The National Pulse

Child protection groups are raising alarm over alleged rape cases involving police officers, with concerns about the abuse of authority and the impact on vulnerable children. We speak to Dr Shaheda Omar of the Teddy Bear Foundation about the psychological trauma suffered by child victims, barriers to reporting abuse, and how the justice and child-protection systems can better safeguard children wh...

The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing its worst Ebola outbreak on record, with more than 7,000 cases reported and thousands of deaths. The outbreak, driven by the Bundibugyo strain, has spread across seven provinces, raising concerns about containment and regional transmission. We take a look at the factors driving the outbreak, the response on the ground, the lack of an approved vaccine or t...

Fourteen of Gauteng’s 45 government-funded housing projects have been illegally occupied, leaving legitimate beneficiaries waiting for homes amid project delays and costly eviction processes. We speak to the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and housing experts about the causes of these invasions, beneficiary-list management, project delays, and what government is doing to protect publ...

The South African Police Service has responded to speculation about a possible serial killer after a fifth woman’s body was found in Kempton Park this morning. National police spokesperson Brigadier, Athlenda Mathe, said that while there were similarities in the way some of the victims were found, it was premature to say the deaths were the work of a serial killer. Let’s get some under...

The first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland met in Cardiff today to discuss ways of "working more closely", including on constitutional issues. The leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland say the future of their nations "belongs in the European Union" as they call for independence from the UK. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Professor Patrick Bon...

South African amputee Mqondisi “King Nipho” Ntshangase is walking 5,000km across the country on a prosthetic leg to advocate for disability inclusion, social cohesion and Ubuntu. Having already covered more than 2,000km, his journey highlights the challenges faced by people living with disabilities and the need for greater access to prosthetics, rehabilitation, mobility support and inc...

Ahead of the upcoming 18th BRICS summit, you penned an op:ed in which you argue that BRICS is helping shift the global balance of power but beyond summits, declarations and diplomatic rhetoric, what concrete evidence do we have that BRICS is actually weakening the dominance of the traditional Western powers and creating a genuinely new global order? GUEST: Dr Rajendran Govender is a Social Anthrop...

As South Africa heads towards the upcoming local government elections, disability rights activists are raising concerns about the continued exclusion of people with disabilities from political leadership and meaningful participation. We find out more on this issue with Guest: Patrick Mahlakoane - The Disabled People South Africa National Chair

The reopened inquest into the death of struggle icon Steve Biko has been halted in the Gqeberha High Court. This followed an application by Biko's family for a temporary postponement to allow them more time to properly prepare. We find out more details with… GUEST: Lubabalo Dada - SABC NEWS Reporter  

Political Intelligence and Risk Advisory, Rebone Tau, penned an interesting opinion piece about the ANC and the issues the party has been facing particularly with the Eastern Cape list. According to Rebone, The biggest problem in the Eastern Cape is a political problem more than an administrative problem. Let’s find out more… GUEST: Rebone Tau - Political Commentator

March and March Movement is marching outside the Department of Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre in eThekwini, protesting against the group of displaced refugees and asylum seekers camped outside the centre. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Celumusa Zulu, SABC News Reporter in eThekwini

Cornelius Kekana, the chairperson of Burkinabee community development centre in Zebediela, under the Lepelle Nkumpi Municipality in Limpopo got in touch with us about water challenges in their ward. Let’s get the full story from… GUEST: Cornelius Kekana, Chairperson of Burkinabee Community Development Centre

We continue with our conversations in celebrating and commemorating the 40 years of the Teddy Bear Foundation legacy, I’m now joined by to reflect on the importance of the work of the foundation… GUEST: Dr Shaheda Omar – Director of the Teddy Bear Foundation

We now take a moment to look ahead at the next 40 years with… GUEST: David O Sullivan – Patron

President of the MK Party, Jacob Zuma, has removed Zandile Hlophe-Mkhwanazi as the mayoral candidate for the City of eThekwini days after she was announced as the face of the party in that metro. Hlophe-Mkhwanazi is reportedly under investigation for allegedly manipulating councillor candidate lists that were submitted to the IEC. The party has also removed her and Sibonelo Maphumulo from the Nati...

GUEST: Patrick O Flaherty – Teddy Bear Foundation Chairperson

The Section 89 Impeachment Committee has voted to oppose court applications challenging its decision to remove Advocate Thandazani Madonsela as evidence leader. The decision passed 19 votes to 9.   GUEST: Lawson Naidoo, Executive Secretary of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC)

Tunisian journalists protested on Tuesday to demand the release of prominent journalist Mohamed Yousfi, whose arrest has become a new flashpoint amid accusations that President Kais Saied is cracking down on the country’s ‌remaining independent voices.

The Cape Forum hosted the Local Government Elections Dialogue today. The forum invited leading political parties in the Western Cape and their representatives to discuss issues that matter, political parties’ plans for their communities, and the future of local government in the province.

South Africa's economy contracted by 0.2% in the second quarter, reversing the 0.4% growth recorded in the first three months of the year, according to figures released by Stats SA today. For more on this, I am joined on the line by... GUEST: Risenga Maluleke, Statistician General of South Africa

Last week we spoke to SABC News UN Correspondent, Sherwin Bryce-Pease about the majority of UN member states voting to re-examine the size of the map of Africa. United States was the only country that voted against the suggestion. Thembisa Fakude, Senior Researcher and Director Africa Asia Dialogues asks if we should rejoice at this? Let’s find out more… GUEST: Thembisa Fakude, Senior...

One hundred municipalities have now signed up to a Code for Ethical Leadership in Local Government, but with South Africans continuing to experience poor service delivery, financial mismanagement and governance failures, the big question is whether this commitment will change what happens on the ground. The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, joins us t...

Advocates for Transformation has released a media statement condemning a sustained and escalating campaign of threats and intimidation against its national chairperson, Myron Dewrance SC, and advocate Sandile Khumalo SC.  GUEST: Andy Mashaile - Retired Interpol Ambassador and Security Strategist

South Africa produces enough food to feed its population, yet millions still face hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity. So, is our food crisis really about a shortage of food — or is it about who controls the journey from the farm to our plates, and how that power influences what we pay and what we eat? GUEST: Mariam Mayet - Executive director of the African Centre for Biodiversity

Today the International community observes International Literacy Day, which is observed annually on the 8th of September. Back at home, an organisation that has been committed to advancing literacy through its advocacy work joins us this afternoon… GUEST: Sibhekaphi Sibanda – Project Manager at READ Educational Trust