The National Pulse

DA MP, Glynnis Breytenbach, whose party wants the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption disbanded, and an anti-corruption commission independent of the National Prosecuting Authority set up to tackle corruption has said “there is no band-aid big enough to fix it; it must be disbanded”… GUEST: Glynnis Breytenbach, DA MP

    Many young South Africans dream of owning a business, but turning an idea into a sustainable venture can be overwhelming, especially with limited funding and high unemployment. Today, we're joined by the writer of this op-ed to unpack the practical steps young entrepreneurs can take to start, grow and build businesses that can survive and thrive.   GUEST: Sarah Rice - Business C...

The National Treasury wants to increase alcohol excise taxes and introduce a minimum unit price, but the proposal has sparked a fierce debate between public health advocates and the alcohol industry. Our guest argues that South Africa cannot continue to frame economic growth and public health as opposing goals, saying heavy drinking is costing the country far more than the industry contributes. GU...

OUTA is seeking an urgent interdict to stop the roll-out of the new Aarto system, in which car owners with unpaid traffic infringements face blocked licenses, sales, or transfers. We find out more on this with… GUEST: Advocate Stefanie Fick – OUTA Executive Director for Accountability

South African households are under growing financial pressure, with many working people relying on debt just to cover everyday essentials like food, electricity and existing loans. As concerns grow over whether the country's banking system is helping people build wealth or trapping them in a cycle of debt, we unpack the issue with the author of this thought-provoking opinion piece. GUEST: Prof Con...

A recent surge of undocumented migrants crossing from Morocco into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta has triggered one of the most serious border crises Spain has faced in recent years, placing renewed pressure on migration management and exposing divisions within the European Union. Let’s try make sense of what is happening here with… GUEST: Zeenat Adam, Former Diplomat and an I...

    The DA, alongside AfriForum and the Institute of Race Relations Legal, is challenging the Expropriation Act in the Western Cape High Court, seeking to have the legislation declared unconstitutional and invalid. The Association for Rural Advancement is opposing this on behalf of the rights of dozens of rural land dwellers.   GUEST: Siya Sithole, The Association for Rural Advancem...

Yesterday I spoke to Zainab Aboo, a Constantia Kloof resident about electricity issues they have been having in their neighbourhood. According to Zainab, they sometime don’t have power for up to 50 hours in a week in the Westrand. If you missed that conversation, please go listen to the podcast on our website. For now, we are joined on the line by… GUEST: Isaac Mangena, City Power Spo...

Former Free State Premier and ANC Secretary-General, Ace Magashule, seems to be standing as the African Congress for Transformation’s mayoral candidate in multiple Free State municipalities, including Matjhabeng and Ngwathe. To help us make sense of this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Professor Andre Duvenhage, Political Analyst from the North West University

Effie Awards South Africa has announced 45 finalists for the 2026 programme, following the first round of judging. The 2026 Effie Awards South Africa edition has recorded a 29% increase in entries, reflecting growing participation from agencies, clients and specialist partners and reinforcing the value placed on marketing effectiveness across the industry. We speak more on this with… GUEST:...

Following the declaration of Gender-based violence as a national disaster, President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed a new National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide to lead South Africa's response over the next three years. But after years of strategies, summits and promises, will this new council deliver meaningful change, or will it become another well-intentioned structure with littl...

The government has given the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) six months to prove it can regain public confidence and strengthen South Africa's fight against corruption. As damaging revelations emerge from the Madlanga Commission, questions are growing over whether the unit can restore its credibility, justify its existence and deliver the turnaround it has been tasked with achiev...

For years, South Africa has battled recurring waves of xenophobic violence but Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia (KAAX) says the state's failure to stop organised vigilantism has allowed fear, racial profiling and unlawful immigration enforcement to become increasingly normalised.  GUEST: Sharon Ekambaram - Leader at Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia

President Cyril Ramaphosa has endorsed the Phase I report of the Eskom Restructuring Task Team, paving the way for the establishment of an independent Transmission System Operator. This aims to create a more competitive electricity market, attract investment, and improve energy security. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Professor Vally Padayachee, Power and Energy Expert

This week, we received mail from Zainab Aboo, a concerned citizen in the Constantia Kloof area, in the West of Johannesburg. According to Zainab, her neighbourhood sometimes goes for up to 50 hours without power and she has tried to get this given attention by City Power but nothing has been done yet GUEST: Zainab Aboo

South Africa’s decades-old plastic bag levy has failed to curb pollution, with environmental campaigners arguing that the country needs stronger action, including a total ban on single-use plastic bags. Critics say the levy has done little to change consumer behaviour, while billions of bags continue to enter the waste stream.   GUEST:  Palesa (Pali) Ntsala, Climate and sustainabil...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has challenged the City of Tshwane Council’s decision to place City Manager Johann Mettler on precautionary suspension, arguing that Speaker Mncedi Ndzwanana failed to provide a legal basis for disregarding councillors’ votes during the process. The Pretoria High Court is considering whether the Speaker’s decision was lawful and whether the council re...

Authorities have arrested a suspected member of a multimillion-rand vehicle licensing cartel accused of fraudulently renewing vehicle licences through the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS). Investigators allege the syndicate exploited weaknesses at licensing centres lacking biometric verification and worked with officials across provinces. With more arrests expected, the case raises urge...

The late Bafana Bafana Captain Senzo Meyiwa's murder trial continues in the High Court in Pretoria. Senzo’s mother, Ntombifuthi Meyiwa, attended court proceedings for the first time yesterday and said she wants justice for her son. Ntombifuthi was speaking outside the High Court in Pretoria as accused number three, Mthobisi Mncube, testified about his alleged involvement in Meyiwa’s mu...

Earlier today, the South African Police Service National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit lead what they call a major enforcement operation in Johannesburg’s inner city. The intelligence-driven crackdown is targeting businesses suspected of trading in counterfeit and illegal goods.  GUEST: Nomvuyo Ntanjana, SABC News Report in Johannesburg

After years of diplomatic engagement, Germany’s Ambassador to South Africa, Andreas Peschke, is bringing his tenure to an end. Today, we reflect on his time in South Africa, the state of relations between the two countries, and the key moments that shaped his tenure. GUEST: Andreas Peschke - German Ambassador Designate to South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini.

As inclement weather persists in KwaZulu-Natal, authorities have activated emergency response measures as the province braces for severe weather linked to a cut-off low-pressure system.  GUEST: Senzelwe Mzila – KZN Cogta spokesperson

The Electoral Commission has briefed the media on its state of readiness for South Africa's second and final voter registration weekend, set for 1 and 2 August, as preparations intensify for the 4 November 2026 local government elections.  GUEST: Fikile Moya - General Manager for Communications at the IEC

Following the launch of the Smart Driver’s Licensing Centre in Sandton this morning we speak to the Gauteng Transport department on the state of licence centres and road safety in the province… GUEST: Lesiba Mpya - Spokesperson for Gauteng Department

US President, Donald Trump, appeared to express frustration with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, shortly before meeting at the White House. Trump made the comments to Fox News on yesterday, just hours before he and the Israeli prime minister met in the Oval Office, their first such meeting since they jointly launched the war with Iran on February 28 GUEST: Thembisa Fakude, Senior Resea...