The National Pulse

As the Cuban economy continues to struggle, a war of words has ensued between the island nation and the United States of America, following recent demonstrations over food and electricity shortages that saw hundreds of people joining street protests that took place in Cuba's second-largest city, Santiago this past weekend. The Cuban government has accused Washington of meddling in its internal aff...

According to Statistics South Africa, 10,7 million commuters rely on taxi operators and associations to take them to work daily. With the cost of fuel steadily increasing in the last two months, taxi operators may have to consider a fare hike to cover the cost and review how many trips they can make on their designated route. To tell us more about what is taken into consideration before a fare hik...

A German rail technology company, Vossloh AG has been implicated in deals with a front company, Swifumbo Rail Leasing worth R3,5 billion. This is part of a series of articles in Ground-Up on corruption at the state-owned Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) from 2012 to 2018. While these deals were deemed corrupt by the Supreme Court of Appeal, both companies have not recouped the monies...

We chat to Riyaad Sampson, a Capetonian train driver who recently rescued a dog he spotted on the tracks of a busy Southern Line track, between Steenberg and Lakeside railway in Cape Town. Sampson has been hailed as a hero for his effort, and he joins us now to tell us more about his rescue mission on the job. GUEST: Riyaad Sampson, Capetonian train driver

It has been confirmed that earlier today, the NPA's Investigating Directorate conducted a search and seizure operation at National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula's Johannesburg residence. The probe is linked to alleged corruption during her tenure as minister of defence and military veterans. For more reaction on this, let’s now speak to….. GUEST: Wayne Duvenhage, CEO of the Organisation...

Following startling revelations that North-West MEC Virginia Thlapi knowingly hired two senior officials with questionable qualifications to head the North-West Development Corporation. We understand that former MEC in the province who currently serves as the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee responsible for Public Works, Roads and Community Safety, and Transport Management, Mmoloki Cwaile ha...

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address on the closing day of the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium in Cape Town. In the speech, the President highlighted the need to review regulations for public-private partnerships and the need for R4,8 trillion to address the challenges we face in local infrastructure.  Thought leaders, businesses, entrepreneurs, policy-makers an...

Earlier on today, the commander of Amabutho kaZulu (King's Regiments), Induna Sipho Mhlongo, together with Izinduna, briefed the media following what happened over the weekend during the 110th anniversary commemoration of King Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, iSilo sasoSuthu. During the event, Amabutho heckled ANC Provincial Chairperson S’boniso Duma after he snatched the microphone from the Zulu prime minis...

Following Niger’s ruling junta decision to revoke with immediate effect its military cooperation with the United States. US authorities have revealed that no official date has been set for their military personnel to vacate the country - apparently, they are also in the dark about what informed this latest decision. Following this development, some security experts are concerned that there would b...

The Higher Education sector still faces challenges regarding the representative of their staff complement after 30 years of democracy. A snap survey conducted by NEWS24 has found that 3 out of 4 professors in former Afrikaans universities is still white. The study looked at the demographics of academic staff amongst public universities and the programmes that are supposed to diversify early career...

Let’s now tell you more about the good work that’s being done by Impilo-0720 Sports Centre of Excellence which is based in Mamelodi. As part of contributing to society in a meaningful way, the organisation conducts street tennis sessions biweekly throughout Mamelodi, introducing the sport to young children through mini tournaments and skill-building activities.  GUEST: Sizwe Radebe, Coach and co-f...

A mother from Hammanskraal has been arrested for the concealment of birth and defeating the ends of justice. The mother gave birth to triplets on the weekend at her home and buried the newborns in shallow graves. The police are conducting a postmortem examination to determine the cause of death. In light of this incident, we ask what leads a mother to conceal the birth of her children and what opt...

This year, South Africa celebrates 30 years of Constitutional Democracy and Human Rights. As part of celebrating this milestone, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is convening the National Conference to assess the progress and chart a way forward in advancing human rights since 1994. Joining us to unpack the significance of this conference is…..   GUEST: Chrispin Phiri, Spok...

Russian President Vladimir Putin has secured a record sixth term after cruising to victory following an election that featured no credible opposition. Post the announcement of the results, some global leaders condemned electoral violations and the suppression of opposition voices during the Russian elections, with the United Kingdom in particular saying that Russian elections starkly underlines th...

Many people who witnessed the incident argue that what happened did not set a good example and they are of the view that Duma disrespected the traditional protocols. Let’s now hear from the cultural expert in terms of how she views Saturday’s event….   GUEST:Dr Gugu Mazibuko, Cultural expert from the University of KwaZulu-Natal

  Guest: Naeem Jeenah: Senior Researcher: Humanity, Mistra

The Social Policy Initative argues that the increase of the Social Relief of Distress grant by R20 does not adequately compensate for the economic conditions facing beneficiaries as the cost of living continues to climb. ThisTo unpack this further, we are joined by... Guest: Nomahlubi Jakuja - Head of Research at the Social Policy Initiative (Economic Research, Just Transition and Social Security)

The City of Tshwane says that their revenue collection campaign, #TshwaneYaTima, has shone a light on a corruption ring when it comes to the disconnection and reconnection of power supply in the city. Our next guest is launching a forensic audit to investigate the possible involvement of officials working for the city. To tell us more on this, we are joined by...   Guest: Jacqui Uys - MMC for Fina...

Guest: Sam Mohau - Health and Wellness influencer

The High court in Johannesburg has dismissed an urgent application by convicted murderer and rapist, Thabo Bester and Dr. Nandipha Magudumana to interdict the broadcasting of the documentary "Tracking Thabo Bester" by showmax. The four-part docu-series is expected to premier today*. The pair - through their lawyers - each approached the high court to stop the airing of the documentary - as they be...

The Gauteng health department has come under fire following revelations that the department has paid over R600 million in less than a year to patients who sued the Gauteng health department for negligence or malpractice.   Guest: Motalatale Modiba: Gauteng Health Department spokesperson 

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has been granted leave to appeal the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) ruling, by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).This follows the ruling in a case brought forward by the Zimbabwe Immigration Federation in 2022 over the termination of the ZEP, asking the court to declare it unconstitutional and invalid.    Guest: Minister Aaron Motsoaledi

Our next guest has been recognized at the 51st Annie Awards recognizing excellence in the field of animation for her work on the series: Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire. The animation series is a culmination of the best in African sci-fi and tells futuristic stories from animators from Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. To tell us more about her journey as animator and creative...

INNERVIEW: Over the last couple of weeks, we have been speaking to political parties on their Election Manifestos and focusing on their promises when it comes to how they will change the economic fortunes of the nation. Today, we focus on the manifesto of the Inkatha Freedom Party which launched its 13-point plan last weekend.   In their programme of action, the party aims to address unemployment...

The Finance MEC of the Eastern Cape has tabled the provincial budget under the theme: Consolidating The Socioeconomic Gains to Build The Eastern Cape We Want. To tell us more about this, we are joined by…