The National Pulse

    The high-profile case involving alleged crime boss Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala has been postponed to 13 May. Pretoria Magistrate’s Court has ordered that alleged criminal mastermind remain in custody at the Kgosi Mampuru Maximum Security Prison. For more on this, I am joined on the line by…   GUEST: Neria Hlakotsa, SABC News Reporter

    Yesterday felt like that Sunday KZN Police Commissioner, Lt. General, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi had his media briefing. Suspended Mpumalanga Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Daphney Semakaleng Manamela, had her own explosive media briefing where she made allegations of corruption and maladministration in the province with former Police Minister, General Bheki Cele, implicated. Let&rs...

Dr. Imran Buccus, who’s been on this show as a political analyst wrote a book that is part memoir but mainly political analysis, weaving together personal experience with a critical account of the country’s ongoing crisis drawing on influences from luminaries in South Africa and global thinkers such as Frantz Fanon, Ali Shariati and others. Dr. Buccus joins me on the line to share more...

Politically, what does all of this mean for Julius Malema and the EFF? To get a sense of what the future may look like, I am joined on the line by… Guest: Asanda Ngoasheng, Political Analyst

We continue with today’s big story. EFF leader, Julius Malema, sentenced to an effective prison term of 5 years by Magistrate Twanet Olivier in the KuGompo City Magistrate’s Court earlier today. Let’s break down the sentencing process as well as look at the appeal process that Malema’s team had in place with… Guest: Ulrich Roux, Legal Expert, Founder and Managing Dir...

The community of Slovo Park on Wednesday commemorated ten years since the The Melani judgment that was handed down a decade ago on 5 April. The high court landmark judgement ruled in their favour against the City of Johannesburg’s plan to evict and relocate them. We reflect back on the past years and the state of service delivery in Slovo Park… Guest: Lerato Marole - Chairperson of th...

The Department of Home Affairs has clarified misinformation that Zimbabwe Exemption Permit holders can apply for permanent residency in South Africa. The confusion comes after a home affairs official made the confusing statement in an interview. We have the department to clarify and revisit the merits of the ZEP… Guest: Thulani Mavuso - Spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs and De...

The recent assassination of Emfuleni municipality finance official Martha Rantsofu’s follows a string of attacks on professionals whose work placed them at the centre of high-stakes legal, financial or political disputes. We take a look at this worrying pattern of killings… Guest: Ambassador Andy Mashaile - Security Strategist and retired Interpol

The National Prosecuting Authority was arguing for a 15-year prison term to be handed down to EFF leader, Julius Malema. Let’s get reaction from… GUEST: Luxolo Tyali, National Prosecuting Authority Eastern Cape Spokesperson

There’s obviously been a lot of reaction to the appointment of Roelf Meyer as South Africa’s ambassador to the US. Let’s get an analysis on this appointment and gauge how likely this will mend relations between South Africa and the US. Joining me on the line now is… Guest: Professor Patrick Bond, Political Economist and Expert on International Relations at the University o...

The Presidency has confirmed that Roelf Meyer is South Africa’s new ambassador to the US. Meyer is a seasoned negotiator who was part of the talks to end apartheid. Let’s get an understanding of who Roelf Meyer is. Joining me on the line now is… GUEST: Bantu Holomisa, President of the United Democratic Movement and Deputy Minister of Defence & Military Veterans  

Last week, we touched on a story about the Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, of having accepted luxury Chinese SUVs allegedly intended as donations for the ANC Women’s League. Today, the Daily Maverick revealed that the Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, now stands accused of the same thing. Let’s get reaction from… GUEST: Wayne Du...

Proposed changes to how state-owned dams are managed have sparked fierce pushback from small business owners, property investors, opposition politicians, and waterfront communities, who warn that the regulations could unravel livelihoods built around free public access to water. We get an understanding of the proposed changes with the department… Guest: Anet Muir – Chief Director for...

The Western Cape High Court has ruled that the Islamic legal obligation of nafaqah can serve as the foundation for a civil claim for financial reimbursement between divorced Muslim spouses. This ruling has set a  groundbreaking precedent for South African family law and Muslims around the country. We find out more about this ruling and why it matters? Guest: Dr Fatima Essop – Family Law...

In recent years, the number of claims for damages against the state for harm caused by medical malpractice has grown. The values of these claims have also increased significantly, placing financial strain on South Africa’s public healthcare system and raising concerns about whether the state will be able to provide accessible healthcare to those who depend on it. Our guest takes us through t...

Let’s get a sense of what the mood was like before, during and after the pre-sentencing proceedings with… GUEST: Lubabalo Dada, SABC News Reporter in the Eastern Cape  

Build One South Africa (BOSA) has announced a formal merger with the People's Prosperity Movement (PPM) to contest the upcoming local government elections. The parties said their merger will go a long way in consolidating what they call "reform-minded political forces" ahead of the local polls later this year. The merger between the two parties follows a similar plan involving BOSA, Rise Mzansi an...

The Public Protector has dismissed an ethics complaint against President Cyril Ramaphosa over his conduct during 2025’s Oval Office meeting with United States (US) President Donald Trump. The MK Party’s Mzwanele Manyi had complained that Ramaphosa had violated the Executive Ethics Code for failing to counter remarks by Minister John Steenhuisen about the MK Party and the EFF in relatio...

This past weekend we saw a social media exchange between a high-profile global entrepreneur (Elon Musk) and a South African diplomat (DIRCO’s Clayson Monyela) spark renewed debate about how policies like BBBEE are perceived beyond our borders. What may seem like a brief online interaction actually raises deeper questions about who controls the narrative in a digital age. To help us unpack th...

South Africa is taking a significant step into the future of technology governance, as the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies releases a draft national policy on artificial intelligence for public comment. The document proposes the establishment of new oversight mechanisms, including an AI Ethics Board, and outlines regulatory frameworks aimed at ensuring the responsible and eth...

The South African Human Rights Commission’s Gauteng Provincial Office is initiating an investigative inquiry into the Water Crisis in the Gauteng Province. Let’s get more details on this from… GUEST: Khululiwe Bhengu, Acting Provincial Manager for the Gauteng Office of the South African Human Rights Commission

The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference has condemned an AI-generated image posted by US President Donald Trump depicting himself as Jesus Christ. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Father Hugh O’Connor, Secretary General of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference

The deployment of the South African National Defence Force to gang hotspots on the Cape Flats is facing a lot of criticism, with residents saying the operation has failed to curb violence. Just today, three people were killed in Gugulethu, so residents may have a point. GUEST: Dr. Lennit Max, Policing Expert and Former Western Cape Police Commissioner

The same productivity gains and protections for displaced workers. The voting patterns emerging since 2016 reflect democratic maturation rather than decline. The constitution contains provisions for governance models that do not depend on dominant party rule. In many ways, the early government of national unity anticipated a future in which a once- dominant party technologies promising productivit...