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Lotus FM News Break
#PODCAST 151 technical learners recognised as 2026 National Skills Competition concludes #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - About 151 technical learners will wrap up their participation in the 2026 National Skills Competition today. These learners will be awarded for their technical and artisinal skills which then improves their career opportunities. The competition covers 11 technical disciplines including automotive technology, welding, electric systems, plumbing and woodworking. Dr Mankodi Moitse, CEO of Kagiso Trust says by empowering learners with practical skills while still at school will boost their confidence and build a better workforce...
#PODCAST Newsbreak Fishing Report - 02 October 2026 #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Cast away with this week's Newsbreak Fishing Report, brought to you by KZN angler Sanjay Ramsarup...
#PODCAST KZN's Phoenix Settlement marks Gandhi's birth anniversary and International Day of Non-Violence #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Dignitaries, faith leaders, and community members will gather at the historic Phoenix Settlement today to observe Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary and the International Day of Non-Violence. The interfaith gathering, designed to champion peace, unity, and multi-faith harmony will feature an address by the Consul General of India, Mr. Nitheen Subhash Yeola. It will take place at 10am at the Phoenix Settlement in Durban. The commemoration brings renewed focus to the historic ashram founded by Gandhi in 1904, emphasizing its enduring message of "One Humanity, Many Faiths, Peace for All" in contemporary South Africa. Great granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, Asha Ramgobin brings us the latest...
#PODCAST Durban jewellery designer Nihal Shah named finalist in 2026 PlatAfrica competition #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Durban jewellery designer Nihal Shah, has been named a Top 10 professional finalist in the prestigious 2026 PlatAfrica platinum design competition*. This year's contest challenges the country's top artisans to interpret the theme "Equilibrium," exploring balance through structure, form, and symbolism. Fresh off a PlatAfrica industry trip to Hong Kong alongside his father, Nihal Shah joins us to discuss his design, his experience on the global stage, and competing on South Africa's premier jewellery platform... *Public voting for the People's Choice Award opens this month ahead of the final awards on 6 November
#PODCAST State witness tells court WhatsApp messages link suspended cop Shadrack Sibiya to 16-year-old girl #sabcnews
The state's first witness in the bail application of suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner, Shadrack Sibiya told the Randburg Magistrates court that whatsapp messages confirm that Sibiya did in-fact communicate with a 16-year-old girl and asked her to send him explicit images and videos of herself. Sibiya was arrested last week on charges of rape, human trafficking and the alleged sexual grooming of a sixteen-year-old girl. A new charge of contravening the Firearms control Act has also been added to his charge sheet. Sashin Naidoo reports...
#PODCAST Wits University to develop R341-million cultural precinct in Braamfontein #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) is set to develop a 341-million-rand cultural precinct in Braamfontein, with a major donation from alumnus and businessman Chris Seabrooke funding most of the project. The five-year development will expand the university's arts, performance and heritage facilities, while creating new public spaces aimed at strengthening the link between Wits and the City of Johannesburg. Wits spokesperson, Shirona Patel elaborates...
#PODCAST Childline KZN urges parents to monitor online activity amid rising sexual grooming cases #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Childline KZN is urging parents to monitor their child's online activity, warning that child sexual grooming is becoming more common. The social welfare organisation says grooming usually starts very innocently, as the perpetrator builds trust before manipulating their victim. Director of Childline KZN, Adeshini Naicker says grooming has devastating social and mental effects on the victim....
SA Medical Association demands probe into alleged irregular expenditure by the Department of Health
By Newsbreak Senior Producer, Taresh Harreeparshad - The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has requested President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently probe- what they allege- to be irregular expenditure by the Department of Health amounting 182 million rand. SAMA says they have recieved reports that the Department used these funds for communication projects- whereas the funds were initially meant for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and child nutrition programmes. SAMA chairperson Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa says they want a probe into the matter by the Special Investigating Unit...
Businessman seen threatening women in viral video granted bail
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Zimbawean tenderpreneur Lawrence Mudzinganyama who was seen threatening women in a viral video will be back in court on the 15th of October. He was granted bail of 15-thousand rand after making a brief appearance at the Randburg Magistrate this morning. Mudzinganya was arrested and released on a warning following a viral video that showed him threatening women inside an upmarket restaurant restroom in Sandton. SABC reporter, Calvin Dludla was at court and brings us an update....
Production of Green ID book to end in March next year
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Home affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has announced that the production of green ID books will end in March next year. He was speaking at the Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg, at the launch of Home Affairs' Quantum Leap vision. Schreiber says for the first time ever, South Africans will also have the option of using secure courier delivery to bring their ID or passport to their own doorstep. He says the 14-point- 7 million South African citizens and permanent residents who still hold only a green ID book will have a further 12 months to make the switch to a smart ID. SABC reporter Sphiwe Mkhize has the details...
#PODCAST Household Affordability Index | Food inflation slows down in September while other household costs continue to rise #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - Food inflation continues to increase- but at a much slower rate. That's according to the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group's Household Affordability Index for September. It shows that the average food basket of basic food items increased by 0.2 per cent from August. While this is a flicker of good news- it must be taken with a pinch of salt. The groups Mervyn Abrahams says while this is welcomed news for food inflation- other household costs continue to accelerate...
#PODCAST Durban Golden Mile business owners urged to stay vigilant following surge in scams and theft #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Business owners along Durban's Golden Mile are being urged to exercise extreme vigilance following a surge of sophisticated scams targeting local merchants. Police are investigating incidents where criminals have hoodwinked business operators, with recent reports highlighting suspicious activities centred around the South Beach precinct, in the vicinity of uShaka Marine World. Authorities say the fraudsters are employing clever deception tactics to swindle unsuspecting traders, prompting calls for heightened security measures across the eThekwini economic hub. Vinayak Maharaj, with whom we spoke to about the "Ocean Walker" experience was just this week a victim of car theft. He explains what transpired...
#PODCAST Greenscene | Cabinet steps up preparations for El Niño impact on water and food security #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Cabinet is stepping up preparations for the possible impact of an El Niño weather event expected in 2026 and 2027. The government says the phenomenon could put further pressure on water security, agriculture and food supplies, particularly in areas already facing shortages. Cabinet has discussed measures aimed at limiting the impact on communities and municipal water systems.But what does this mean for South Africans already battling water shortages? The Deputy Government Spokesperson, William Baloyi explains...
#PODCAST Grade 12 Archery world champion Danya Thompson earns her national colours in Water Polo #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Reddam House Umhlanga Grade 12 learner Danya Thompson has earned her national colours in a second sport, representing South Africa at the inaugural World Aquatics Water Polo 4x4 Open Championships in Croatia. This major milestone comes just months after the 18-year-old was crowned world champion in archery in Argentina. To find out all about her remarkable achievements, an elated Danya joined Matt to discuss competing on the global stage, mastering two vastly different sporting disciplines - and balancing international athletics with her matric year...
#PODCAST President Cyril Ramaphosa announces four-point plan to combat GBVF following Ekurhuleni killings #sabcnews
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a four-point plan to effectively deal with the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide in the country. This follows a nationwide outcry after the killing of 12 women in some parts of Ekurhuleni east of Johannesburg in the past two months. Addressing the nation at the Union Buildings last night, Ramaphosa instructed law enforcement agencies to focus on unresolved GBVF cases, reduce forensic backlogs and that municipalities must identify high risk areas to ensure safety of women when they walk and jog among others. Our Politics Reporter Ntebo Mokobo has more...
#PODCAST Holidaymakers head underwater, as uShaka Marine World launches new ocean walker experience #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Durban's tourism sector is offering visitors a chance to explore the ocean from a different perspective, with the Umhlanga Scuba Ocean Walk at uShaka Marine World. The experience allows participants to walk along the ocean floor while observing marine life up close. It is designed for both locals and tourists looking for a unique adventure along Durban's coastline this school holiday. But how safe is the experience and what do participants need to know before they take the plunge. Experienced diver and owner of Umhlanga Scuba Vinayak Maharaj explains...
#PODCAST SpaceX Starship achieves key milestones despite engine failure during test flight #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - SpaceX's giant Starship rocket reached orbit for the first time this week and deployed new Starlink satellites, achieving milestones in its 14th test flight despite an engine failure. The unscrewed mission was scheduled to last 10 hours but was reduced to three after one of Starship's three main engines shut down prematurely. It is unclear how much of a setback Monday's engine failure will pose for the goal of Elon Musk's newly public company...
#PODCAST Transport body calls for tighter security controls in Ekurhuleni amid mounting fear #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Fear continues to mount in Ekurhuleni following the discovery of 12 female bodies across the region in recent month. This morning we have reaction from the African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association, who says the killings have created panic among passengers, particularly women who rely on public transport. The association is calling for lockdowns, gated communities and tighter controls at highways and off-ramps in hotspots such as Kempton Park and Tembisa. Chairperson Phumudzo Mukhwathi explains the impact this is having on businesses and virtually all operations in the area...
#PODCAST Durban FilmMart's partnership with NEWF shines the spotlight on environmental conservation & climate justice #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Prodcuer Matthew Veeran - As preparations continue for the upcoming Durban FilmMart in October*, this year's gathering is placing a major spotlight on environmental and natural world storytelling. In partnership with the Nature, Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) organization, the industry event aims to amplify African voices by exploring how climate, conservation and social justice intersect on screen. Pragna Parsotam-Kok is the Executive Director of "NEWF" and joins us to discuss the vital role of local creators in shaping global conversations about our environment. *The 17th Durban FilmMart takes place from the 9th to the 12th of October 2026 at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani hotel in Durban
#PODCAST Analysis | Dr. Lubna Nadvi analyses President Ramaphosa's national address on GBV-F #sabcnews
By Newsbreak's Salma Patel and Hoosen Ebrahim - Last night President Ramaphosa addressed the nation on the steps being taken by government to confront the scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). This follows the spate of brutal killings of women in parts of Gauteng, with 12 bodies found in Ekurhuleni east of Johannesburg and one in Soweto in the last two months. Ramaphosa said that the matter is now of national importance. To analyse the address, we spoke with GBV activist, Dr Lubna Nadvi...
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