Lotus FM News Break
#PODCAST Mining firms and communities agree on new pact to ease conflict and share benefits #sabcnews
by Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Following years of conflict and billions of rands lost, mining companies and surrounding communities in South Africa, have found a consensus to address the social and economic issues causing the volatility. In a recent dialogue, stakeholders utilized the Good Neighbour Agreement (GNA), to create a framework for transparency, conflict resolution and benefits. Head of Sustainability Programmes at Sibanye Stillwater Mine South African Region, Siyanda Siko explains how this pact will work going forward....
#PODCAST Teenager missing after being swept out to sea at Umdloti beach near Durban #sabcnews
by Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - A teenager remains missing after being swept out to sea at the Umdloti beach, north of Durban. Yesterday, three teenagers, including the missing 17-year-old boy, were swimming at the beach when they got into difficulty. Bathing is not permitted at the particular beach as no lifeguards were on duty. Lifesaving South Africa President, Dhaya Sewduth has more details....
#PODCAST Financial Ombud helps recover over R60 million for consumers as banking fraud cases sharply increase #sabcnews
by Newsbreak Producer, Hoosen Ebrahim - The National Financial Ombud's Banking Division says it has helped return more than sixty million rand to South African consumers this year alone. According to Manager for Adjudication in the Banking Division of the NFO, Johan Brouwer, he says most of that money was paid back in fraud-related cases, while other refunds followed findings that some banks failed to treat customers fairly. On Newsbreak, we investigate if consumers are doing enough to protect themselves
#PODCAST Chatsworth youth centre rolls out festive events with games, music and family night market #sabcnews
by Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The Nelson Mandela Community Youth Centre at Chatsworth south of Durban will be hosting an array of events for the young and old this festive season. The centre will tomorrow host its 'Chill Afternoon' from 1pm to 5pm, for young people to play board games, sporting activities and practice their artwork among other things. Program co-ordinator at the Centre, Clive Pillay says they will also be hosting a family night market this Sunday, with live music by a local band as well as a variety of food and entertainment stalls....
#PODCAST Hidden fees drive up cost of sending money overseas from South Africa #sabcnews
by Newsbreak Producer, Hoosen Ebrahim - Sending money overseas from South Africa is becoming increasingly expensive and many consumers don't realize how much they're really paying. Today on Newsbreak, we're taking a closer look at the hidden costs of international transfers. International money transfer company, Future Forex CEO Harry Scherzer warns that bank exchange rate markups, rand volatility, and payment delays are quietly eating into people's money. For families supporting loved ones abroad, investors, and businesses moving funds offshore, these hidden charges can make a significant difference. Scherzer explains...
#PODCAST Public schools barred from withholding report cards over unpaid fees, parents urged to know their rights #sabcnews
by Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - Parents are being advised that it is unlawful for any public school to withhold a learner's report card due to unpaid fees. As the academic year draws to a close, pressure is mounting for many parents, especially those from disadvantaged communities, to settle outstanding school fees before report cards are released. However, the law is clear. Under the South African Schools Act (SASA), no public school may withhold a learner's report card or academic results for any reason, including unpaid school fees. In particular, Section 41(7) of the Schools Act ensures that learners may not be deprived of their right to participate fully in school programmes. Community activist and local councillor, Dr Jonathan Annipen says he deals with an influx of these cases at the end of the academic year and is urging parents and school's to resolve fee challenges without compromising the learner's dignity......
#PODCAST Denis Hurley Centre marks Day of Reconciliation by sharing meals and supporting the homeless in Durban #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The Denis Hurley Centre in Durban are marking the Day of Reconciliation by inviting YOU to share a meal with fellow citizens. The organisation which provides 600 meals a day to the homeless in the Durban area are also using the occasion to raise awareness and funds for its ongoing social and medical work. Director of the Denis Hurley Centre, Dr Raymond Perrier says people of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome....
#PODCAST Search and rescue efforts continue at site of collapsed Verulam temple
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Search and rescue efforts are continuing in Verulam north of Durban at the site of a temple which collapsed on Friday. Five bodies have so far been recovered. Public Works and Infrastructure Development Minister Dean McPherson is expecting a preliminary report on the circumstances which led to the collapse by this Wednesday. Security company, Reaction Unit South Africa are on scene and spokesperson Prem Balram bring us an update....
#PODCAST KZN Premier Thami Ntuli's leadership put to the test in no-confidence vote
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party in KwaZulu-Natal is pushing ahead with its attempts to oust Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli. The party says it's confident that today's motion of no-confidence against Ntuli will garner enough support to succeed. The KZN Government of Provincial Unity (GNU) will collapse, if the MK Party gets the backing of at least 51 per cent of the 80 members of the provincial legislature. Voting is expected to get under way in the legislature in Pietermaritzburg. A special council sitting has convened to deal with the motion which is a crucial test for Ntuli and the GPU. SABC News reporter, Zanele Buthelezi has more details.....
#PODCAST Public works expecting preliminary report into Verulam building collapse this Wednesday #sabcnews
Newsbreak Senior Producer, Taresh Harreeparshad - Public Works and Infrastructure Development Minister Dean McPherson is expecting a preliminary report into the collapse of the building structure at the River Range Temple in Verulam, north of Durban, by Wednesday. He says this will provide details about what happened that led to the collapse of the four story building. Currently investigators are on site taking samples for testing. Meanwhile, search and rescue operations continue - just to ensure that no one is trapped under the structure. Five bodies have since been recovered from under the concrete slabs after an extension under construction gave way. McPherson explains that the process has been difficult because there was no site office or site records available
#PODCAST We investigate what leads to first year university students opting to drop-out from their studies #sabcnews
by Newsbreak Producer, Shanell Daniel - Low grades, personal challenges, or a misalignment of expectations often lead to first year universities opting to drop-out altogether. That's according to Deputy Dean at IIE Rosebank College, Dingaan Moropane. He says that students who are in a predicament at the end of their first year need to take a structured approach to understanding what happened and then reassess and rebuild. Moropane explains
#PODCAST Working off the festive season treats with these simple hacks from Dr. Sarvesh Maharajh #sabcnews
by Newsbreak Senior Producer, Taresh Harreeparshad - The festive season is officially in full swing- and possibly so are the blood sugar levels! This is because this is usually the time where everybody indulges just a little bit more. While you can't avoid it sometimes- there definitely are some hacks to ensure that you work off the festive season treats in order to stay healthy. In this week's Wellness Wakeup Dr Sarvesh Maharajh from Back On Track Wellness and Chiropractics says that even a little apple cider vinegar can help
#PODCAST MF's eThekwini Mayoral hopeful Shameen Thakur-Rajbunsi vows to clean up the City #sabcnews
by Newsbreak Senior Producer, Taresh Harreeparshad - Minority Front leader Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi says there has been a lot of support coming her way since she announced herself as the party's mayoral candidate for eThekwini Municipality. The announcement was made on Friday. Thakur-Rajbansi- who didn't contest the 2024 General Elections- says her decision to run for mayor was influenced by the need to clean up eThekwini. The last time the MF contested was in the 2021 Municiple Elections- where Thakur-Rajbansi garnered just one council seat. She outlines the difference she plans to make
#PODCAST South African's stressed about making ends meet in January- SADAG #sabcnews
by Newsbreak Senior Producer, Taresh Harreeparshad - 21% of South African's are experiencing stress this festive season. That's According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group -SADAG's- Festive Feelings Survey. It shows that previously 73% of respondents were stressed about making ends meet in January- after the festive season spend. These statistics point to the major burden of financial stress on mental health. Researcher Dr. Bronwyn Dworzanowski Venter says there are some solutions to offset these stresses
How did the top 4 parties in the National Assembly perform in 2025? #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad How did the top 4 parties in the National Assembly perform in 2025? From keeping the Government of National Unity together to winning some key local wards in by-elections: the ANC, DA, MK-P and EFF certainly had their work cut out for them. What tone does this set for these parties going into the 2026 Municipal Elections? Experts Prof. Dirk Kotze, Angelo Fick, Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu and Dr. Levy Ndou helped us make sense of it...
Death toll rises to four as more bodies pulled out of River Range Ranch building collapse in Verulam #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad. The death toll following collapse of a temple in Verulam north of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal has risen to four. Three more bodies have been recovered from underneath the rubble of the collapsed River Range Ranch temple. At least eight other people were rescued. All the trapped bodies have now been recovered. The scene has now been handed over to South African police service. The scene is active.
#PODCAST N3TC warns of heavy traffic volumes
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) says traffic volumes along the route are picking up with over 1300 vehicles passing south bound through the Mooi River Toll Plaza as of this morning. As we head into the peak festive period, the N3TC says these numbers are likely to rise significantly and are urging motorists to plan ahead and exercise caution. Chief Operations Officer at the N3TC, Thania Dhoogra says toll plaza's will be operating at full capacity and that 24 hour support will be on standby should any motorist have issues along the route...
#PODCAST National Lotteries Commission concludes reparation process for whistleblowers within the organization #sabcnews
by Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The National Lotteries Commission (NLC) has concluded its reparations process for whistleblowers within the organization who were threatened, victimized, or suffered prejudice. The reparations are however, non-financial but rather symbolic including wellness and psychosocial support as well as educational sponsorships among other things. Commissioner at the National Lotteries Commission, Jodi Sholtz explains some of the reasons behind these measures and how it will be implemented going forward
#PODCAST Newsbreak fishing report #sabcnews
by Newsbreak Producer, Hoosen Ebrahim - In our fishing report feature, Sanjay Ramsarup updates you on the latest from the angling front.
#PODCAST NAPTOSA applauds swift action after 2025 Matric exam paper leaks, they now urge accountability #sabcnews
by Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - The National Professional Teachers' Organization of South Africa (NAPTOSA) has commended the Department of Basic Education for its swift action in protecting the integrity of the national senior certificate examinations. This after Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube revealed that the English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences matric examination papers for 2025 were leaked prior to the start of the examinations. The Minister says this transgression occured in Pretoria, in Gauteng and two employees of the department have been suspended. NAPTOSA KZN CEO - Thirona Moodley is caling for those responsible to be held accountable
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