The National Pulse

The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) held a mass meeting today, at the Adcock Ingram Clayville plant to address the company's proposed retrenchments and the planned closure of the General Plant division, a manufacturing unit that produces Citro Soda and other medicinal products.  GUEST: Mametlwe Sebei, General Industries Workers Union of South Africa President

As South Africa marks Deaf Awareness Week and prepares to enter Heritage Month, Castle Milk Stout’s Sign Your Clan initiative is putting more than 4 million Deaf and hard-of-hearing South Africans at the heart of the country’s cultural heritage conversation. GUEST: Mmatlou Moloto - SASL specialist, educator and Hands-On Creatives founder 

The IEC held a media briefing earlier today on the outcome of the candidate nomination process. The Electoral Commission also shared the next milestones in the election timetable and on the Code of Conduct on Disinformation following the conclusion of the public comment process. GUEST: Masego Sheburi, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer for Electoral Matters

South Africa’s Parliament will host the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Cape Town from 13 to 18 September 2026, bringing together parliamentary leaders, legislators and officials from across the Commonwealth for one of the world's premier parliamentary gatherings. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Bheki Radebe, NCOP House Chairperson on International R...

As South Africa heads towards the 4 November local government elections, according to the IEC political parties have declared a staggering R116.8 million in donations in just one quarter. We speak to My Vote Counts who are asking the question: do voters really know who is behind the money? We ask why does it matter? GUEST: Joel Bregman - Senior Researcher at My Vote Counts.

Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba has reshuffled her provincial cabinet. She has stated that the changes are about fixing performance, improving service delivery and getting the province’s development agenda moving faster. We take a look at what this reshuffle could possibly mean in the province… GUEST: Dr Ntwanano Mathebula – Associate Professor at the school of Public Managemen...

A group of South Africans who narrowly escaped the devastating Nepal floods were expected to arrive in Durban today. The group visited Nepal on pilgrimage as part of the Mohanji Foundation South Africa. SABC News reporter, Gcinokuhle Malinga was at King Shaka International Airport and now joins me on the line with more details… GUEST: Gcinokuhle Malinga, SABC News Reporter in KwaZulu Natal

The Minister of Basic Education has today announced her decision to maintain the suspension of the new Foundation Phase National Catalogue for Grades 1-3. Let’s find out more on this decision with…. GUEST: Siviwe Gwarube - Minister of Basic Education

eThekwini City Manager, Musa Mbhele and Durban Metro Police Commissioner, Sibonelo Mchunu, addressed the media on job-selling allegations. According to allegations in a confidential forensic report compiled by independent forensic accountants, Isiqu Forensic Accountants, senior eThekwini officials and law-enforcement personnel were allegedly linked to a scheme in which Metro Police jobs were sold...

The South African Civil Aviation Authority says it is investigating Airlink’s flypast over Cape Town Stadium and have pulled out the flyover for the third rugby test. GUEST: Phuthego Mojapele - Aviation Expert

Earlier today, Statistician-general, Risenga Maluleke, released the Victims of Crime report from the Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey 2025/2026 in Tshwane. The report provides important insights into experiences and perceptions of crime and feelings of safety among households and individuals in South Africa.  GUEST: Risenga Maluleke, Statistician-general of South Africa

The death toll in Nepal from devastating floods on the border with Tibet has crossed 1000, according to the country's disaster agency. More than 3900 people remain missing - of whom more than 600 are workers believed to be trapped in a vast network of mud-filled tunnels at hydropower sites along Trishuli River. Let’s get the latest from… GUEST: Aakriti Dotel, National Network Coordina...

GUEST: Jon Foster-Pedley is Dean and Director of Henley Business School Africa and associate pro vice-chancellor, global engagement (Sub-Saharan Africa)

South Africa is spending billions on higher education, but the government admits it cannot properly track which degrees lead to jobs and which lead to unemployment. Graduate unemployment has climbed from 10.3% to 12.4%. The big question is: are we funding qualifications that the economy simply doesn’t need? Let’s unpack this with… GUEST: Khaya Sithole - Independent Analyst and D...

The Constitutional Court is set to hear a landmark case involving MTN and East Asia Consortium, with EAC seeking US$4.2 billion in damages over alleged bribery and corruption linked to Iran’s first public telecommunications licence. With Open Secrets admitted as a friend of the court, the case raises a bigger question: can South African corporations be held accountable in South African court...

South Africa has found SA’s “second Springbok squad” consisting of 23 ordinary people who look remarkably like the country’s rugby stars. The campaign turns these lookalikes into a mock Bok team, celebrating rugby culture and giving fans a chance to find their own Springbok double. The search is still open. GUEST: Kutlwano Lekgoane – Senior Brand Manager at Klipdrift

The Legal Practice Council says there is a warrant of arrest issued for disbarred advocate, Malesela Teffo. This comes after Teffo made a surprise appearance at the Johannesburg High Court yesterday, during the attempted murder trial of alleged kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and four others, where he tried to address the presiding judge.  GUEST: Kabelo Letebele, Senior Manager: Co...

Two men from Gumbani village near Malamulele in Limpopo have developed a free educational app aimed at supporting learners and teachers, particularly in rural areas. Malungelo Mathonsi and Khongelani Shibambu created the app, called Novar, which offers lessons in subjects such as Mathematics and Science.  GUEST: Malungelo Mathonsi, NOVAR App Co-Founder

Guest: Nokwanda Molefe, Senior Manager: Governance, Compliance & Enforcement at CSOS

South Africa is putting its artisans in the spotlight, as finalists for the 2026 South African National Artisan Awards prepare to compete for national recognition across fields including engineering, construction, electrical, plumbing and mechanical trades. With the theme “Changing Artisanal Identity and Status,” the awards also raise a bigger question: can changing perceptions of arti...

In business, having a brilliant strategy is only half the battle without effective execution, even the best ideas can remain trapped in boardrooms and PowerPoint presentations. So, what does it take to turn strategy into action, hold people accountable, measure progress and adapt when things don’t go according to plan? GUEST: Thuto Motsie CA (SA) – CEO of Thamani

x37-year-old Stefan Joel Govindraju appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting at the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court. He faces charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering. Stefan Joel Govindraju was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday after returning from overseas. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Culvin Mabasa, SABC News Repo...

The Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane is today closing the 2026 Women’s Month by hosting a Women in the Human Settlements Sector Dialogue. Convened under the theme, “Value Chain Opportunities for Women in the Human Settlements Sector “Empowered Women, Empower the Nation”, the Dialogue will provide an evidence-based platform for reflection, recognition and forwar...

The Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane is today closing the 2026 Women’s Month by hosting a Women in the Human Settlements Sector Dialogue. Convened under the theme, “Value Chain Opportunities for Women in the Human Settlements Sector “Empowered Women, Empower the Nation”, the Dialogue will provide an evidence-based platform for reflection, recognition and forwar...

The Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane is today closing the 2026 Women’s Month by hosting a Women in the Human Settlements Sector Dialogue. Convened under the theme, “Value Chain Opportunities for Women in the Human Settlements Sector “Empowered Women, Empower the Nation”, the Dialogue will provide an evidence-based platform for reflection, recognition and forwar...