The National Pulse

Today we chat to Eugene Opperman, one of the remarkable South Africans who contribute immensely to social justice. Last month Opperman received the social justice champion of the year award from the Centre for Social Justice which is based at Stellenbosch University.   GUEST: Eugene Opperman, Attorney, mediator, director and founder of Oppermans Inc.  

The Graça Machel Trust has gathered women from the continent in Johannesburg for a three-day Women in Wealth 2025 summit that started today. SABC News’ Economics reporter, Katlego Legodi was at the summit and joins me on the line to share some of the key highlights from day one of the summit… GUEST: Katlego Legodi, SABC News’ Economics Reporter

Political analyst, Tessa Dooms put out a tweet over the weekend that had a number of people worked up. What did the tweet say, you may ask? “MK is the future of progressive politics in South Africa” … That’s the tweet. Tessa went on to say that she will talk & write about this substantively at some point so I thought why not have this conversation with her today…   GUEST: Tessa Dooms, Politica...

President Cyril Ramaphosa wants law enforcement officers to tread carefully when undertaking the mission to rescue miners from underground in Stilfontein, North West. In his weekly newsletter released earlier today, the president said materials used by miners were dangerous and police needed to be cautious. Let’s get an update from someone close to the situation… GUEST: Thembile Botman, Stilfontei...

Earleir today, members of Operation Dudula gathered at the Civic Centre in Jabulani in an effort to block foreign nationals from registering their spaza shops, claiming that they are stealing business from locals. Spaza shop owners are trying to register their businesses as part of government intervention to fight against the recent spate of food poisoning cases. To hear what else has been happeni...

In today’s personal growth feature I will be talking to Professional and Personal Development Coach, Dr. Nozi Mjoli, who has recently a published a book titled The Power of a positive mindset: “Whatever you believe, you become”. Dr. Mjoli will share a few key points that a crucial to one’s personal growth… GUEST: Dr. Nozi Mjoli, Professional and Personal Development Coach  

Let’s move to the UK now where this past weekend, the Africa Center together with the Fatherland group observed the 140th anniversary of the Berlin Conference and looked at the legacy and the ongoing impact of this historic event that divided up Africa along the colonial era borders that we know today. In essence, the conference paved the way for Africa’s colonisation.   GUEST (UK): Olu Alake, CEO...

With Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi allegedly facing challenges within his party. We look at the political ramifications of rumours currently doing the rounds and examine what these rumours mean for him personally and his political future as some are of the view that he may leave EFF.   GUEST: Prof Dirk Kotze, Political analyst based @UNISA  

We outline the objectives of the G20 Summit that is currently underway in Brazil. The Summit will see various heads of state and government approve the agreements negotiated throughout the year and point out ways of dealing with global challenges. But most importantly, South Africa will be officially handed the G20 Presidency. Joining us to talk about the significance of this year’s Summit and Sou...

Today we chat to former Ria Stars club owner, Ria Ledwaba. She will tell us more about her interesting journey and the challenges she had to overcome to become one of South Africa’s revered football administrators. GUEST: Ria Ledwaba, former SAFA vice-president & founder of Ria Ledwaba Foundation  

In October this year, Professor Willem Fourie from Stellenbosch University participated in Meta’s Open Innovation AI Research Community Annual Research Workshop at Meta’s London offices. The event brought together AI researchers and practitioners to explore the latest advancements in artificial intelligence. Professor Fourie presented on the use of large language models to enhance policy advice. T...

2 days ago, I spoke to the secretary general of the All-African Alliance Movement, Bishop Meshack Tebe about their pending court case against the MK Party. In that conversation, the secretary general mentioned a press conference happening today where “everything about the MK Party will be exposed”. It is Friday and we thought we should catch up with the All-African Alliance Movement and hear what...

The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority, PSIRA, has been conducting compliance operations across the country with the latest one being in Midrand, Johannesburg. 2 days ago, PSIRA carried out the same operation at the Southgate Mall where 27 car guards were arrested. Out of the 27, 24 were Zimbabweans and 3 South Africans. To get more information about these operations, I am joined on th...

Violence continues in the capital Port-au-Prince after Haiti fired and replaced its interim prime minister amid political infighting and corruption allegations against members of a transitional council created to restore democratic order to Haiti. The Caribbean nation hasn't held an election since 2016, largely because of the gang violence. GUEST: Jacques Junior Baril, Haitian Ambassador to South...

We unpack the UN Climate Change Conference that is currently underway in Baku. The past couple of days of negotiations at COP29 must have been very interesting and tricky as it is never easy to reach consensus on various issues. However though, as was expected, developing nations called for a dramatic increase in international climate finance. But how was this call received and what was South Afri...

The latest national mortality surveillance study shows that more people are shot and killed than die in road traffic accidents in South Africa, something that has prompted Gun Free South Africa to call for stricter firearm laws. They are also adamant that they will continue to push government to implement proper strategies and laws that will help to get rid of guns in our communities. GUEST: Clair...

    We pose this question as Trump once called the 193-member body “just a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time.” Also what is interesting is the fact that the US President elect has appointed Elise Stefanik as the U.S Ambassador to the U.N. Some of you may recall that last month Stefanik called for a complete reassessment of U.S funding for the United Nations.   GUEST: Brook...

Dipuo Phakathi talks about her journey as a successful woman entrepreneur in the carpentry sector and her journey of accessing finance to grow her business. Her big break-through came when she won the “My fearless next” competition run by Standard Bank for employees with side hustles. She received a monetary prize, plus one year of paid leave to focus on her business. In recognition of her achieve...

Earlier on we played clips from a podcast the EFF released yesterday of their CIC, Julius Malema, addressing a number of issues including the departure of Floyd Shivambu, Gayton McKenzie, Zille’s comments on the number of parties in South Africa as well as being expelled from the ANC and what fighting for the EFF to continue existing actually means. I invited Political Analyst, Dr. Levy Ndou to co...

An estimated 4000 illegal miners are still trapped underground at an unused mine in Stilfontein, North-West Province. Earlier today, a body was recovered, with more expected. Meanwhile, the community is not happy with government’s reluctance to help with the situation. One of the community leader’s, Thembile Botman, joins me on the line to talk about the situation on the ground and react to govern...

Yesterday, I attended the relaunch of the state-of-the-art Wits Anglo American Digital Dome after undergoing major refurbishments. I thought we should talk more about this Dome before it opens to the public in February 2025. So, I’m joined on the line by… GUEST: Dr. Moumita Aich, Head of the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome

A couple of weeks ago I spoke to someone who has started a project that asks parents to delay introducing teens to smartphones. I felt the next priority after crafting a platform for parents to delay smartphones, is advocating for phone-free schools. Someone who is already doing that is… GUEST: Kate Karina, Founder of Be in touch, safer and saner kids  

As we continue with our coverage on the current political crisis in Mozambique. We are joined by the General Secretary of the SA Council of Churches following their recent solidarity visit to the country. So what did their mission find? For more on this we are joined by…. GUEST: Rev Mzwandile Molo, General Secretary of the South Africa Council

  Today we chat to Nick Bauer, author of the book “Great Johannesburg – What Happened? How to Save an African Economic Giant”  GUEST: Nickolaus Bauer is an award-winning South African journalist, social impact entrepreneur and former civil servant.

Following Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni’s 'smoke them out' remarks. We look at how public officials should communicate when relaying information from local issues to national concerns. This as we understand that government communications has a critical role to play in harnessing goodwill for productive purposes and in helping to shape the national mood that assist with the attainment of nation-bui...