The National Pulse

An estimated 4000 illegal miners are still trapped underground at an unused mine in Stilfontein, North-West Province. Earlier today, a body was recovered, with more expected. Meanwhile, the community is not happy with government’s reluctance to help with the situation. One of the community leader’s, Thembile Botman, joins me on the line to talk about the situation on the ground and react to govern...

Yesterday, I attended the relaunch of the state-of-the-art Wits Anglo American Digital Dome after undergoing major refurbishments. I thought we should talk more about this Dome before it opens to the public in February 2025. So, I’m joined on the line by… GUEST: Dr. Moumita Aich, Head of the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome

A couple of weeks ago I spoke to someone who has started a project that asks parents to delay introducing teens to smartphones. I felt the next priority after crafting a platform for parents to delay smartphones, is advocating for phone-free schools. Someone who is already doing that is… GUEST: Kate Karina, Founder of Be in touch, safer and saner kids  

As we continue with our coverage on the current political crisis in Mozambique. We are joined by the General Secretary of the SA Council of Churches following their recent solidarity visit to the country. So what did their mission find? For more on this we are joined by…. GUEST: Rev Mzwandile Molo, General Secretary of the South Africa Council

  Today we chat to Nick Bauer, author of the book “Great Johannesburg – What Happened? How to Save an African Economic Giant”  GUEST: Nickolaus Bauer is an award-winning South African journalist, social impact entrepreneur and former civil servant.

Following Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni’s 'smoke them out' remarks. We look at how public officials should communicate when relaying information from local issues to national concerns. This as we understand that government communications has a critical role to play in harnessing goodwill for productive purposes and in helping to shape the national mood that assist with the attainment of nation-bui...

Recently, several leading media personalities, including myself were awarded at the annual Adcock Ingram OTC Sponsors of Brave Journalist/Media Awards, held on 6 November at the prestigious Hyde Park Hotel. One of my esteemed colleagues Desree Chauke was also there and she was recognized for her contribution in the media industry.   GUEST: Desree Chauke, SABC News Executive Producer/Anchor & A...

Since the conversation around spaza shops started, a lot of people have been raising the issue of “the township economy”. Question is, do we know enough about this township economy? For instance, how big is it? how lucrative it has become? To help us get a better understanding of the township economy, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Dr. Thami Mazwai, former Advisor of the Sukuma Relief Fund, wh...

Gloves are off as a powerful church group and Jacob Zuma's MK party head to court amid accusations of betrayal. The showdown between the two parties comes after 15 members of the All-African Alliance Movement were fired from MK's parliamentary caucus earlier this year. To get more details on this matter, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Bishop Meshack Tebe, Secretary-General of All-African Allia...

The book tells the story of a respected journalist baselessly prosecuted by a former president, a first in South Africa and the world. GUEST: Karyn Maughan, Journalist and author

Stats SA released stats for quarter 3 of 2024, confirming that youth unemployment is a national priority for the seventh administration. Youth Capital, a campaign that strives to transform the employment trajectory of a generation of young South Africans has noted a few ways young people can be connected to the world of work. To tell us more, I am joined on the line by…   GUEST: Fentse Malatji, Yo...

South African Football Association (SAFA) President Danny Jordaan has appeared in the High Court in Johannesburg. He’s accused of misusing R1.3 million of SAFA funds for personal gain. The charges against Jordaan include fraud, theft and irregularly using SAFA funds to hire a communications company to manage his image.

Reacting to the ongoing issue of Spaza Shops that has caused some serious tensions between the locals and migrants. The National Federation Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC) has called for the urgent restoration of Spaza Shops to local community control. They argue that this will somehow help the country to deal with the current crisis. To elaborate further on this, we are joined by….. GUEST: Richard Z...

Milton Maluleque gives us an update regarding the ongoing post-election protests in Mozambique. Presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane has called for a new three-day period of national demonstrations in all provincial capitals in Mozambique, starting from today. The protests are aimed at contesting the electoral process in which, according to the official results, Mondlane was defeated. GUEST (M...

Once again - UCT has been recognised for its proud tradition of academic excellence. This time around, the varsity’s MBA programme has been ranked number seven globally and number one in Africa in the 2024 Better World MBA ranking by Corporate Knights magazine.    GUEST:  Catherine 

South Africa’s unemployment rate eased to 32.1% in the third quarter of 2024 after hitting a two-year high of 33.5% in the second quarter. The third quarter of 2024 results show that the total number of unemployed youth decreased by 171 000 to 4.8 million, while employed youth recorded an increase of 66 000 to 5.8 million.   GUEST: Thapelo Maleke, President of SA Youth Chamber of Commerce

The withdrawal of the SABC bill comes amid activism by 37 civil society organisations that campaigned for it to be redrafted for the benefit of the country's public broadcaster. The bill's withdrawal was announced by minister of communications and digital technologies Solly Malatsi, who said it failed to provide a credible funding model for the SABC’s long-term survival. GUEST: William Bird, Direc...

Township Entrepreneur Alliance, TEA, is an organization that was established in 2015 and has a focus in empowering township-based companies and entrepreneurs with knowledge sharing. With what has been happening with Spaza shops, TEA has released a circular based on Health and Safety for Spaza shops. Bulelani Balabala joins me on the line to chat about this and touch broadly on the township economy...

The Department of Basic Education was this past weekend accused of inflating the budget for printing exam materials. Earlier today, the Department set the record straight on this issue through a statement. To get a full understanding of what the printing costs were and why they cost that much, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Elijah Mhlanga, Department of Basic Education Spokesperson

According to the latest statistics. The official unemployment rate has decreased by 1.4 percentage points from 33.5% in the second quarter of this year to 32.1% in the third quarter. However though, the youth remain vulnerable in the labour market despite the survey results showing that the total number of unemployed youth decreased by 171,000. Currently youth unemployment rate stands at an incred...

Tensions are running high in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, following a stand-off between residents and Johannesburg Metro police officials. Joburg Water officials were conducting an operation to disconnect illegal water connections in the Phumla-mqashi area in Lenasia. But, a protest ensued, resulting in four vehicles being damaged by residents.  SABC News reporter Monique Lewis

AfriForum has requested the Gauteng Department of Education to allow authorised sellers who can prove that they meet all requirements and comply with health regulations to resume the sale of food at schools. The organisation agrees that steps to prevent more cases and deaths are essential but is of the opinion that this ban is far too drastic. GUEST: Elana Bailey, Head of Cultural Affairs and Educ...

Former South African Ambassador to the United States of America, Ebrahim Rasool is heading back to the U.S for a second stint as the country’s ambassador. Rasool will have to nurse our fragile relationship with the U.S which is largely troubled by a sense of mutual disappointment and mistrust, particularly when it comes to our foreign policy pronouncements.   GUEST: Ebrahim Rasool, newly appointed...

Professor Thumbi Ndung’u from the University of KwaZulu-Natal has been elected to the prestigious US National Academy of Medicine (NAM). Election to the National Academy of Medicine is recognised as one of the highest global honours in health and medicine, reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievements and a profound commitment to advancing public health.   GUEST: Professo...

Forgiving yourself and others is an acknowledgement that letting go of angry or resentful feelings will improve your life greatly. Transformational life, business and executive coach, Puseletso Modimogale joins me on the line to breakdown how forgiving yourself and others can inspire personal growth… GUEST: Puseletso Modimogale, Transformational Life, Business and Executive Coach