The National Pulse

Early next month, US voters will head to the polls to choose between two candidates – Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The pair represent two groups of voters who disagree on numerous policy issues. To help us look at those policies, we are joined by Dr Laurance Caromba who will share his thoughts around how Trump and Harris’ divergent approaches to foreign policy will undeniably have an effect on...

    EFF’s Member of Parliament Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane has announced that she's leaving the party, stating that “the past seven years have made me realise that our fight for freedom was in vain”. So how will her departure affect the politics of EFF and how vital was her contribution to the party? For more analysis on this, we are joined by……   GUEST: Dr Levy Ndou, Political analyst from Tshwan...

    Public health researchers and advocates working in tobacco control, alcohol control and sugar sectors are currently gathering in Cape Town to launch an alliance that will be known as Health Tax Alliance. The alliance will effectively combine their efforts across the sectors to collectively drive calls to the government for increases for health taxes. Joining us outline the objectives of this n...

As we observe World Food Day, we look at the pressing issue of malnutrition in South Africa and possible solutions to it. This as you may be aware that 63.5% of South African households’ face food insecurity. However though, our guest is of the view that in order for South Africa to address this problem, we need a systemic shift towards the equitable distribution of nutrient-dense foods, alongside...

Today we chat to another winner, Gresham Tapiwa Nyaude who recently won the 2024 FNB Art Joburg Prize. Through his artwork, Nyaude addresses social justice, freedom of expression and matriarchal and patriarchal systems in African traditions. GUEST (ZIM): Gresham Tapiwa Nyaude, Zimbabwean Artist  

The DA in Gauteng had a media briefing earlier today where DA Leader in Gauteng, Solly Msimanga alleged that the provincial government is withholding reports related to corruption. According to a statement released earlier today, the DA wrote to the Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, requesting that all completed forensic reports be made public. To give us more details on this story, I am joined on...

  The Interactive Advertising Bureau South Africa has launched the South African Content Creator Charter. According to the Interactive Advertising Bureau South Africa, there is a need for a set of guiding principles that promote ethical and transparent practices in response to the meteoric rise of the South African creator economy. Lead of the Interactive Advertising Bureau South Africa Influencer...

The spat between ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and Gauteng chairperson Panyaza Lesufi resulted in a silent demonstration outside Luthuli House yesterday in the midst of the ANC's “100 days of government of national unity” celebrations. As Mbalula called for the national anthem to be sung, a handful of party supporters hoisted placards saying: “Don't kill Chris Hani again” and “We are Panyaz...

The Special Investigating Unit saved the South African government approximately R8 billion in the 2023/24 financial year. These results stem from effective investigations, speedy litigation, and recovery processes. I’m joined on the line by the SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago to give us more details on how this happened…   GUEST: Kaizer Kganyago, SIU Spokesperson

Lerato Ngobeni held a series of oversight visits last week, with a keen focus on the Department of Home Affairs. According to her, “we are not tracking undocumented foreign nationals in our country. Home Affairs has no idea as to who is here or who is not.” She joins us now to tell us more about her oversight visits…..   GUEST: Lerato Ngobeni, ActionSA MP

Let’s now give you an update in terms of what’s happening in Sudan’s North Darfur region where the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been locked in conflict for nearly 18 months now. We understand that medical charity MSF says it has been forced to suspend work in the vast camp for displaced people where famine has been confirmed, putting thousands of malnourished children at risk of de...

The Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, General Bantu Holomisa is currently in Ethiopia, attending the Program of African Defence Ministers Conference that commenced yesterday. The conference will among other things explore opportunities for capacity-building, joint military exercises, and sharing of expertise to address Africa’s unique security challenges. He joins us now to discuss...

In conversation with the Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald about his department’s assessment of the cell from which Facebook rapist Thabo Bester escaped from. According to him, his department’s assessment showed numerous security violations.     GUEST: Pieter Groenewald, Minister of Correctional Services  

As we continue to celebrate teachers’ month. Today we chat to Michelle Williams - Head of Academics at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. The academy has a remarkable graduation record of more than 90%, with many graduates going on to prominent colleges around the world. Leadership, critical thinking, and personal development programs provide pupils with the necessary skills for succe...

Earlier today, the Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, announced the introduction of a digitised marking system for the first time. The system is meant to assist in speeding up the matric exam marking process. Gauteng Education’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona joins me on the line to tell us more about this system… GUEST: Steve Mabona, Gauteng Education’s spokesperson  

Every Monday we have a conversation around this time that is meant to help your personal growth in one way or another. Today we look at a topic I believe most people struggle with but never want to admit: Being a people-pleaser. Sometimes we go out of our way to make others happy at our own expense. Question is, how do you stop being a people-pleaser? Lifestyle and wellness coach, Sharon Castle jo...

On Saturday, Rand Water issued a stark warning to Gauteng citizens, saying that water storage levels have significantly declined due to excessive municipal water withdrawals. “Rand Water has repeatedly warned municipalities in Gauteng about the potential crisis,” the water board said in a statement. Rand Water spokesperson, Makenosi Maroo joins me on the line to tell us more about this potential c...

Earlier today, the Public Service Commission briefed the media on the Pulse of the Public Service Bulletin covering the period of April to June this year. Today’s briefing focused on governance matters in the Public Service. One of the key issues they pronounced on is the issue of unlawful occupation of inner-city buildings, mainly in major city centres, saying that it has led to revenue loss and...

The SACP has snubbed an invitation from its alliance partner to celebrate the 100 days in the GNU with it. The communist party revealed this yesterday, following a three-day meeting of the Central Executive Committee. The meeting discussed the political, economic, and social state of the country and resolved on various issues including the basic income grant, transformation of the reserve bank and...

UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy is expected to visit China this week. This as the new Labour government intends to improve relations with Beijing after they deteriorated under the Conservatives. Lammy’s visit comes even as significant disagreements on trade remain between China and the European Union.   GUEST (SCOTLAND): Musa Mdunge, Political analyst & PHD candidate at the University of Du...

As tributes continue to pour in for Tito Mboweni, we speak to Membathisi Mdladlana who was the country’s second Minister of Labour after Mboweni was appointed to the Reserve Bank. Mboweni has been described as someone who helped establish the post-apartheid labour legislation, which laid the foundation for collective bargaining and the right to fair labour practices.   GUEST: Membathisi Mdladlana,...

Today we chat to one of the most respected journalists in South Africa, Zubeida Jaffer, who is also an accomplished author. Jaffer is someone who has reconciled her identity as both a journalist and an activist. Today we learn a little bit more about her life and what informs her fearlessness as a journalist and a civil rights activist. GUEST: ZUBEIDA JAFFER, Award-winning South African Journalist...

Last night, there were reports that a power station in Kwagga in the City of Tshwane exploded leaving the Pretoria City Centre, Pretoria West, Atteridgeville, Pretoria North and Soshanguve without electricity. The Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Dr. Nasiphi Moya visited the substation this morning with the Electricity Minister, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. The mayor joins me on the line to give us an...

Eight people have been killed in a collision between a car and a truck on the N2 near Mandeni in KwaZulu-Natal north coast this morning. SABC News Reporter, Jayde-Leigh Paulse has the details on this story… GUEST: Jayde-Leigh Paulse, SABC News Reporter

Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi has reiterated that cheating is a no-go area for any self-respecting candidate, also emphasising that it does not pay. More than 1.1 million learners are set to participate in the 2024 end of year exam and earlier on today Umalusi provided an update on the state of readiness of examination bodies. GUEST: Dr Mafu Rakometsi, CEO of Umalusi