March 5, 2026 – eRadio SA – Live from the Garden Route

VW Recalls Over 25 000 Polo Vivo Vehicles Over Handbrake Safety Concern

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The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has alerted South African motorists to a recall affecting 25 729 Volkswagen Polo Vivo vehicles, following a notification from Volkswagen Group Africa (Pty) Ltd (VW).

The affected models were sold nationwide between February 2025 and February 2026.

VW has identified a potential issue with the rivet height on the handbrake lever of these vehicles. If the rivet height is outside the required specifications, the handbrake may not engage properly or could, in rare cases, disengage unexpectedly. This poses a safety risk, particularly when the vehicle is parked on a slope.

Owners of the affected vehicles are advised to take precautions until their car has been inspected and, if necessary, repaired. VW recommends parking on level ground, engaging first gear for manual vehicles or “P” for automatic models, and avoiding slopes altogether.

The NCC said it is monitoring the recall closely to ensure compliance with the Consumer Protection Act and to protect consumer rights.

Acting Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu urged owners to act without delay. “Given the high potential risks of the defect, owners of affected vehicles are urged to immediately get their vehicles to any authorised VW dealership for inspection.

Any inspection and associated repairs will be done at no cost to the vehicle owners,” he said.

Shock as Canal+ shuts down Showmax

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French media group Canal+ has confirmed that it will close the struggling streaming service Showmax after completing its takeover of the platform’s parent company, MultiChoice, Africa’s largest pay-TV operator.

Showmax, which was launched by MultiChoice in 2015, operates in at least 44 African countries and has featured a wide range of African films and television series.

In a statement released on Thursday, Canal+ said MultiChoice, now part of Canal+ SA, will begin the process of shutting down the streaming service. The company said the platform’s ongoing financial losses had become impossible to sustain.

According to the group, Showmax recorded a trading loss of about R2.6 billion in the financial year ending March 2024. Losses increased to roughly R4.9 billion the following year, bringing the combined deficit over two years to around R7.5 billion.

MultiChoice had previously invested heavily in an effort to revive the service. Around R3.3 billion was spent on the launch of Showmax 2.0 in 2024, which involved upgrading the platform’s technology and incorporating streaming technology from Comcast’s Peacock platform.

Canal+ chief executive Maxime Saada had earlier acknowledged that Showmax had not achieved the expected commercial success and had been generating significant losses for several years.

Despite the shutdown, the company said the move would not lead to job cuts. Instead, MultiChoice plans to roll out its own large-scale in-house streaming platform aimed at both African and international audiences.

Subscribers were informed of the decision through an email from Showmax, which said the closure is intended to support the long-term sustainability of the business in an increasingly competitive global streaming market.

The acquisition of MultiChoice by Canal+ in September, valued at about 3 billion dollars - roughly R54 billion — created a media group operating in 70 countries across Africa, Europe and Asia. The combined company now employs around 17,000 people and serves more than 40 million subscribers.

Canal+ described the deal as the largest transaction in the company’s history. The French broadcaster already dominates the pay-TV market in French-speaking parts of Africa, while MultiChoice has traditionally led in English- and Portuguese-speaking regions on the continent.

South Africa Mourns the Passing of Soli Philander

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South Africa’s entertainment industry is mourning the loss of beloved comedian, actor and television presenter Soli Philander, who died on 4 March 2026 at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer.

Philander, born Silamour Philander in 1961 and raised in Elsies River on the Cape Flats in Cape Town, became one of the country’s most recognisable entertainers through a career that spanned theatre, television, radio and comedy.

His death was confirmed by friends and colleagues, who said he passed away at home surrounded by loved ones after recently being discharged from hospital.

A Career that Spanned Decades

Philander was widely admired for his versatility as a performer. Over the years he worked as a comedian, actor, playwright, director, columnist and motivational speaker.

He became a household name on South African television, presenting popular shows such as Liriekeraai, Vat ’n Kans, and Let’s Fix It.

Many viewers also remember him from children’s television, where he portrayed the beloved character Timothy Traddle on the show Kideo.

Beyond television, Philander performed extensively in theatre productions both in South Africa and internationally, bringing his distinctive storytelling style and humour to audiences across the world.
Voice of the Cape Flats

Throughout his career, Philander used comedy and storytelling to reflect the culture and everyday experiences of communities on the Cape Flats. His work often highlighted local identity, language and social issues with honesty and humour.

Tributes have poured in from across the country, with leaders and fellow performers praising his ability to connect with audiences and bring laughter while reflecting the realities of South African society.
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie described Philander as a performer who “brought laughter, insight and warmth to audiences everywhere in our country.”

A Lasting Legacy

Philander’s career spanned more than four decades, bridging the apartheid and post-apartheid eras of South African entertainment.

In recognition of his contribution to the arts, he received several accolades, including a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards in 2019.

He is survived by his children and family, who have been widely supported by tributes from fans, colleagues and members of the public.

Transnet suspends nine employees for colluding with suppliers

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Transnet has suspended nine employees implicated in alleged collusion with suppliers as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate corruption and misconduct within the organisation.

Disciplinary proceedings against three of the suspended employees have commenced, with charges against other implicated officials imminent.

Transnet uncovered irregularities through an internal investigation in which 34 audits were undertaken across two Transnet operating divisions for transactions concluded in the 2024/25 financial year.

The audit found that suppliers were overcharging Transnet by anything between 50% and 1000% across several items.

The process to blacklist suppliers involved has also commenced.

“Transnet maintains a zero-tolerance stance on any form of impropriety. This extends beyond instances of overcharging, as such conduct directly undermines our operational efficiency and financial performance,” Transnet Group Chief Executive Michelle Phillips said on Wednesday in a statement.

This development marks a critical step in strengthening governance, reinforcing accountability, and safeguarding Transnet’s operational and financial integrity.

“We remain resolute in our commitment to eradicating corruption across the organisation and will not allow the conduct of a few individuals to derail the pursuit of our strategic objectives,” Phillips said.

Transnet has already approached law enforcement agencies for assistance.

While the consequence management processes are proceeding, Transnet is also finalising targeted actions and implementing systemic improvements to detect and prevent the recurrence of such practices.

Further investigations are ongoing.

Remaining Grade 1 And Grade 8 Learners in Gauteng all placed

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Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, has announced the complete placement of the remaining Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners, whose parents and guardians applied online through the 2026 Online Admissions system.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said that approximately 484 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners remained unplaced in Ekurhuleni, specifically in Tembisa and Kempton Park.

“By Tuesday evening on 3 March, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) had successfully placed all remaining learners in alternative schools in the respective areas,” the department said.

The total figure of Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners that were placed for the 2026 academic year through Gauteng’s Online Admissions system is 392 224. The main application period, which ran from 24 July to 5 August 2025, accounts for a majority of these applications.

Meanwhile, 8.5% (33 650) of these applications were made during the late application period from 17 December 2025 to 30 January 2026.

The department expressed its sincere appreciation for the patience and resilience shown by parents and guardians, particularly while efforts were underway to secure placements for all remaining learners.

The department said schools will initiate the appropriate catch-up plans to assist learners recover any curriculum time lost.

Chiloane emphasised that the Online Admissions system remains an important transformation tool to ensure that all schools in the province are accessible to all children.

“We are pleased to have demonstrated this through the placement of all applicants who applied online.

However, we are determined to improve the system to ease some of the frustrations that are encountered during this process.

“In addition to system improvements, the Gauteng government will be constructing 18 additional new schools to increase capacity in the high-pressure areas that we have identified,” Chiloane said.