Lotus FM News Break
#PODCAST N3TC expect increased traffic volumes this morning - as travelers commence the return leg of their Easter trips #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - The N3 Toll Concession is expecting increased traffic volumes this morning - as travelers commence the return leg of their Easter vacations. By the end of Friday about 1300 vehicles per hour traveled south to the coast- while about 900 vehicles per hour went north. N3 Toll Concession chief operations officer Thania Dhoogra explains the contingency plans that are in place to ensure a free flow of traffic today...
#PODCAST ISKCON Festival of Chariots to conclude today after serving over 75,000 free meals in Durban #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - Today (Monday) marks the end of the annual Festival of Chariots at North Beach in Durban. The four-day festival honouring the Hindu God Krishna, takes place over the Easter Weekend and offers family fun, food stalls, markets and devotional discourses. The beachfront is bursting with colour, including the distinctive saffron dress of Krishna devotees. The event is hosted by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness or ISKON. A hot plate of vegetable biryani - a spiced rice dish steamed on an open fire - is offered for free to any member of the public. Yoshan Baboolall, the CEO of Food for Life South Africa says they have already served 75-thousand free meals since the start of the festival...
#PODCAST The iconic Rand Show returns to JHB, with organisers highlighting its growing role in boosting tourism #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - The Rand Show returned to Johannesburg with organisers highlighting its growing role in boosting tourism and driving economic activity for small businesses around the Johannesburg Expo Centre. The South African National Defence Force was among key exhibitors at the 2026 edition, running until today. They are using the platform to engage the public and promote careers and national defence awareness. Officials say the show continues to generate year-on-year benefits for local traders, hospitality operators and the broader visitor economy. Rand Show CEO, Adele Hartdegen explains...
#PODCAST SAPM file urgent legal action to block Israel-bound coal shipment at Richards Bay #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - The South Africa Palestine Movement (SAPM) claims that vessel is docked at the Richards Bay Harbour- loading South African coal destined for Israel. They say that they have taken legal action against the Richards Bay Coal Terminal and Transnet to stop this immediately. Suhail Ismail is the SAPM spokesperson in Zululand...
#PODCAST National Institute for Communicable Diseases declare early start to the South African flu season #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - The influenza or flu season has officially started- and this year, it's earlier than usual. That's according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) which says that the 2026 flu season started around the 9th of March already. In this week's Wellness Wakeup NICD Head of the Centre for Respiratory Diseases Prof Cheryl Cohen says that it's advisable to take the flu vaccine now...
A closer watch on elderly safety after horrific Merebank murder of 82-year-old mum #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad. The murder of 82-year-old Indrawathy Rampersadh in Merebank, south of Durban has raised the alarm over the safety of the elderly. Rampersadh was allegedly strangled by a suspect who made off with her cellphone. The incident has cast a spotlight on how criminals prey on the vulnerability of the elderly. Joining the conversation is PT Alarms Tactical's Dhevan Govindasamy and TAFTA CEO Femada Shamam...
#PODCAST 76-year-old local writer brings the wild west to life through his limited new novel "Gunfight at Gold Rush City" #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - A 76-year-old local writer is proving that it's never too late to chase your dreams. Pathamnaban Ramen, writing under the pseudonym - Nathan King, has brought the wild west to life in his new novel, Gunfight at Gold Rush City. Set during the 1852 American gold rush, the story is packed with suspense, gunfights and gripping twists in a booming frontier town. While the book is already written and independently published, Ramen is now seeking sponsorship to print and distribute it on a larger scale. He spoke to Newsbreak about the inspiration behind the story...
#PODCAST Projections for KwaZulu-Natal estimate a tourism spend of almost a billion rand over the Easter long weekend #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Tourism authorities in KwaZulu-Natal are projecting an estimated tourism spend of almost one-billion rand in the lead up to and over this Easter long weekend. The KZN Tourism and Film Authority say occupancy rates are higher than 2025 with over three-hundred and twelve-thousand domestic trips and almost fifty-eight thousand international visitors between the 30th of March and 5th of April. Deputy Chairperson of the Federation of Hospitality Association (FEDHASA) KZN & Eastern Cape, Mandy Massey says they noticed key trends such as shared accommodation and group travel as tourists look to more value driven stays....
#PODCAST Newsbreak Fishing Report - 03 April 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 Phoenix residents encouraged to attend the 50th anniversary commemoration of the bus transport industry this weekend #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Residents will gather at the Sipho Sethu Grounds this Sunday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Phoenix bus transport industry. Since the township's founding in 1976, these privately-owned operators have served as a critical economic and social lifeline, sustaining the community for decades without state subsidies. Now an individual who knows this history well is author Zainul Aberdeen Dawood. He joins me in this interview, highlighting the unsung heroes of the road, explaining why their stories are so important...
#PODCAST SA activists demand immediate ceasefire in escalating Middle East conflict
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - South African activists are calling for the immediate end to the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran. The South African chapter of the Anti-Apartheid Movement says the conflict which has now spread widely into the Middle-East was unnecessary and unprovoked. The conflict has been going on for over a month, with no sign of a ceasefire agreement on either side. Anti-apartheid activist and chairperson of the South African chapter of the Movement, Reverend Frank Chikane says such violations of international law should not be tolerated and the global fraternity must stand together in ending the conflict....
#PODCAST The rarely used DND feature on smart phones can help silence mobile distractions at places of worship #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - Now you can concentrate on prayers at your place of worship without being distracted by your smart devices. This innovative automated (and existing) "Do Not Disturb" feature works on both IOS and Android devices through a simple process requiring access to your GPS location. The phone remains silent when you are in the prayer facility and automatically switches back when you leave. Durban cell phone franchise manager, Ebrahim Patel says the feature has kicked at the perfect time - ahead of an auspicious weekend for Christians, Muslims and Hindus...
#PODCAST Merebank community react to the murder of 82-year-old Indrawathy Rampersadh, who was allegedly strangled to death #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - Residents of Merebank, south of Durban are still grappling with the shock following the brutal killing of an 82-year-old grandmother. Indrawathy Rampersadh, was found dead at her Satara Road home on Monday afternoon. She was allegedly strangled to death by a suspect posing as a beggar. It's believed the suspect approached Rampersadh's home under the pretext of asking for assistance before targeting her and then fleeing the scene. Victor Kupsamy, Chairperson of the Merebank Alliance Forum says Rampersadh was a generous woman and deeply devoted to her family...
#PODCAST The IEC unveil new "Get Up. Show Up. Vote." theme for the upcoming local government elections #sabcnews
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) unveiled its logo for the upcoming government elections, under the theme "Get Up. Show Up. Vote". The IEC says the logo and tagline represent a forward-looking, voter-centric democracy, that reflects the aspirations of South Africans. IEC CEO, Sy Mamabolo and Chairperson Mosotho Moepya attended the launch in Midrand, Johannesburg. Sibahle Motha has more...
#PODCAST We find out more about "MeanKat Cafe" - a social space / dedicated sanctuary for rescued cats #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Durban's Morningside area has seen the introduction of the MeanKat Cafe - a specialised facility functioning as both a social space and a dedicated sanctuary for rescued felines. The establishment facilitates a structured adoption pipeline, allowing visitors to interact with the animals in a controlled environment before undergoing a formal vetting process. To discuss the motivation behind this sanctuary model and its impact on local animal welfare, we are joined this morning by representative Saif Osmani... MeanKat Cafe is located at 87 Smiso Nkwanyana Road (formerly Goble Road) in Morningside, Berea.
#PODCAST 39-year-old remanded in custody for alleged murder of his ex-wife Aleyka Shaik, who was pregnant with twins #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - A 39-year-old man has been remanded in custody for the alleged murder of his ex-wife, who was pregnant with twins. The accused appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate's Court yesterday and will be back in court on 7th April for a formal bail application. Aleyka Shaik, a 34-year-old nurse, was allegedly brutally stabbed by the suspect in the Northdale area on Sunday evening. It's believed Shaik was picking up her daughter when argument broke out between her and the suspect, which then led to the murder. Recounting the incident, Renisha Singh, Ward 28 Councillor in Pietermaritzburg, says the community is grappling with the shock of Shaik's senseless murder...
#PODCAST Action in Autism prepare to stage silent walk to the Durban City Hall, to mark World Autism Acceptance Month #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Non-Profit Organization "Action in Autism" are preparing to stage a Silent Walk to the Durban City Hall to mark World Autism Acceptance Month. Participants will use non-verbal communication methods to advocate for neuro-diverse rights and deliver a formal memorandum to the City Mayor. The campaign also features a series of capacity-building workshops designed to improve the employment rate of autistic individuals in the labour market. Action in Autism Chairperson, Liza Aziz joined Newsbreak to elaborate further on the April campaign... * The Silent Walk is set for the 23rd of April 2026. It starts at the Gugu Dlamini Park and ends at City Hall.
#PODCAST Tongaat Hindu Forum mark Hanuman Jayanthi with a call for communities to stand together in prayer #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Amid global wars, economic uncertainty and the looming rise in the cost of living in South Africa, religious organisation, the Tongaat Hindu Forum north of Durban are calling for communities to stand together in prayer. This as millions of Hindus across the world observe Hanuman Jayanthi today. The festival is a significant celebration of the birth of Lord Hanuman - the Hindu deity representing strength, devotion, and selfless service. The call to pray for peace is a joint effort between the forum and the South African Hindu Maha Sabha, as the world navigates through a difficult period. Public relations officer at the Forum, Yogan Naidoo is calling on all faith groups to stand together amid global turmoil...
#PODCAST South Africans wake up to significant fuel price increases - with petrol going up by over R3 a litre #sabcnews
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has confirmed that the price of both grades of petrol has increased by R3,06 per litre. Diesel prices meanwhile jump by between R7,37 and R7,51 per litre, while Illuminating paraffin records the steepest increase of R11,67 per litre from today. The latest adjustments to the fuel prices come after government stepped in to cut the general fuel levy by R3 a litre for a one-month period, ending on the 5th of May. Nosipho Radebe, has the story…
#PODCAST SA motorists rush to the filling stations, bracing for another round of fuel price increases #sabcnews
INTRO: South Africans are bracing for another round of fuel price increases from April 1st, with the latest data from the Central Energy Fund pointing to a petrol increase of over R5 per litre, while diesel is expected to increase by over R9 per litre. The hikes are driven by global oil market volatility linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, as well as local taxes and levies - including increases to the general fuel levy. Economists warn this could further strain already stretched households, with ripple effects expected across multiple sectors. Sisipho Ngcumbe reports....
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