It’s Thursday, 12 February 2026, and this is News Bite, your fast, reliable update on South Africa and the world, with Marcelle Gordon.
Water, corruption and crime dominate expectations ahead of the State of the Nation Address.
As President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to deliver the State of the Nation Address, leaders, civil society groups and fact-check platforms are assessing what has – and hasn’t – been delivered since last year’s speech. The key question: do ordinary South Africans trust their government to deliver?
Amnesty International warns that public trust in law enforcement has collapsed, (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/sa-under-threat-ahead-sona-says-amnesty-international) pointing to revelations from the Madlanga Commission and the SAPS Ad Hoc Committee as major contributors. Nearly four years after the Zondo Judicial Commission of Inquiry, Amnesty says key recommendations remain unimplemented, prosecutions are limited, and reform is too slow.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi under fire for his tone-deaf water comments. (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/lesufi-apologises-after-water-crisis-remarks-spark-social-media-backlash)
As water protests continue across Johannesburg, Lesufi has been forced to apologise after controversial remarks about the crisis sparked a social media backlash. Residents in Coronationville (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/majodina-blames-illegal-mining-gautengs-water-crisis) say their water supply problems reached breaking point last year, with anger spilling into the streets.
Civil society organisation WaterCan warns that government promises are not rooted in the daily reality of residents struggling without reliable supply.
Lesufi’s comments have intensified frustration ahead of local government elections, with many residents saying the ballot box will be their response to poor service delivery.
Farmers push for stronger intervention on the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak.
The agriculture sector is calling for more decisive action as the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak spreads to seven of the country’s nine provinces. Government plans to vaccinate the national herd of some 12 million cattle, but access to sufficient vaccines remains a challenge.
Farmers in the Eastern Cape’s Kouga Municipality say they feel isolated in their battle against the disease, with some preparing creative protests in the build-up to SONA to draw attention to their plight.
Meanwhile, the January Braai Index shows a 2.6 percent month-on-month increase, driven by rising beef, chicken and vegetable prices, adding pressure to consumers already battling high food costs.
Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says load reduction will be gone within a year.
Ramokgopa says load reduction has already been eradicated in the Western Cape and will soon end in the Northern Cape, though residents in other provinces may have to wait longer.
At the same time, Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson says government’s one-trillion rand infrastructure commitment is not enough, arguing that the country should be spending that amount annually to fully meet development needs.
IN OTHER NEWS
· The Department of Basic Education will fund 7,000 Grade R practitioners to obtain teaching qualifications, with Minister Siviwe Gwarube (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/7000-grade-r-practitioners-receive-teaching-qualifications-says-gwarube) confirming funding through the Construction Education and Training Authority to support studies via UNISA. Going forward, Grade R teachers will be required to hold a Bachelor of Education degree.
SPORT
· At the T20 World Cup, West Indies thumped England by 30 runs, (https://www.enca.com/sport/motie-spins-west-indies-victory-over-england-world-cup) with Sherfane Rutherford striking a half-century and Gudakesh Motie starring with the ball to top Group C.
· The Nedbank Cup last 16 draw has been finalised, with Orlando Pirates defender Thapelo Xoki warning against underestimating Casric Stars.
· Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has apologised after comments about immigration in the UK were labelled “offensive and wrong” by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
That’s your News Bite (https://www.enca.com/news-bite-podcast) for Thursday, 12 February 2026. For developments on these and more, visit enca.com (https://www.enca.com/) or watch eNCA on DStv Channel 403.
