HOT 1027 NOT BREAKING NEWS

Today, Diana Ross turns 82 — and few artists have shaped popular music quite like she has. From a little girl in Detroit’s Brewster housing projects to Motown royalty, movie stardom and a solo career packed with global hits, Ross didn’t just perform the soundtrack of an era — she helped create it. HOT1027’s Tara Penny has more...

It’s autumn on the Highveld — and cosmos flowers are once again blooming in their thousands. No one plants them. No one tends them. They simply appear, year after year. But these delicate flowers aren’t indigenous — and not many people know their roots her in South Africa trace back to war. HOT1027’s Al Prodgers takes a look...

Elton John turns 79 today. From “Rocket Man” to “Your Song”, Elton John has given generations the soundtrack to love, heartbreak, reinvention and survival. But behind the glitter, the fame and the piano hooks was a man searching for something much more human. HOT1027’s Tara Penny takes a look...

Today, one of the smoothest voices — and most unmistakable guitarists — in music turns 83. From the streets of Pittsburgh to global superstardom, George Benson changed the sound of jazz, soul and R&B forever. HOT1027’s Tara Penny takes a look…

Today would've been the 67th birthday of singer and actress Irene Cara — the voice behind two of the most iconic movie songs of the 1980's. From "Fame" to "Flashdance"...her music helped define the sound of an era — winning her an Oscar and a Grammy. She died in 2022 at the age of 63 — after a career that never quite reached the heights many believed it should've. HOT1027’s Natasha Thorp takes a look...

When you hear the word "shebeen", you probably picture an informal tavern in a South African township. But would you associate it with Ireland’s national holiday, St Patrick’s Day? HOT1027’s Al Prodgers explains the surprising link...

A former paramedic battling kidney failure can now continue his life-saving dialysis, a nine-year-old girl with cerebral palsy will soon move independently in her own wheelchair and a hardworking grandmother raising her grandchild has the tools to keep her small business going — all thanks to the generosity of HOT1027 listeners. It's been another rewarding week here at HOT1027making a meaningful difference with Hot Cares to the tune of R226 000. HOT 1027's Tara Penny takes a look...

Today is World Sleep Day — and specialists are warning many South Africans may be sacrificing their health by not getting enough rest. Doctors warn that poor sleep doesn’t just leave you tired the next day — it can weaken your immune system, affect productivity, and increase the risk of serious diseases later in life. HOT1027’s Tara Penny takes a look …

Four South African adventurers are about to tackle South Africa's coastline on jet skis - to highlight the mental health pressures facing our farmers. The ongoing foot-and-mouth disease crisis continues to devastate parts of our country's livestock industry, with many farmers unable to sell cattle and facing mounting financial losses. HOT1027's Tara Penny takes a look...

Today would have been Chris Rea’s 75th birthday. The singer , songwriter and guitarist passed away just a few days before Christmas last year, leaving behind a legacy of soundtracks that still land as well today as they did when he wrote them. HOT1027’s Tara Penny takes a look…

Today is World Hearing Day — and South Africa has something extraordinary to celebrate. A Pretoria-based surgeon is being recognised around the world for pioneering a world-first procedure that can cure certain types of deafness. HOT 1027’s Al Prodgers reports...

Coldplay frontman...Chris Martin....turns 49 today. From early criticism to global stadium tours — his band has become one of the biggest in the world. HOT1027’s Natasha Thorp takes a look...

Singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka has died in Los Angeles at the age of 86. His career spanned six decades and spanned a variety of musical genres. HOT1027's Simon Marks has more...

Avalon Cemetery in Soweto is the final resting place of everyday residents, alongside giants of South Africa’s struggle like Hector Pieterson, Joe Slovo and Lilian Ngoyi. But It's also home to a memorial for 616 brave South Africans who have no grave except for the cold sea — they are the men of the SS Mendi who died on this day back in 1917. HOT1027’s Al Prodgers has the story....

A Joburg mom raising 4 children after losing her sister is getting urgent support, a determined matric pupil can now attend the academic camps that could change his future, and more than 200 vulnerable animals in Joburg South will continue to be cared for — all thanks to the generosity of HOT1027 listeners. It's been another rewarding week making a meaningful difference with Hot Cares here on HOT1027 to the tune of R391 000. HOT1027's Tara Penny has more...

A Cold War-era space station hidden in the Magaliesberg is still shaping the world — and even your daily commute. About 50km north-west of Johannesburg, on the R400, stands the giant dish of the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory. HOT1027’s Al Prodgers takes a look...

In 1896, only 10 years after the discovery of gold, one of the largest single non-nuclear explosions in history, reverberated across Johannesburg. On this day, 130 years ago, a train loaded with dynamite destined for the mines, blew up in Braamfontein. The blast rattled windows in Pretoria and was heard 200km away in Klerksdorp. HOT1027’s Al Prodgers reports…

Parents are being warned that YouTube Kids is not the safe digital babysitter many believe it is. Experts say disturbing, violent and even sexualised content is slipping past filters often disguised as popular children’s cartoons - and it’s happening fast. HOT1027’s Tara Penny takes a look…

Thousands of runners are nursing stiff legs this morning after crossing the finish line at Joburg’s toughest half marathon. It was a brutal test of endurance yesterday - at the Pirates 21k -powered by Medshield - where an impressive new record was set. HOT1027’s Tara Penny reports...

Ali Campbell turns 67 today. From Birmingham to the world, his band UB40 helped turn reggae into pop history with Ali’s voice right at the centre of it. HOT1027’s Tara Penny takes a look...

A deaf teenager is getting the hearing support he desperately needs, a young kidney patient can now move forward with life-saving surgery, and hundreds of children will be walking into school with brand-new shoes — all thanks to the incredible generosity of HOT1027 listeners. It's been another rewarding week here at HOT1027 making a meaningful difference to the tune of R180 000. HOT1027's Tara Penny has more...

Ahead of Valentine's Day, HOT 1027 News is celebrating a little old-school love - the kind that literally lasts a lifetime. We sat down with a Johannesburg couple preparing to mark an incredible milestone - their 70th wedding anniversary. HOT1027's Mathapelo Moloi has the story...

HOT1027 is helping lead radio’s next big leap — and it’s happening right here in Johannesburg. On World Radio Day, HOT1027 has officially joined South Africa’s "Digital Radio Mondiale" — or DRM FM trial - becoming one of the pioneers testing what could be the future of broadcasting. HOT1027's Tara Penny takes a look...

Today marks the 52nd birthday of one of Britain’s most successful - and complicated - pop stars, Robbie Williams. Williams now holds the record for the most number-one albums by a solo artist in UK chart history. But behind the bravado of a showman is a story of insecurity, addiction, and perspective. HOT1027’s Natasha Thorp takes a look...

It’s one of Joburg’s toughest races — a brutal 21-kilometre test of endurance, grit and sheer will. This weekend’s Pirates 21K – powered by Medshield will send thousands of runners up Northcliff Hill. But for one man, ONCE just isn’t enough. HOT1027’s Tara Penny has more…

Joburg runners are getting ready to test their legs – and their lungs – at one of the city’s toughest and most loved races this weekend. The Pirates 21K – powered by Medshield is back, bigger than ever, promising brutal hills, unbeatable views and a one-of-a-kind party at the top. HOT1027’s Tara Penny takes a look…

Today is Internet Safety Day, when South Africa and the world tries to promote safer and smarter online use. Here in our country the stats show that about 43% of children have been exposed to violent or inappropriate content online and nearly a quarter of teens report being targeted by cyberbullies. It's a stark reminder that smart tech and safe choices matter now more than ever. HOT1027's Gareth Edwards takes a look...

A powerful new student production is on stage in Joburg this week— asking tough questions about masculinity, identity, and the emotional baggage men are taught to carry. "The 8th Bag" was created by young performers from Wits - who’ve turned a class assignment into a deeply personal production - that will be on stage at the Joburg Theatre for 4 shows this week. HOT1027’s Tara Penny caught up with the students...

Today would have been Bob Marley's 81st birthday. The reggae legend's music, carried messages of peace, resistance and change around the world. But behind Marley's unmistakable voice and global success was a far more complex man. HOT1027’s Natasha Thorp takes a look ...

A five-year-old boy fighting cancer is getting the nutrition he needs to keep going, flood-hit anti-poaching dogs in the Kruger are back on the frontline and a mother caring for her disabled son is getting support... all thanks to the generosity of HOT1027 listeners. It's been another rewarding week - making a meaningful difference with Hot Cares here on HOT1027 - to the tune of R384 000. HOT1027's Tara Penny has more...

He gave the world one of the most recognisable pop songs of all time — and then walked away from fame at its peak. And today, Rick Astley turns 60 after conquering the charts, surviving the pop machine, and finding a second life - decades after the song that took over the airwaves. HOT1027’s Tara Penny takes a look...

A young boy with cerebral palsy is getting the wheelchair support he desperately needs, a determined student is starting varsity with the right tools to succeed, and a Johannesburg mom living with a disability will soon regain her independence — all thanks to the kindness of HOT1027 listeners. It’s been another rewarding week with Hot Cares here on HOT1027 making a meaningful difference to the tune of R194 000. HOT1027’s Tara Penny takes a look …

As the music industry gears up for the Grammy Awards this weekend, South Africans will be cheering on homegrown stars like Tyla and Trevor Noah. But 60 years ago, it was Miriam Makeba who became the first South African to win a Grammy — at a time when her own country wasn’t even allowed to hear her music. HOT1027’s Al Prodgers has the story...

Today, Phil Collins turns 75 — the drummer who became one of the biggest voices in pop and rock, first with Genesis, then on his own. From "In The Air Tonight" to "Against All Odds" and "Another Day In Paradise", he sound-tracked an era — in an incredible career that all started with two sticks and the courage to take a leap. HOT1027's Tara Penny takes a look...

Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium is home to one of football’s most famous stands — The Kop. Its name comes from a hill in KwaZulu-Natal where the Battle of Spion Kop was fought on this day back in 1900, during the Anglo-Boer War. What makes that battlefield remarkable is not just the bloodshed — but who was there. HOT1027’s Al Prodgers reports...

A little boy is getting the vital splints he needs, ten families have been given a helping hand with school fees and a Joburg mom will soon be able to hear properly - all thanks to the kindness of HOT1027 listeners. It's been rewarding week making a meaningful difference with Hot Cares here on HOT1027 - to the tune of R505 000. HOT1027's Tara Penny takes a look...

A young boy who survived a devastating bout of meningitis is getting much-needed support — thanks to HOT1027 listeners and our friends at Silverstar Pays It Forward. MJ contracted pneumococcal meningitis at the end of 2023 and spent three months in hospital, before being discharged with secondary complications. HOT1027’s Tara Penny reports...

A once-in-a-lifetime sailing adventure has left Cape Town — crossing the Atlantic not just for the thrill of it, but to change lives. South African critical care paramedic Jake Brinkley - is sailing alongside his father, as they turn a lifelong dream into a mission for autism awareness. HOT1027’s Tara Penny has the story…

Every year on the 3rd of January, at exactly 9pm, fans of J.R.R. Tolkien raise a glass and toast “The Professor!” — honouring the Oxford academic who gave the world The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. But this quintessentially English writer was, in fact, born in the Free State. HOT1027’s Al Prodgers reports…

Driving through Yeoville can be an assault on the senses - cars, taxis and pedestrians all vying for space...and that’s only on the pavement. But if you need a break from the stress in the New Year, you can duck into the Yeoville Public Library at 51 Raleigh Street. It’s a haven of quiet and books. Plus there’s a fascinating connection to Johannesburg's heritage. The building was originally a tram-shed and you can still spot the tell-tale signs of its earlier life. HOT1027’S Al Prodgers has the story...

With many spending the festive season at the coast in KZN , some will be passing through Ladysmith — a town with one of the strangest Christmas stories in wartime history. HOT1027’s Al Prodgers takes a look ...

A Johannesburg teenager has raised thousands of rands to give seriously ill children a Christmas to remember. Fourteen-year-old Olivia Busfy from Steyn City was inspired after hearing about "Marang House" here on HOT1027 — when Hot Cares and our friends at Jet Ubunye delivered a van-load of new clothes and educational toys to children undergoing long-term medical treatment. Marang House, in Roosevelt Park, is a specialised home that cares for children living with chronic and life-threatening illnesses — including kidney failure, diabetes and heart conditions. Many come from rural provinces like Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, and would otherwise spend months — even years — in hospital wards. Instead, they’re given a safe, family-style home with round-the-clock care, regular hospital visits, schooling support...and the chance to just be kids. HOT1027’s Tara Penny has the story...

If you ever take a drive through Vereeniging, you’ll find the usual landmarks — the Peace Monument, the Sharpeville Monument - reminders of more recent chapters in our history. But tucked away nearby lies something far older, far quieter, and now at risk of being lost forever — it's a site that may date back a thousand years : "The Redan Rock Engravings". HOT1027’s Al Prodgers has more...

Disabled children are moving safely again, vulnerable seniors have vital hygiene supplies, and a hardworking woman will soon be able to see — all thanks to HOT1027 listeners. It’s been another rewarding week making a meaningful difference with Hot Cares here on HOT1027 — to the tune of R176 200. HOT1027’s Tara Penny reports…

If you’ve ever sat in a South African office and thought, “this place deserves its own documentary", well, someone has finally made one — with polony. The Afrikaans adaptation of "The Office" is nearly here, and it’s proudly, hilariously local. HOT1027’s Tara Penny has more...

Alpha has been named "South Africa’s Best Place to Work for 2025" by the Sunday Times. The Johannesburg-based Group includes Alpha, Body Action Gym, and The 11th Floor restaurant - and it’s been recognised for creating a culture intentionally designed to bring out the best in people. HOT1027’s Tara Penny has more…

A leading digital literacy organisation is warning that South Africa’s bullying crisis — both in classrooms and online — is escalating fast, and that young people urgently need better protection. Moxii Africa - the team behind the Web Rangers programme, says violence in schools is spilling onto social media, and families must step up as part of the solution. HOT1027’s Tara Penny has more… Link to webinar registration

A sanctuary for disabled children in the capital is getting a much-needed wheelchair ramp — thanks to the kindness of HOT1027 listeners. For more than 30 years, the Baby Therapy Centre in Pretoria has helped children with severe developmental challenges take their first steps, speak their first words, and experience moments of independence that many families feared might never come. But without a safe wheelchair ramp, staff have been forced to manoeuvre children across broken, uneven ground — creating dangerous conditions for those who already struggle to move. HOT1027’s Tara Penny has more from Pretoria…

Thousands of HOT1027 listeners were treated to a full-blown Celtic celebration in Pretoria last night — with The Corrs reminding everyone exactly why they’re Ireland’s first family of music. Their "Talk on Corners" tour packed out the SunBet Arena in another Big Concerts - event proudly powered by HOT1027. HOT1027’s Tara Penny was there…

More than 60 aspiring broadcasters have graduated from the one-of-a-kind HOT1027 Training Academy. Over the course of 8 weeks, the academy gave students a front-row seat to the exciting world of radio — from presenting and news to music programming, production and studio tech. HOT1027’s Tara Penny has more…