POWER Up

Wednesday, 4 November 2026

Election day coverage was dominated by the US decision to end South Africa's AGOA trade access from January 2027, alongside a Human Rights Commission report on Gauteng's water crisis and school-quality concerns.

1. 03:12

   US President Donald Trump has notified Congress of his intention to terminate South Africa's participation in AGOA from 1 January 2027, a programme giving preferential duty-free access to the US market.

2. 03:25

   A Human Rights Commission investigation into Gauteng's water crisis identified ageing infrastructure, leaking pipes, poor financial management and skills shortages, and issued 80 recommendations.

3. 03:28

   Eight of nine municipal managers had to be subpoenaed to appear before the Human Rights Commission, which says cooperation with its investigations is a legal obligation.

4. 03:20

   Stats SA's 2023 General Household Survey found 97.3% of 15-year-olds were in school, but only 63.6% of 18-year-olds were still attending, raising questions about learner retention.

5. 04:27

   The IEC fired a presiding officer in KwaZulu-Natal after ballot papers were transported in an ANC-branded vehicle, a decision it says protects the commission's political neutrality.

Permalink for this episode