The National Pulse

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  

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has criticised the NPA for declining to prosecute anyone in relation to the Phala Phala farm case. Yesterday, the NPA revealed that the decision not to prosecute was taken after a careful assessment of all available evidence presented to the prosecutors by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. For more on this, let’s speak to….. GUEST: Vuyo Zun...

Are the reasons furnished by the NPA not to pursue the Phala Phala matter strong enough to withstand any legal scrutiny? We find out from Nthabiseng Dubazana as it is public knowledge now that the NPA won’t pursue this issue anymore as there is no reasonable prospect of a successful prosecution. GUEST: Nthabiseng Dubazana, Attorney and Director @Dubazana Attorneys

We touched on the story of a Limpopo police sergeant who was arrested this morning for allegedly being involved in at least 6 insurance-related murders which saw her pocket close to R10 million. This has once again brought to light a conversation around the reality of people killing for insurance payouts. To help us understand why this happens and how rife a problem this is, I am joined on the lin...

I’m now joined on the line by Political Analyst, Dr. Ntsikelelo Breakfast to breakdown some of the statements made by EFF leader, Julius Malema this afternoon… GUEST: Dr. Ntsikelelo Breakfast, Political Analyst  

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. It is observed globally to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. A number of organisations will host awareness campaigns to encourage the people of South Africa to be aware and look closely before sharing any personal information or clicking on links online. We’ve invited Doreen Mokoena, CEO of Cybersec Clinique to talk to us abo...

SECTION27, representing Blind SA, has launched an urgent application in the Constitutional Court against President Cyril Ramaphosa for failing to sign the Copyright Amendment Bill (CAB). This follows two years after the Constitutional Court handed down judgment in a matter also brought by Blind SA, challenging the constitutionality of the Copyright Act for infringing on the rights of blind and vis...

According to the latest Clean Creatives South Africa report, fossil fuel companies like Sasol still contribute three quarters of the pollution driving global warming. The report also highlights how South Africa’s advertising and PR industry is not only failing to align with clean energy trends but is actively working to protect the fossil fuel industry from accountability. This report, which focus...

Aspiring parliamentary candidate for Goodhope-Mmathethe constituency in Botswana, Peggy Serame is our guest this afternoon. This as you may be aware that Botswana will be heading to the polls at the end of this month. Serame is part of the Botswana Democratic Party that has been in power since independence from Britain in 1966. In 2021, she became the country’s first female Minister of Finance aft...

Earlier today, police in Limpopo arrested a fellow officer who allegedly killed six people for insurance claims purposes. The officer, stationed at the Senwabarwana police station, allegedly claimed more than R10 million. She had insured the lives of the six deceased and cashed out upon their murders. For more on this, let’s speak to….. GUEST: Athlenda Mathe, SAPS National spokesperson  

Today we celebrate Ntombozuko Mkizwana, Deputy Principal from the Mandela School of Science & Technology in Mvezo village in the Eastern Cape, after she was named the Best Teacher of the Year at the 2024 National Teaching Awards that took place in Boksburg this past weekend. GUEST: Ntombozuko Mkizwana, Deputy Principal @ the Mandela School of Science & Technology in the Eastern Cape

We’ve so far spoken to Action SA and the DA in Tshwane on the election of Action SA’s Dr Nasiphi Moya as the new Tshwane Mayor. ANC supported this candidate. ANC Tshwane Regional Secretary, George Matjila joins me on the line to shed some light on the decision to support the Action SA candidate…   GUEST: George Matjila, ANC Tshwane Regional Secretary