The National Pulse

Earlier today, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Services, General Fannie Masemola oversaw the destruction of drugs with a street value of R800 million in Johannesburg, Gauteng. This is The drugs that were confiscated included heroin, mandrax and marijuana. Operation Shanela has also apprehended 15 400 suspects in the last financial year over three drug destruction processes. T...

We tell you more about the Provincial World Food Day that is currently underway in the Free State province. The reason the provincial government is hosting this event is to create awareness on the importance of World Food Day and also to give more details in terms of how the department of agriculture and rural development will respond to hunger and poverty issues affecting the province.   GUEST: S...

A new study by Helsinki-based nonprofit organisation, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has revealed that delaying the decommissioning of South Africa's coal-fired power plants beyond 2030 would cause a projected 15,300 excess air pollution-related deaths between 2023 and 2050. So what can be done to avert the situation and where are we going wrong as a nation in relation to a...

South Africa is currently hosting the BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Cape Town. This meeting follows the successful hosting of the BRICS Summit that was held in Sandton earlier this year. The BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting for 2023 will provide an opportunity for exchange of information and experiences as well as deepen cooperation among BRICS Members to reach consensus on key policy priori...

Nigeria’s Supreme Court has just ruled on Atiku Abubakar's election challenge, rejecting petitions by two opposition leaders to have President Bola Tinubu’s election declared illegal.   We understand that the court held in a majority ruling that the grounds of the challenges were devoid of merits.   Politically speaking – does it mean that President Tinubu can now govern the country freely going f...

Let’s now chat to Lerato Ntondini about SAfm’s University Challenge that is due to take place this coming Friday between 18:00 & 19:00pm on This Week Today with Oliver Dickson. Two universities, namely; Cape Peninsula University of Technology and Stellenbosch University will debate the topic; “Should the South African government abandon its principle position of non-alignment in conflicts invo...

Former KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance and ANC stalwart, Ina Cronje, has died after a short illness. Cronje also served as a chair of Trade Investment KwaZulu-Natal and was responsible for facilitating inward investments into the province. She has also been hailed for her dedication and strides made as an elected public servant when she served between 2009 and 2014. To reflect on the life and times...

The National Assembly has passed the Climate Change Bill with objections from the EFF and the ACDP. The Bill seeks to ensure the development of an effective climate change response and a long-term, just transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy and society. The Bill also seeks to provide for a co-ordinated response by the three spheres of government. It will be sent to the NCOP for...

We hear from H&M South Africa about their Suitably Dressed initiative, a nationwide effort aimed at equipping job seekers in need with interview-ready attire through a workwear donation drive. The clothing company is inviting South Africans to contribute to this noble cause by donating good quality, gently worn suits and workwear of any brand. GUEST: Caroline Nelson, H&M South Africa’s Cou...

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs says they have decided to cancel the hosting of next month’s South African Music Awards. This comes after an outcry over the money to be spent. Guest: Ndabezinhle Sibiya Spokesperson for MEC Siboniso Duma Guest: Nhlanhla Sibisi, Chief Executive Officer of the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA)

In a newly released report, gang-related violence accounted for up to 23% of murders in the Western Cape with the contributing factors ranging from drugs, prostitution, and other organized crimes. Further, the report also found that the police precinct with the highest number of gang-related murders is the Delft Police Station and that murders have been reported at 54 of the 151 stations in the pr...

The US State Department has published an advisory urging its citizens not to invest in Uganda and Zimbabwe, warning them about endemic corruption and a lack of respect for human rights as some of the key reasons why they shouldn’t do business with these two countries.   GUEST: Dr John Stremlau, H onorary Professor of International Relations @ Wits

Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi has directed all municipalities to audit spaza shops owned by foreign nationals in their jurisdictions. Dr. Motsoaledi say this is part of their inter-governmental approach to respond to the public outcry about the quality of food sold at spaza shops. Recently, two children died, while several learners fell ill after consuming products from spaza shops....

The families of Solomon Nyirenda, Pretty Nkambule, and Yvonne Mnisi have granted Action SA power of attorney to pursue legal action. You may remember these names as those of the miners who were trapped in Lily Mine back in February 2016. The power of attorney allows for the political party to pursue criminal and civil litigation against those liable for the tragedy that happened seven years ago. T...

The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union is set to down tools over the partial privatization of Transnet after it announced a joint venture with International Container Terminal Services Inc. The strike takes place after two years of engagements with Transnet over privatizing the ports of entry. To help us understand the impasse and their concerns, we are joined by....    Guest: Jack M...

Today, the United Nations is celebrating the 78th  anniversary of its existence, a day dedicated to reflecting on its enduring mission to promote peace, cooperation, and international understanding. So our guest joins us now to talk about what this days means and we will also look at the significance of the UN Charter and assess whether member states are fulfilling the obligations of this founding...

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme has announced that it has fired the Chief Executive Officer, Andile Nongono over the R47 billion payments scandal. NSFAS board officials made this decision yesterday and the NSFAS  board chairperson, Ernst Khoza informed the Standing Committee of Public Accounts. To get a reaction on this, we are joined by.... Guest: Wayne Duvenage - Chief Executive Office...

After storms wreaked havoc in the province, the Premier has written to the President seeking assistance from the SA National Defence Force with the clean-up operations and rebuilding infrastructure. The province has also called on the national Departments of Public Works and Education to assist with schools that have been affected ahead of the final NSC examinations. To tell us more about this, we...

The Independent Electoral Commission says today's launch for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections serves as an invitation for South Africans to participate in the electoral process. Earlier on today, the commission launched its communication campaign in Midrand, Johannesburg to get eligible voters to register for next year's elections. Joining us to give us more details in terms of how the e...

Former U.S president Donald Trump has compared himself to our late former president Nelson Mandela, saying he is not scared of going to prison like Mandela, who spent 27 years in jail for opposing the apartheid system. This as he argues that state prosecutors in the U.S are targeting him and his businesses for political reasons. So how inappropriate were his remarks? And is he beginning to sound l...

The DA in Gauteng has expressed its frustration over the delaying of ending e-Tolls. Premier Panyaza Lesufi is promising residents of Gauteng that e-Toll gantries will be switched off by the end of the year. Given the high price of fuel, how does the tolling system affect you financially?   Guest:  Fred Nel MPL – DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Roads and Transport

The city of Johannesburg has become the latest metropolitan to have high expenditure for the sitting of council meetings. In recent months, the city has spent up to R600 000 with the lion's share going to catering of the 270 councilors. This is despite the city having spent almost R21 billion in wasteful and irregular expenditure. While the Metro is not the only municipality facing this problem, o...

It is alleged that 543 miners have held hostage underground at the GoldOne Easy Modderfontein site in Springs. According to a GoldOne spokesperson, miners had blocked access to the entry points of the premises and there are injuries to some of the miners who are underground. To unpack the latest developments and set the record straight, we are joined by...   Guest: Jeff Mphahlele - General Secreta...

The Law Society of South Africa has voiced its concerns regarding the state of the Master's Office as it has not been functional in recent years. The challenges facing the Master's Office range from long delays, insufficient staff, allegations of bribery and maladministration. The Office of the Master of the High Court deals with cases that relate to deceased estates and liquidation, the appointme...

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane is today leading a Matric Examination Pledge signing ceremony at Ponelopele Oracle Secondary School in Johannesburg. This as part of ensuring that the 2023 National Senior Certificate exams are concluded without any irregularities. Joining us to elaborate further on this is….. GUEST: Steve Mabona