2018 Year in Review: Top 10 Newswatch podcasts
In this review piece, we take a look back at some of our top performing podcasts for the year. Newswatch has broken down the top performing podcasts below:
The murder of Durban North woman, Siam Lee sparked anger and outrage across the city. The 20-year-old disappeared from outside her place of work in January. Concerned residents took to social media in their numbers to call for her safe return. Tragically though, her badly burned body was found in a sugarcane plantation in New Hanover in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands several days later. A businessman was later arrested in connection with her disappearance and murder. After a lengthy application, he was eventually released on R40,000 bail. A voice note purported to be that of private investigator, Brad Nathanson was played in court in May. The voice in the clip claims the suspect confessed to another rape while 'wearing a KFC packet'.
Sadia Sukhraj was laid to rest in May. The 9-year-old girl sustained a fatal gunshot wound during a robbery in Shallcross. White doves were released in her honour following the funeral. During the service, Sadia's aunt Lalitha Pillay paid tribute to her in a moving eulogy.
Durban residents demanded justice for a young Phoenix girl after a video of her being assaulted was shared widely on social media. The little girl was allegedly beaten by her mother, while her partner filmed the vicious attack. The 4-year-old was beaten to the point of unconsciousness. The child's aunt (father's sister) told Newswatch that they want justice to be served.
In January, a 7-year-old girl drowned after being washed off a pier at Durban's North beach. Eyewitness, Myron Naicker told Newswatch that a massive wave broke on the pier, sweeping the girl into the water. The little girl died at the scene despite the efforts of lifeguards, paramedics and an off-duty doctor to revive her.
Loadshedding made a comeback towards the end of the year, with blackouts implemented by Eskom towards the end of November and into December. The power utility now says rotational loadshedding is unlikely for the next month or so. When power cuts were implemented for our latest bout of loadshedding, people quickly tried to find their area's schedules - and that's where Newswatch stepped in to help.
Adriaan van Wyk was shot dead during an armed robbery at a popular Hillcrest function venue in May. His wife, Samantha told Newswatch that, while she was left devastated, she was trying to be strong for their son. She described to us what was caught on the bar area's security cameras.
A 23-year-old man was hospitalised after falling ill after eating at a popular Umhlanga restaurant in November. Several other people came forward, saying they also become sick after eating breakfast at the venue. The man's father told Newswatch about his food poisoning ordeal.
2018 saw an increase in sardine activity on the East Coast when compared to recent years. The first signs of a bumper sardine run were spotted in early June. The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board gave regular updates on the shoals, with netters and the general public enjoying some decent sardine activity along the south coast. On the 13th of June, the sharks board gave an update that proved popular among eager listeners.
KwaZulu-Natal residents always need to the know the latest when it comes to the weather. Whether it is going to be a rainy weekend, photos and videos of snow on the Drakensberg or extreme storm activity, East Coasters need to know the latest forecast. In March, the South African Weather Service issued a warning for heavy rainfall - and our listeners needed the latest details straight from the forecaster.
The disappearance of Miguel Louw saw communities rally together to try and find the little boy. Miguel disappeared from outside Rippon Primary School in Sydenham in July. His family and community members searched tirelessly for him, never giving up hope that he would be found alive. His mother made a desperate plea for his safe return in August.
The search ended in tragedy when the 10-year-old's body was found in Phoenix, north of Durban in September. 43-year-old Mohamed Ebrahim stands accused of his kidnapping and murder.