Lotus FM News Break
#PODCAST KZN Tourism & Film Authority discuss their participation at the continent's leading trade show "Meetings Africa" #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - KwaZulu-Natal is participating in Meetings Africa 2026, the continent's leading trade show for the business events sector, currently under at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg until tomorrow. KZN Tourism and Film is among the exhibitors engaging with buyers, industry leaders and conference organisers from across Africa and beyond. KZN Tourism and Film spokesperson, Pinky Radebe unpacks what this platform means for the entity and for the broader tourism sector...
#PODCAST BUDGET 2026: Durban job seekers plead with government to create more employment opportunities #sabcnews
As Minister Godongwana prepares to deliver his budget speech today, job seekers in Durban are calling on government to create more employment opportunities. They're also urging both government and the private sector to prioritise hiring South Africans for non-scarce skills jobs. This comes as Statistics South Africa reports the country's unemployment rate declined slightly to 31.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025. Statistics SA says the data reflects a labour market that is gradually stabilising, but still marked by deep structural inequalities, limited opportunities, and uneven participation across the population. Celumusa Zulu reports...
#PODCAST The 10th Innovation Festival gets underway in Durban this April under the theme "Sustainable Futures" #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The 10th annual Innovation Festival will take place next month - continuing its role in skills development, harnessing technology, collaboration and investment. Hosted by non-profit organisation "Innovate Durban" in partnership with the eThekwini Municipality, the festival will be a coming together of industry leaders, venture capitalists and budding innovators. The festival will take place on the 16th of April in Durban. Research and Impact Lead at Innovate Durban, Patrick Martel explains how its theme for a sustainable future resonates in a country with a high unemployment rate amidst a call for skills development...
#PODCAST New Profmed Stress Index reveals that South African professionals are living in a permanent state of stress #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - South African professionals are now grappling with a permanent state of multi-layered stress that is becoming part and parcel of daily life. This as the 2025 Profmed Stress Index revealed that nearly half of the local workforce feels completely overwhelmed, despite actively using coping strategies. Most concerningly, many are now delaying medical support because of high costs and unsupportive workplace cultures. Here's Profmed Clinical Executive Justine Lacy, who helps us to uncover the key findings of this latest index...
#PODCAST SA women seek "safer" alternatives following a startling study on the harmful chemicals found in popular sanitary pads #sabcnews
Women say they feel lied to by sanitary towel brands who promised chemical free and organic products. This follows research done by the University of the Free State which revealed that 16 brands of sanitary pads have traces of chemicals that might lead to hormonal imbalance. The study was conducted over three years, with the initial plan being to develop cost effective sanitary pads for underprivileged learners. The SABC NEWS team spoke to some women around Bloemfontein, who say they don't know what other alternatives are there now that they have this information. Kamogelo Seekeoi compiled this report...
#PODCAST Local astrophysicists discover ancient cosmic laser, originating from a galaxy more than eight billion light-years away #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Astronomy researchers led by the University of Pretoria's Doctor Thato Manamela have discovered the most distant hydroxyl mega maser ever recorded. In simple terms, this is a powerful "cosmic laser" originating from a violent galaxy merger more than eight billion light-years away. The breakthrough was made possible by the MeerKAT radio telescope and "gravitational lensing" - a phenomenon where a foreground galaxy acts as a natural magnifying glass. Matthew spoke to Dr. Manamela about this remarkable discovery and what it means for the study of space in South Africa...
#PODCAST Budget 2026: SAMA say funding for the employment of health care workers needs to be a priority #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The South African Medical Association (SAMA) is calling on Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana to prioritise funding for the employment of health care workers when he delivers the Budget Speech tomorrow. SAMA Chairperson, Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa says among the infrastructure issues and mismanagement of funds and resources, the shortage of health care professionals is dire and needs addressing. Dr. Mzukwa is also concerned about the processes around the distribution of funds once allocated and the transparency that comes with it...
#PODCAST Centre for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) battle rising operational costs that threaten to hamper animal rescue efforts #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - KwaZulu-Natal's oldest wildlife rehabilitation centre is battling rising operational costs that threaten its ability to care for thousands of injured and orphaned animals each year. The Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) says it is feeling the financial pinch and is appealing to the public for support to keep its doors open. For 45 years, the organisation has been at the forefront of wildlife rescue, admitting over 3,000 distressed animals per year. Operations Director, Clint Halkett-Siddall explains spoke to Hoosen Ebrahim...
#PODCAST Budget Litracy: South Africans encouraged to pay close attention to this week's Budget Speech #sabcnews
As the build-up to the National Budget Speech on Wednesday gathers momentum, analysts say budget literacy is vital for South African households. Analysts say it's important for consumers to understand the budget -- even though they might not be impacted by big policy changes immediately. They say consumers must keep an eye out for some changes, such as taxes. Finance Minister, Enoch Godogwana, is expected to table the national budget on Wednesday in Cape Town. Nothando Magudulela, filed this report...
#PODCAST Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) preview the inaugural SA Innovation Week 2026 #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The Technology Innovation Agency and the SA Innovation Summit aim to ensure that innovation translates into jobs as both entities will soon host SA Innovation Week. The movement will take place between 16 and 20 March and aims to address the gap between innovation, funding and real economic impact. Acting CEO of the Technology Innovation Agency, Patrick Krappie, elaborates...
#PODCAST KZN Public Works Dept. prepare to deliver first-ever "Citizens' Report" based on its past financial records #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works and Infrastructure will on Tuesday deliver its first ever Citizens' Report based on its performance over the 2024/25 financial period. During the community engagement the department is expected to inform the public about how it has progressed around matters including the department's budget spend and community involvement at local projects. MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal, Martin Meyer explains... The engagement will take place on Tuesday (24/02) at the Phoenix Hall (20 Featherstone Place) at 17h30 and is open to public attendance.
#PODCAST Immersive tech initiative to transform Southern African archives across three nations #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Audiences across South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi will soon encounter a series of groundbreaking immersive exhibitions, transforming archival collections into living, interactive experiences. "Futures_Past: Amplifying Memory with Immersive Technologies" is a collaborative initiative organized by the French Institute of South Africa in partnership with Electric South and local cultural institutions, archives, and international collaborators. The project brings together artist teams based in the countries of six selected archives. Over the next eight months, these teams will work closely with archives to co-create immersive digital works that explore and illuminate the stories contained within historical collections using virtual and augmented reality, spatial audio, and interactive installations. These experiences will be presented in exhibitions across South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi from September to December 2026. Lauren Fletcher from the French Institute elaborates...
#PODCAST UJ & the Good Work Foundation spark partnership aimed at improving SA's rural employment prospects #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The University of Johannesburg and education non-profit the Good Work Foundation have collaborated in a research partnership agreement aimed at improving students' well-being, educational outcomes and employment prospects in the country's rural areas. By combining UJ's academic and research excellence with GWF's on-the-ground experience in rural communities, this collaboration will generate high-quality research, track long-term learner outcomes and translate data into insights that strengthen programmes and inspire investment in their education model. Programme manager of Good Work Foundation's Bridging Year Academy, Kathy Knott, explains...
Keeping your cool when the game doesn't go your way #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad. While 22-year-old Keith Govender continues to fight for his life after he was allegedly stabbed in the head after a heated game of thunee (a South African-Indian card game)- a broader conversation has started about keeping calm in heated social situations. Many have shared their experiences about thunee games getting heated at family events. The same is true for other social gatherings- were tensions may flare. But how do you avoid the situation from escalating? Cultural historian Dr. Raj Govender and clinical psychologist Nevern Subermoney joined us to discuss this.
#PODCAST Newsbreak Fishing Report - 20 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 SONA DEBATE: President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers a firm and wide-ranging reply
President Cyril Ramaphosa has delivered a firm and wide-ranging reply to the SONA debate, striking an optimistic tone on the economy while addressing persistent challenges, including energy, water, gender-based violence and inequality. He also used the platform to call for unity within the Government of National Unity, warning against political point-scoring. Mkhokheli Bandla reports...
#PODCAST SA Chefs launch an ambitious plan for 2026, headlined by the return of the African Culinary Cup #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The South African Chefs Association (SA Chefs) has launched an ambitious strategic roadmap for 2026, aimed at professionalising the culinary trade and elevating its global standing. SA Chefs President Coo Pillay confirmed the homecoming of the prestigious African Culinary Cup this June - an event expected to draw up to 10,000 international visitors and experts. Pillay says this agenda is specifically designed to secure the infrastructure and regional skills development required for a planned bid to host the Worldchefs Congress in 2032...
#PODCAST U.S Consulate's TechWomen programme now underway in Durban with a series of high-impact workshops #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - A U.S. delegation of women in tech are in KwaZulu-Natal to engage with students and entrepreneurs in a series of high-impact visits. This is part of the U.S Consulate in Durban's TechWomen programme, which is aimed at empowering the next generation of women leaders in STEM. Yesterday, the delegation held sessions at the Durban University of Technology and University of KwaZulu-Natal where discussions focused on STEM careers, artificial intelligence, and the growing role of technology in shaping future opportunities. Douglas Mann, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Durban, explains why KZN was specifically chosen to host the programme...
#PODCAST WAND's Project Golden Years empowers elderly with digital skills
By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - Senior citizens are proving that it is never too late to learn. Women's Action for New Direction (WAND) launched its Project Golden Years course at Meadowlands Technical High School in Chatsworth, south of Durban, earlier this month to help the aged learn digital skills. The programme blends technology training with Adult Basic Education and Training, helping seniors build confidence, independence, and vital digital skills. WAND Ambassador - Seira Mohammed says the initiative restores dignity for the elderly and helps them live a more independent life...
#PODCAST Five dead and 34 injured in Limpopo bus crash
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Five people are confirmed to have died following a crash on the N1 road outside Louis Trichardt in Limpopo. The crash happened when the bus they were travelling veered off the road and plunged into a valley this morning. It was carrying passengers from Gauteng to Zimbabwe. Emergency services are still on the scene conducting rescue and recovery operations. SABC reporter, Nsuku Shiluvana is on the scene and brings us an update...
Save video to ...
