The National Pulse

Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) has warned that South Africa cannot afford to have the new Public Procurement Bill signed into law in its current form because it will hinder, rather than support, the infrastructure delivery challenges facing the country.   Guest: Chris Campbell – CEO of Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa)

This week, the Presidency released a statement announcing the two-year extension of tenure to the Commissioner of SA Revenue Service, Edward Kieswetter. This move was made by President Cyril Ramaphosa to ensure stability as the Kieswetter appointed his Deputy Commissioners in the last two years of his tenure. To share more about the role he will take in this extended tenure, we are joined by...   ...

Vodacom has now confirmed that it has lodged its application for leave to appeal the Please Call Me judgment and order to the Constitutional Court of South Africa. Vodacom has released a statement saying that this case is having an impact on both Vodacom South Africa and Vodacom Group, as well as the attractiveness of South Africa as an investment destination. It would negatively impact their empl...

School violence has become an urgent and pervasive concern in South Africa, impacting the safety and well-being of students and educators. Recent incidents of shooting, rape, gangsterism and bullying at schools are a major concern. According to former SAPS National Commissioner Riah Phiyega, authorities need to priorities the safety of children and initiate a transformative process that not only c...

Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the murders of  South African rapper Kiernan Forbes, popularly known as AKA, and his close friend, celebrity chef and entrepreneur Tebello "Tibz" Motshoane. The latest from the police is that the suspects are all due to appear in court tomorrow. GUEST: Athlenda Mathe, SAPS National spokesperson  

Post a two-day national dialogue that concluded yesterday we ask, what next for Senegal? We understand that a group of Senegalese civic and religious leaders proposed holding elections in early June. Also those who were part of the dialogue called for the Constitutional Council to review decisions that blocked candidates including Karim Wade, an opposition leader and son of former Senegalese Presi...

Earlier today, the Constitutional Court heard an application from the residents of Bromwell Street in Cape Town. The Bromwell families, who have lived in their homes for generations, face eviction into homelessness. While the City has provided temporary housing in Wolwerivier, the families say that it is far from public goods such as schools, hospitals and far from workplaces. To tell us more abou...

In conversation with Professor Pascal O. Bessong who was recently awarded a B-2 rating as a scientist by the National Research Foundation. According to the University of Venda, this kind of rating is given to individuals for whom all or the overriding majority of reviewers are firmly convinced that the applicant enjoys considerable international recognition for the high quality and impact of his/h...

The IEC has signed a framework of cooperation to fight against disinformation in build-up to national elections. Today, Real 411 was launched to provide a platform for the public to report misinformation and any other incidents of digital harm. To help us unpack the role it will play, we are joined by...  Guest: Thandi Smith - Head of Programming at Media Monitoring Africa

Former ANC MP, Mervyn Dirks says he is not bothered by his expulsion from the ruling party. Dirks recently cited the ANC’s stance on the impeachment of Judge John Hlophe as a pivotal reason for his departure. He joins us now to give us more details on his expulsion …… GUEST: Mervyn Dirks, former ANC MP

Earlier today, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development kicked off a two-day conference that seeks to review the criminal justice system and the theme is "Strengthening the Integrated Criminal Justice System" to keep our people safe and secure. Deputy President, Paul Mashatile addressed the conference where he highlighted the commitment the government has made to fight crime and corr...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has nominated Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya as South Africa’s next chief justice. The position of Chief Justice will become vacant on the 31st of August this year when Justice Raymond Zondo’s term of office comes to an end. To react to this, let’s now speak to…..   GUEST: Nkosana Francois Mvundlela, President of the Black Lawyers Association

Sophie Mokoena helps us decipher the Israeli government report on its implementation of the provisional measures as ordered by the International Court of Justice. Several human rights organisations say Israel has utterly failed to comply with the Court’s order, arguing that violence towards civilians has continued unabated.    GUEST: Sophie Mokoena, SABC News International Editor  

THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS WANTS TO CLARIFY ON WHAT THE LAW SAYS AND WHAT PARENTS SHOULD DO ACCORDING TO THE LAW WHEN IT COMES TO A MINOR BEING UNLAWFULLY DETAINED.   Guest: DR AARON MOTSOALEDI - MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS. 

Another prominent professional in the finance industry has been caught up in a fake qualifications scandal. Langa Madonko, a co-founder and investment principal at Summit Africa, has confirmed that he does not have qualifications from the London School of Economics. This scandal takes another turn when it is also confirmed that he has never worked for international companies McKinsey and JP Morgan...

Following the IEC Media Briefing, a group comprising of political parties and independent candidates raised their concerns surrounding the elections timetable ahead of Wednesday, 29 May 2024.  In a statement, the parties have asked for an urgent meeting to discuss five key issues including the deadline for candidate lists, voter education, the challenges surrounding independent candidates with reg...

We learn more about the wonderful work that’s being done by the Fundza Literacy Trust and its exciting approach to learning in South Africa. FunDza uses the power of mobile technology to get young people hooked on reading. Its interactive and popular mobile network, fundza.mobi - provides young people with a library at their fingertips. GUEST: Lea-Anne Moses - Executive Director of the Fundza Lite...

A 15-year-old teenager was wrongfully arrested for not presenting her identification after she was searched in Hillbrow. The minor was held in detention for almost two hours and was released after her father produced a South African birth certificate. The father of the child has tried to open a case against the police officers in question at Jeppe Police Station. However, the case has not been reg...

Following the proclamation of the election date. The Electoral Commission says those who wish to object to the inclusion or exclusion of a voter on the voters’ roll must do so by the 4th of March so that their objections are attended to and resolved as soon as possible. They made this announcement earlier on today when they were briefing the media on this year’s election timetable. Joining us to e...

Woolworths is the latest high-profile retailer to recall its peanut butter product after tests showed the product contained higher than legal levels of the naturally occurring Aflatoxin, which can be dangerous to humans. Earlier this month, Pick n Pay recalled three brands, including its No Name smooth peanut butter, as well as Eden smooth and Eden crunch, which are sold in their stores countrywid...

West African leaders have agreed to ease sanctions on Niger following a July coup that deposed elected President Mohammed Bazoum. They have also called for the immediate release of President Bazoum who has been detained since the military takeover. The decision was reached after an extraordinary summit of ECOWAS heads of state in Nigeria's capital Abuja.   GUEST: Dr Siphumelele Duma, Postdoctoral...

What kind of a friend are you? “Each friend group has specific people, the drunk one, the quiet one, the loud one, the protective one, the responsible one – which one are you?”     GUEST: DJ Tinkz

Recently ‘The Beast’ Foundation and Elyseum Family Office joined forces to launch an empowerment programme called Lead Like a Girl. This initiative targets marginalized young women in South Africa and Zimbabwe, providing them with essential educational support, leadership development, mentorship, and opportunities for success. Joining us to tell us more about this noble initiative is….. GUEST: Ten...

The DA has threastened to launch a contempt of court application to force the ANC to hand over more documents from its cadre deployment committee meetings. The party says it has given the ANC an ultimatum of tomorrow to hand over all the documents as directed by the Constitutional Court. DA Leader John Steenhuisen said, at a media briefing in Cape Town, that they will also insitute a criminal case...

Earlier today, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa conducted a march to the PUTCO offices in Sandton to expose the cruel treatment of its workers over a salary dispute stemming back to the COVID-19 pandemic. The union highlights that workers have been suspended without pay, unlawful deductions have been made against workers' salaries and their shop stewards have been targeted by the...