The National Pulse

As tributes continue pouring in for renowned maths and science teacher Dr William Smith, his alma mater Rhodes University has joined in remembering South Africa's beloved “teacher of the nation”. Rhodes paid tribute to the “education giant” as it detailed his academic background with the university. The university conferred a degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) on Smith in 2021, just tw...

Action SA’s wish to play an oversight role in the City of Joburg has come to pass, as its caucus leader, Nobuhle Mthembu, was elected council speaker yesterday. Mthembu’s election to the seat was supported by the ANC-Economic Freedom Fighters coalition block that saw 180 councillors voting for her rise to the office. She won the race against the DA’s Nonhlanhla Sifumba, who only received 68 votes...

Hundreds of Johannesburg public servants affiliated with the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) have gathered in Braamfontein as they prepare to embark on a strike on Thursday afternoon. The union has been struggling to reach an agreement with the city over a wage dispute. The JMPD has warned that the M1 and M2 highways will be heavily affected by the demonstration.   GUEST: Xolani Fihl...

In its latest leadership shakeup, the MK Party has announced that former EFF strongman Floyd Shivambu will be the party's national organiser. Making the announcement on behalf of party president Jacob Zuma, MKP secretary-general Sifiso Maseko said: "The MK Party will be led by the national high command, which will be the highest [decision-making] body comprising eight officials.” The announcement...

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation has commemorated the stalwart's 95th birthday, at Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg yesterday. Last night’s celebration’s formed part of events honouring the freedom fighter's life and legacy. The foundation's executive director, Neeshan Balton joins me on the line…   GUEST: Neeshan Balton, Executive Director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation

Award winning South African filmmaker and director Tarryn Lolly joins us talk about her new project that is aimed at celebrating individuals and organisations that are doing good on the continent.   GUEST: Tarryn Jolly, South African award-winning filmmaker and director  

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo was honoured at a farewell dinner in Johannesburg last night. The Chief Justice is set to retire at the end of August, bringing to an end a 27-year judicial career. We’ll be sharing clips from some of the guests at last night’s dinner . Mbekezeli Benjamin, Judges Matter Research and Advocacy Officer

The South African Women in Science Awards announced Nelson Mandela University’s Professor Zukiswa Zingela, as its 2024 Distinguished Woman Researcher in a glittering awards ceremony held in Mpumalanga on Thursday, 15 August. The Executive Dean of Health Sciences at the University in Gqeberha was one of 14 national finalists in the SAWISA awards ceremony in White River, Mbombela.   GUEST: Professor...

  The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority, Dr Michael Masiapato has commended the outstanding work of BMA Border Guards following a significant arrest of a suspect in possession of 34 passports at the Lebombo Port of Entry to Mozambique.   GUEST: Dr Michael Masiapato, Commissioner of the Border Management Authority

Ten of the eighteen uMkhonto weSizwe MPs who were expelled from the party two weeks ago went to court today to challenge their dismissal. Former MK Party Students Movement convener Thamsanqa Khuzwayo is one of those members and he joins us now to give us further details.   GUEST: Thami Khuzwayo, former MK Party MP

Members of the judiciary are currently holding a Special Sitting in the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg in honour of the outgoing Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. This follows a function last night to celebrate Zondo's 27-year career in the judiciary. Zondo is set to retire at the end of this month. SABC News Political Editor is currently in the Constitutional Court, covering today’s special sitt...

Good news for SA consumers as Stats SA announced earlier today that the country’s Consumer Price Index declined to a 3-year low of 4,6% in July from 5,1% in June this year. So does this mean there is a strong possibility of interest rate cuts? We find out from……   GUEST: Dr Azar Jamine, Director & Chief Economist at Econometrist

Analysing Malema’s speech: Words used, how things were said as well as body language   EFF leader, Julius Malema, addressed Gauteng EFF members at the Orlando Community Hall in Soweto last night. As it usually happens with these things, a lot of people on social media analyzed Malema’s words and body language during the speech. I invited someone who knows and understands corporate communication to...

Yesterday, the African National Congress confirmed that it has finally closed the Jacob Zuma chapter after he failed to respond within 21 days to appeal his expulsion. I guess the big question now is – will some party members miss him? For more analysis on this, we are joined by….   GUEST: Professor Andre Duvenhage, Political analyst based at North-West University Potchefstroom Campus

The role of women in global leadership has become increasingly significant. Women bring unique perspectives and qualities that are not only transforming businesses but also shaping the future of industries and societies at large. Despite the considerable progress made in recent years, female leaders continue to navigate a complex landscape filled with challenges. GUEST: Debra Lalla, Senior Academi...

    A few weeks ago I asked “Should South Africa bid to host the Olympics?”. This question came at the back of all the euphoria we experienced during the 2024 Paris Olympics. So the question still stands? Should South Africa consider hosting the Olympics? Entrepreneur, Koshiek Karan says NO! In fact, he says Cape Town trying to host Olympics in 2040 is a TERRIBLE idea. Koshiek Karan joins me on th...

ANC Eastern Cape calls for military to be deployed in the province    Eastern Cape ANC is calling on the government to deploy soldiers in crime hotspots in the province following a surge in extortion cases in places like Mthatha and Gqeberha. According to the party, there's a R1 billion road being constructed by SANRAL in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality that has been blocked by individuals ext...

    Deputy Minister of Public Works and infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala was in vosloorus earlier today to assess progress made on roads and storm water projects in vosloorus in the City of Ekurhuleni. This was part of the deputy minister’s pre-presidential imbizo programme in Ekurhuleni. The deputy minister is of the view that, this visit will mitigate challenges relating to public works and infras...

Former Speaker of the City of Johannesburg Margaret Arnolds speaks to us about her new portfolio and her previous role as Speaker of the City of Johannesburg. Arnolds has acknowledged the challenges faced during her tenure, highlighting the spirit of unity in addressing the city’s needs.   GUEST: Margaret Arnolds, MMC for Finance in the City of Joburg

What do you make of Julius Malema’s speech that he delivered last night – was it unifying or even more divisive and how is his militant talk helping the party going forward?   Malema has criticized some party members for failing to defend the party post Floyd Shivhambu’s departure, he has also issued a stern warning to those who want to leave the party, telling them to leave now!! For more analysi...

We get more analysis on the Democrats Convention that is currently underway in Chicago – asking, what does it all mean for Team Kamala Harris & Tim Waltz ahead of the November election. Also interestingly, President Joe Biden gave a tearful keynote speech last night. For more on this, we are joined by….. GUEST: Sherwin Bryce-Pease, SABC Correspondent based in New York

A South African woman who was allegedly brutally assaulted by three men in Croatia arrived back home in South Africa after being evacuated by the department of international relations and co-operation, with her child, after a video of her desperately pleading for help went viral on social media. Basetsana Horing could not immediately come back to South Africa as her son was born in Croatia and nee...

The ANC in Gauteng concluded its Provincial Executive Committee Lekgotla earlier and briefed the media on the outcomes of the Lekgotla. We will play clips from that briefing a little later. For now, we focus on what happened in the ANC before this lekgotla as well as some of the comments made by ANC Gauteng provincial chairperson, Panyaza Lesufi. GUEST: Mzwandile Mbeje, SABC News Political Editor

Wabo Majavu tells us more about the upcoming Telecoms and Datacentre Summit which is due to take place next week Tuesday (27th August 2024). Among other things, the summit will discuss the issue of women participation and representation in the telecommunications industry. Majavu joins us now to give us more details…….   GUEST (studio): Wabo Majavu, Executive for Strategy and Business Operation @Af...

I made mention of this last week Friday just before talking to my guest, Dr. Alan Boesak. Just in case you missed it, President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill into law. This new law aims to ensure energy security, a more competitive energy market and the rapid uptake of renewables.   GUEST: Hilton Trollip, Research Associate at the Energy Systems Research Grou...