The National Pulse

Part of an on-going research into Lifetime exposure to the suicidal thoughts and behaviours of others has uncovered a concerning unmet need for mental healthcare. To share more of the research is…   GUEST: Professor Frederik Booysen – Wits PPS Chair of Health Economics

Civil society organisation, the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD), is calling on the government to play a greater role in determining the prices of essential food items. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Sibusiso Mboto, Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group Advocacy Coordinator

About 20 political parties contesting elections in the Eastern Cape will today sign the electoral code of conduct. Let’s talk about the significance of this signing in the province, state of readiness, touching on important milestones such as the readiness to service the 3,6 million registered voters in the province after the disasters the province suffered. For more on this, I am joined on...

Last week, the Commission for Gender Equality told the portfolio committee on health that its investigation into six hospitals in the Eastern Cape found that women who had just given birth in the province’s hospitals were left to sleep on cold, hard floors and benches because there were not enough beds. It was also found that some patients were sharing beds, blood on the floors and mould-cov...

South Africa’s municipalities face persistent service delivery and governance challenges. Government’s Revised White Paper promises change, but the Better Governance Initiative says implementation will determine whether residents see meaningful improvements. GUEST: Sabelo Chalufu – CEO and Founder of Better Governance Initiative  

WhatsApp is introducing optional parental controls that will allow parents to manage aspects of their teenagers’ experience on the messaging platform without accessing their private messages or calls. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Paul Hjul, Hjul Consulting Managing Executive

South Africa’s asylum system has reopened its doors to new applicants following a Constitutional Court judgment that found asylum seekers could not be shut out of the system before their claims were properly considered. So, what do the new rules mean, and why could this actually strengthen the asylum process rather than undermine it? I’m joined by… GUEST: Ashraf Essop – Im...

Community health workers in Cape Town led by SAMWU have launched a month wide pickets against the Western Cape government for various issues. I’m now joined by the Provincial SG to find out more on thi GUEST: Solly Malema - General Secretary of NUPSAW.

South Africa’s young maths champions are preparing to make 24 as Peregrine Capital 24SumMore national final looms. We find out more about this competition with… GUEST: Jacques Conradie – CEO of Peregrine Capital 

Today, the country observes World Teachers' Day, an annual celebration on October 5 to commemorate the adoption of the 1996 International Labour Organisation and Unesco recommendation on the status of teachers. The recommendation sets benchmarks on the rights and responsibilities of teachers and standards for their further education, recruitment, employment, and teaching and learning conditions&he...

The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation has noted with concern the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s confirmation that it has issued a third demarche to the Ambassador of the United States of America to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, over what DIRCO has described as undiplomatic conduct. For more on this, I am joined on the line by&hellip...

The Mitchells Plain Safety and Development Forum has launched a trauma-informed holiday programme for children aged 7 to 14. To tell us more on this is… GUEST: Wendy Abrahams - Founder of the Advance Edukos Foundation and a resident of Strandfontein who grew up in Mitchells Plain

#TeachersDay Teachers do far more than teach lessons and prepare learners for exams they are often the first to recognise potential in a young person before they see it in themselves. As we mark World Teachers’ Day today, we look at the vital role teachers play in shaping futures, and the support they need to fulfil that role. GUEST: Shaun Fuchs – CEO and Founder of Centennial Schools...

  For many small businesses, success is not only about having a good product or service. Soft skills such as communication, negotiation and conflict management can play a critical role in attracting clients, resolving challenges and building sustainable businesses. Our guest this afternoon takes us through the importance of this… GUEST: Promise Twala, founder and Chief Operations Offic...

The long-awaited trial into the murders of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend, Chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane finally got under way at the Durban High Court on today. We cross now to our SABC Reporter to find out on today’s proceeding… GUEST: Celumusa Zulu – SABC Reporter  

A KwaZulu-Natal Midlands sexual misconduct scandal is widening with 60 women now coming forward with allegations against a Hilton man. The allegations span several years with a private investigator working with police to revisit an earlier case that stalled. We find out more on the case… GUEST: Brad Nathanson - Private investigator investigating the case

]Hangwani Maumela has lost his bid to stop the sale of a Ferrari seized by the SIU as part of its investigation into alleged corruption linked to Tembisa Hospital. Let’s get reaction from… GUEST: Advocate Selby Makgotho, Spokesperson of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU)

Police have opened an inquest after a 22-year-old woman was found dead and partially clothed near the University of Limpopo campus fence in Mankweng on Sunday morning. The woman was found along Sovenga Street at about 6am, with her head inside a trench next to the campus fence. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Katlego Nyoni, SABC News Reporter  

South African motorists are facing another hefty fuel price increase from this Wednesday, with current projections pointing to petrol increases of more than R3 a litre for most fuel grades. Dr Azar Jammine is the Director and Chief Economist of Econometrix and he now joins me on the line to talk about the impact of this fuel price hike on ordinary South Africans… GUEST: Dr Azar Jammine, Dir...

Rhodes University students in the Eastern Cape have embarked on a fees related protest shutting down academic activities at the institution. We find out more on what transpired today following clashes with the police…   GUEST: Sisipho Ngcumbe – SABC Reporter

Today is World No Alcohol Day, putting the spotlight on alcohol-related harm and the need for stronger action. SAAPA South Africa is marking the day with a National Alcohol Summit at Constitution Hill, following a demonstration led by the organisation to highlight the impact of alcohol on vulnerable communities. Joining us now is…   GUEST: Nomcebo Dlamini - Campaign Director of the Tru...

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights Africa says the North West Department of Health’s responses to the deaths of two patients in their care at the Witrand Psychiatric Hospital, is inadequate. The mental health watchdog has alleged abuse and neglect in the country’s mental health institutions. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Maurithus Meiring, Coordinator...

A warrant of arrest has been issued but stayed against former National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, after she failed to appear in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to continue her corruption trial today. Let’s get an understanding on what this could mean for Mapisa-Nqakula with… GUEST: Bophelo Seleke - Independent Legal Analyst    

This weekend, artists and members of the public will come together in Soweto to create a major mural raising awareness about gender-based violence and femicide. The community-led initiative aims to turn a public wall near Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital into a space for remembrance, solidarity and action. To tell us more is…   GUEST: Nonka Mbonambi – Gender Activist and Curator o...