The Best of POWER Breakfast

EBOLA Update @ThabisoTema is in conversation with Clinical Infectious diseases Epidemiologist, Prof Salim Abdool KarimSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Soweto Games Foundation CEO, Andile Gaelesewesays Athletes, volunteers, local businesses and community members are expected to take part in the Soweto Games 2026, a major grassroots sporting and community development initiative aimed at promoting youth empowerment, healthy lifestyles and social cohesion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gilbert Chisenga-a prominent Civil society activist in Zambia says what makes this story extraordinary is that it is about far more than a burial. It is the culmination of a bitter political rivalry between Zambia’s sixth president, Edgar Lungu, and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, a rivalry that has dominated Zambian politics for more than a decade See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa says the investigation forms part of ongoing efforts by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) to improve governance and professionalise local government administration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The controversy has sparked outrage in Parliament, where lawmakers are demanding answers over allegations of corruption, tender irregularities, wasteful expenditure and a lack of accountability.  The Defence portfolio Committee Chair Dakota Legoete speaks to ThabisoTT Tema on Power Break FastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At just fourteen years old, Zwelo Mabuza is proving that determination, discipline and resilience can overcome even the toughest obstacles. The talented young athlete has emerged as one of South Africa’s most inspiring sporting stories, excelling in both karate and golf while navigating the unique challenges associated with autism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prof Denise Newfields from Phenduka Literacy and Maths NPC speaks to POWER Breakfast host Thabiso Tema on whether remedial learning save a generation of learners. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TT in conversation with POWER Kids Phathu and Rori. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Professor Susan Booysen, political analyst, and Adv Lufuno Nevondwe, constitutional law expert, about how the Democratic Alliance (DA) has announced significant changes to its representation in the Government of National Unity (GNU), saying the reshuffle is aimed at strengthening the party’s contribution to government and delivering on the mandate it received from more than 3.5 million voters in the 2024 general elections.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Prof Justin Visagie, Associate Professor at the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, about how, as South Africa marked Youth Day 2026, a sobering reality emerged from the latest labour market statistics: nearly half of the country’s young people are neither studying, working nor receiving any form of training.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Professor Susan Booysen, political analyst, and Adv Lufuno Nevondwe, constitutional law expert, about how the Democratic Alliance (DA) has announced significant changes to its representation in the Government of National Unity (GNU), saying the reshuffle is aimed at strengthening the party’s contribution to government and delivering on the mandate it received from more than 3.5 million voters in the 2024 general elections.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Sakhiseni Nxumalo, multi-award-winning journalist from News24, about how a growing humanitarian and security crisis is unfolding at the Sherwood Hall transit site in Durban, where thousands of Malawian nationals remain stranded while awaiting repatriation to their home country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Vena Chueu, Deputy Chairperson of Literacy4Life, about how South Africa is facing renewed concern over literacy levels in primary schools, with international assessments showing that the majority of learners are still unable to read for meaning by the time they reach Grade 4.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Samukelisiwe Msane, Candidate Attorney at the Equal Education Law Centre, about how questions are being raised about the legal boundaries governing schools that request immigration documentation from foreign learners after admission, and whether the absence of such documents could ever justify exclusion from school.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Rebone Tau, political commentator, about how the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has expelled Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and former national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela with immediate effect, saying both members were found guilty of violating the party’s constitution and undermining organisational discipline and unity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Robin-Duke Madlala, founder of sports website Sportswire and senior journalist, about how South Africa held Czechia to a 1–1 draw in a tightly contested 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A clash, with midfielder Teboho Mokoena converting a late penalty to secure a valuable point for Bafana Bafana.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli about how he has described the growing number of Malawian nationals gathered at Sherwood Hall in Durban as a humanitarian crisis requiring urgent intervention from government and international partners.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Vally Padayachee, power and energy expert, former Executive Manager at Eskom, and former Senior Executive at City Power Johannesburg, about how residents of the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) could soon be required to pay a once-off application fee of approximately R2 400 and a recurring monthly levy of R463 if they wish to install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and connect them to the municipal electricity grid.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Reatlegile Rammuki, AI for Social Impact Enthusiast, about how he has been selected to attend the prestigious MIT Jameel Clinic AI and Health Summer Bootcamp at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in July 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Richard Hoal, Partner at Cox Yeats Attorneys, about how South Africans living in communities affected by flooding, collapsing riverbanks, exposed sewer systems and deteriorating public infrastructure have received a significant legal victory after a landmark court ruling confirmed that residents can compel multiple government entities to take responsibility for infrastructure failures.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Benji Shulman, Executive Director of the Middle East Africa Research Institute, about how the United States and Iran have announced what both sides are describing as a historic peace agreement, raising hopes that months of conflict that shook the Middle East and disrupted global energy supplies may finally be coming to an end.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Dr Phethiwe Matutu, CEO of Universities South Africa (USAf), about how a growing debate is unfolding over the practice of public universities withholding graduation certificates from students who have completed their studies but still owe outstanding fees. At the heart of the controversy is a staggering student debt burden estimated at R55 billion, according to figures presented by Universities South Africa (USAf) to Parliament.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Siyabonga Moses Nkambako, President of the South African Union of Students (SAUS), about how, as South Africa commemorates Youth Day and reflects on the legacy of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, attention is turning to the future of young people and the role that education plays in shaping their opportunities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Luyanda Jonas, President of the South Africa–China Youth Federation (SACYF), about how a new partnership between South African and Chinese organisations is expected to create approximately 1,500 work opportunities for young South Africans in the water sector, while also seeking to address some of the country’s pressing water management challenges through skills development, technology transfer, and research collaboration.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FEEL GOOD WEDNESDAY: Zuko Tisani Falls Short of Everest Summit And Rises Stronger @ThabisoTema is in conversation with with Entrepreneur, Forbes 30 under 30 and Everest Climber, Zuko Tisani.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema in conversation with POWER Kid Otondwa Masutha AKA OttySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Adv Mojankunyane Gumbi about how, as South Africa prepares to commemorate Youth Day on 16 June, members of the Moroka High School Class of 1976 are reflecting on a generation whose lives were shaped by the inequalities of apartheid education and whose experiences form part of the broader history of youth resistance and resilience in South Africa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Lawson Naidoo, Executive Director of CASAC, about how President Cyril Ramaphosa’s efforts to halt Parliament’s revived impeachment process over the Phala Phala scandal have triggered an unprecedented constitutional and political confrontation between the country’s head of state and National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, exposing tensions within the African National Congress (ANC) and raising important questions about parliamentary independence and accountability.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Professor Loren Landau, Senior Researcher at the African Centre for Migration and Society at Wits University, about how the Department of Home Affairs has proposed sweeping reforms to South Africa’s immigration, citizenship and refugee protection framework through its Draft Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Reuben Maleka, PSA General Manager, about how the Public Servants Association (PSA) has proposed the introduction of a hybrid work model across South Africa’s public service, arguing that flexible working arrangements could help ease the financial burden on workers while improving efficiency and reducing operational costs for government.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TT speaks to South African paediatric cardiologist Professor Liesel Zühlke about her groundbreaking work in improving care for children with rheumatic heart disease. Her work has earned her the prestigious UNESCO L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science  Award  for 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ramaphosa Warns Against Xenophobia as Violence Against Foreign Nationals Rises @GwalaBnews is in conversation with Migration and xenophobia expert, Prof Loren Landau.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Refilwe Ntsibande owner, Kebotho Company speaks about their beautiful project where she and her sister empowering South Africans Through Sustainable Development. They build and renovate homes for the needy  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC and National Freedom Party (NFP) provincial chairperson Mbali Shinga is set to challenge her expulsion from the party in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, escalating a political dispute that could have significant consequences for the balance of power in the province's legislature. Sihle mavuso unpacks the story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Ruto has landed in SA and he’s not here for tea only — it’s a full State Visit with trade, security and politics on the agenda. To break it down for us, Thabiso Tema spoke to Ambassador Tebogo Seokolo from DIRCO and a Kenyan journalist who’s been following Ruto’s trip closely.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PROFESSOR ANNE VERHOEF- UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWEST HEAD of AI speaks to us about the much-anticipated Euro office which will be launching this month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Madlanga commission witness, Jacob concedes polygraph unreliable as he denies role in R200m Hawks cocaine theft. Alfie Alfie Dyke-Polygraphy specialist and former SAPS member speaks to Thabiso Tema about how the Polygraphy test workSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Rebecca Davis, senior journalist at Daily Maverick, about how President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe from Cabinet, in a move that signals growing pressure within government over accountability and ethical conduct in the executive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Steve Mabona, spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Health, about how health authorities in Gauteng have issued an urgent public warning following two severe medical cases in the Ekurhuleni region in which patients were hospitalised with life-threatening complications after reportedly using unregulated injectable substances.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Mpumelelo Zikalala, legal expert, about how former President Jacob Zuma is now set to finally stand trial in the long-running arms deal corruption case, marking a major turning point in one of South Africa’s most protracted legal battles.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Marang Setshwaelo, Maria’s longtime friend and sometime professional collaborator, about how South Africa continues to mourn the death of Maria McCloy, with tributes pouring in for a figure widely regarded as one of the most influential and multi-disciplinary voices in the country’s post-apartheid creative industry. McCloy, who died at the age of 50 on Tuesday evening at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg following heart failure, is being remembered not only for her individual talents, but also for the creative ecosystems she helped build and sustain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Ms Nthabiseng May, Communications and Marketing Manager at the Film and Publication Board (FPB), about how parents are increasingly being exposed to suspicious online adverts targeting children and young users. From promises of rapid weight loss and instant riches to miracle skincare products and fake “free” prize promotions, concerns are mounting about the harmful impact of misleading digital advertising.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Ms Kgomotso Ramolobeng, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, about how the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is under intense scrutiny after Parliament uncovered shocking overpricing in a controversial prison food supply contract, with the state allegedly paying thousands of rand above market value for basic grocery items used in correctional facilities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In The Alley: The Radio Memoirs of Twasa – A Powerful Journey Through Sound, Struggle and Stardom @ThabisoTema is in conversation with Veteran South African broadcaster ,Seipati Seoke TwasaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Professor Francois Strydom, Senior Director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at the University of the Free State (UFS), about how the university says it is moving away from what it describes as a “culture of anxiety” in higher education by introducing a new digital learning approach and discontinuing the use of AI detection software across all faculties from July 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Lebogang Maile, Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, about how schools across Gauteng have been left waiting for essential government subsidies that were expected to be disbursed by the middle of this month, after the provincial education department confirmed delays in the release of funds.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Ignatius Briel, LPC Gauteng Provincial Director, about mounting questions after the Legal Practice Council (LPC) reportedly stated that South African Police Service (SAPS) Head of Legal Services, Advocate Simo Chamani, does not appear on its official roll of legal practitioners.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Thamsanqa Mathiso, Chief Commercial Officer at City Power, about how City Power Johannesburg says its long-standing struggle with electricity losses is beginning to show signs of improvement following a series of interventions aimed at tightening revenue collection, improving metering accuracy, and curbing electricity theft across the City of Johannesburg.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Ms Nosie Mazwi, Director: Mining & Industrial Water Quality Regulation, about how South Africa’s growing reliance on private boreholes is set to come under tighter government scrutiny, as authorities move to regulate the extraction of groundwater amid fears that the country’s underground water reserves are being exploited without adequate oversight.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thabiso Tema, POWER BREAKFAST host, speaks to Cllr Eugene Modise, Tshwane Deputy Executive Mayor and MMC for Finance, about how Tshwane Finance Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) Eugene Modise says the 2026/27 budget tabled on Thursday reflects the metro’s recovery from past financial instability and demonstrates disciplined planning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.