Lotus FM News Break
#PODCAST Five learners stabbed in racial altercation at Glenover Secondary
By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - The Kwazulu-Natal Department of Education has condemned an attack at Glenover Secondary School, warning parents against taking matters into their own hands. A minor dispute at the school last Wednesday escalated into racial violence when a parent and former learners allegedly stormed the school and assaulted pupils. Five learners were stabbed in the incident. KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education spokesperson, Muzi Mahlambi says they are deeply concerned that adults inflamed the situation and has reminded communities that discipline begins at home. Meanwhile, we spoke to Vee Gani - Chairperson of the KZN Parents Association about what transpired....
Glass Ceilings and Patriarchy: SA’s journey toward gender equality in leadership with Dr Sheetal Bhoola
By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - While South Africa proudly champions equality, fair play, and non-discrimination, persistent gender disparities remain deeply embedded in both political and economic spheres. That's according to Dr Sheetal Bhoola - lecturer and researcher at the University of Zululand. She spoke to Newsbreak on the sidelines of the recent HERS-SA Leadership Academy in Cape Town. In 2019, history was made when there was a 50% female representation in cabinet. However, Dr Bhoola says the glass ceilings, patriarchal norms, and structural barriers continue to limit women's ascent to leadership, raising critical questions about how we can better support and develop female leaders to truly reflect the values of equality that South Africa upholds.....
#PODCAST UCT expert calls on the proposed Tobacco Control Bill to regulate the widespread use of vapes at schools #sabcnews
The proposed Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill of 2022 must regulate the usage of the vaping in schools. That's the word from Professor Richard Van Zyl-Smith from the Lung Infection and Immunity Unit at the University of Cape Town. He was making submissions to the public hearing conducted by the Health Committee on tobacco and related products in Parliament last week. The Bill is aimed at among other things banning the display of tobacco at the points of sale, and to prohibit tobacco products in vending machines. Abongwe Kobokana compiled this report voiced by Newsbreak's Taliesha Naidoo...
#PODCAST KZN Film Authority shines at MIP Africa 2025, boosting local talent and global connections #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Africa's creative capital is Cape Town this week, as MIP Africa and FAME Week 2025 light up the Cape Town International Convention Centre. It's the continent's biggest content market - where films, ideas, and deals are made. The KZN Tourism and Film Authority is in the spotlight, backing emerging filmmakers, hosting powerful discussions and even screening its own funded documentary. Head of Communications Pinky Radebe explains what this showcase means for local jobs, global partnerships and storytelling from KZN to the world...
#PODCAST Eubulus Timothy's film "The Cane Cutter" now in the final stages of production, ahead of its November debut #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The official trailer for Dr. Eubulus Timothy's new film, "The Cane Cutter" has been released - and it has generated a fair bit of excitement ahead of its upcoming debut. The film's story is a compelling blend of a historical love story from 1911 and a modern-day documentary, following the great-grandchildren of the original lovers. Through its dual-narrative, the movie promises to explore powerful themes of family, history, and personal responsibility. With the film set to release in November, Timothy joined Newsbreak to explain how the final stage of the production is going...
#PODCAST KZN Health MEC opens the Thuthuzela Care Centre, in a bid shine the spotlight on women's health issues #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has taken bold steps to advance women's health and safety in the province. Following a cervical and breast cancer screening campaign across Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu and Phoenix, north of Durban, Simelane officially opened the new Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) in KwaMashu. September marks Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. The disease is a significant public health issue in South Africa, being the second most common cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer death among women aged 15 - 44. Simelane says the turnout from the campaign highlighted a growing demand for early detection and proactive healthcare among women...
#PODCAST KZN Transport Department hope the new National Land Transport Act will end taxi & e-hailing violence #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - There is great optimism from the Department of Transport in KwaZulu-Natal that the National Land Transport Act-expected to be gazetted in October- will help regulate the differences between the taxi and e-haling sectors. An agreement was brokered between the e-Hailing Council in KwaZulu-Natal and the KwaDabeka Taxi Association to regularly meet in future to deal with problems as they occur. An incident occurred last week when taxi drivers and owners allegedly assaulted e-hailing drivers. A shot was also fired at one e-hailing driver's vehicle. KZN Transport Department spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya explains how the new legislation will benefit both sectors...
#PODCAST The first day of Spring 2025 inspires our "Wellness Wakeup" feature on renewal and growth #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - It's the first day of Spring- that's right: the 1st of September. While this may seem like just a change in season- it also deeply represents a time of renewal. The season itself sparks nature to bloom and grow- making spring the perfect inspiration for life. In this week's Wellness Wakeup counsellor Vanishaa Gordhan-Narotam gives us the analogy of planting a seed to help us grow into our best selves...
#PODCAST Suspect to appear in court this week for the taxi-related murder of Mohammed Abdul Hammid #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - A suspect is expected to appear in the Durban Magistrates Court this Friday for bail consideration in relation to the murder of Mohammed Abdul Hammid. Qaphelani Nyawose was arrested in connection with what is believed to be a taxi-related killing. In July, Hammid was gunned down by four men in Montclair, south of Durban where he was expected to meet a taxi owner for a work permit to join a local taxi association. Hammid died on the scene but Metro Police officers gave chase. Investigations then led to the arrest of Nyawose in Umlazi. Police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda...
#PODCAST AI's ethical use in Media and Communications takes center stage at the Women in Media panel #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - "Leveraging the use of Artificial Intelligence in Media and Communication" This conversation took centre stage when Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS) and the Tshwane University of Technology hosted the annual Women in Media panel discussion. The goal was to train young media professionals in ethical and responsible media reporting. GCIS's Tshegofatso Modubu explains how AI must be ethically used in order to curb the spread of false news...
E-hailing and Taxi industries await the Land Transport Act to help them regulate their industries #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad. The National Land Transport Act is expected to be gazetted in October this year. It seeks to create to regulatory framework for transportation services offered by taxis, buses, trains and private cars used for e-hailing services. This comes as the e-hailing and taxi industries continue to clash over routes and passengers. Earlier this month a e-hailing driver was killed in Soweto- sparking widespread tension in the sector. In KwaZulu-Natal 15 people were taken in for police questioning after an altercation between e-hailing drivers and taxi operators. Joining us to discuss this issue is Vusi Ntanza, Dep. Chairperson of the The E-hailing Council in KZN, Sifiso Shangase, SANTACO KZN Manager and KZN Transport Dept. spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya
#PODCAST Empowering Women: Dr. Naziema Jappie on shaping female leadership
By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - Empowered women, empower women. Those are the sentiments of Director of Higher Education Resource Services South Africa (HERS-SA) - Dr. Naziema Jappie. The non-profit organisation which is registered with the Department of Social Development is dedicated to the advancement and leadership development of women within the higher education sector. The organisation recently held its Academy Awards recognising the critical role of women in leadership and is currently hosting its Emerging Women Leaders Programme in Cape Town. Dr Jappie spoke to us on the sidelines of the event...
#PODCAST Verulam's pioneering pickle & spice brand celebrates its 77th Anniversary this weekend #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Salma Patel - A well-known pickle and spice family are to celebrate their birthday AND the 77th Anniversary of their father's brand tomorrow (Saturday). Brother and Sister, Professor Rajen Pillay and Dr Kasturi Kalyani Pillay-Varley are the children of the late Pakkiri Pakkiry Pillay of Verulam, north of Durban. The historic pickling factory and warehouse created hundreds of jobs for the people of Verulam and the surrounding areas at the time. P.P. Pillay fought the apartheid system to open a business that built a sustainable household brand that is still around today. Professor Rajen Pillay says he is glad to see how the brand has stood the test of time...
#PODCAST Excitement builds as Africa's first ScreenX cinema launches soon at Durban's Gateway mall #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Get ready, KwaZulu-Natal, for a cinematic revolution! South Africa's first-ever ScreenX cinema is set to launch at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Durban next month. This innovative 270-degree viewing experience - promises to immerse audiences like never before, forever changing how we watch movies on the big screen. This continental first, forms part of efforts to reignite audience passion and drive to visit the cinema. Matthew spoke to Nu Metro's Senior Marketing Manager Beverley Govender, who shared all the details...
#PODCAST Newsbreak Fishing Report - 29 August 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 Festival of Motoring roars to life at Kyalami - highlighting performance, innovation and safety #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - It's all systems go at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit as the eighth edition of the Festival of Motoring kicks into high gear until Sunday. With over 100 exhibitors and 22 major automotive brands revving up the action, South Africa's premier motoring event promises high-octane thrills, family fun and a full-throttle celebration of innovation and performance. But beyond the roar of the engines and burning rubber, key educational offerings will be showcased to educate people on safety and the evolution of electric vehicles (EV's) into the local market. Festival Of Motoring Show Director - Judy Maharaj elaborates...
#PODCAST Women's Month: Phoenix high school learners get empowered by the Sibaya Mentorship Initiative #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - As Women's Month draws to a close, we focus on how young South African women are being empowered to shape their future lives. In Phoenix, north of Durban, a group of learners from Greenbury Secondary School got more than just a textbook lesson. Through a mentorship initiative hosted by Sibaya, these young women engaged directly with industry professionals, gaining first-hand experience in a fast-paced, dynamic field. Greenbury Secondary School Principal Nafeesa Shaik, says real-world exposure is key to inspiring and motivating young learners - especially girls - to aim high...
#PODCAST The Green Connection raise the alarm over secret seismic surveys and oil explorations in South Africa #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Environmental justice organisations are sounding the alarm over what they say is a lack of transparency and devastating impacts of seismic surveys and oil and gas exploration along the South African coastline. The Green Connection says in the most recent case, a certain oil and gas company has failed to disclose production impacts or its surveys which included greenhouse gas emissions, climate disruption, fisheries risks, and the possibility of oil spills. Community Outreach Co-ordinator at the Green Connection, Neville van Rooy says most communities living along the coastlines in question do not know about these surveys and its impact, with many of them reliant on the ocean for their survival...
#PODCAST Don't Miss a Beat: Heart Awareness Month to highlight the SA's Indian community's cardiovascular threat #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - As we wrap up Women's Month, September marks the start of Heart Awareness Month a time when the colour red shines bright in support of heart health across the nation. The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa are once again leading the charge with this year's global theme: "Don't Miss a Beat", calling attention to one of the country's biggest health challenges: cardiovascular disease. Heart disease remains the second leading cause of death in South Africa and what's more alarming is its disproportionate impact on certain communities. Among South African Indians, the risk of heart attacks is significantly higher - with research showing they are 3 to 4 times more likely to suffer from heart disease compared to other ethnic groups. This is largely due to higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol in this population. Heart and Stroke Foundation CEO, Prof. Pamela Naidoo elaborates on the seriousness of the situation...
#PODCAST Legal practitioners discuss how employers can address the workplace phenomena known as "Quiet Cracking" #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Amidst today's demanding work environment, a new phenomenon called "quiet cracking" is emerging, where employees feel trapped in jobs they can't afford to leave - despite experiencing significant stress, exhaustion and panic. This workplace financial trauma, as described by Forbes, leads to a decrease in productivity, a lack of enthusiasm and increased absenteeism. Unlike "quiet quitting," quiet cracking happens under the radar, so it is crucial for employers to take steps to mitigate the potential loss of valuable employees. I spoke with Leila Moosa to find out more, she is the Senior Associate of employment practice at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH)...
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