The National Pulse

Earlier today, the Pretoria Magistrates court sentenced former South African National Defence Force member Leon Santos Conga to life imprisonment for rape, and 10 years for attempted murder. AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit has welcomed the sentencing of Conga as they have been representing his victim, sergeant Antoinnete Ndishishi since 2018. Conga was accused of knowingly infecting Ndishishi...

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Thembi Simelane is today appearing before the ANC’s Integrity Commission over her alleged involvement in the VBS bank scandal. It is now public knowledge that while serving as the mayor of Polokwane in 2016, Simelane took a loan from Gundo Wealth Solutions, the company that brokered millions of unlawful investments into VBS bank on behalf of the Polo...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated Africa’s demand for permanent representation in the UN Security Council. Addressing the UN General Assembly yesterday, Ramaphosa said the UN Security Council must be reformed as a matter of urgency, also emphasising that it must become more inclusive so that the voices of all nations are heard and considered. However, our guest Professor Anthoni Van Nieuwke...

In conversation with Palesa Mokubung as she celebrates 20 years in fashion. Some of you may recall that Mokubung made history in 2018 when Mantsho became the first African brand to collaborate with Swedish retailer H&M. So she will tell us more about her journey and what keeps her going and of course she will also discuss the upcoming SA Fashion Week and what to expect from her in the future....

The City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality is under fire after announcing that it is proposing to rename the popular street Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive, but Action SA says the name change offers zero benefits to the residents of the city.   GUEST: Cllr Ramatamo Sehoal 

The Economic Freedom Fighters put out a statement earlier today stating that Heritage Day cannot be reduced to braais and traditional outfits while the majority of South Africans still bear the brunt of colonial and apartheid legacies. Celebrating the day under these circumstances would be a mockery the statement continued to say. EFF member, Sharon Letlape joins me on the line to talk about this…...

    In the spirit if promoting and preserving the heritage of the diverse people of Gauteng, the provincial department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation is currently hosting the Annual Indigenous Games Festival at the Eesterus Stadium in Tshwane.   GUEST: Nomazwe Ntlokwana from the provincial department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in Gauteng  

As we observe Heritage Day we ask, what does this day mean to you? This year’s Heritage Day coincides with our 30 years of democracy and freedom but do you think that our country is doing justice when observing and celebrating this day? Mzwakhe Mbuli joins us to share some interesting insights about Heritage Day celebrations.   GUEST: Mzwakhe Mbuli, popularly known as ‘The People’s Poet’

We look at the ongoing protests against economic hardships in Ghana. We understand that these protests are largely fuelled by the citizens frustration over environmental destruction caused by illegal mining and perceived economic mismanagement by the government. So how should this problem be resolved going forward?   GUEST (Nigeria): Dr Christian Ani, Senior Researcher and Project Coordinator at t...

According to Eskom in the Western Cape, some areas in the region are without electricity due to illegal connections, theft and vandalism. Just how rife is this problem and how is the power utility responding to this issue? GUEST: Zama Mpondwana  

Today we tell you more about JiK’iZinto, a new movement representing a generation determined to rewrite their future and overcome the challenges they face today. They use innovative ways to reach out to young people. To tell us more about the objectives of this new movement is…   GUEST: Lebo Leitch, JiK’iZinto’s Creative Lead Girl Effect

South Africa's new government marked its 100th day in power yesterday, seeing the rand strength 5.8% against the dollar over the same period. The first 100 days are critical to demonstrate whether the Government of National Unity can prove its mettle. I’m joined on the line by … political analyst to give us an analysis of the first 100 days of the GNU…   GUEST: Professor Dirk Kotze, Political Anal...

Earlier on, I spoke to David Van Wyk, a lead researcher at the Benchmarks Foundation about the issue of illegal mining and why it refuses to go away. This comes after the multi-disciplinary task team behind Operation Vala Umgodi recently arrested several individuals allegedly involved in illegal mining activities in the North-West province. We going to take a second bite at this conversation and t...

Rustenburg Local Municipality has started the process of installing water and sanitation pipes in the Popo Molefe informal settlement, but community complains about delays to formalise the area. SABC News Reporter, Itumeleng Kgajane was in the area this afternoon and joins me on the line… GUEST: Tsholofelo Mogami, SABC News Reporter

The department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs has warned KwaZulu-Natal Midlands residents to be aware of potential flooding as the snow melts. Is the worst over though? When it comes to the weather conditions we experienced over the weekend? Meteorologist, Lehlohonolo Thobela joins me on the line to give us the latest on upcoming weather patterns…   GUEST: Lehlohonolo Thobela, M...

As we observe World Retina Week. We speak to Dr Nombuso Mathe about the importance of regular eye exams in order to catch eye diseases early and prevent permanent vision loss. This year’s theme “Advancing Optometry’s commitment to Global Eye Care” emphasises how early detection can reduce the need for costly, invasive treatments. To tell us more about Retina Week is…..   GUEST: Dr Nombuso Mathe, O...

This afternoon KZN Transport MEC Siboniso Duma visited areas that were affected by heavy snowfall at the weekend. Two people died from hypothermia after they were trapped in the snow in KwaZulu-Natal.   GUEST: Sboniso Duma, MEC for Transport and Human Settlements in KwaZulu-Natal

President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently in New York, to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly. During the gathering world leaders are expected to discuss global challenges and how to address these challenges in the best interest of humanity. Ramaphosa is expected to address the General Assembly tomorrow. For more on the significance of Ramaphosa’s New York trip, we are joined by…….   GUES...

We ask this question after the multi-disciplinary task team behind Operation Vala Umgodi recently arrested several individuals that were allegedly involved in illegal mining activities in the North-West province. But is there a political will to deal with this issue once and for all?   GUEST: David Van Wyk, Lead Researcher @Benchmarks Foundation

According to the latest Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) report. In 2022, Free State Province had the third-highest HIV prevalence at 15.6%, meaning that close to 500,000 people in the province are living with HIV. Also what is concerning is the fact that HIV prevalence in the province is consistently higher among females as compared to males across age categories above 15 years. For further...

If you were listening to Bertha Chirumba earlier on The Full Circle then you’d know that she was broadcasting live from the Kruger National Park and one of the things she kept complaining about is the constant drop in temperature. IT IS COLD TODAY. I saw weather forecasts stating that there will be a cold front in this part of the country. What about places such as KZN? Well, KwaZulu-Natal residen...

I saw a clip-on social media late yesterday of the MMC for Public Safety in the City of Joburg, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, demonstrating how the PTZ cameras, fitted with Artical Intelligence and Hi Zoom module operate. The MMC will be donating these cameras to patrollers who are fighting crime in different communities around the city. According to Dr. Tshwaku, each camera costs about R6000. The MMC joins...

Yesterday I spoke to Ashraf Garda about the annual one young world summit currently taking place in Montreal, Canada. I thought we should catch up with him again today to find out what he’s been up to. GUEST: Ashraf Garda, SA FM Presenter

The 2025 NSFAS applications are officially open! This is great news for students who are looking to apply to college or university in 2025, but who are otherwise unable to afford it. Why do I say this is good news? Well, NSFAS.     GUEST: Ishmael Mnisi

Earlier this week, Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation revealed that the country’s water situation is worsening, stating that South Africa is just months away from a devastating water crisis. Should we be worried and what informs this warning?   GUEST: Prof Mike Miller, Water expert and Visiting Professor at the School of Governance at Wits