The National Pulse

Milton Maluleque gives us an update regarding the ongoing post-election protests in Mozambique. Presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane has called for a new three-day period of national demonstrations in all provincial capitals in Mozambique, starting from today. The protests are aimed at contesting the electoral process in which, according to the official results, Mondlane was defeated. GUEST (M...

Once again - UCT has been recognised for its proud tradition of academic excellence. This time around, the varsity’s MBA programme has been ranked number seven globally and number one in Africa in the 2024 Better World MBA ranking by Corporate Knights magazine.    GUEST:  Catherine 

South Africa’s unemployment rate eased to 32.1% in the third quarter of 2024 after hitting a two-year high of 33.5% in the second quarter. The third quarter of 2024 results show that the total number of unemployed youth decreased by 171 000 to 4.8 million, while employed youth recorded an increase of 66 000 to 5.8 million.   GUEST: Thapelo Maleke, President of SA Youth Chamber of Commerce

The withdrawal of the SABC bill comes amid activism by 37 civil society organisations that campaigned for it to be redrafted for the benefit of the country's public broadcaster. The bill's withdrawal was announced by minister of communications and digital technologies Solly Malatsi, who said it failed to provide a credible funding model for the SABC’s long-term survival. GUEST: William Bird, Direc...

Township Entrepreneur Alliance, TEA, is an organization that was established in 2015 and has a focus in empowering township-based companies and entrepreneurs with knowledge sharing. With what has been happening with Spaza shops, TEA has released a circular based on Health and Safety for Spaza shops. Bulelani Balabala joins me on the line to chat about this and touch broadly on the township economy...

The Department of Basic Education was this past weekend accused of inflating the budget for printing exam materials. Earlier today, the Department set the record straight on this issue through a statement. To get a full understanding of what the printing costs were and why they cost that much, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Elijah Mhlanga, Department of Basic Education Spokesperson

According to the latest statistics. The official unemployment rate has decreased by 1.4 percentage points from 33.5% in the second quarter of this year to 32.1% in the third quarter. However though, the youth remain vulnerable in the labour market despite the survey results showing that the total number of unemployed youth decreased by 171,000. Currently youth unemployment rate stands at an incred...

Tensions are running high in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, following a stand-off between residents and Johannesburg Metro police officials. Joburg Water officials were conducting an operation to disconnect illegal water connections in the Phumla-mqashi area in Lenasia. But, a protest ensued, resulting in four vehicles being damaged by residents.  SABC News reporter Monique Lewis

AfriForum has requested the Gauteng Department of Education to allow authorised sellers who can prove that they meet all requirements and comply with health regulations to resume the sale of food at schools. The organisation agrees that steps to prevent more cases and deaths are essential but is of the opinion that this ban is far too drastic. GUEST: Elana Bailey, Head of Cultural Affairs and Educ...

Former South African Ambassador to the United States of America, Ebrahim Rasool is heading back to the U.S for a second stint as the country’s ambassador. Rasool will have to nurse our fragile relationship with the U.S which is largely troubled by a sense of mutual disappointment and mistrust, particularly when it comes to our foreign policy pronouncements.   GUEST: Ebrahim Rasool, newly appointed...

Professor Thumbi Ndung’u from the University of KwaZulu-Natal has been elected to the prestigious US National Academy of Medicine (NAM). Election to the National Academy of Medicine is recognised as one of the highest global honours in health and medicine, reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievements and a profound commitment to advancing public health.   GUEST: Professo...

Forgiving yourself and others is an acknowledgement that letting go of angry or resentful feelings will improve your life greatly. Transformational life, business and executive coach, Puseletso Modimogale joins me on the line to breakdown how forgiving yourself and others can inspire personal growth… GUEST: Puseletso Modimogale, Transformational Life, Business and Executive Coach

A driver blocked the N3 at Harrismith early this morning amid unconfirmed reports of a nationwide truck shutdown. I spoke to Gugu Sokhela, the General Secretary of ATDF-ASA and he distanced their organization from any planned shutdown. Let’s now get an update on what happened in KZN with KZN Transport spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya…   GUEST: Ndabezinhle Sibiya, KZN Transport Spokesperson

The Gauteng government is tightening by-laws around spaza shops following cases of suspected food poisoning affecting mostly children. Part of the criteria of the new by-laws on spaza shops stipulates that owners must trade in clean areas and in addition, whoever is in South Africa legally, can open and operate a spaza shop. To get reaction on the new by-laws, I am joined by… GUEST: Sibusiso Ngcob...

Sanco members in KwaZulu-Natal have decided that they will no longer participate in any ANC-related events or invite ANC leaders to their programmes. According to the organisation, their decision to cut ties with the ANC is informed by the fact that they have tried several times since last year to reach out to the ANC, but their efforts have been ignored. Following this announcement, let’s now hea...

In conversation with Professor Somadoda Fikeni, following his election as Vice President of the Association of African Public Service Commissions in the Southern African Region. He will tell us more about how he hopes to drive the agenda of an impactful and developmental professionalisation of the Public Service within the Continent.   GUEST: Professor Somadoda Fikeni, Chairperson of the Public Se...

All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied South Africa secretary-general Gugu Sokhela joins us now to talk about their national shutdown which commenced earlier today. Some of the things that truck drivers are complaining about include the employment of foreign national truck drivers in the freight and logistic industry and alleged non-compliance with the minimum wage policy by some employers. GUEST: Gug...

After weeks of protests and a violent crackdown by police in Mozambique. Today we give an update in terms of what’s happening in the country as we speak to Renamo representative. It’s public knowledge that Mozambique descended into chaos following a disputed election on October 9 that saw the ruling Frelimo party extend its 49-year rule. GUEST: Dr Manuel De Araujo, Member of Renamo political party...

Today we are joined by an accomplished executive and expert in leadership with a proven track record of executing growth and turnaround strategies, Mr Mteto Nyati. I hope his story will help propel your leadership journey forward….. GUEST: Mteto Nyati, Chairman of Eskom and Executive Chairman of BSG, a consulting and technology company

Girl Effect, a non-profit organization that uses the power of media and technology to unlock the power of girls in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, India, Ethiopia, and Tanzania had the official launch of JiK'iZinto, Girl Effect South Africa's flagship programme yesterday in Johannesburg. To tell us nore about Girl Effect and their programmes, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Emmanuelle Tshala Mgib...

ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, led the ‘Walking with the People Walk and Community march’ in Tshwane today. SABC News Reporter, Sibahle Motha, was in Tshwane and joins me on the line to talk about the turn out, what the march was all about and what the ANC Secretary General had to say…   GUEST: Sibahle Motha, SABC News Reporter

Eskom moves to cut off Joburg power supply Last night, Eskom announced that it has started the process to cut power supply to Johannesburg’s City Power due to unpaid bills of R6.3bn, R4.9bn of which is arrears debt. Energy expert, Chris Yelland joins me on the line to talk about the significance of such a move by Eskom in recouping money owed…   GUEST: Chris Yelland, Energy Expert

Free State MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism says counterfeit food poses danger to people’s lives, and it deprives the government of crucial revenue that could have been invested in public services. He made these remarks following complaints and allegations from the public regarding the sale of expired and counterfeit foods, which are harmful to the health of the school learners an...

Botswana President, Advocate Duma Boko has been inaugurated in the capital Gaborone. He is now officially the 6th President of Botswana. Following today’s proceedings, Boko has promised to hit the ground running in exploring ways to diversify the southern African country's economy that solely relies on diamond sales. Sophie Mokoena witnessed it all this morning and she joins us now to give us a su...

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has instructed all schools to suspend the sale of food within and around school premises until further notice. This after the recent and alarming increase in incidents of foodborne illnesses affecting pupils across various schools in the province. GUEST: Steve Mabona, Spokesperson for the Department of Education in Gauteng