The National Pulse

The Section 89 Impeachment Committee has voted to oppose court applications challenging its decision to remove Advocate Thandazani Madonsela as evidence leader. The decision passed 19 votes to 9.   GUEST: Lawson Naidoo, Executive Secretary of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC)

Tunisian journalists protested on Tuesday to demand the release of prominent journalist Mohamed Yousfi, whose arrest has become a new flashpoint amid accusations that President Kais Saied is cracking down on the country’s ‌remaining independent voices.

The Cape Forum hosted the Local Government Elections Dialogue today. The forum invited leading political parties in the Western Cape and their representatives to discuss issues that matter, political parties’ plans for their communities, and the future of local government in the province.

South Africa's economy contracted by 0.2% in the second quarter, reversing the 0.4% growth recorded in the first three months of the year, according to figures released by Stats SA today. For more on this, I am joined on the line by... GUEST: Risenga Maluleke, Statistician General of South Africa

Last week we spoke to SABC News UN Correspondent, Sherwin Bryce-Pease about the majority of UN member states voting to re-examine the size of the map of Africa. United States was the only country that voted against the suggestion. Thembisa Fakude, Senior Researcher and Director Africa Asia Dialogues asks if we should rejoice at this? Let’s find out more… GUEST: Thembisa Fakude, Senior...

One hundred municipalities have now signed up to a Code for Ethical Leadership in Local Government, but with South Africans continuing to experience poor service delivery, financial mismanagement and governance failures, the big question is whether this commitment will change what happens on the ground. The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, joins us t...

Advocates for Transformation has released a media statement condemning a sustained and escalating campaign of threats and intimidation against its national chairperson, Myron Dewrance SC, and advocate Sandile Khumalo SC.  GUEST: Andy Mashaile - Retired Interpol Ambassador and Security Strategist

South Africa produces enough food to feed its population, yet millions still face hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity. So, is our food crisis really about a shortage of food — or is it about who controls the journey from the farm to our plates, and how that power influences what we pay and what we eat? GUEST: Mariam Mayet - Executive director of the African Centre for Biodiversity

Today the International community observes International Literacy Day, which is observed annually on the 8th of September. Back at home, an organisation that has been committed to advancing literacy through its advocacy work joins us this afternoon… GUEST: Sibhekaphi Sibanda – Project Manager at READ Educational Trust

Hundreds of Burundians flocked to their country's embassy in Kenya's capital on yesterday seeking travel documents to return to Burundi after Kenyan President William Ruto ordered a crackdown on small-scale traders from abroad. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Prof Fred Ogola, Kenyan Economist And Governance Expert

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has won a decisive victory in Germany's eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, far ahead of mainstream rivals. But preliminary results show it has gained 43.8% of the vote to the conservative CDU's 17.2%, falling short of an outright majority needed to govern alone. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Dr. Garth Benneyworth, Historian and...

Earlier today, officials from the KwaZulu-Natal government, police and other State entities descended on several factories in Kwasithebe, north of KZN for a multidisciplinary raid that was meant to capture hundreds of undocumented foreign nationals. Let’s get details on what actually happened from… GUEST: Thami Ntuli, Premier of KwaZulu Natal

Severe weather over the weekend has left more than 20 schools across the North West damaged, with roofs affected and mobile classrooms destroyed, putting further pressure on an already strained education infrastructure. We’re now joined by a representative from the North West Department of Education to GUEST:Lengane Bogatsu - The Superintendent General of Department of Education in North Wes...

Whistleblowers who expose corruption often pay a devastating price, with some losing their livelihoods, their safety and, in the most tragic cases, their lives. OUTA’s #TheyHaveNames campaign is putting a human face to those who have paid the ultimate price for speaking out, while calling for stronger and faster protection for whistleblowers. GUEST: Ibanathi Ngcobo - OUTA Supporter Engagemen...

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has issued an urgent appeal to eligible donors to come forward, as the country's blood stocks are under pressure. GUEST: Oscar Ramutsheli - Acting Head of Donor Relations: Northern Zone

Content creators are turning their influence into serious income, but are they also keeping up with their tax obligations? With SARS clarifying that creator income from brand deals and gifts to sponsored trips is taxable, we unpack what creators need to know to stay compliant and avoid costly surprises. GUEST: Pieter Groenewald - CEO of Nfinity Influencer Marketing

KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi sparked South Africa’s unprecedented law enforcement scandal in July 2025 alleging that a cartel had penetrated South Africa’s criminal justice sector, politics and private arena. Even though some were sceptical, the Madlanga Commission and Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee were formed to look into these issues....

Families of the victims and survivors of the Sharpeville Massacre are taking the state to court. They have filed a class action lawsuit against the state, demanding justice, accountability and compensation. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Nomvuyo Ntanjana, SABC News Reporter

The South African Police Service has confirmed the dismissal of suspended Crime Intelligence deputy head, Major-General Feroz Khan, after he failed to appear before a designated senior officer overseeing an expedited disciplinary process. In a statement issued yesterday, SAPS said Khan was deemed dismissed in terms of the SAPS Discipline Regulations after failing to attend proceedings before the s...

With the local government elections scheduled to take place on 4 November 2026, Amnesty International South Africa is calling on voters to vote for human rights and accountability. The organisation is non-partisan and does not endorse any political party or candidate. They would like to inspire people to make informed decisions based on the state of human rights in South Africa, and to vote with p...

As the country gears up for the upcoming Local Government Elections, questions are already being raised about the political mood, key issues shaping the campaign, and what voters can expect from the road ahead. Our guest has unpacked this buildup in a recent article, giving us an opportunity to look beyond the political noise… GUEST: Qaanitah Hunter – Founding Editor of The Debrief Ne...

Day 2 of the three day deliberations into President Cyril Ramaphosa’s review application into the section 89 Independent  panel report is currently underway at the Cape Town High Court. The report found that there was strong evidence that Ramaphosa may have violated his oath of office regarding the theft of 580-thousand dollar.  GUEST: Yamkela Mtshiyo – SABC Reporter

As South Africa pushes ahead with its energy transition, the country’s reliance on coal remains a major point of debate, with the Minister of Electricity acknowledging that “South Africa still needs coal.” But with mounting pressure to move towards cleaner and more sustainable energy, the bigger question is: for how long can coal remain at the centre of South Africa’s energ...

Once again, the National Research Foundation will honour South Africa’s leading researchers, scientists and innovators at the 2026 NRF Awards, taking place on 3 September in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, under the theme, “Building an Inclusive, Impactful and Transformed Research Future.”The keynote address will be delivered by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Profess...

Minister of Social Development, Dina Pule, received two South African girl children at OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Gauteng. The children, aged 9 and 15 respectively, were trafficked across South Africa's borders to Malawi and have since been identified as victims of human trafficking. GUEST: Lerato Makola, SABC News Reporter