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As Mental Health Awareness Month draws to a close, the Gauteng Department of Health is encouraging residents to continue prioritizing mental well-being, challenging stigma and seeking help when needed. The department says mental health support remains available throughout the year at public healthcare facilities across the province. We spoke to Radisha Sukhlal, a Deputy Director at the Mental Health Directorate at the Gauteng Department Of Health.

The Department of Home Affairs will extend operating hours to help voters ahead of next week's local government elections. From the 2nd to the 4th of November, offices will be open from 8 in the morning until 6 in the evening. We spoke to Ndileka Cola, Home Affairs Head of Communications

The South African Local Government Association, SALGA, is urging South Africans to turn out in numbers for next week's local government elections. The association says Wednesday, the 4th of November, is a chance to elect ethical and capable leaders for the seventh administration. This as the newly launched Revised White Paper seeks to fix infrastructure and strengthen accountability in municipalities. Special voting begins on Monday, with election day declared a public holiday to allow for safe voting. To elaborate further we spoke to SALGA spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba.

Former President Thabo Mbeki says next week's local government elections are likely to produce hung municipalities. He says coalitions will be unavoidable in some areas where no party secures an outright majority. Mbeki has called on South Africans to participate fully in the electoral process.

Freedom of Religion South Africa has put political parties on the record regarding faith and state regulation ahead of next week's local government elections. The advocacy organisation surveyed parliamentary parties to unpack their stances on the CRL Rights Commission's legislative processes. Group leaders say the initiative aims to empower voters with factual positions rather than endorsing any specific political movement. The findings come as national debates intensify over how much oversight the state should have over religious bodies. Wespoke to Freedom of Religion SA Head of Legal, Liesl Pretorius to discuss the findings.

South Africa's Electoral Court will go into next week's local government elections without a full permanent complement. This after the Judicial Service Commission concluded its October interviews for superior courts, with the Electoral Court absent from the process. The JSC reportedly failed to shortlist enough candidates for the vacancies. Judges Matter Researcher and Advocacy officer, Mbekezeli Benjamin spoke to my colleague Oliver Dickson, about the implications of not having a full permanent complement at the Electoral Court.

King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality Mayor Mkhanyiseni Dudumayo says rescue teams are working to reach four children stranded near the Mthatha River. This after heavy rains triggered widespread flooding and damaged infrastructure across parts of the Eastern Cape. The Mayor says conditions remain difficult but teams are on the ground. Authorities are urging residents to avoid low-lying areas as more rain is expected.

Residents in Sandriver trust, near Hazyview in Mpumalanga have raised concerns over the shortage of water in the area. The residents say they rely on water tankers from the Mbombela Municipality. Some of the residents allege that they now have to buy water from private water tankers since the municipal one's take time to supply them with water.  They also stated that the municipal water tankers have refused to deliver in some parts of the area due to the conditions of the road. Nonkululeko Shongwe and Nosipho Lubisi filed this report.

The trial of alleged criminal kingpin - Katiso Molefe - has been postponed to the 19th of July next year at the High Court in Johannesburg. Molefe, and his three co-accused face several murder charges relating to the fatal shooting of Oupa "Dj Sumbody" Sefoka and his two bodyguards, Vereeniging Engineer Armand Swart and Hector Buthelezi, more popularly known as Dj Vintos. Molefe is charged alongside alleged hitmen Musa Kekana, Tiego Mabusela and police officer Pule Tau. Sashin Naidoo reports.

Former Vlaakplaas Commander, Eugene De Kock has blamed the NPA for the failure to prosecute TRC cases. He says that although he made it clear that he was willing to provide information on crimes committed by the Security Branch no one from the NPA ever asked him to do so. De Kok is testifying on day 99 of the TRC Cases Inquiry taking place in Newtown, Johannesburg. Busi Bopela reports

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has made history, winning the presidential runoff to secure a fourth, non-consecutive term in office. In his victory speech, Lula vowed to govern for all Brazilians, promising to involve the people in his government's decision-making. However, his opponent, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro rejected the result and is seeking to have the runoff election annulled. Bonolo Maribe compiled this report.

Taxi industry leader Dr. Ben Maredi has made history as the first person in South Africa's taxi sector to receive a doctorate. He was awarded the Canonical Degree of Doctor of Greatness at the World Greatness Awards in Nairobi on Friday for his work in promoting peace, unity and accountable leadership. Maredi is the Chairperson of the Mamelodi Amalgamated Taxi Association, MATA and President of the Federated Local and Long-Distance Taxi Association.

The Portfolio Committees on Home Affairs, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs as well as the Select Committee on Security and Justice are satisfied with the readiness of the IEC for the local government elections. The three committees conducted a oversight visit to the headquarters of the Commission in Centurion, Gauteng. Abongwe Kobokana reports.

A look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoeswana, author of Africa Is Open For Business and Africa Bounces Back

The Motor Industry Staff Association, MISA, is calling for urgent reforms after a Gauteng High Court ruled that the Minister of Police is liable for a vehicle that was allegedly stripped of major components while being held in a SAPS storage facility. The case has raised serious concerns about the security of vehicles in police custody, accountability within law enforcement, and the impact of the illicit vehicle parts trade. To discuss the implications of this ruling we spoke to MISA spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola.