Lotus FM News Break
#PODCAST Family, friends and comrades pay tribute to Sunny Singh during his special official funeral at Durban's Kendra Hall #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Family, friends and comrades of the late struggle stalwart, Sunny Singh praised his role in the fight against apartheid and his unwavering commitment to family and the people of South Africa. Singh's special provincial official funeral - category two was held yesterday at Durban's Kendra Hall. Singh passed away last week Thursday at the age of 86. Tashlan Naidoo attended the funeral and filed this report...
#PODCAST LifeLine Pietermaritzburg mark the start of the 16 Days of Activism campaign with a critical event spotlighting GBV-F #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Pietermaritzburg is hosting a critical event today as part of the 16 Days of Activism, directly confronting the alarming increase of VIOLENCE against women and children, particularly perpetrated by frontline workers. This gathering - bringing together various stakeholders and GBV survivors - aims to dissect why accountability is often absent, despite statistics revealing that one-third of South African women experience physical violence in their lifetime. Sinikiwe Biyela from LifeLine Pietermaritzburg hopes today's event will spark urgent strategies to combat these pervasive acts and restore hope among survivors...
#PODCAST "Dearest Papa" by author Dr. Shamila Ramsookbhai looks to tackle the invisible scars of emotional abuse #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - As the country marks 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, we turn our attention to a powerful new South African publication making waves. The compilation book digs deep into themes of identity, family and survival. One of the standout stories titled "Dearest Papa", tackles the often silent and invisible scars of emotional abuse. Author Dr. Shamila Ramsookbhai unpacks the story, the message and why emotional abuse deserves urgent attention far beyond the duration of the campaign...
#PODCAST Black Friday: The growth in e-commerce transactions highlight the need for stricter cyber-security - Ozow #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - Black Friday is once again stress-testing South Africa's digital payments backbone. Last year alone, surged by 37%, placing intense pressure on the country's payment infrastructure. Fintech provider, Ozow, says this rapid growth highlights the need for stronger cyber-security and smarter consumer behaviour. Shaylen Padayachee, Head of Marketing at Ozow, says empowering consumers is critical in tackling the pending threats of cyber-crime and phishing scams...
#PODCAST Medical Monitor: Doctors use a new gene therapy to halt the progression of "Hunter Syndrome" #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Medical history has been made in the fight against a rare and devastating genetic disorder. For the first time in the world, doctors have successfully halted the progression of "Hunter Syndrome" using a pioneering gene therapy. The treatment, which almost failed to reach the trial stage due to funding collapses, is now offering hope where there was previously only decline. I found out more about it for this week's Medical Monitor...
#PODCAST National Financial Ombud Scheme warns motorists that drunk driving could lead to both claim rejection & license loss #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - As the festive season approaches and year-end parties kick into full swing, the National Financial Ombud Scheme is sounding a sharp warning to motorists: if you drink and drive, you could lose not only your licence, but your insurance cover too. The NFO's Non-Life Insurance Division says it's seeing a spike in complaints from drivers whose accident claims were rejected because they were suspected of being under the influence. Motorists should be aware that insurers don't need a positive blood-alcohol or breathalyzer test to turn down your claim, they just need to prove, on a balance of probabilities, that you were driving while impaired. CEO of the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance, Edite Mckinon explains...
#PODCAST New uThukela district project to introduce clean running water to the area for the first time in almost 30 years #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - Over 10 thousand residents in the uThukela district municipality in KwaZulu-Natal are expected to have access to water- after about three decades. This follows the introduction of a water project in the area. Meanwhile other areas across the province lament lack of water allocation services in their municipalities. Now new research is being hailed as a feasible solution for water shortages in KZN. Professor Innocent Pikirayi of the Department of Anthropology, Archaeology and Development Studies at the University of Pretoria sifted through ancient records to find out ancient civilizations maintained a stable water supply in sub-Saharan Africa. He says investment in multiple water infrastructure projects could be the solution...
#PODCAST DebtBusters: SA's rising costs and stagnant incomes are leaving consumers trapped in short-term debt cycles #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - For many people pay-day means using their salary to pay current debt, which then leads to accumulating more debt in order to make ends meet each month. Executive Head of DebtBusters, Benay Sager says that over the past nine years, income growth has not kept up with significant cost increases, and consumers are using short-term unsecured credit and personal loans to make up the shortfall. He adds that of those who apply for debt counseling 57% have a payday loan. Sager explains how people can work against living from pay cheque to pay cheque...
#PODCAST Thousands participate in the G20 Women's Shutdown - calling for an end to GBV and Femicide #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - On the sidelines of the G20 Summit- thousands of women across the country participated in a G20 Women's Shutdown, calling for an end to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). Interestingly enough before the protest- the Head of the National Disaster Management Centre Dr Bongani Elias Sithole classified GBVF as a national disaster in terms of Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act. But what does this actually mean? Gender rights expert Lisa Vetten says that there is a significant difference between a declaration of a national disaster and a declaration of a national STATE of disaster...
A Tribute to the Legendary Zakia Ahmed Siddiqi on Newsbreak Talk #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad Lotus FM's Zakia Ahmed Siddiqi passed away at the age of 65- leaving behind a four decade long career that's nothing short of iconic. The popular Lotus FM presenter passed away after a short illness and was buried in accordance with Islamic rites on Friday. Zakia was a fan-favourite thanks to her effervescence, warmth and engagement with her audience. She was also well known for her vast knowledge of Bollywood and South African Indian music. She passed away just a day before her husbands death day, the legendary Urdu poet Safee Siddiqi who passed away in 2012. Zakia is survived by her children Safee-Naaz and Basharath. In this special tribute to the "Mother of Radio" as we called her here at Newsbreak- we spoke to her near and dear to share their fondest memories of this unforgettable soul.
#PODCAST Sunny Singh lauded for his generous spirit and steadfast activism
By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - Sunny Singh has been described as one of the unsung heroes of South Africa democratic story. The struggle stalwart died yesterday (Thursday) aged 86. He was a member of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) in 1956 and was later recruited into uMkhonto weSizwe - the paramilitary wing of the ANC - in the Durban Central Area. In 1964, he was imprisoned on Robben Island, where he spent 10 years behind bars for his role in the struggle against apartheid. Family friend and fellow activist - Pops Rampersad says Singh's passing leaves a massive void in the lives of all who were close to him....
#PODCAST Big economic boost for the KZN north coast, as a major home improvement retailer officially opens #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - A major international home improvement retailer has officially opened its doors in Richards Bay, marking its very first entry into the KwaZulu-Natal market. The launch brings an immediate economic boost to the North Coast with dozens of new permanent jobs - and signals strong investor confidence in the region. Head of Business Development - Jamie Williams says this opening is just the first step in an aggressive national rollout plan, that aims to bring affordable household essentials to smaller communities across South Africa...
#PODCAST Lower Prices, Less Debt: What South Africa's lowered 3% inflation target means for you #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - South Africa's 2025 Budget has set a bold new direction of lowering the country's inflation target to 3%. But what does that actually mean for ordinary South Africans? Experts believe it will help bring down the price of groceries, ease the burden of debt and help citizens in many ways. CEO of Future Forex, Harry Scherzer unpacks how this shift could reshape household budgets, borrowing costs and the broader economy over the next few years.
#PODCAST Newsbreak Fishing Report - 21 November 2025 #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Cast away with this week's Newsbreak Fishing Report, brought to you by KZN angler Sanjay Ramsarup...
#PODCAST President Ramaphosa claims the US has changed its mind over its boycott of the G20 Leaders Summit #sabcnews
INTRO: President Cyril Ramaphosa is confident that the G20 Leaders' Summit Declaration will be issued as expected. This despite a US promise to reject the summit's outcomes with Ramaphosa opting to issue the Chair's Statement. The G20 Chair's Statement is issued when a single member differs and a formal, consensus-based Leaders' Declaration or Communique is not agreed upon. Speaking to the media on the side-lines of the Social Summit in Boksburg east of Johannesburg on Thursday, President Ramaphosa says he will issue the Declaration with or without the US. Ntebo Mokobo has more... UPDATE: Meanwhile, as first reported by the SABC, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, has claimed the US has had "a change of mind" over its boycott of the country's G20 summit. The White House called that "fake news", saying that the US would not take part in discussions, but that an official would attend the handover ceremony
#PODCAST Ronnie Kasrils pays tribute to anti-apartheid activist Sunny Singh - who sadly passed away this week at 86 #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo. Anti-apartheid activist Ronnie Kasrils has described the late Sunny Girja Singh as a courageous freedom fighter, who devoted his life to justice and a democratic South Africa. Singh died yesterday (Thursday) aged 86. He was a member of the Natal Indian Indian Congress (NIC) in 1956, and was later recruited into Mkhonto weSizwe - the armed wing of the ANC - in the Durban Central Area. In 1964, he was imprisoned on Robben Island, where he spent 10 years behind bars for his role in the struggle against apartheid. Kasrils says Singh was one of his oldest friends, who always put others before himself, and the nation above all...
#PODCAST Struggle veteran Sunny Singh dies at 86
By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - Anti-apartheid struggle activist, Sunny Singh has passed away, aged 86. Singh was imprisoned on Robben Island from 1964 to 1974 for his role in the struggle against apartheid. We spoke to ANC member and comrade, Maggie Govender about Singh's illustrious career in activism....
#PODCAST Legendary filmmaker Gray Hofmeyr debuts his new short-form YouTube series "Snouts & Short Tales" #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Legendary South African filmmaker Gray Hofmeyr, best known for directing Leon Schuster hits, has debuted a new short-form YouTube comedy series titled Snouts & Short Tales. Co-written with his son Ziggy Hofmeyr, the weekly series features Gray in his first on-camera role as Frank, an overwhelmed owner managing the comedic chaos of his four eccentric dogs. Viewers can tune in weekly to watch the pack's misadventures, ranging from snack heists to muddy disasters, on the official Snouts & Short Tales YouTube channel. I spoke to Ziggy to find out more...
#PODCAST G20 Leaders' Summit: The African Civil Society Organisation demand "real action" on climate justice #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - As G20 leaders gather in South Africa this week, the African Civil Society Organization is demanding real action on climate justice. The ACG20 Network - representing over 80 organizations - has issued three urgent priorities: a clear timeline to phase out fossil fuels, immediate adaptation finance for communities already facing climate impacts and debt-free climate finance to relieve the crushing cost of capital on African economies. Charlize Tomaselli, Research and Learning Coordinator Coalition for Human Rights in Development is part of the ACG20. She warns that with rising climate disasters there is no room for vague promises...
#PODCAST COSAS roll out a number of support programmes aimed at guiding Grade 12 learners post exams #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - As thousands of matric pupils wrap up their final exam papers next week, the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) says it's stepping in to help calm the pressure until results are released early next year. The student-led organization has rolled out support programmes aimed at guiding Grade 12 learners through exam stress, anxiety and sleepless nights post exams. COSAS National Spokesperson, Bongani Mpungose says the focus is on helping learners stay mentally strong, emotionally balanced and academically focused during this final stretch...
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