The National Pulse

The 2026 Local Government Elections Electoral Code of Conduct and Disinformation Pledge Signing Ceremony happened earlier today at Flamingo Casino in the Northern Cape. The programme brought together key election stakeholders for important discussions on the significance of the Electoral Code of Conduct, election preparations and the role of stakeholders in supporting a peaceful and credible elect...

At just 18, South African archer Danya Thompson is already a world champion. Now, the Grade 12 learner has added another milestone to her sporting career, earning national colours in water polo after representing South Africa internationally in Croatia. GUEST: Danya Thompson - Archer and Water Polo Player

GUEST: Lehlogonolo Masoga - Services SETA Administrator

Civil society groups are questioning the transparency of the government's plans to amend South Africa’s firearms laws. The debate centres not only on proposed changes to firearm regulation, but also on whether affected stakeholders have been meaningfully consulted and whether the evidence behind the proposed reforms has been made public. GUEST: Reece Clark - Spokesperson for Civil Society SA

A GroundUp investigation is raising questions about how the Gauteng Department of Social Development has handled allegations of corruption and mismanagement. The department has spent at least R3.2-million on forensic audits, but the investigation finds that action has been slow, while some organisations were defunded despite later being cleared. GUEST: Daniel Steyn – Investigative Journalist

The case against Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lt-General, Shadrack Sibiya, who faces charges of rape, human trafficking and the sexual grooming of a minor, has been postponed to Thursday. Sibiya was in court for his bail application at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court. GUEST: Sashin Naidoo, SABC News Reporter

In one of the bloodiest weekends in recent South African history, mass shootings claimed the lives of at least 27 people, with another 26 wounded, in separate attacks. Questions are being asked about whether police intelligence gathering is hopelessly inadequate for tracking violent groups and providing early warning of such attacks. Even worse, there is concern policing incompetence is contributi...

Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, says he has examined the possibility of a US military attack against Canada. In an interview with The New York Times last week, Carney described an attack as an “extreme tail risk” – an event with a very low probability but potentially severe consequences.  GUEST: Brooks Spector, Associate Editor at The Daily Maverick

Today marks World News Day, a day that highlights the role of journalism in informing the public and holding power to account. But in an age where almost anyone can publish a video, post a claim or break a story on social media, what makes journalism different? Why does Journalism still matter today? GUEST: Professor Glenda Daniels – Professor of Media Studies at University of the Witwatersr...

The recent tavern shootings in Gauteng and the Western Cape, which left 28 people dead and 26 injured, have renewed questions about how liquor establishments are located, licensed and monitored in South Africa.  GUEST: Aadielah Maker Diedericks - Secretary General at the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in South Africa

The MOSA International Choir brings together choristers from Mozambique and South Africa, celebrating the shared musical and cultural heritage of the two countries. The choir also pays tribute to the legacy of DC Marivate, a pioneer of African-language music and the first author to write a novel in Xitsonga. GUEST: Peter H Mageza – Choir Master

As more township businesses embrace technology, is digitisation simply about moving from cash to digital payments, or can it give entrepreneurs the tools and financial visibility they need to grow sustainable businesses? GUEST: Abram Ndlovu – Sales Supervisor at Altron Fintech

Thembisa Fakude, Senior Research Fellow at Africa Asia Dialogues (AfrAsid), wrote a piece on the murder of women across South Africa. According to Thembisa, the declaration of the state of emergency is long overdue. GUEST: Thembisa Fakude, Senior Research Fellow at Africa Asia Dialogues (AfrAsid)

Three generations of South African women will come together at the Cradle of Humankind this week to reflect on the struggles and victories of women in 1956 and 1976, and ask what remains unfinished. The Three Generations of Women Summit, taking place on 29 and 30 September, will focus on issues including gender-based violence, economic empowerment, ethical leadership, education, health and active...

The Activists and Citizens Forum has accused ANC MP, Khusela Sangoni of shielding Police Minister on special leave, Senzo Mchunu, at the expense of suspended National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola. The forum, speaking through Dennis Bloem, says that line of questioning has run the other way for months, not holding the minister to account. GUEST: Mdumiseni Ntuli, ANC Chief Whip

The Gauteng Community Safety Department says it hopes today’s men-led march against gender-based violence will start to shift the burden of prevention from survivors to perpetrators and bystanders of abuse. The march took place in Kwa-Thema township in Ekurhuleni today. Let’s find out more about this from Neria Hlakotsa, SABC News Reporter who was on the ground in Kwa-Thema… GUE...

The divide between Cape Town’s poorer communities and some of its wealthiest suburbs came under scrutiny yesterday as residents protesting against the City’s R114 million N2 wall questioned who gets to enjoy the city and its resources. Movement for CARE took its campaign against the N2 Edge project to the Sea Point Promenade yesterday, where residents spoke about conditions in communit...

The City of Tshwane has secured a High Court judgment against the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency, MEGA, over unpaid municipal services at the Ekandustria Industrial Park. MEGA was initially ordered to pay R231 million, but the debt has since grown to R461 million, with the court giving the agency 10 days to settle the amount. GUEST: Eugene Modise - The Deputy Executive Mayor and MMC for Finance

Eskom board chair Mteto Nyati’s tenure has been extended for another three years, as the power utility enters what government describes as a new phase of its transformation. The focus is now shifting towards Eskom’s longer-term mandate, financial sustainability and its role in a changing electricity market. What should Eskom prioritise over the next three years? Guest: Kgosientsho Ramo...

The government says the next phase of Eskom has been dubbed “Eskom 2.0". This phase must focus on sustained energy security, financial sustainability and a clear long-term roadmap. What does today’s announcement means for Eskom, electricity consumers and the future structure of South Africa’s power sector?   Guest: Tshepo Kgadima - Independent Power expert

The New Development Bank is supporting South Africa’s infrastructure agenda as the country seeks to expand critical water infrastructure. The Olifants Management Model Programme aims to strengthen bulk raw and potable water supply in Limpopo, with implications for communities, agriculture, mining, and industry. What could this investment mean for water security and economic development in th...

A suspect wanted in connection with the murders of two Crime Intelligence officers has been killed in a shootout with police in KwaZulu-Natal. Police say a member of the Special Task Force sustained injuries during the confrontation in Inanda. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Colonel Robert Netshiunda, KZN Police Spokesperson

A couple of days ago, the NYDA and the National Empowerment Fund signed a partnership agreement aimed squarely at that gap: an initial R100 million committed to a new National Youth Fund, with the NYDA contributing R10 million and the NEF the remaining R90 million. GUEST: Ndumiso Kubheka, NYDA CEO

Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp says the government needs to move faster in implementing the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan, acknowledging that there is still not enough momentum to translate the framework into measurable outcomes for farmers and rural communities. The plan focuses on issues including farmer support, infrastructure, market access, agro-processing, investment and jo...

GUEST: Sophie Mokoena, SABC News Specialist Correspondent