The National Pulse

ANC national chair, Gwede Mantashe, came under fire from the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) congress delegates yesterday, who expressed anger at the ANC’s “Big Brother” attitude and accused it of undermining the union federation at a crucial meeting of its highest decision-making structure. Mantashe staged a walkout, refusing to address delegates ahead of the SAC...

With the 2026 Local Government Elections fast approaching, Defend Our Democracy, together with the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office, the Hanns Seidel Foundation, C.O.D.E and the Johannesburg Crisis Alliance will be hosting a non-partisan panel discussion with civil society, business, academics, grassroots and citizen voices to try answer the question; “are we actually ready for what hap...

What role does facilities management play in keeping South Africa’s public buildings safe and functional, and how can greater professional recognition strengthen the sector? The question comes against the backdrop of previous Auditor-General findings that 76% of audited facilities failed to meet fire and electrical safety standards.  GUEST: John Samuel – The South African Faciliti...

PetroSA is facing a multibillion-rand shortfall in the funds needed to safely decommission its oil and gas facilities, raising concerns about environmental risks and who will ultimately foot the bill. A new Daily Maverick investigation puts the spotlight on the state-owned company’s rehabilitation liabilities, amid liquidation proceedings and questions about accountability and the protection...

A new study backed by UNESCO and the European Union has raised concerns about the growing impact of online harms in South Africa. The report, launched this week, identifies three key areas of concern: threats to election integrity, online gender-based violence and the spread of xenophobic misinformation.  GUEST: Al-Amin Yusuph - UNESCO’s Regional Adviser for Communication and Informatio...

South African motorcycle racer Clint Seller has claimed 12 national titles, turning a lifelong passion for racing into a career defined by consistency, discipline and determination. We speak to Seller about his journey from riding at the age of three to competing professionally, and what it takes to remain at the top of a demanding sport. GUEST: Clint Seller – King Price Xtreme 12 Time Super...

City Power says it is intensifying efforts to dismantle an alleged organised network behind illegal electricity connections in Midrand, north of Johannesburg.  GUEST: Isaac Mangena, City Power Spokesperson

Today is Day 2 of the 15th COSATU National Congress, which reconvened at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park yesterday. The congress will, among other priorities, elect new leadership. Let’s get an update on today’s proceedings with… GUEST: Katlego Legodi, SABC News Reporter Covering the 15th COSATU National Congress

Financial stress can push people into making quick decisions that worsen their debt and expose them to long-term legal and financial consequences. Michael Visser, Head of Services at My AI Lawyer, unpacks common legal mistakes people make under financial pressure and why understanding your rights, exploring available options and seeking advice early can help prevent a crisis from escalating. GUEST...

ANC First Deputy Secretary-General, Nomvula Mokonyane, blamed the DA Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, for the recent chaos and influx at refugee reception centres following a landmark Constitutional Court ruling on asylum seekers. Speaking to residents during a door-to-door local government election campaign in KaBokweni, Mpumalanga, Mokonyane deflected community anger over immigration po...

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration led by Chairperson and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, is approaching the Constitutional Court to seek a supervisory order to guide the implementation of its recent asylum ruling. The Inter-Ministerial Committee will ask the Constitutional Court for guidance on the nature, scope, and duration of a supervisory measur...

Campaign for Free Expression has applied to be admitted as a friend of the court in the case of the fired PRASA whistleblowers who are fighting to be reinstated after the state entity fired them back in 2021. We find out more on the case and why CFE has seen it fit to back the duo… Guest: Chris Oxtoby - Research Associate at Campaign for Free Expression

The Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services says it’s has received more than 500 reports of alleged use of force against inmates by Department of Correctional Services officials during the 2025/26 financial year. Against this high number, we find out more on the incidents and the bodies recommendations to DCS… Guest: Judge Lee Bozalek - Inspecting Judge of the Judicial Inspect...

On this week’s edition of Grow My Business we take a look at the AVIJozi Festival and what creatives can expect from the upcoming event with… Guest: Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt - Founder & Festival Director of AVIJOZI

The Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube, addressed the media in Pretoria yesterday, where she called for a broader assessment of provincial education performance, saying the matric pass rate should no longer be the sole measure of the quality of the basic education system. The Minister’s remarks came as the department declared itself ready for the 2026 National Senior Certificate examin...

Suspended Deputy Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya has resigned from the South African Police Service just as his disciplinary hearing began on Monday. SAPS says his departure is treated as a dishonourable discharge since disciplinary proceedings were ongoing when he resigned. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Dr. Mxolisi Mathebula, Independent Policing and Crime...

South Africa’s census journey has come a long way since the country’s first democratic population count in 1996. As Statistics South Africa and the UN Population Fund mark 30 years of Census, leaders from across SADC are reflecting on how population data has evolved from traditional counting methods to the first digital census in 2022, and what this means for leaving no one behind. GUE...

South Africa’s latest anti-immigration protests, which have reportedly seen at least 24 vehicles set alight and foreign-owned shops looted in Soweto and Durban, have once again raised questions about the economic and social consequences of public disorder.  GUEST: Mpumi Tyikwe, Chief Executive Officer, Sasria SOC Ltd

After yesterday’s conversation we invited Dr. Shadi Magano, Constitutional Law Expert & Senior lecturer at Wits University to clarify the Constitutional Court judgment on asylum seekers as well as help us understand the constitution and what it intends to achieve… - Get a thorough understanding on what the ConCourt judgment asked Home Affairs to do and what the implications of tha...

The Kingdom of Eswatini says the three Third-Country Nationals who were deported from the United States have left the kingdom. This follows reports that the deportees were secretly released to South Africa. Eswatini says the citizens who were flown from the US as part of the bilateral arrangement between Mbabane and Washington DC have been returned to their respective countries. Let’s get mo...

According to a landmark study by the University of Cape Town’s Liberty Institute of Strategic Marketing, titled The Celebrations Economy 2026, traditional and modern festivities across the country now generate over R500 billion annually. Unveiled at UCT’s School of Economics, the research reveals that far from being an occasional luxury, lavish celebrations have become a non-negotiable...

With the 2026 Local Government Elections approaching, how closely do political parties’ promises match the everyday needs of the communities they want to govern? GUEST: Thinam Mali – Part of the Campaigns Democracy from Below at My Vote Counts    

ICASA has withdrawn notices for its Telecommunications Affordability and OTT Services inquiries, citing procedural issues, with both inquiries to be republished for public comment and stakeholder participation. GUEST:  Nomvuyiso Batyi - CEO of The Association of Comms and Technology  

South Africa’s local elections are approaching. But beyond voting and protesting, what can citizens do now to push for better planning and accountability in their municipalities? GUEST: Professor Hope Magidimisha-Chipungu – Professor University of KwaZulu-Natal  

We now turn to the recently held Mintek SCi 2026, where emerging African scientists, researchers and industry leaders are exploring how science, technology and innovation can shape the future of South Africa’s minerals sector. I’m joined by…   GUEST: Dr Ndivhuwo Shumbula – Research Scientist at Mintek