The National Pulse

On Friday last week, the SABC released a press statement announcing the growth of the SABC+ platform. According to the statement, since the revamp of SABC+ in July this year, the streaming platform has registered over 500k users. To tell us more about this growth, which shows are doing well and what more can we expect from the platform, I am joined on the line by…   GUEST: Themba Gwejela, SABC Gro...

More than 1000 activists were expected to march to the Union Building today to demand justice and an end to the violence, threats, and intimidation aimed at activists and whistleblowers. Human Rights Defenders campaigner at groundwork, Robby Mokgalaka joins me on the line to tell us more about the march… GUEST: Robby Mokgalaka, Human Rights Defenders campaigner at groundwork

The Free-Market Foundation called on the Government of National Unity to dramatically overhaul the trade policy environment in South Africa. The Foundation held a press briefing today to share their recommendations to policymakers in South Africa’s post-2024 government. Dr. Morne Malan, Deputy Head of Policy joins me on the line to tell us more about the Free-Market Foundation’s recommendations  ...

The Democratic Alliance has confirmed that it’s going to appeal the Electoral Court ruling in relation to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s pre-election speech. The party firmly believes that it will be successful on appeal as there are several matters that they think the court failed to deal with adequately.   GUEST: Karabo Khakhau, DA’s national spokesperson

South Africa’s (SA) Eastern Cape Education Department has warned that the inclement weather forecast by the SA Weather Service for the province could affect schooling. The department’s Spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima has called on all learners, teachers and parents in the province to be vigilant. The latest is that around 400 students were reportedly unable to write their matric final exams today du...

We unpack the 16th annual BRICS Summit that is currently underway in Kazan, Russia. This is the first BRICS summit since the expansion of the bloc – the platform presents an opportunity for South Africa to strengthen ties within the BRICS framework hence President Cyril Ramaphosa will hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit. BRICS now covers 43% of the world’s population and 27% of...

AfriForum says they do not need EFF’s permission to keep Tshwane clean. This after the newly elected MMC of environmental affairs and Agriculture Obakeng Ramabodu (who is an EFF member) announced recently that he was going to propose that the agreement between the City of Tshwane and AfriForum be cancelled. However though, AfriForum says the MOU with the city is meant to make it easier to keep Tsh...

Recently, South Africa’s anti-corruption advocate Athol Williams received the Social Justice Champion of the Year Award, mainly for his anti-corruption and ethical business stance, and for being a remarkable South African. Williams has dedicated his life to fighting social and economic injustice. GUEST: Athol Williams, South African academic   and author   based at the University of Oxford in the...

Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile, visited Boipatong in the Vaal to engage with the community and families affected by the recent violence and looting of spaza shops. SABC News Reporter, Puseletso Mokoena was in Boipatong with the MEC and joins me on the line…   GUEST: Puseletso Mokoena, SABC News Reporter

South Africa’s premier literary prize, the 19th South African Literary Awards will celebrate a literary milestone in style when more than 30 authors are honoured for their sterling contributions to South African literature at a gala dinner in Tshwane on the 7th of November 2024. To get more details on the 19th South African Literary Awards, I am joined on the line by…   GUEST: Winston Tsietsi Moha...

The South African Weather Services has issued a yellow level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms in parts of Johannesburg on Sunday. The warning also applies to greater Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the southern parts of Limpopo. KZN is also on high alert and the Eastern Cape had disruptive rain warning. Let’s get more info on weather updates for the rest of the week from…   GUEST: Lehlohonolo Thobela, S...

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...