The National Pulse

Water shortage continues to be a major problem in South Africa and this ongoing challenge is intensifying as more and more communities are forced to buy bottled water for drinking purposes and also just to cover essential services. For example, the residents at Kampersrus in Hoedspruit, Limpopo have to bear scorching temperatures without clean drinking water. The area is home to a failed multi-mil...

We revisit the devastating conflict in the northeastern African country, Sudan. This as we understand that the fighting between Sudan’s military and a notorious paramilitary group has killed and displaced thousands and created what UN says is world’s largest human displacement crisis. But how did the country get into this situation and what efforts are being made to resolve the current political i...

eThekwini Municipality is appealing to residents to disconnect static tanks (Jojo tanks) connected to municipal reticulation system to conserve water. However, should there be no cooperation, the City will be forced to take drastic measures, this will include installing restrictors for all properties with static tanks to limit the amount of water that these properties consume and store in their ta...

2500 people were arrested for public drinking across the country since the start of the festive season. In a festive season update, Minister of Police Bheki Cele said that since 15 October, 4,488 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. GUEST: Maurice Smithers, Alcohol Harm Reduction Activist  

As we observe the Day of Goodwill. Today we celebrate Ayanda Msweli who has been spreading the spirit of Ubuntu through his Bucket Challenge initiative. Msweli founded an organisation that has assisted hundreds of communities in rural KwaZulu-Natal to regain their lives. Through the generosity of the public, the Ayanda Msweli Foundation has also helped in rebuilding homes and provided much needed...

Let’s move to Nigeria now, where armed groups are reported to have killed at least more than 140 people in a series of attacks on villages. According to the officials in Nigeria, the violence is partially due to conflict between local herders and farmers. Climate change and expanding agriculture are also major factors. To give us more details in terms of what transpired in the West African nation...

Following recent spate of attacks in the Arabian Sea. India has announced that it will send three warships to the Arabian Sea as a force deterrent in the region. The announcement comes days after a drone strike targeted a merchant ship off India's western coast, causing an explosion and fire. For more analysis on this, we are joined by….. GUEST: Salman Khan, an Independent Geopolitical analyst

Three women have been murdered in Bloemfontein in two separate incidents. Police said one of the victims was found inside a pit toilet in an informal settlement on Christmas Day after officials received a tip-off. The victim was found wrapped in tape and buried in mud. One suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder. In a separate incident, two women were found dead in their home last...

The South African Weather Service has issued a warning for the possibility of disruptive rain that may lead to localised flooding in Gauteng today. Thunderstorms are also expected in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo and other parts of the North-West and Free State. GUEST: Lehlohonolo Thobela, SA Weather Service Forecaster GUEST: Robert Mulaudzi, Johannesburg Emergency...

Ten teenage mothers as young as fifteen years of age have delivered newborn babies on Christmas Day in Limpopo. Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba says cases of teenage pregnancy remain a serious issue which requires all sectors of society to work together to address the challenge. Ramathuba welcomed Christmas babies at Mankweng and Nkhensani Hospital. She joins us now to elaborate further on this….. GUE...

It is a bleak Christmas for residents in Cape Town after a fire gutted an informal settlement leaving 400 people with only the clothes on their backs.

The fire was raging for hours as strong winds made it difficult for firefighters to bring it under control. Residents could be seen standing on the roofs of houses with hosepipes trying to assist as well as trying to prevent it from spreading to th...

A truck carrying petrol and diesel exploded on the N2 north, near Edwin Swales Drive, south Durban, on Sunday. According to the driver, the trailer had a rear tyre burst which seemed to have caused the explosion. 

 In a separate incident two vehicles were involved in a crash on the N3 near Ladysmith. Five people were killed and two were critically injured, including a young child, according to IP...

One person is feared to have drowned off East London’s Eastern Beach over the weekend. Six others narrowly escaped with their lives between Saturday and Sunday morning when they were rescued at the same beach...


Council says alcohol use by beach goers partly to blame.   GUEST: Council spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya

As part of Safer Festive Season Operations, Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale has been criss-crossing Polokwane to ensure a secure and joyful festive season. The Deputy Minister in his address, highlighted community partnership, where he emphasised the vital role communities play in ensuring their own safety. He encouraged citizens to be vigilant, report suspicious activities, and actively...

The newly formed Umkhonto Wesizwe party is questioning the ANC’s motive in relation to the issue of intellectual property matter over allegations of trademark infringement. The ANC is adamant that the MK party’s use of a logo and name similar to their own, constitutes a violation of the Trademarks Act. However, MK party says they have followed all the necessary steps as per guidelines provided by...

Good news for SA tourism as international tourist arrivals from January to November this year totalled 7.6 million, representing a remarkable 51.8% increase when compared with the same period last year. During the first 11 months of 2023, South Africa welcomed more than five million visitors from the rest of Africa, marking a significant 75.5% of all arrivals, compared to the same period in 2022. ...

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has begun to announce the results of general elections marred by chaotic organisation and credibility concerns. Electoral authorities have announced the results of voting by diaspora Congolese in South Africa, the United States, Canada, Belgium and France ahead of the release of the full outcome on Saturday. The votes which represent a small proportion of the e...

The University of Cape Town has received a R200 million donation from the Donald Gordon Foundation (DGF), marking a transformative leap for the university's Neuroscience Institute. This substantial contribution is set to accelerate innovative neuroscience research in Africa and on a global scale.      Guest: Professor Graham Fieggen, UCT’s director of the Neuroscience Institute

KwaLisa Soulfood owner Nwabisa Lisa

Earlier on today, Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga released the mid-term festive season campaign statistics at the Villiers toll plaza in Mpumalanga. According to her, 719 fatalities have been recorded in the first three weeks of the festive season compared with 751 in the same period last year. the top five infringements were speeding, driving without fastened seatbelts which accounted, driv...

A memorial service for singer Zahara, real name Bulelwa Mkutukana, who passed away on December 11, is currently underway at the East London International Convention Centre. The Loliwe hitmaker died after suffering from a short illness. Her funeral will take place tomorrow (23, December) at the East London International Convention Center, in the Eastern Cape) at 10:00 am. 

We are joined on the lin...

The Global Community Miners Forum which advocates for artisanal mining, has expressed concerns about governments that resort to militaristic and law enforcement tactics to address issues within mining communities. They say such approaches only escalate the criminalization of miners, resulting in the loss of employment for millions, which in turn breeds poverty and hunger. South Africa is one of th...

The ANC has initiated legal proceedings against the Umkhonto Wesizwe Party (MK Party) over allegations of trademark infringement. The party alleges that the MK party’s use of a logo and name strikingly similar to their own, without obtaining prior authorization, constitutes a violation of the Trademarks Act. So how does an entity acquire rights in as far as trademark is concerned and what remedies...

A wildfire continues to blaze along the slopes of Simon's Town for a third day. So far, 450 hectares of land have been burned along the south of Cape Town since the fire broke out on Tuesday as firefighters battle to contain the fire away from residential areas. This morning, 19 fire engines were operational in the Murdock Valley, Miller's Point, and Plateau Road as residents were evacuated. To gi...

The National Consumer Council is working alongside the Asset Forfeiture Unit at the National Prosecuting Authority and has obtained a preservation order on two bank accounts, one linked to the travel business, Priority Escapes, and one linked to Mr. Francois Swart. The NCC has found that Francois Swart and Priority Escapes violated section 47 of the Consumer Protection Act. and set to serve Swart...