The National Pulse

With matric exams starting today, North-West University (NWU) academic in the Faculty of Education Dr Judicial Sebatana says matriculants must focus on the present and not on past shortcomings. Sebatana points out that the final exams account for 75% of their mark, whereas past performance only counts for 25%. “It’s important for learners to remember that it’s not too late.”   GUEST: Dr Judicial S...

Today we remind you about Muammar Gaddafi's rule – thirteen years after he was captured and killed in his hometown of Sirte. Thirteen years later – what’s the current state of Libya and how much has changed since he was killed? GUEST: Ibrahim Dean, Political analyst and Independent Researcher

We dissect some of the key findings from research commissioned by Sumsub, a global verification platform. The report reveals that over 627 million people worldwide face significant barriers or are unfairly excluded from accessing essential digital services. GUEST: Hannes Bezuidenhout, Vice President of Sales for Africa at Sumsub

Earlier today, The Electoral Court dismissed the Democratic Alliance (DA)'s application that argued that President Cyril Ramaphosa's state of the nation address pre this year’s general elections was an abuse of state resources. GUEST: Thembelani Mazibuko, Senior Researcher @ the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa

Today we speak to two of South Africa’s amazing Professors Salim Abdool Karim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim, who are deeply revered worldwide for their tremendous contribution to the health sector. Some of you may recall that last month they were named winners of the Lasker Award for public service in recognition for their groundbreaking medical research. But how did their journey begin? Tune in as...

    The School of Journalism and Media Studies of Rhodes University, in partnership with the Eastern Cape office of the South African National Editors’ Forum, Sanef, hosted a webinar today to officially launch the Makhanda Declaration, a bold call to revitalise journalism in South Africa. To tell us more about what inspired this declaration and every other detail around it, I am joined on the line...

    Former Finance Minister and SA Reserve Bank Governor, Tito Mboweni, was remembered at a memorial service in his hometown of Tzaneen, yesterday. The ANC in Limpopo led a gathering in Mboweni’s hometown, to commemorate his life. Tito Mboweni's funeral will be on Saturday in Limpopo. SABC News Reporter, Katlego Nyoni joins me on the line to give us an update on funeral preparations…

A large-scale African genetics study has revealed new insights into the cancer and could lead to better treatment. There is currently almost no screening for prostate cancer on the continent which is rather odd because African men have a higher chance of developing prostate cancer and at a much younger age. To tell us more about the study, I am joined on the line by…   GUEST: Dr Carl Chen, a resea...

In conversation with Martin Meyer about his 100 days in office and what he hopes to achieve in his new portfolio moving forward. He will also tell us more about the upcoming 2-day Build KZN Better conference which is due to take place next month. As part of ensuring efficiency in his department, Meyer has vowed to blacklist underperforming companies and contractors that do not deliver as per their...

Former Minister of Labour Membathisi Mdladlana has died. Strange enough though - we spoke to him on Monday when we were paying tribute to another late Cabinet Minister Tito Mboweni. Mdladlana was the country’s second Minister of Labour post 1994 and occupied that position from July 1998 to 2009, having replaced Mboweni after he was appointed as the first Black Governor of the South African Reserve...

This year, the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho is celebrating 200 years of existence. This momentous celebration holds great significance for Basotho people. King Moshoeshoe's visionary leadership and the guidance of the French missionaries continue to inspire Basotho as some recall that French missionaries, who arrived in 1833 played a pivotal role in Lesotho's survival. Joining us to talk about thes...

The City of Johannesburg is calling on residents to submit ideas to enhance municipal service delivery through its Smart City Community Innovation Challenge and Awards 2024. If your idea is innovative and the city likes it, you may be rewarded handsomely. Head of Innovation Partnerships in the Smart City Office, Monique Griffith joins me on the line to tell us more about how the challenge works an...

Earlier today, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton Mckenzie, briefed media on his 100 days in office at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg. SABC News Reporter, Mahudi Molapo was at the Market Theatre and joins me on the line to talk to us about some of the key points the Minister touched on…   GUEST: Mahudi Molapo, SABC News Reporter

The recent quest taken by the Department of Employment and Labour to clamp down on the employment of illegal foreigners has attracted significant attention. Employment Law experts at a commercial law firm, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr report that approximately 80 employees working in restaurants across the country have been arrested for violating the provisions of the Immigration Act by failing to produc...

In conversation with Yasmin Sooka about the ongoing impact of generational trauma stemming from Apartheid and the critical role reparations play in addressing both the emotional and socioeconomic legacies of this period. Sooka also shares her thoughts on the National Reparations Conference that is currently taking place here in Johannesburg, focusing on practical steps towards justice and healing...

How should we go about the issue of changing street names in South Africa without coming across as being divisive? We ask this question after Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie told Parliament yesterday that “street names should not be changed with the intention to “hurt white people”.   GUEST: Jackie Shandu, Political analyst

The Zimbabwean government has announced that it will compensate local and foreign white farmers who lost land under former President Robert Mugabe’s chaotic redistribution program in 2000. The move has attracted widespread criticism, especially because some who were politically connected became owners of multiple farms under the land redistribution that was meant to help the poor, and can now cash...

We hear from the Provincial Electoral Officer in Limpopo on their state of readiness to conduct voter registration scheduled for this coming weekend - in preparation for the by-elections that are due to take place in December this year. This follows the dissolution of the Thabazimbi municipality by the National Council of Provinces. GUEST: Nkaro Mateta, Provincial Electoral Officer in Limpopo

This coming weekend, South African actress and social activist Thandy Matlaila will take part in the Cape Town Marathon to raise funds for the youth division of the Run Alex Club, which caters for children who want to pursue athletics in Alexandra. According to Matlaila, every kilometre covered will directly impact the lives of the children in the community of Alex. She joins us now to tell us mor...

    Former ANC MP and party spokesperson Pule Mabe appeared in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court on graft charges, alongside six others. The appearance was in connection with a R27-million tender his company, Enviro Mobi, scored from the Gauteng Agriculture and Rural Development Department in March 2017. SABC News Political Journalist, Ntebo Mokobo was in court and joins me on the...

The ANC Parliamentary Caucus had a media briefing earlier today led by the Chief Whip, Mdumiseni Ntuli. The briefing reflected on the work of the ANC Parliamentary Caucus and outlined some of the priorities of the caucus for the 3rd term of the year. ANC Parliamentary Caucus Chief Whip, Mdumiseni Ntuli joins me on the line to tell us more…   GUEST: Mdumiseni Ntuli, ANC Parliamentary Caucus Chief W...

Smartcall Technology Solutions have formally announced a three-year partnership with the South African Football Association (SAFA) that sees them become the Official Mobile Fan Engagement Partner to, Bafana Bafana, Banyana Banyana, the SA U21 and the SAFA Schools League via an App called PEFMO. To get more on this, I am joined on the line by…   GUEST: Rory Anderson,

    Iranti House will host a transformative Intersex Awareness Day Screening & Celebration event on the 25th of this month. This is a significant event because intersex individuals globally, and particularly in South Africa and across Africa, face severe stigma and marginalization. To get more details on this event, I am joined on the line by…   GUEST: Peace Maquba, Intersex Rights Officer at...

A data investigation shows Johannesburg has already had 1,604 water cuts in October and 3,318 in September. The months-long investigation by Daily Maverick revealed how cadre deployment by the ANC and EFF is a key factor crashing Johannesburg’s water supply and raising the specter of a system collapse. Daily Maverick’s Ferial Haffajee joins me on the line to tell us more…   GUEST: Ferial Haffajee,...