The National Pulse

Final year students from the University of Pretoria’s Department of Consumer and Food Sciences have turned research into practice by creating dishes that preserve food waste and turn into nutritious food products. Guest: Thando Dlamini  - Final year student at University of Pretoria who’s doing Bachelor of Consumer Sciences (BConSci) Food Retail Management

Transport Minister, Sindisiwe Chikunga is currently in the UK, leading a campaign for the re-election of South Africa into the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2023-2024 biennium. The IMO plays a pivotal role in shaping global standards for safe, secure, environmentally responsible, efficient and sustainable shipping. GUEST: Sindisiwe Chikunga, Minister of Transport

With the United Nations Cop28 currently underway in Dubai. African leaders are calling for climate finance to support adaptation for sustainable livestock systems on the continent. This as they argue that millions of livestock died on the continent last year due to climate change shocks. Joining us to talk about the effects of climate change on Africa’s livestock systems is…. GUEST: Dr Linde Du To...

Earlier on today, the Treasury announced that Transnet will receive a bail-out to the tune of R47 billion to alleviate its debt crisis. The entity has suffered significant operational, financial and governance challenges in recent times and is struggling to fulfil its strategic role. Now that they have received this bailout – will they be able to turn things around? We find out from …… GUEST: Mike...

World AIDS Day is commemorated each year on the 1st of December and is an opportunity for every community to unite in response to HIV, show support for people living with HIV, and remember those who have passed away. The commemoration is an opportunity to reflect on the country’s progress, successes, gaps, and challenges in response to HIV and AIDS. On the line, we are joined by... Guest: Mr Ramph...

As the country prepares for next year’s national and provincial elections. Today we look at the state of our politics, examining how various political parties will position themselves as they will be competing for potential voters. A lot has been said about next year’s general elections being the most important elections since the seminal 1994 elections, also what we cannot ignore is the fact that...

South African Tourism is once again exhibiting at this year’s IBTM World that is currently underway in Barcelona, Spain, having started two days ago. IBTM World brings together over 3000 destinations and 15 000 industry professionals from over 100 countries across the world with the sole purpose to meet and create better business results for the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions in...

The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has been postponed to next year. This after advocate Thulani Mngomezulu for accused 1 & 2 was unable to proceed due to ill health. Mngomezulu was busy cross-examining witness and lead investigator - Brigadier Bongani Gininda. The legal teams met with presiding Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng - and it emerged afterwards that Mngomezulu was not feeling well. Cross examinat...

Earlier on today, the Electoral Commission of South Africa launched a special issue of the South African Journal of International Affairs. The focus of the special issue is on safeguarding Electoral Management Bodies in the age of global democratic recession. Also today, the commission released the Second Quarter Disclosure report for the 2023/24 financial year. According to the report, six politi...

The issue of age cheating continues to be a major problem in Africa in recent years. Just recently former Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United star Thuso Phala shocked many soccer fans when he revealed that many players do not use their real age. Earlier this year, Cameroon’s under 17 team was disqualified for failing age eligibility tests. So how rife is this problem in football...

Home Office officials in the UK are under pressure to reduce the backlog as the government continues with plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. However, they are experiencing problems with asylum applications as more than 16, 000 asylum seekers applications have been withdrawn due to claimants' non-responsiveness. For more explaining on this, we are joined by……   GUEST: Dr Vusumuzi Sibanda, Chai...

The National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities is currently focusing on championing the dignity and human rights of children at Ikhwezi Lokusa Special School which is based at Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. This after some disturbing reports of neglect and abuse of the children at the facility. The organisation is of the view that every child deserves to live in an environment that uphold...

In a video that has gone viral on social media, an engagement on TikTok between a black learner and two white learners took place where a racial slur (the K word) was used at the end of the discussion. To unpack what interventions are being made by the Department of Basic Education against the implicated learner (Erhard Vorster), we are joined by...    Guest: Matome Taueatsoala - Head of Communica...

Mdumiseni Zuma was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the 2021 July Riots after the arrest of former President Jacob Zuma. The civil unrest led to over R50 billion in infrastructure damage due to the looting of shops. Mdumiseni Zuma is part of a group of 60 alleged instigators who have been convicted for the violence in Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng. To unpack the implications of the sen...

City Power will soon start the process of installing solar-powered high mast lights at some municipalities. This as they try to reduce the impact of load shedding. It is hoped that these interventions will enable the province to be one stage below the national load shedding schedule.   GUEST: Tshifularo Mashava, CEO of City Power

Ethekwini Municipality has just launched its festive season campaign. During the launch, the city unveiled 62 new metro police vehicles to be used for patrols during the festive season and beyond, this as they expect to receive more than 900 000 thousand visitors this year. For more on this, let’s now speak to….. GUEST: Mxolisi Kaunda, Mayor of eThekwini Metro

Turkiye says it will fast-track Sweden’s application to join Nato military alliance within weeks. This after the Turkish parliament's foreign affairs commission recently abruptly postponed a session to vote on Sweden's accession bid. But why is this issue taking so long to be finalised?   GUEST: Brooks Spector - Associate Editor at  ‎ The Daily Maverick  

Police in KwaZulu Natal have arrested eight suspects for the rape of three female security officers. The suspects allegedly gained entry inside the department of transport’s Merebank premises, held the security hostage and helped themselves to valuables belonging to the state.   GUEST: Colonel Robert Netshiunda, KZN Police

Activist, Zackie Achmat has written a letter to the Office of the Chief Justice expressing his concern surrounding the Constitutional Court's failure to hand down a judgment in relation to the application of election laws for independent candidates ahead of the 2024 national elections. The last time the matter was heard back was in August 2023. Independent candidates are set to run for elections f...

It's that time of year: The Eastern Cape's 2023 summer initiation season, which is a coming-of-age practice. This ritual, in which young boys are to mature into responsible men in a dignified and safe manner under the watchful eyes of caring mothers and seasoned male elders—many of whom are present today—embodies the goals, values, and aspirations of the community as well as the individual! Howeve...

The Minister of Public Service and Administration Noxolo Kiviet has revealed that hundreds of government employees are conducting business with the state. The Public Administration Management Act prohibits officials from conducting business with the state. Minister said some of the cases are still under investigation. Guest: Isaac Kabini

The Eastern Cape is set to get its first cannabis agricultural college, and the first students are expected to register in January 2025. The college will focus on producing cannabis for medicinal processes in line with the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority’s guidelines and regulations. Guest: Tsileng Sobuthongo - Mayor of Ntabankulu Local Municipality

The impala mine has concluded its rescue operations. Mining Minister Gwede Mantashe has described the situation as disastrous because more than five individuals lost their lives in it. Additionally, Impala has promised to collaborate with the department and the impacted families. While the disaster investigation is still ongoing, the government is encouraging the parties concerned to take precauti...

Three female security officers were raped during a break-in at the KwaZulu-Natal transport department's Durban offices on Monday morning by a group of armed men who stormed a KwaZulu-Natal transport department depot in Merebank. According to reports, armed criminals entered the offices south of Durban, which also houses machinery for road maintenance. “They held hostage three male security officer...

Yesterday we spoke to Samkelo Ngwenya about the state of the Buffalo City Metro, given its current precarious financial state. So today, we are joined by the former mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, Athol Trollip, who when he was in charge of the metro - introduced measures that were aimed at fostering accountability and transparency, against corruption and fraud. This as we try to hig...