The National Pulse

Earlier today, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Thembisile Simelane, signed the historic memorandum of understanding on Maintenance Online Listing of Defaulters with the Consumer Profile Bureau and Social Justice Foundation. To get reaction on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Luke Lamprecht, Advocacy Manager at Woman and Men Against Child Abuse

Following yesterday’s interview with Fanie Groenewald from the Press Council of South Africa. Today we give you another side of the story as we are joined by the CEO of the Independent Media. You may recall that last week, the Press Council of South Africa (PCSA) announced its decision to expel the Independent Media group of publications with immediate effect. According to the council their decisi...

Yesterday, the African Union celebrated Africa Day of Food and Agriculture. This year’s celebration coincides with the 19th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) that is currently underway in Zambia.   GUEST (KENYA): Estherine Fotabong, Director of Agriculture, Food Security and Environmental Sustainability at the African Union Development Agency

Botswana’s governing party has suffered a shock election defeat after nearly six decades in power. The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has governed the diamond-rich Southern African nation since 1966, has so far won only four seats as of early this morning. Umbrella for Democratic Change, led by Harvard University-trained human rights lawyer Duma Boko is all set to be the country’s next rul...

We examine the NPA’s decision to withdraw corruption charges against former Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa and his co-accused, former EOH Executive, Jehan Mackay. The pair made representations to have their charges dropped. Kodwa was charged with violating the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act and the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act for allegedly soliciting bribes...

The Legal Resources Centre (LRC) is celebrating its 45th anniversary with a special dinner on 31 October, during which it will present the 4th George Bizos Human Rights Award to Geoff Budlender SC. This year’s honouree, Geoff Budlender SC, is a founding member of the LRC and has dedicated his career to public interest litigation, contributing to critical cases in areas like apartheid law and envir...

South Africa recently outlined its negotiating position for the climate change talks COP29. One of the key issues that was raised by our minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dr Dion George is that there is a pressing need for large-scale financial support to enable developing economy nations to meet their climate targets and progress toward sustainable, low-carbon development. He jo...

Last week, the Press Council of South Africa said it had expelled Independent Media “with immediate effect”, citing the group’s refusal to comply with rulings and sanctions from the council’s adjudication processes. Fanie Groenewald, the public advocate of the Press Council of South Africa joins me on the line to talk about the work the council does, who can be members, how one can file a complain...

Kganki Mphahlele, a EFF Student Command member in Limpopo, has been expelled by the party. The expulsion comes after Kganki Mphahlele got into an online spat EFF CIC, Julius Malema. In his post on X, Mpahlele accused Malema of trying to “impose” Godrich Gardee as the party’s deputy president. Mphahlele wrote that EFF branches prefer Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi for the deputy president position. Malema res...

The seventh person to be arrested in connection with the Lusikisiki mass shooting, Mzukisi Ndamase, is a convicted killer currently serving a life sentence. The accused appeared in court today. SABC News Reporter, Nkululeko Nyembezi joins me on the line to tell us about today’s court proceedings…   GUEST: Nkululeko Nyembezi, SABC News Reporter

We hear from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) about its efforts to revive our railway lines. According to the organisation, more than 80% of the country’s railway lines are back in service and the agency has spent R3.4 billion on recovering rail infrastructure in Gauteng alone. For more on this, we are joined by….   GUEST: Andiswa Makanda, PRASA Spokesperson

Botswana's Independent Electoral Commission is expected to announce the general election results tomorrow and we understand that currently – vote counting is underway having started yesterday already at around 23:00pm. To give us an update in terms of where things are at the moment is……   GUEST (BOTSWANA): Kabo Ramasia, Senior reporter based in Botswana

Tomorrow, the ANC and its National Disciplinary Committee of appeals will be hearing the appeal lodged by former President Jacob Zuma in relation to the outcomes of the National Disciplinary Committee process. This after Zuma was expelled from the ANC in July after he was found guilty of bringing the party into disrepute by forming and campaigning for another political organisation. For more analy...

In conversation with Anani Nani, a student at Durban University of Technology and founder of INAN Aeroponics Farming who will be jetting off to Thailand this evening to represent South Africa in the prestigious Asia Youth International Model United Nations (AYIMUN) in Bangkok. Nani will join young leaders from across the globe who will be offered a platform to broaden their networks and to enhance...

In today’s medium term budget policy statement speech, Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana spoke about the Eskom Municipal Debt Relief. The Minister said between March and August 2024, compliance with relief conditions by municipalities improved from 55% to 76%. Rand west City became the first municipality to benefit from a one-third debt write-off. The Minister said more municipalities stand to be...

Voting is currently underway in Botswana to determine the composition of the 13th Parliament as well as local councils across the country. Botswana Democratic Party remains the favourite despite its decreasing popularity. Although opposition is divided in Botswana, President Makgwesi Masisi’s biggest challenge will come from the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), a coalition led by lawyer Duma...

There seems to movement in the matter around the listeriosis outbreak that happened back in 2017. Earlier today, Tiger Brands said its lawyers were engaging the plaintiffs in the case to agree on assistance to those affected and with immediate medical needs related to the outbreak. Richard Spoor, a public interest lawyer who has spent six years trying to hold Tiger Brands accountable joins me on t...

After summiting one of the most spectacular mountains in the world (Ama Dablam) Sbu Vilane joins us to talk about his latest experience and lessons learned. As some of you may probably be aware, Vilane has a well-rounded past history of climbing experience.   GUEST: Sbu Vilane, Mountaineer

Earlier today, families of the victims who died in the Life Esidimeni tragedy marched to the National Prosecuting Authority offices in Pretoria, demanding justice and accountability. The inquest, which examined the circumstances surrounding the deaths, has now concluded, recommending that those responsible face criminal prosecution.   GUEST: Christine Nxumalo, Life Esidimeni families’ spokesperson

This past Sunday, a heavy storm hit the Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga claiming four lives, while more than 40 others were submitted to various hospitals. The storm also caused damages to more than 30 schools in the area. How will this affect schooling in the area as well as matric exams? Department of basic education spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga joins me on the line to talk about this...   GUEST: El...

With all the potholes in our streets and on some instances, spiking incidents, having a puncture proof tyre seems like a no brainer. Luyanda Vilakazi, entrepreneur and founder of puncture proof joins me on the line to talk about the business strategy behind his innovative company, puncture proof, specializing in puncture proofing tyres for all vehicle types.   GUEST: Luyanda Vilakazi, Entrepreneur...

Yesterday, we played clips from ANC President, Cyril Ramaphosa talking about a mandatory political education course the party will be implementing for current and new ANC members. Political Analyst, Dr. Ntsikelelo Breakfast helped us analyze what this could mean for the party as they are hoping this course will help in renewing the party. ANC NEC Member, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike joins me on the lin...

Manchester City midfielder, Rodri, became the first English Premier League player since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 to be crowned Ballon d'Or winner. Not everybody was happy about this as past and present Real Madrid players voiced their displeasure and support to Vinícius Júnior after the Brazilian lost out on the 2024 Ballon d'Or in favor of Rodri. To help us understand how the Ballon D’or winner...

The Judicial Service Commission's conduct committee has recommended that an impeachment inquiry into former chief justice Mogoeng Mogoeng’s conduct must be established to determine the merits of John Hlophe’s complaint. Hlophe lodged a complaint in 2020 against Mogoeng, complaining that the former Chief Justice “conducted himself improperly and unlawfully in the manner in which he handled the comp...