The National Pulse

The president of Rwanda, Paul Kigame, together with the former president of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Dessalegn, launched the African School of Governance that they both co-founded. The presidents appointed Professor Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu, a renowned Nigerian technocrat to be the first president and Vice-Chancellor of the school. Professor Moghalu joins me on the line to tell us more about the schoo...

Action SA announced a merger with political party, Forum 4 Service Delivery, to form a single organisation. The merger was announced during a media briefing in Johannesburg earlier today. To get more details on the merger, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Michael Beaumont, Action SA National Chairperson  

The Bishop Lavis Action Community planned a protest with a placard demonstration today following the cut of teaching posts in the Western Cape. Bishop Lavis in the Metro North District, is set to lose 16 teachers due to these cuts. Amanda Davids, Bishop Lavis Action Community’s Media Liaison Officer joins me on the line to tell us about today’s protest and what they are hoping it will...

As part of its back to school campaign. Yesterday, the department of transport in KwaZulu-Natal inspected 245 buses, taxis and minibuses that provide scholar transport in the province. Disturbingly, a total of 47 buses were found to be unroadworthy and were immediately prohibited from transporting learners. Joining us to explain the significance of these inspections is…… GUEST: S&rsq...

What next for Mozambique - now that Daniel Chapo is officially the country’s new president, despite weeks of deadly protests over the hotly disputed election results? Taking an oath earlier today, Chapo promised that he is going to defend human rights, democracy and the well-being of the Mozambican people. But what about the issue of national unity - will he be able to bring about peace and...

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has been very consistent in calling for all matric learners to write the same exams. Lesufi is of the view that this will ensure fairness and equality in the education system. Well, today we have invited him to elaborate further on his single exam call…… GUEST: Panyaza Lesufi, Gauteng Premier

Eastern Cape High Court Judge President Selby Mbenenge, who is facing possible impeachment for sexually harassing a young secretary, had even on his own version admitted to “gross misconduct”. This was according to advocate Salomé Scheepers, presenting evidence before the Judicial Conduct Tribunal hearing the case against Mbenenge. Mbekezeli Benjamin, Judges Matter Research and...

Six more bodies of illegal miners were recovered from Stilfontein mine earlier today. Rescue teams pulled the six bodies from Shaft 11 and rescued another eight miners who required medical care. Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu and Gwede Mantashe, the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, were in the Stilfontein area today. SABC News Reporter, Zebilon Maine was in Stilfontein and he joins m...

The one big talking point for everyone looking at the Class of 2024 Matric results is the fact that all provinces achieved a pass rate above 84%. Free State is the best-performing province, with a pass rate of 91%. The Free State Premier, Maqueen Joyce Letsoha-Mathae joins me on the line to talk about this amazing achievement… GUEST: Maqueen Joyce Letsoha-Mathae, Free State Premier

The National Teachers’ Union has expressed concern about the state of readiness for KwaZulu-Natal schools that are set to reopen tomorrow. To tell us more about these concerns, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Doctor Ngema, General Secretary of the National Teachers’ Union  

According to our guest Edwin Naidu, the matric examination serves as an annual reminder of how society celebrates short-term gains that put the country on the road to long-term ruin. He argues that instead of honouring those with distinctions, there should be a probe into why an estimated 300 000 learners annually do not leave with a matric certificate. GUEST: Edwin Naidu, Head of Higher Education...

We look at the pending Gaza truce deal. The latest development is that the United States of America has indicated that a ceasefire deal is on the brink of success while Hamas says talks are progressing well. We also understand that there is a renewed sense of optimism to end the ongoing war in Gaza. So what are some of the factors influencing this latest round of negotiations? GUEST: Thembisa Faku...

The Hawks are investigating as to whether the 28 undocumented Ethiopian nationals that were recently found naked in Sandringham are indeed victims of human trafficking. All 28 of them appeared in court earlier today after being charged with contravening the Immigration Act. For the latest on this, we are joined by….. GUEST: Philani Nkwalase, Hawks spokesperson  

Let’s now celebrate the St Mary’s DSG Class of 2024. The class of 2024 has proven that when young women believe in themselves and are supported by a nurturing environment, they can achieve extraordinary things. This was proven by Saadiya Daya who obtained 7 distinctions. GUEST: Saadiya Daya, St Mary’s DSG Class of 2024

As we celebrate some of the top performers of 2024. The St David’s Marist Inanda Matric Class of 2024 has crowned what was an incredible year of excellence and impact with a stunning set of results in the IEB Matric examinations. The 148 boys who wrote achieved a remarkable 444 distinctions across 21 subjects, and Theo Dreyer got 10 distinctions.   GUEST: Theo Dreyer, St David’s M...

    Education activist Hendrick Makaneta called on the Department of Basic Education to clarify its position regarding the sale of matric results by a private entity. Earlier on, the department’s spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, said the department is investigating this matter. Question is; Is the department simply launching an investigation into this matter enough? Education Activist...

Earlier today, the Competition Commission released the final report of the Fresh Produce Market Inquiry that looked into aspects and features that could impede, restrict or distort competition in the fresh produce market. SABC News Economics Reporter, Katlego Legodi was at the briefing and joins me on the line to share what came out of that media briefing… GUEST: Katlego Legodi, SABC News E...

We continue our focus on the 2024 Matric results and this time around, we put the spotlight on top achieving Matric learners from Redhill School. Redhill is currently the ONLY school in South Africa offering students the option to graduate with either an Independent Examination Board or International Baccalaureate qualification. Two of the top achievers from Redhill School join me on the line&hell...

    Earlier today, Umalusi pronounced on the 2024 end of year National Examination results of the public and private assessment bodies in respect of National Senior Certificate, National Certificate Vocational, NATED report as well as General Education and Training Certificate: Adult Basic Education and Training. Biki Lepota, Umalusi’s Senior Manager for Public Relations and Commun...

Build One South Africa Leader, Mmusi Maimane, caused a bit of stair online when he criticised the 30% pass mark. Earlier today, through his X account, Maimane made another interesting point regarding what he says the DA calls the real pass mark. Mmusi Maimane joins me on the to tell us more about his views GUEST: Mmusi Maimane, BOSA Leader

The Department of Basic Education has launched an investigation into a potential breach of its processes in relation to a possible data breach of the 2024 matric results. According to the department, the State Security Agency and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) have been brought in to look into the matter. For more on this, we are joined by…. GUEST: Elijah Mhlanga,...

The Nigerian Air Force has conceded that close to twenty civilians have been killed in a military air strike in the country’s north-western Zamfara State after being mistaken for criminal gangs. What is so disturbing about this entire story is that a mishap of this nature wasn’t happening for the first time, however though, the airforce has promised an investigation into the matter. Fo...

As you may have heard in the first hour when we were discussing the issue of crime. South Africa is worryingly top of the list when it comes to the issue of crime in Africa. In fact, six cities from our country feature prominently on the latest continental crime stats, with Pietermaritzburg topping the list. So how rife is the issue of crime in Pietermaritzburg, joining us for this discussion is&h...

Anti-immigration group Operation Dudula says it will be deploying its members across the country to schools in a bid to prevent children of foreign nationals being admitted before South Africans. Operation Dudula President, Zandile Dabula joins me on the line to tell us more… GUEST: Zandile Dabula, Operation Dudula President