Update@Noon

This Friday, SAfm’s radio anchor Sakina Kamwendo once again spoke to Martin Creamer, publishing editor of Engineering News & Mining Weekly, delving deeper into the world of mining and engineering.

South Africa and Namibia are set to strengthen ties as leaders meet in the 4th Session of the South Africa-Namibia Binational Commission. Ministers from both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen co-operation. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says the relationship between South Africa and Namibia is a special one. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Professor Henning Melber, Analyst and Senior Advisor at the Nordic Africa Institute in Sweden.

More than 300 undocumented migrants have now been arrested in Limpopo. This as officials from the police, Home Affairs and the Hawks conduct a multidisciplinary operation to deal with illegal immigration. Police have set up roadblocks across the province including the Capricorn District where some commuters have abandoned their vehicles. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the province's Acting police commissioner, Major General Jan Scheepers,

The North West government has expressed profound sadness and extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of two young initiates who tragically lost their lives during the 2026 winter initiation season. One initiate died at a registered initiation school in Bodibe Village, while the other died at an illegal initiation school in Khuma. Authorities have since closed the illegal school and rescued 41 initiates, who were taken for medical treatment. Nationally, at least 43 initiates have died, while authorities have opened 116 criminal cases and shut down dozens of illegal initiation schools this year. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Northwest Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesperson Thebeetsile Keameditse

The Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has raised concerns over the low compliance of spaza shops with licensing and food safety regulations across Gauteng. Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka says municipalities are struggling to enforce health and business laws because of a severe shortage of Environmental Health Practitioners. The Public Protector office, today released the findings of an investigation into the enforcement of food safety and hygiene regulations in Gauteng's informal food sector. The probe follows a series of incidents across the country in 2024, when children died after allegedly consuming contaminated food bought from spaza shops. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Gauteng Government spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga