The National Pulse

A driver blocked the N3 at Harrismith early this morning amid unconfirmed reports of a nationwide truck shutdown. I spoke to Gugu Sokhela, the General Secretary of ATDF-ASA and he distanced their organization from any planned shutdown. Let’s now get an update on what happened in KZN with KZN Transport spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya…   GUEST: Ndabezinhle Sibiya, KZN Transport Spokesperson

The Gauteng government is tightening by-laws around spaza shops following cases of suspected food poisoning affecting mostly children. Part of the criteria of the new by-laws on spaza shops stipulates that owners must trade in clean areas and in addition, whoever is in South Africa legally, can open and operate a spaza shop. To get reaction on the new by-laws, I am joined by… GUEST: Sibusiso Ngcob...

Sanco members in KwaZulu-Natal have decided that they will no longer participate in any ANC-related events or invite ANC leaders to their programmes. According to the organisation, their decision to cut ties with the ANC is informed by the fact that they have tried several times since last year to reach out to the ANC, but their efforts have been ignored. Following this announcement, let’s now hea...

In conversation with Professor Somadoda Fikeni, following his election as Vice President of the Association of African Public Service Commissions in the Southern African Region. He will tell us more about how he hopes to drive the agenda of an impactful and developmental professionalisation of the Public Service within the Continent.   GUEST: Professor Somadoda Fikeni, Chairperson of the Public Se...

All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied South Africa secretary-general Gugu Sokhela joins us now to talk about their national shutdown which commenced earlier today. Some of the things that truck drivers are complaining about include the employment of foreign national truck drivers in the freight and logistic industry and alleged non-compliance with the minimum wage policy by some employers. GUEST: Gug...

After weeks of protests and a violent crackdown by police in Mozambique. Today we give an update in terms of what’s happening in the country as we speak to Renamo representative. It’s public knowledge that Mozambique descended into chaos following a disputed election on October 9 that saw the ruling Frelimo party extend its 49-year rule. GUEST: Dr Manuel De Araujo, Member of Renamo political party...

Today we are joined by an accomplished executive and expert in leadership with a proven track record of executing growth and turnaround strategies, Mr Mteto Nyati. I hope his story will help propel your leadership journey forward….. GUEST: Mteto Nyati, Chairman of Eskom and Executive Chairman of BSG, a consulting and technology company

Girl Effect, a non-profit organization that uses the power of media and technology to unlock the power of girls in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, India, Ethiopia, and Tanzania had the official launch of JiK'iZinto, Girl Effect South Africa's flagship programme yesterday in Johannesburg. To tell us nore about Girl Effect and their programmes, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Emmanuelle Tshala Mgib...

ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, led the ‘Walking with the People Walk and Community march’ in Tshwane today. SABC News Reporter, Sibahle Motha, was in Tshwane and joins me on the line to talk about the turn out, what the march was all about and what the ANC Secretary General had to say…   GUEST: Sibahle Motha, SABC News Reporter

Eskom moves to cut off Joburg power supply Last night, Eskom announced that it has started the process to cut power supply to Johannesburg’s City Power due to unpaid bills of R6.3bn, R4.9bn of which is arrears debt. Energy expert, Chris Yelland joins me on the line to talk about the significance of such a move by Eskom in recouping money owed…   GUEST: Chris Yelland, Energy Expert

Free State MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism says counterfeit food poses danger to people’s lives, and it deprives the government of crucial revenue that could have been invested in public services. He made these remarks following complaints and allegations from the public regarding the sale of expired and counterfeit foods, which are harmful to the health of the school learners an...

Botswana President, Advocate Duma Boko has been inaugurated in the capital Gaborone. He is now officially the 6th President of Botswana. Following today’s proceedings, Boko has promised to hit the ground running in exploring ways to diversify the southern African country's economy that solely relies on diamond sales. Sophie Mokoena witnessed it all this morning and she joins us now to give us a su...

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has instructed all schools to suspend the sale of food within and around school premises until further notice. This after the recent and alarming increase in incidents of foodborne illnesses affecting pupils across various schools in the province. GUEST: Steve Mabona, Spokesperson for the Department of Education in Gauteng

Sophie Mokoena joins us now to tell us more about Botswana’s lifting of a travel ban on Julius Malema. Some of you may recall that Malema was slapped with the ban in 2011 after calling for the overthrow of Ian Khama’s government.   GUEST: Sophie Mokoena, SABC News International Editor

Earlier on I spoke to Advocate Dali Mpofu about his resignation from the EFF. Advocate Mpofu has left the EFF and joined the MK Party, a party he has come out publicly to say he helped form. To help us make sense of all of this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Lukhona Mnguni, Political Analyst

  Yesterday I spoke to Border Management Authority’s Commissioner, Dr. Mike Masiapato about the situation at the Lebombo Border Post. Around midday today, the Border Management Authority, SAPS and SANDF were getting ready to once again close the Lebombo Border Post after it was opened this morning. What’s the situation at the border post right now? SABC News Reporter, Motsebi Monareng is there rig...

    It is a known fact that when servers reach the end of their primary use in an organisation, they are often relegated to storage or marked for disposal. Well, I can tell you now that disposal is not the only option available. According to experts at Desco Electronic Recyclers, these servers still hold significant potential value. To tell us more about this, I am joined on the line by…   GUEST:...

Amnesty International is calling on the Mozambican government to immediately cease its violent crackdown on civil rights. This as opposition protests continue in the country post the recent general elections that were largely marred by allegations of vote rigging and fraud.   GUEST (MOZAMBIQUE): Cidia Chissungo, Mozambique’s Amnesty International Campaigner

It’s been over four years since Charl Kinnear was killed outside his house on September 18 2020. Kinnear was a lieutenant colonel in the South African Police Service (SAPS) and was the section commander for the Western Cape anti-gang unit. At the time of his death Kinnear was investigating a gun racketeering case involving the alleged organised crime boss Nafiz Modack and 8 high-ranking police off...

    EFF membership exodus continues as Advocate Dali Mpofu becomes the latest high-profile person to join former president Jacob Zuma’s MK Party. Mpofu told our politics editor Mzwai Mbeje that he played a critical role in the formation of the MK Party alongside Zuma. He joins us now to elaborate further on his latest political move…..   GUEST: Adv Dali Mpofu, new MK Party member

In conversation with Karabo Mokgonyana who was recently named the Inaugural Social Justice Rising Star of the Year 2024. Mokgonyana is known for advancing the causes of social justice and representation of marginalised groups in society.   GUEST: Karabo Mokgonyana, Social activist

There is no doubt that Donald Trump’s victory will have major implications for U.S. trade and climate change policies, the war in the Middle East and Ukraine, and most notably the issue of immigration. So, what about Africa and South Africa in particular – how is the U.S election outcome going to affect our bilateral relations with the U.S? GUEST: Dr Laurance Caromba, Researcher at the Mapungubwe...

The ANC study group on Basic Education in Parliament has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to promulgate commencement of all sections of the BELA ACT with immediate effect. To tell us more about this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Tshepo Louw, Whip of the ANC Study Group on Basic Education

The SFC, formerly known as Smartphone-Free Childhood, has launched South Africa’s first digital parent pact, which enables parents to commit to delaying giving their children smartphones before they start high school. To get more info on what the pact is about, what it aims to address and how effective it will be, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Kate Farina, co-founder of Be In Touch, Safer San...

Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is calling on the SA Human Rights Commission to launch an investigation following the DA, AfriForum and Solidarity’s protest against the Bela Act yesterday. They are saying AfriForum was wrong for displaying colours that resemble the apartheid flag at their march. GUEST: Zanele Sabela, Cosatu’s national spokesperson