The National Pulse

Cape Town has been named 2025’s Best City in the World by Time Out, climbing to the top of the global list from second place last year. The Mayor of the Best City in the World, Geordin Hill-Lewis joins me on the line to talk about this achievement… GUEST: Geordin Hill-Lewis, City of Cape Town Mayor  

AfriForum, Solidarity and the Solidarity Support Centre for Schools have started with legal action against the promulgation of the Bela Act. According to these organisations, President Cyril Ramaphosa acted irrationally and in breach of various agreements, as well as a recommendation by the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, by promulgating the Bela Act in its entirety. To tell us more,...

TikTok plans to shut down US operations of its social media app used by 170-million Americans this Sunday. This is happening because of a federal ban that is set to take effect on Sunday, barring a last-minute reprieve. I am joined on the line by Brandon Peterson, tech editor of Reframed to tell us how the shutdown could affect global users and maybe even share a possible last-minute reprieve&hell...

Outgoing U.S President Joe Biden recently announced plans to lift the U.S designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, also revealing that his administration will ease economic restrictions as part of a deal for the release of political prisoners. Cuba has welcomed this decision, labelling it a step in the right direction. To expand more on this, we are now joined by… GUEST: Bryan B...

After more than 15 months into the conflict in Gaza. Israel and Hamas have finally reached a ceasefire agreement, which will see Israeli hostages held in Gaza released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Officials from the U.S and Qatar said the deal would begin on Sunday. GUEST (Jerusalem): Anne Herzberg, Legal Advisor of NGO Monitor - a Jerusalem based Research Institu...

What does the deal mean for the war in the Gaza Strip and why did it take so long for the two parties to reach this significant agreement, and why are we not seeing a long term political resolution to the conflict?   GUEST(UK): George Galloway, British politician, Broadcaster and Writer

Earlier on, I spoke to Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, about something he’s been asking for since he was education MEC in the province; one set of exams for all Matrics in the country. To get a bit of understanding of how practical this call is and what problem this will potentially address, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Professor Mary Metcalfe, Education Specialist

The president of Rwanda, Paul Kigame, together with the former president of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Dessalegn, launched the African School of Governance that they both co-founded. The presidents appointed Professor Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu, a renowned Nigerian technocrat to be the first president and Vice-Chancellor of the school. Professor Moghalu joins me on the line to tell us more about the schoo...

Action SA announced a merger with political party, Forum 4 Service Delivery, to form a single organisation. The merger was announced during a media briefing in Johannesburg earlier today. To get more details on the merger, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Michael Beaumont, Action SA National Chairperson  

The Bishop Lavis Action Community planned a protest with a placard demonstration today following the cut of teaching posts in the Western Cape. Bishop Lavis in the Metro North District, is set to lose 16 teachers due to these cuts. Amanda Davids, Bishop Lavis Action Community’s Media Liaison Officer joins me on the line to tell us about today’s protest and what they are hoping it will...

As part of its back to school campaign. Yesterday, the department of transport in KwaZulu-Natal inspected 245 buses, taxis and minibuses that provide scholar transport in the province. Disturbingly, a total of 47 buses were found to be unroadworthy and were immediately prohibited from transporting learners. Joining us to explain the significance of these inspections is…… GUEST: S&rsq...

What next for Mozambique - now that Daniel Chapo is officially the country’s new president, despite weeks of deadly protests over the hotly disputed election results? Taking an oath earlier today, Chapo promised that he is going to defend human rights, democracy and the well-being of the Mozambican people. But what about the issue of national unity - will he be able to bring about peace and...

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has been very consistent in calling for all matric learners to write the same exams. Lesufi is of the view that this will ensure fairness and equality in the education system. Well, today we have invited him to elaborate further on his single exam call…… GUEST: Panyaza Lesufi, Gauteng Premier

Eastern Cape High Court Judge President Selby Mbenenge, who is facing possible impeachment for sexually harassing a young secretary, had even on his own version admitted to “gross misconduct”. This was according to advocate Salomé Scheepers, presenting evidence before the Judicial Conduct Tribunal hearing the case against Mbenenge. Mbekezeli Benjamin, Judges Matter Research and...

Six more bodies of illegal miners were recovered from Stilfontein mine earlier today. Rescue teams pulled the six bodies from Shaft 11 and rescued another eight miners who required medical care. Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu and Gwede Mantashe, the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, were in the Stilfontein area today. SABC News Reporter, Zebilon Maine was in Stilfontein and he joins m...

The one big talking point for everyone looking at the Class of 2024 Matric results is the fact that all provinces achieved a pass rate above 84%. Free State is the best-performing province, with a pass rate of 91%. The Free State Premier, Maqueen Joyce Letsoha-Mathae joins me on the line to talk about this amazing achievement… GUEST: Maqueen Joyce Letsoha-Mathae, Free State Premier

The National Teachers’ Union has expressed concern about the state of readiness for KwaZulu-Natal schools that are set to reopen tomorrow. To tell us more about these concerns, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Doctor Ngema, General Secretary of the National Teachers’ Union  

According to our guest Edwin Naidu, the matric examination serves as an annual reminder of how society celebrates short-term gains that put the country on the road to long-term ruin. He argues that instead of honouring those with distinctions, there should be a probe into why an estimated 300 000 learners annually do not leave with a matric certificate. GUEST: Edwin Naidu, Head of Higher Education...

We look at the pending Gaza truce deal. The latest development is that the United States of America has indicated that a ceasefire deal is on the brink of success while Hamas says talks are progressing well. We also understand that there is a renewed sense of optimism to end the ongoing war in Gaza. So what are some of the factors influencing this latest round of negotiations? GUEST: Thembisa Faku...

The Hawks are investigating as to whether the 28 undocumented Ethiopian nationals that were recently found naked in Sandringham are indeed victims of human trafficking. All 28 of them appeared in court earlier today after being charged with contravening the Immigration Act. For the latest on this, we are joined by….. GUEST: Philani Nkwalase, Hawks spokesperson  

Let’s now celebrate the St Mary’s DSG Class of 2024. The class of 2024 has proven that when young women believe in themselves and are supported by a nurturing environment, they can achieve extraordinary things. This was proven by Saadiya Daya who obtained 7 distinctions. GUEST: Saadiya Daya, St Mary’s DSG Class of 2024

As we celebrate some of the top performers of 2024. The St David’s Marist Inanda Matric Class of 2024 has crowned what was an incredible year of excellence and impact with a stunning set of results in the IEB Matric examinations. The 148 boys who wrote achieved a remarkable 444 distinctions across 21 subjects, and Theo Dreyer got 10 distinctions.   GUEST: Theo Dreyer, St David’s M...

    Education activist Hendrick Makaneta called on the Department of Basic Education to clarify its position regarding the sale of matric results by a private entity. Earlier on, the department’s spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, said the department is investigating this matter. Question is; Is the department simply launching an investigation into this matter enough? Education Activist...

Earlier today, the Competition Commission released the final report of the Fresh Produce Market Inquiry that looked into aspects and features that could impede, restrict or distort competition in the fresh produce market. SABC News Economics Reporter, Katlego Legodi was at the briefing and joins me on the line to share what came out of that media briefing… GUEST: Katlego Legodi, SABC News E...