Morning edition

1. 01

   Election count points to fragmented councils and coalition season

   Stations broadcast live from the IEC results centres as more than 60% of results were captured by Thursday evening. The ANC led nationally on about 31.7%, ahead of the DA and MK. The DA declared victory in Cape Town, projecting 58%, and led in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni. The ANC lost its majority in Sol Plaatje and Makana, while MK won its first municipality in Richmond. Ballots were torn up in Douglas and stolen in Hillcrest. Parties now face 14-day coalition negotiations, and final results are expected over the weekend.

   Heard on Cape Talk · 14:51 SASTAsk locl about this ↗: Election count points to fragmented councils and coalition season, heard on Cape Talk
2. 02

   Democrats sweep US midterms, markets react

   702, Power FM, Cape Talk and Kaya all covered the Democrats taking control of both houses of Congress. Republicans pressed Donald Trump to change course, and he acknowledged that the Iran war and rising fuel prices may have hurt his party. Commentators framed the result as a repudiation of Trumpism and noted that the Democrats can now block legislation and investigate the administration. On the Money Show, the JSE was reported up about 3.5% and gold higher, while the Nasdaq moved into correction and Asian chip stocks tumbled on AI spending worries.

   Heard on 702 · 05:33 SASTAsk locl about this ↗: Democrats sweep US midterms, markets react, heard on 702
3. 03

   South Africa loses AGOA access

   The cancellation of South Africa's participation in AGOA drew analysis on 702 and Power FM. The country will lose preferential duty-free access to the US market from January. After voting, President Ramaphosa said AGOA is a unilateral arrangement and that South Africa would rather pursue a bilateral trade agreement with negotiated rules. On Power FM, analysts said Mercedes would be the single largest loser, along with wine, grape and citrus farmers. One commentator called it not that big a deal, given additional costs to importers of about 2.5%.

   Heard on Power FM · 13:21 SASTAsk locl about this ↗: South Africa loses AGOA access, heard on Power FM
4. 04

   Springboks open northern leg of Nations Championship against Italy

   Sport bulletins on SAfm, Kaya and Power FM previewed the Springboks' northern hemisphere tour in the inaugural Nations Championship. South Africa and New Zealand are tied on 15 points at the top of the southern standings, and only the top team from each hemisphere advances to the Twickenham final. The Boks face Italy in Turin on Saturday, then France and Ireland. Rassie Erasmus called the three matches crucial. Defence coach Jerry Flannery warned that Italy remain dangerous despite injuries, while a Power FM presenter noted that recent Bok wins had been scruffy.

   Heard on SAfm · 15:33 SASTAsk locl about this ↗: Springboks open northern leg of Nations Championship against Italy, heard on SAfm
5. 05

   Zonke bypasses streaming platforms for album release

   In a late-night conversation on 702, singer Zonke spoke about releasing her new album on her own terms. She said she made a plan instead of complaining about digital streaming platforms, and urged fans to order the album directly with payday arriving. Hard copies will be sold at her concerts on USBs and CDs. A vinyl option is also available, though she cautioned buyers that pressing takes months. The chat touched on a wider frustration among South African artists about how streaming services pay musicians.

   Heard on 702 · 02:45 SASTAsk locl about this ↗: Zonke bypasses streaming platforms for album release, heard on 702