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Award winning Hollywood producer hails African storytelling on the global stage
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Award winning Hollywood producer Quan Phung has commended South African filmmakers and creatives for producing and showcasing authentic African stories on a global stage. Phung is touring South Africa as part of the America Film Showcase. His development work includes acclaimed series such as How I Met Your Mother, House, and Arrested Development. Phung is currently in Durban and is encouraging young storytellers to stay true to themselves and make use of available technologies to reach their audiences...
#PODCAST SANBS urges early testing to combat Hepatitis - the 'silent' liver disease - before fatal complications arise #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Health experts are warning that millions of people worldwide are living with viral hepatitis, but many have no idea they are infected. Hepatitis is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver and, if left untreated, can lead to serious liver disease and even death. Often called the "silent disease", it can damage the liver for years without causing noticeable symptoms, leaving many people unaware until serious complications develop. Following World Hepatitis Day earlier this week, Senior Manager for Medical Stakeholder and Advisory at the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), Dr Solomuzi Ngcobo says early testing and greater public awareness are key to preventing severe liver disease and saving lives...
#PODCAST Drakenberg's Cayley Mountain Resort turn to solar power to cut their carbon footprint #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Reducing the carbon footprint and navigating the unpredictable mountain winter climate of the Central Drakenberg in KwaZulu-Natal remains a priority in the area. While the cold brings along several challenges, veld fires are planned and contained while vegetables are successfully grown in the extreme icy conditions at Cayley Mountain Resort. Manager of the resort, Danie van de Merwe, says installing a solar farm has been a gamechanger in reducing its carbon footprint...
#PODCAST Education experts champion co-educational schooling as key to breaking classroom gender stereotypes
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - As South African parents and guardians weigh up schooling choices, education experts are highlighting co-educational environments as practical "rehearsal spaces" where gender stereotypes are dismantled through daily interaction - long before learners enter the workforce. Writing in a new thought leadership piece, Inspired Education Group Director Mike Lambert notes that while both single-sex and co-ed models have strong track records, mixed-gender classrooms offer unique opportunities to negotiate, lead and respect differing perspectives. He argues that experiencing cross-gender academic success firsthand builds emotional intelligence and mutual respect...
#PODCAST GBV Response | SAPS confirms full stock of forensic evidence kits nationwide #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has sought to reassure South Africans that the country has an adequate supply of adult and child rape evidence collection kits. The assurance comes amid ongoing concerns about the criminal justice system's capacity to respond effectively to gender-based violence. SAPS says a full national stock is available, with additional kits currently being distributed to replenish supplies at police stations. The availability of rape kits is regarded as critical to preserving forensic evidence and supporting successful prosecutions. The Ministry says measures are in place to ensure police stations remain adequately stocked. Police Ministry spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi explains...
#PODCAST Newsbreak Fishing Report - 31 July 2026 #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Cast away with this week's Newsbreak Fishing Report, brought to you by KZN angler Sanjay Ramsarup...
Western Cape residents hopeful new police commissioner can turn the tide on crime and gangsterism
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Western Cape residents have expressed a sense of cautious optimism in the newly-appointed provincial police commissioner, Sizakhele Dyantyi. Dyantyi says tackling gun violence and strengthening police stations, will be some of the key focus points of his tenure. His appointment was announced during a media briefing at the police's headquarters in Greenpoint in Cape Town yesterday. Dyantyi replaces Thembisile Patekile, who retired at the end of June. Dyantyi has a career spanning more than three decades in the SAPS. SABC reporter, Shamiela Abrahams is on the ground speaking to residents about his appointment...
KZN weather to ease in coming days
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The South African Weather Service (SAWS) says conditions are likely to improve for KwaZulu-Natal over the coming days. However, disruptive rainfall, possible snowfall and rough seas remain a threat in coastal parts of the province. Forecaster, Wiseman Dlamini explains....
#PODCAST Actor and storyteller Pat Pillai brings his acclaimed one-man show "My Cape Town" to Durban #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tracy Valaydham - Actor and storyteller Pat Pillai is bringing his acclaimed one-man show "My Cape Town" to Durban*. The production celebrates 40 years of storytelling with humorous and heartfelt tales inspired by life on the Cape Flats. Accompanied by pianist Melvin Peters, Pillai brings 16 colourful characters to life while celebrating South Africa's rich cultural diversity. Pillai says he hopes audiences leave with a shared human experience that resonates across all communities... *The production "My Cape Town " will showcase at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in Durban on the 14 to 16th August & Jo'burg Roodepoort Theatre on the 20 to 23rd August.
#PODCAST The mother of murdered footballer Senzo Meyiwa attends court for the first time since the start of the trial #sabcnews
The mother of murdered soccer star Senzo Meyiwa has attended court for the very first time since the start of the trial. Ntombifuthi Meyiwa says she longs for justice for her son. This as Mthobisi Mncube, the man the state says shot and killed Meyiwa, continued his testimony on the stand. Mncube and four others are on trial for the 2014 murder. Lerato makola reports...
#PODCAST World Ranger Day 2026 | Field ranger trainer sheds light on the rising threats facing nature's protectors #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - As the world commemorates World Ranger Day tomorrow, the spotlight shines on the growing dangers faced by the men and women protecting our natural heritage. World Ranger Day is celebrated worldwide to commemorate rangers killed or injured in the line of duty. From armed criminal syndicates to deadly encounters with wildlife, rangers are risking, and too often losing their lives in the line of duty. The International Ranger Federation says 147 rangers died across 40 countries over the past year. Eastern Cape based Field Ranger Trainer, Altin Gysman says rangers undergo significant amounts of specialised training, especially amid changing threats and climates...
Concern mounts as Phoenix Secondary school falls into state of disrepair
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Concern is mounting over the deteriorating state of Phoenix Secondary School north of Durban. Years of neglect, a devastating fire and stalled repairs have left one of KwaZulu-Natal's historic schools fighting for survival. The derelict state of the school has seen a lower intake with continued disruption to teaching and learning. Despite repeated interventions and limited repair work, large sections of the school remain unsafe and unusable. With an estimated R48 million needed to restore the school, questions are mounting over delays and accountability. IFP Councilor in eThekwini, Dr Jonathan Annipen visited the school and says he will be writing to the relevant structures on a way forward.... The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal says they are yet to receive a mandate for repair work from the Department of Education. The Education Department in KZN says it will communicate a response in due course.
IEC pushes final Voter Registration weekend ahead of November election
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The IEC are urging eligible voters to make use of its final voter registration weekend this Saturday and Sunday. It says while this voter registration weekend provides an opportunity for in-person registration and updates, you can also make use of its online voter portal - pending the proclamation of the election, after which registration will be closed. KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Electoral Officer, Ntombifuthi Masinga explains....
Weather Service downgrades warning level for KZN
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The South African Weather Service has downgraded weather alerts for large parts of KwaZulu-Natal, but the province is not out of danger yet. An orange level 6 warning for disruptive rain remains in place for eThekwini and parts of the south coast - with a high likelihood of roads, and homes being flooded today. The rest of the southern parts of the province are now under a Yellow Level 2 warning. SABC reporter, Gcinokuhle Malinga is on the ground and brings us an update.....
#PODCAST The Beekman Group credits public trust and hard work after bagging the KZN Top Brand 2026 award #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Receiving the KwaZulu-Natal Top Brand 2026 award earlier this month at the prestigious KZN Top Business Awards was no easy feat for the Beekman Group - it was earned with a massive amount of hard work and dedication by the team. That's according to Richolda Moheethlall, group's Entity Brands and Public Relations Team Leader. She was speaking to Newsbreak's Shanell Daniel during a media hosting at the Cayley Mountain Resort in Drakensberg this week. The award is highly contested each year, with thousands of votes cast by employees, clients and service providers in support of their favourite brand. Moheethlall says being recognised as KZN's Top Brand is an honour as it shows the trust that guests, members, partners and employees continue to place in the group...
#PODCAST Voters can now register online without using mobile data, ahead of the final registration weekend #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - There have been renewed calls for eligible South Africans to register to vote or update their voter details as the final voter registration weekend approaches. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says its online voter registration portal is zero-rated across major mobile networks, allowing users to register without paying for mobile data. Voters can access the service without airtime or a data balance - provided that your mobile data is turned on. The commission says the free service is aimed at making voter registration more accessible. KZN Provincial Electoral Officer, Ntombifuthi Masinga explains...
#PODCAST The Heart and Stroke Foundation call for urgent action on sore throats, ahead of Rheumatic Fever Week #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa is urging people to take sore throats seriously ahead of Rheumatic Fever Week* - which gets underway soon. Health experts warn that an untreated Strep throat infection can escalate into acute rheumatic fever, causing permanent and potentially fatal heart valve damage in children and young adults. Health promotion officer Juandre Watson says immediate medical attention and prompt antibiotic treatment are critical to preventing severe complications like heart failure and stroke... *Rheumatic Fever Week is an annual health campaign held from August 1st to 7th.
#PODCAST PR Spin or Loss of Control? We unpack OpenAI’s unprecedented Artificial Intelligence escape #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Artificial intelligence developer OpenAI is facing intense scrutiny after one of its autonomous AI agents escaped a secure testing environment and hacked into tech repository "Hugging Face" in order to cheat on a benchmark test. While OpenAI publicly framed the breach as a collaborative "partnership", tech critics argue the company is using clever PR spin to cover up an alarming loss of control. The unprecedented incident has sparked urgent debates around corporate accountability, safety guardrails and consumer protection - as autonomous AI becomes harder to restrain. Let's find out more from communications, technology and AI ethics specialist -Nazareen Ebrahim...
#PODCAST Analysis | Anti-corruption forum ACM says Adv. Andrea Johnson is not off the hook, despite her IDAC resignation #sabcnews
By Newsbreak executive Producer Salma Patel - Following on from our first half coverage on the Madlanga Commission... Anti-corruption forum - The Active Citizen's Movement or ACM - says that Adv Andrea Johnson's immediate resignation as IDAC head, and acceptance by President Cyril Ramaphosa may bring some relief to taxpayers in the long-run. Adv Johnson is still testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry despite stepping down from her post. Aslam Mayet from the ACM says Johnson's decision to resign does not mean that she is "off the hook" just yet...
Active Citizens Movement weighs in on Andrea Johnson resignation and way forward
By Newsbreak Executive Producer, Salma Patel - Anti-corruption organisation, the Active Citizen's Movement, says they note the acceptance of Advocate Andrea Johnson's resignation by President Cyril Ramaphosa but this does not mean that she will stop giving evidence before the Madlanga Commission. The former IDAC Head, has told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria that she won't be able to submit some outstanding documents required from her since she has resigned. ACM spokesperson, Aslam Mayet explains
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