On Africa Update with Lulu Gaboo, we speak to the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, at the Services SETA x Takealot skills partnership launch. The three-year partnership, supported by an initial investment of approximately R103 million, aims to create 20,000 income-generating opportunities for South Africans. The initiative focuses on connecting skills development with workplace experience, entrepreneurship and income generation, while expanding participation in South Africa's digital economy. Programmes include Work-Integrated Learning placements for TVET College learners, critical-skills bursaries, Personal Shopper training, driver development, Marketplace SME localisation and digital training for small businesses. In this interview, Minister Manamela discusses the significance of the partnership and its contribution to skills development and economic participation.

The Malawian government has repatriated 150 of its citizens from South Africa following concerns over reported xenophobic attacks targeting African migrants. The repatriation is part of a coordinated voluntary return programme, with the first two buses departing from the Western Cape on 6 June 2026. According to the Malawian government, the operation was conducted through a multi-agency effort involving a special task team deployed to South Africa under the coordination of the Malawi High Commission in South Africa. To discuss the details of the initiative, the circumstances surrounding the repatriation, and the support being provided to returning citizens, Lulu Gaboo speaks with Charles Nkhalamba, spokesperson for Malawi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Just days after taking office, Benin’s newly inaugurated President, Romuald Wadagni, has embarked on a regional tour of Nigeria, Niger and Burkina Faso in a bid to strengthen diplomatic ties and ease tensions within West Africa. The visit is part of broader efforts to rebuild relations with the Alliance of Sahel States, led by military governments in the region. During his stop in Niger, Wadagni met with military leader Abdourahamane Tiani, with both sides agreeing to work towards restoring bilateral relations and reopening their shared border, which was closed following the July 2023 coup in Niger. We unpack the significance of this diplomatic outreach and its implications for regional stability with political analyst Jean Donald Taladzi.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed the strong and longstanding ties between Pretoria and Nairobi ahead of the official visit of Kenyan President William Ruto. Ramaphosa described Kenya as a key strategic partner in East Africa and across the continent, emphasizing the cordial and mutually beneficial relationship that has existed since diplomatic ties were re-established in 1994. The visit comes amid speculation about relations between the two countries following Ruto’s absence from a G20 meeting hosted by South Africa and Ramaphosa’s decision not to attend the Africa-France Summit in Kenya. To unpack the significance of the visit and what it means for regional diplomacy, we are joined by political analyst Dr. Shingai Mutizwa-Mangiza.

Zimbabwe’s Parliament is set to debate a Constitutional Amendment Bill that could significantly reshape the country’s political landscape. The proposed amendments would extend the term of Emmerson Mnangagwa by two years, potentially allowing him to remain in office until 2030. The bill also seeks to replace direct presidential elections with a parliamentary voting system for selecting the head of state. With the ruling ZANU-PF holding a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly and substantial influence in the Senate, analysts believe the amendments have a strong chance of being passed. For more on the implications of these proposed changes, we are joined by our Zimbabwe correspondent, John Cassim.