult responsibilities. In this week's Wellness Wake-Up, Therapist Graeme Hart, explains how childhood trauma is something that one can continue to experience into adulthood - as if they were the same age as when it happened...
Increase in National Minimum Wage: double edged sword or financial lifeline? #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad. While many have welcomed the recent announcement of a National Minimum Wage increase, others have criticised the amount considering the rising cost of living. The National Minimum Wage for 2026 will next month increase from R28.79cents to R30.23cents per hour - translating into a R1.44cents per hour increase. The increase, which will take effect on the 1st of March, will benefit all workers, including vulnerable farm workers and domestic workers. Deputy Director-General: Labour Policy and Industrial Relations at the Department of Employment and Labour, Thembinkosi Mkalipi, says employer affordability plays a key role in determining the amount at which the National Minimum Wage can be increased. Meanwhile UKZN Economics lecturer Dr Simiso Msomi and Programme Coordinator for the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group Mervyn Abrahams also weighed in.
DA Leader John Steenhuisen won't seek a third term: where does that leave the party? #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad. What happens to the DA- now that leader John Steenhuisen confirmed that he will not be seeking a third term? Well the party says there are no front runners for the post, because applications have not officially opened. Steenuisen announced that he will not run for DA leadership in order to focus on his government duties as Minister of Agriculture. He cites the need to devote his efforts to fight the foot and mouth outbreak in the country as a key factor influencing his decision. Meanwhile internal party squabbles are also being suggested as a reason for his decision- after former finance chair Dion George has removed from cabinet. Steenhuisen had earlier faced financial misconduct allegations but was cleared by the party's investigations. We spoke to DA spokesperson Karabo Lerato Khakhau and political expert Dr. Levy Ndou...
#PODCAST KZN Premier seeks province to be declared a state of disaster following FMD outbreak
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The KwaZulu-Natal premier, Thami Ntuli says they have put in application to declare a provincial state of disaster following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. The Premier held a media breifing earlier this morning as calls mounts for the declaration. SABC reporter, Dries Liebenberg has the latest....
#PODCAST Newsbreak Fishing Report - 06 February 2026 #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer, Hoosen Ebrahim - In our fishing report feature, Sanjay Ramsarup updates you on the latest from the angling front...
#PODCAST Health Professions Council arrest another person caught operating as a medical practitioner illegally #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) has arrested yet another person caught operating as a medical practitioner without being registered with Council. The female foreign national was arrested in Midrand, Gauteng where she was temporarily standing in for General Practitioner, Dr Ahmed Kaka. HPCSA Registrar, Dr Magome Masike says action will be taken against both individuals in questions...
#PODCAST Superyacht Training Academy (SYTA) expands maritime education to secure lucrative careers for local talent #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The NetEd Group has officially announced its acquisition of the Cape Town-based Superyacht Training Academy (SYTA), marking a significant expansion into South Africa's luxury maritime education sector. This strategic move integrates the academy's accredited programs into a larger educational network that includes established institutions like Eduvos and the Isa Carstens Academy. Stuart Loxton, CEO of SYTA, joins us to discuss how this partnership will scale the training of professional crew as the V&A Waterfront prepares to host a new, dedicated superyacht basin. He says the acquisition is perfectly timed to capitalize on the growth of the yachting industry and the increasing international demand for highly skilled SA talent...
Save video to ...
