The National Pulse

OUTA has come up with some interesting proposals that are aimed at resolving the country’s budget impasse without squeezing taxpayers further. This as they believe that there is little left to extract from taxpayers and any increase of VAT must be an absolute last resort. To unpack some of these proposals, we are joined by ….. GUEST: Wayne Duvenage, OUTA CEO

The MMC for Public Safety in the City of Joburg, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku launched Operation Nomakanjani Manje Namhlanje. The operation focused on Undocumented Foreigners and Crime Prevention in the Inner City of Johannesburg. GUEST: Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, MMC for Public Safety in the City of Joburg

The death toll in the Free State horror crash between a truck and a bus stood at 10 earlier today. The crash took place in the early hours of this morning on the N6, approximately 15 km south of Reddersburg towards Smithfield. To get an update on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Sipho Towa, District Manager for Free State EMS Control Centre

We continue with the story. Joining me on the line now is… GUEST: Jean-Pierre Smith, Western Cape Safety & Security MMC

You might have seen the video on social media but if you haven’t, there’s a video making rounds showing what seems like a forceful arrest of a minibus taxi driver. This footage has dramatically escalated tensions between the taxi industry and authorities in Cape Town. Mandla Hermanus, the South African National Taxi Council chairperson in the Western Cape joins me on the line to tell u...

As SA Harvest continues its vital food rescue efforts. We are joined by Ozzy Nel who will tell us more about leadership changes in the organisation and how that will impact its vital role in tackling the root causes of hunger in this country. GUEST: Ozzy Nel, COO of SA Harvest

Is it possible to live in a South Africa where Afrikaners do not have to be in charge to feel they belong? Our guest thinks so and she is of the view that there is something both absurd and tragic about Afrikaners petitioning the United States for refugee status. GUEST: Dr Louise Van Rhyn, Leadership Development expert & Social entrepreneur

Arab leaders have approved Egypt’s reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip, which will allow Palestinians to remain in their territory. According to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, the plan will be implemented in conjunction with a greater plan for peace. Another important thing to note is that this plan rivals Donald Trump’s idea to take over Gaza. So what should follow next...

Around 3PM today, Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, briefed the media at the 2025 Africa Energy Indaba on the latest developments in the energy sector. This is what the Minister had to say… CLIP Energy expert, Chris Yelland, joins me on the line to share his thoughts on what the Minister just said… GUEST: Professor Vally Padayachee, power and energy exper...

Mining company, PP Gemstones, held a media briefing today to share details on its legal dispute with Assmang, a prominent mining company jointly owned by Patrice Motsepe’s African Rainbow Minerals. Katlego Legodi, SABC News Economics Reporter was at the briefing and joins me on the line to share details about this… GUEST: Katlego Legodi, SABC News Economics Reporter  

The World Bank has said that South Africa should end its “excessive” regulatory burden, and that government needs to overhaul its BEE laws. The Bank elaborated that government needs to remove policies that cause the economy to remain stagnant. Duma Gqubule, Economic Analyst and an expert on BEE, joins me on the line to share his views on this… GUEST: Duma Gqubule, Economic Analy...

The Freedom Front Plus has criticised the Hawks' decision to investigate high treason against AfriForum over US lobbying and “spreading misinformation”, saying the ANC should be charged for its policies and state capture. The newly elected Freedom Front Plus leader, Corné Mulder, joins me on the line to share more on this… GUEST: Corné Mulder, newly elected leader...

Through this book, Bruce challenged deep thinkers, leaders in various fields and his contributors to identify ‘One Thing’ that, if they were president for half an hour, they would order to be implemented so it could have impetus that our economy so desperately needs. Guess what I was one of those contributors. GUEST: Bruce Whitfield, Business Speaker, Journalist & Author

The Johannesburg Metro Police Department has revealed that it is currently investigating several cases where police officers are suspected of soliciting bribes from motorists. What is even more shocking is that their investigation will probe fund transfers via e-wallets or cash apps, something that clearly demonstrates that ‘the cold drink’ culture has been evolving. GUEST: Xolani Fihl...

Let’s move to Kenya now where widespread demonstrations erupted yesterday in Kakuma Refugee Camp. We understand that the protests erupted over food and water shortages in the camp, following funding cuts from the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID). This has also affected a huge portion of the health workforce in the East African country. According to UNAIDS, Kenya relies on dir...

One of the most anticipated trials in the Western Cape finally began today, at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha Bay. Residents came out in their numbers to attend the proceedings, a first of its kind in the area. Mbekezeli Benjamin, Judges Matter Research and Advocacy Officer joins me on the line to shed light on the case being moved from the High Court to a Multipurpose Centre&helli...

A few weeks ago, the EFF opposed a VAT increase but also said they would join the so-called government of national unity if the DA left. The ANC has now suggested they will approach the EFF if DA declines to support their VAT plan. For a bit of analysis on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Professor Steven Friedman, Political Analyst from the University of Johannesburg

The not-for-profit organisation Betereinders unveiled its “Not USA, but You SA” campaign in Pretoria on Saturday. Over a braai and under a banner proclaiming their campaign, the group said they did not believe Afrikaners were victims who needed refuge in the US due to the government's land policies. To tell us more, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Johan Erasmus, Betereinders...

What actually constitutes a treasonous act according to South African law? Nthabiseng Dubazana, Legal Analyst from Dubazana Attorneys joins me on the line to help us understand the legalities behind a treason charge… GUEST: Nthabiseng Dubazana, Legal Analyst from Dubazana Attorneys

South African politicians and citizens alike are increasing the calls for lobby group AfriForum to be charged with treason for allegedly perpetuating disinformation about farm killings, the Expropriation Act and more on the world stage. The South African National Civics Organisation is one of the groups that believes AfriForum is guilty of treason, economic sabotage, foreign interference, and inci...

Today, EFF in Gauteng marched to Joburg Water, demanding an immediate end to water-shedding. The party also wants a comprehensive plan for water safety and sustainable water management. To elaborate further on this, we are joined by….. GUEST: Dumisani Baleni, EFF Spokesperson in Gauteng  

Tomorrow, Arab League members will meet in Cairo to discuss Egypt’s comprehensive vision for rebuilding Gaza. This in so many ways is aimed at countering Donald Trump’s plan to take over Gaza. But experts have warned that the difficulty with Egypt’s plan lies in financing it. So how vital is tomorrow’s meeting and what can we expect from it? For more on this, we are joined...

ActionSA has announced several legislative proposals, including one bill that if passed into law will see the abolishment of deputy ministers and limit the president’s powers to make cabinet appointments. Joining us to explain the party’s proposed reforms is….. GUEST: Athol Trollip, ActionSA Parliamentary leader

As we wrap up International Mother Tongue Language Month. Today we are joined by someone who has been described as an erudite scholar of note when it comes to mother tongue education, Dr Tessa Dowling. She is an acclaimed Xhosa lecturer with a Distinguished Teacher Award from UCT. GUEST: Dr Tessa Dowling, Senior Lecturer in the African Languages Section of the School of Languages and Literatures a...

As you may have heard, in the previous hour we spoke to Thandi Mkhanzana who is representing Women In Tourism about the issue of ‘cash back’ allegations levelled against government officials. We are taking this issue forward now as we are joined by MEC Mvoko who is going to tell us more about the Treasury’s action plan in terms of how they are dealing with this issue as we know t...