AREA CODE

IN CONVERSATION WITH BOTLHALE MODISANE, SPOKESPERSON AND REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TSHEGOFATSO FOUNDATION

Families are being urged not to delay reporting a loved one missing, with Missing in Southern Africa (MISA) stressing that the first hours after a disappearance can be critical to finding the person. The organisation’s warning comes amid renewed concern over missing persons following the recent discovery of the bodies…

17 Sep 11 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH MELUSI KHUMALO JOZI MY JOZI STUDENT CHAPTER LEAD FROM UJ

Jozi My Jozi is looking to expand its Student Chapter to more institutions of higher learning, with Rosebank College, Richfield College, North-West University (NWU) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) among the institutions being considered as the initiative seeks to bring more students into efforts to improve communities and…

17 Sep 14 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH STEVEN SAUNDERS PARTNER AT COX YEATS

South Africa recorded a sharp decline in business liquidations in July, but the latest figures suggest that companies continue to operate under significant financial pressure, with weak economic growth, cash-flow constraints and unpaid debt remaining key risks. Statistics South Africa recorded 239 liquidations of companies and close corporations in July…

17 Sep 13 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH SIMA DIAR, NISAA INSTITUTE FOR WOMEN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME MANAGER

The Sixth Annual National GBV Shelter Indaba concludes in Johannesburg today, 17 September 2026, bringing together civil society organisations, policymakers, researchers, funders, frontline shelter workers and other stakeholders to confront the continuing challenges facing survivors of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). Hosted by the National Shelter Movement of South Africa…

17 Sep 20 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH NICOLA MAWSON, PERSONAL FINANCE LEAD WRITER

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) is accelerating its digital transformation plans, with the state-owned airport operator targeting what it calls “Airport 4.0” through the integration of artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, Internet of Things technology, blockchain and robotics across its airport network. The strategy forms part of a R21.7 billion capital…

17 Sep 8 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH Pakes Dikgetsi COPE’s Acting National Chairperson

The Congress of the People has submitted its candidates for the 2026 Local Government Elections, with the party confirming that it will contest the elections on 4 November 2026. According to the IEC Candidate Nomination Progress Report dated 14 September 2026, COPE has submitted 156 proportional representation candidates and 1,359…

16 Sep 7 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH Tshifiwa Dali Transport and Community Safety MEC’s spokesperson

Eight suspects have been arrested in connection with an alleged cash for driver’s licence scheme at the Marble Hall Driver’s Licence Testing Centre in Ephraim Mogale Municipality, Limpopo. The suspects appeared before the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court on 14 September 2026 and face charges of fraud and corruption. They will remain…

16 Sep 7 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH Crezane Bosch DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Community Safety

Gauteng has recorded an overall decline in several major crime categories during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, covering April to June 2026. However, a breakdown of the statistics at police-station level shows that some communities continue to experience increases in contact crime. According to the Democratic Alliance,…

16 Sep 7 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH ITUMELENG NTHELEDI

South Africa’s entrepreneurs and SMMEs will converge in Rustenburg this November for INNOVEX 2026, a two day innovation and enterprise development summit hosted by Brandscapers Africa. The event, taking place on 26–27 November at Ben Marais Hall, is expected to attract around 600 participants, with attendance free of charge. The…

15 Sep 7 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH BONGANI MASHALANI

Credit has become a defining feature of modern South African life, especially for young people and students seeking independence. Many start their journey with retail store accounts, believing this is the only way to build a credit record. But the reality is broader: credit scores are shaped by payment history,…

15 Sep 7 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH PELONOMI ITUMELENG

South Africa’s furniture manufacturing sector faces a growing challenge of waste, with large volumes of wood and off cuts often discarded. Against this backdrop, Burgundy Collective, a local enterprise, has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable carpentry and furniture production. The company specializes in custom furniture, kitchen cabinets, wardrobes,…

15 Sep 8 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH TEBOGO MASHILOMPANE

Gauteng schools are facing a severe financial crisis, with R971 million in Norms and Standards funding still unpaid months after allocations were due. Evidence presented to the Gauteng Legislature shows that 3,647 schools were owed R2.081 billion in May, but only R1.110 billion has been paid. Special schools are among…

15 Sep 7 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH Khathutshelo Rasilingwane

Area Code is a fun and interactive mid-morning show on VOW, which airs weekdays from 09:00-12:00. This show aims to ease listeners into their mornings by keeping them up-to-date with the latest news and trends, while also serving as a student’s “go-to” for campus-related events and information.

9 Sep 11 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHEAL SUN

Area Code is a fun and interactive mid-morning show on VOW, which airs weekdays from 09:00-12:00. This show aims to ease listeners into their mornings by keeping them up-to-date with the latest news and trends, while also serving as a student’s “go-to” for campus-related events and information.

9 Sep 7 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH NICO DE JAEGER

Area Code is a fun and interactive mid-morning show on VOW, which airs weekdays from 09:00-12:00. This show aims to ease listeners into their mornings by keeping them up-to-date with the latest news and trends, while also serving as a student’s “go-to” for campus-related events and information.

9 Sep 8 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH MMEMME MOGOTSI

South Africa’s migration debate has moved well beyond the question of how many undocumented people are being deported. The bigger challenge now is whether the country can build a system that prevents irregular entry, identifies people accurately, processes immigration and asylum claims efficiently, and knows who is entering and leaving…

7 Sep 10 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH XOLANI FIHLA

If you’re heading out onto Johannesburg’s roads this morning, you may want to think twice before taking that shortcut you’ve used a hundred times. Johannesburg has been battered by heavy rain, and yesterday we saw just how quickly conditions can become dangerous. At Siemert Road and Currey Street in Doornfontein,…

7 Sep 5 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH SOLLY MOLAYI

According to Statistics South Africa’s 2026 Mid-Year Population Estimates, the country’s fertility rate has fallen to 2.12 children per woman. That is very close to the conventional replacement level of around 2.1 children per woman. The fertility rate has been declining over time as South Africa follows the broader global…

7 Sep 6 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH NKULULEKO TSELANE

The 2026 Local Government Elections are scheduled for 4 November, putting political parties under increasing pressure to finalise candidates and campaign structures. The immediate trigger for this conversation is the ANC’s reported failure to submit candidate lists in some wards by the required deadline. Party President Cyril Ramaphosa has indicated…

7 Sep 8 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH MR RICHARD

The world’s attention is turning to Cape Town this week as researchers, policymakers, health professionals, community organisations and safety experts from across the globe gather for the 16th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, known as Safety 2026. Taking place from 1 to 4 September 2026 at the…

2 Sep 10 min