Breakfast Edition: 25 February 2016

VIOLENT PROTESTS AT NWU IN MAHIKENG: Irate students allegedly torched a car and two buildings at the Mafikeng Campus of the North West University on Wednesday, North West police said. "A car belonging to a security company was burnt down and two university buildings were also burnt. No arrest has been made, we are investigating the incident," said Brigadier Leornard Hlathi. One of the torched buildings was reported to be the administration building while the other was reported to be science centre building. Hlathi said that police had received reports of a shooting, but he was not aware of any deaths.

NWU STUDENTS SENT HOME: Students at the Northwest University's Mafikeng Campus were told to go home on Wednesday night as the institution's management opted to shut the campus down "indefinitely" in the wake of violent protests. University spokesman Koos Degenaar said: "All students will have to go home indefinitely. The campus is closed." The announcement followed clashes between students and university security as well as the torching of a car and two buildings by students angry at the university's decision last month to dissolve the Student Representative Council (SRC) and replace it with a new SRC council.

FACTORY FIRE IN JOBURG: Firefighters were battling a blaze that broke out in Johannesburg on Thursday morning. According to Johannesburg Emergency Services a factory caught fire in the City West area. "We are not sure what caused the fires," EMS spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi told Jacaranda FM news.

BUDGET 2016: The Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan has acknowledged his challenges in creating a workable budget amidst the deterioration in the global economy, declining business confidence and the severity of the drought. The South African economy is expected to grow by just 0.9 % this year. Gordhan said the depressed conditions reflect policy uncertainty, the effect of protracted labour disputes on business confidence, electricity supply constraints, the impact of the devastating drought and regulatory barriers to investment.

ADELE WINS BIG AT BRIT AWARDS: Adele broke down in tears at the Brit Awards on Wednesday as she emerged as the main winner. The 27-year-old singer was overcome with emotion after astronaut Tim Peake announced her as the winner of the BRITs Global Success Award, live from the International Space Station, and admitted that she had been worried her comeback would not be a success. Adele - whose latest album '25' has topped the charts all over the world - said: "I can't work out if I'm crying because of that video [of her career highlights] or because Tim Peake did it. My kid is going to think I'm so cool. NOTE THAT THIS VIDEO CONTAINS OFFENSICE LANGUAGE!

TRIBUTE TO DAVID BOWIE: David's close friend Gary Oldman accepted the Brits Icon Award on behalf of the family of the 69-year-old musician - who died last month following a secret cancer battle - and revealed that Bowie kept up a positive outlook right until the end. He said: "David faced his illness with dignity, grace and his customary humour, even in dire circumstances. When he wrote to tell me he had cancer, he said 'the good news is I have my cheekbones back'. David, you were mortal but your potential was superhuman and your remarkable music is living on. We love you and we thank you."

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