The National Pulse

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomed the re-election of President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, the election of the Premiers and Presiding Officers, and the convening of Parliament and the Provincial Legislatures. The Federation also noted and shared views on the declaration of intent establishing a Government of National and Provincial Unity.   GUEST: Matthew Parks, COSATU Par...

SA’s biggest doctor organization, the South African Medical Association, is calling on president-elect Cyril Ramaphosa to slash the size of his cabinet and use the savings to hire more healthcare workers. Ramaphosa is under pressure to scale back the number of cabinet posts to cut costs, while accommodating the various political parties that have agreed to join the government of national unity.  ...

It’s public knowledge that South Africa has an electricity crisis where national supply is often unable to meet demand. A report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) identifies a broad lack of understanding of battery opportunities.   GUEST: Richard Halsey, Policy Advisor on SA energy team at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)

Dr David Matsanga has written an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa warning him about what he terms “the hidden emerging conflict in South Africa”. Matsanga also calls on President Ramaphosa to make peace with former president Jacob Zuma asking - Are there no better ways black South Africans like you and Zuma can resolve your gulf differences? GUEST (Uganda): Dr David Matsanga, Political ana...

The South African Tobacco-Free Youth Forum is a network of vibrant young people who are constantly & actively championing for Tobacco Control in our South African communities. The forum encourages youth advocates to join the revolution in reaching a goal that is far bigger than themselves. The forum encourages youth advocates to join the revolution in creating & building ‘A Smoke Free Gene...

Police in Zimbabwe have arrested Jameson Timba, the interim leader of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change and dozens of young activists for holding a political meeting. A total of 80 people were arrested yesterday. Timba took over from Nelson Chamisa who resigned from the party in January, alleging that ZANU-PF members had hijacked it. The law requires that parties get clarity with the po...

While youth empowerment has dominated many conversations over the past few years, the lack of significant progress is a cause for concern. According to Statistics South Africa, the absorption rate of young men into the labour market is 31.9%, outpacing that of young women, which stands at 24.2% - especially in technology space. The United Nations Women defines the digital gender gap as the dispari...

Forty-five people died and 27 others were seriously injured on 17 June 1992 when several hundred IFP-supporting residents of the KwaMadala hostel launched attacks on the Boipatong community, near Vanderbijlpark, during a period of escalating violence between the ANC and IFP in the area. Victims included at least nine children, two babies and 17 women, one of whom was pregnant. Just after the massa...

    Power cuts are expected to last at least another three weeks in parts of Ghana because of a shortage of supplies from Nigeria. A statement from the state power firm said a temporary shutdown for maintenance works at an unnamed Nigerian gas supplier was to blame. Ghanaians have endured years of regular power shortages and they even have their own nickname - "dumsor" - which means "on and off" i...

    Ikamva Youth was founded in 2003 by Joy Olivier and Makhosi Gogwana, who travelled very different paths to get to the same job, as researchers at the Human Sciences Research Council. Joy went to a privileged school in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, and Makhosi went to a township school in Khayelitsha, WC. Ikamva Youth now uses cutting-edge educational approaches to create pathways for young people fro...

We kick off the show by reflecting on the weekend’s political developments. The uMkhonto we Sizwe party leader Jacob Zuma has criticised the formation of a government of national unity, describing it as a white-led unholy alliance between the ANC and the DA. The government of national unity includes the ANC, DA, IFP and PA and lately we are told that the Good Party has become part of it. Its forma...

We kick off the show by reflecting on the weekend’s political developments. The uMkhonto we Sizwe party leader Jacob Zuma has criticised the formation of a government of national unity, describing it as a white-led unholy alliance between the ANC and the DA. The government of national unity includes the ANC, DA, IFP and PA and lately we are told that the Good Party has become part of it. Its forma...

Guest: Dj Sbu

Today was dominated by developments in parliament as some of the most important offices were being filled. MPs took their oaths as they start they work ahead of the 7th administration. We also heard from DA leader, John Steenhuizen announcing that his party has signed an agreement for a Government of National Unity with the ANC and IFP. For a perspective on the latest development. We are joined on...

      Guest: Nic Bersford, Chief organizer of the SA Podcast & Music Festival

    While it is clear that the ANC, with 40% of the national vote, will dominate the government of national unity, it does not necessarily follow that economic policy continuity is guaranteed — something that was the consensus expectation before the election.   Guest: Duma Gqubule, Economist and independent researcher

    The Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley has given many young people from the fringes of society a lifeline to access higher education. In many ways, this university is seen as a beacon for students from all over the country. Many of their graduates are the first people in their families to obtain a degree. It is also worth mentioning that the late Justice Yvonne Mokgoro was the inaugural Chair...

    Big announcement on the Government of National Unity by the IFP last night. Constitutional Court dismissing the MK Party’s bid to stop the first sitting of the National Assembly also happening last night. Patriotic Alliance stating that they will be voting for Ramaphosa to be President tomorrow. EFF Presser at 6PM tonight. ANC NEC locked in a special meeting in Cape Town as we speak. Secretary...

    According to a news report in money web this morning, Media24 is set to close some of its iconic and mainstream newspapers in October this year. The newspapers in question are City Press, Daily Sun, Rapport and Beeld. The article further states that the only print publication in the stable remaining in circulation is the Cape Town-headquartered Die Burger.   GUEST: Reggy Moalusi, SANEF Executi...

    As South Africa observes Youth Month. The Road Accident Fund has revealed that the leading cause of death for youth in South Africa is road accidents. According to the organisation’s latest data - between 2020 and 2022, the estimated number of people between the ages of 15 and 34 who died on South Africa's roads was almost 14,000 out of a total of 34,000. For more on this, let’s speak to……   G...

    The ANC’s alliance partners in KZN are not impressed with the provincial leadership of the governing party after they watched the IFP announce that they will be working with the ANC and DA at national and provincial level in KZN.   GUEST: Edwin Mkhize, COSATU KZN Provincial Secretary 

    The Secretary to Parliament, Mr Xolile George, held a media briefing earlier today on preparations to host the first sittings of the two Houses of Parliament, the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces scheduled for tomorrow and Saturday.   GUEST: Moloto Mothapo, Parliament spokesperson

What kind of conversations should we be having as a nation, given the unpredictable environment that we find ourselves in and how do we ensure that regardless of our current situation we take South Africa forward? For more on this…….   GUEST: Buyani Zwane, Lecturer at Gibs Business School and CEO of Breakthrough Development (which is about leadership)

The first sitting of the National Assembly will go ahead as planned tomorrow. After the Constitutional Court dismissed the application by the uMkhonto weSizwe Political Party (MK Party) to interdict tomorrow’s proceedings.   GUEST: Nhlamulo Ndhlela, MK Party spokesperson

The Global Watch: As the country waits with bated breath to find out if President Cyril Ramaphosa will be re-elected as President of the country for the second term. Professor Somadoda Fikeni joins us to discuss the global shift of political and economic activity and what it means for our pending government of national unity. This as we know that periods of global transition can be chaotic and unp...