February 19, 2026 – eRadio SA – Live from the Garden Route

Government welcomes easing of inflation

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Government has noted the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures, which show that headline inflation eased in January.

According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), headline inflation eased from 3.6% in December 2025 to 3.5% in January 2026.

“The easing in inflation reflects a combination of stable food prices and lower fuel costs. This contributes to a generally contained price environment at the start of the year,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said on Wednesday.

Food price inflation remained steady overall, with several staple items recording slower increases or price declines. Products such as cereals, rice, dairy and eggs showed signs of moderation, providing some relief to households.

Furthermore, fuel prices declined on both a monthly and annual basis, supporting the broader moderation in inflation. The decline of fuel prices also contributed positively to easing transport-related costs.

“Overall, the January outcome indicates that inflation remains relatively stable. Government continues to implement measures to support food security, enhance market monitoring, strengthen competition, and protect vulnerable households from rising costs.

“Government will continue to monitor price developments closely and act, where necessary, to safeguard consumer welfare and support economic growth,” the GCIS said.

Steenhuisen calls for urgent action to protect sugar mills and jobs

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The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has expressed serious concerns about the escalating crisis facing the sugar industry following the liquidation of Tongaat Hulett, which has placed significant uncertainty over the operation of key sugar mills ahead of the April crushing season.

The department has been engaging with industry stakeholders and has been informed that, unless the current funding impasse is urgently resolved, growers will be unable to deliver cane and processing will come to a halt. The consequences of such an outcome would be severe, affecting approximately 15 500 delivering growers and between 35 000 and 40 000 people whose livelihoods depend directly on the supply chain linked to the mills.

“This is not a theoretical risk, it is an immediate economic threat to rural communities,” Minister Steenhuisen said. “If the mills do not open, farmers cannot harvest, workers cannot earn an income, and entire local economies will stall. The longer uncertainty persists, the greater the damage becomes.”

“Government’s concern is simple: the crop cannot wait. Agricultural production works on biological timelines, not legal or financial ones. An intervention that unlocks funding and restores operational certainty is urgently required to protect both production and jobs.”

The Department of Agriculture is engaging with the relevant departments and financing stakeholders to support a practical solution that preserves production capacity and avoids irreversible losses in the sector.

Minister Steenhuisen emphasised that the sugar industry remains a strategic contributor to rural economies and food value chains, and that allowing production to collapse would have far-reaching economic and social consequences well beyond the farm gate.

“Our objective is not to intervene in commercial negotiations, but to ensure that a viable path forward exists so that growers can deliver cane, mills can operate, and workers can earn an income. The immediate priority must be keeping the season alive.”

The Ministry will continue to monitor developments closely and stands ready to facilitate engagement aimed at securing continuity in production.

Licence to drive turns out to be fake

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Metro Police officers arrested a motorist in Parow last week, not only because his driver’s licence was fake, but he also had equipment which could be used to make more fake documents. He was just one of 365 suspects arrested by the City’s enforcement departments in the past week.

Officers were on patrol in Parow on Thursday, 12 February at 09:30, when they noticed a driver acting suspiciously and trying to avoid looking at them.

The officers performed a traffic stop and found the ride-hailing driver's licence to be fraudulent. While searching the vehicle, they found a device which could be used to produce fraudulent licences.

The driver was arrested for the production of fraudulent documents and was detained at Parow SAPS for further investigation.

‘This is another example of public transport drivers putting the lives of their passengers, other road users and their own at risk. Not only is it a criminal offense to drive without a licence, and is it a safety risk, but it indicates a lack of proven competence.

‘Over the last few weeks, our officers have arrested a number of public transport drivers from those driving drunk, to unlicenced drivers and those guilty of extreme overloading. Reliable public transport is essential for the city’s economic development, and while there are many challenges, incompetent, unfit and unlicenced drivers should not be one of those challenges. Our officers will continue to patrol, check and arrest drivers who put the lives of hundreds at risk,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

This week Metro Police officers made 114 arrests, of which 21 were for driving under the influence, while their Law Enforcement counterparts made 183 arrests and issued 11 286 notices.

Traffic Officers recorded 68 arrests, of which 58 were for driving under the influence of alcohol, eight for reckless/negligent driving and two for other offences. They also recorded 28 865 offences, impounded 170 public transport vehicles and executed 928 warrants of arrest.

The Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 1 277 calls for assistance this past weekend. Of the calls received, 446 were for medical assistance, 57 were assault related cases, 35 domestic violence reports and 37 pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents.

The public is reminded to report emergencies or any suspicious and/or criminal activities by phoning the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700.

It’s important that the caller provide detailed information, such as the time, exact address and a short description. This will assist enforcement services to respond swiftly.

Photo: The fraudulent driver’s licence and device used to produce it.

AfriForum sends lawyer’s letter to Minister to object to Graaff-Reinet name change

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AfriForum has sent a lawyer’s letter to Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, to object to the name change of Graaff-Reinet. This follows in response to the Minister’s notice in the Government Gazette of 6 February 2026 that the town will henceforth be called Robert Sobukwe Town.

The South African Geographical Names Council Act 118 of 1998 provides for such objections to be lodged within 30 days of the publication of a name change.

According to Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs, the civil rights organisation’s objection is based, among other things, on the fact that the Eastern Cape Provincial Policy on Naming and Renaming of Geographical Features emphasises that the name changing of places of particular historical significance should only be considered in exceptional cases.

According to AfriForum, in the case of Graaff-Reinet, which has had this name since its establishment 240 years ago, no such circumstances could be found. Contrary to the requirements of the policy, the change does not indicate that the necessary consideration has been given to the preservation of the town’s historical and cultural heritage.

In the letter, AfriForum refers to the study by Prof. Ronnie Donaldson, which established that 83,6% of the town’s residents are opposed to the name change. “Although it is claimed that the name change will improve social cohesion, it is achieving the very opposite, with growing local and national polarisation because of the name change. Residents even feel that the Minister and other relevant authorities are ignoring them,” Bailey says.

“The name change could cause incalculable damage to the cultural and historical content of the name, the tourism industry, the local economy and relations among communities. The responsible choice would be for the Minister to simply withdraw the change,” she adds.

AfriForum calls on everyone, who wants to preserve Graaff-Reinet’s name, to sign the petition against it here.