The National Pulse

As the world celebrates International Literacy Day, South Africa is still struggling to combat the literacy crisis in our schools. Earlier this year, Progress in International Reading Literacy Study was another stark reminder that our children are unable to read for meaning in any language. The Department of Basic Education promulgated norms and standards for public infrastructure (including libra...

More worrying news for parents and various schools in South Africa, as the National Centre for Child Protection reveals that more and more high school learners are attempting to take their lives. According to the organisation, about 10 children commit suicide a day, with some as young as six years old. But what informs this unfortunate trend?   GUEST: Danie Van Loggerenberg, CEO @ the National Cen...

As India prepares to host the G20 Summit, which commences tomorrow in New Delhi. We chat to Professor Patrick Bond about some of the key issues that are likely to be discussed by world leaders as this year’s Summit is aimed at creating a more inclusive world. But what’s in for South Africa and Africa as a whole, what kind of agenda is our president going to advance at the Summit?   GUEST: Patrick...

As the 2023 Rugby World Cup begins tomorrow. Today we tackle the issue of Rugby World Cup Broadcast Rights. This as many South Africans are likely to miss out on the rugby world cup action which will not be screened by the SABC. The Minister of Sports, Zizi Kodwa has urged the SABC to find a solution in relation to this ongoing dispute between them and Supersport. However, the SABC says it continu...

In conversation with Tourism Minister Patricia De Lille about the 2nd Tourism Business Council of South Africa’s tourism leadership conference that is currently underway in the North West province at the Sun City Resort. Those who are attending the conference are expected to discuss new ideas and explore business opportunities, and also talk about challenges facing the tourism sector. GUEST: Patri...

This week, a student activist has written to the SA Human Rights Commission to investigate the human rights violations that have taken place in the 2023 academic year by the student financial aid scheme, NSFAS. In the application, our next guest highlights the defunding of students and the implementation of the new payment system as examples of how students have been stripped of their human dignit...

Welkom Technical School in the Free State has been accused of perpetuating racism following the release of a video showing a teacher standing by observing while a black boy is being strangled by a white boy. To explain what cause of action is going to be taken, we are now joined by…. GUEST: Howard Ndaba, Spokesperson of Free State Education  

Michael Beaumont outlines ActionSA’s policy proposals. Next week, the party will hold its first ever policy conference and about 614 delegates are expected to attend this all-important gathering. GUEST: Michael Beaumont, ActionSA National Chairperson

Tributes continue to pour in for Pick 'n Pay founder Raymond Ackerman, who has died at the age of 92. Ackerman will always be remembered as an icon in the retail industry and a visionary entrepreneur. Let’s now speak to his former competitor…… GUEST: Christo Wiese, South African Businessman  

Gabon’s former president, Ali Bongo, has been released from house arrest and is now free to leave the country. Bongo has been under house arrest since the August 30 military coup in the country. To explain what this latest development means is…… GUEST: Izak Khomo, African affairs commentator

Earlier today, the City of Johannesburg held a vote on salary increases for councilors that would see them make an extra R20 000 per month. The ANC and DA voted for the increases while ActionSA and EFF voted against the increase. ActionSA deemed it unjustified considering the recent infrastructure failures in the last few months (gas explosions and fire in CBD). We are joined by...   Guest (Confir...

The South African Communist Party has reiterated its position on the recall of the US Ambassador, Dr. Reuben Brigety back to Washington DC. This is after a panel investigation launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa found no weapons were loaded on the Russian ship: Lady R. To unpack this, we are joined by...   Guest: Dr Alex Mashilo - National Spokesperson of the SA Communist Party

African Bank is currently hosting a two-day summit in Maponya Mall, where small business owners will be equipped on how to grow their businesses and create job opportunities for young people. However, the most significant part of this event is that it will also be used to honour the late Dr Richard Maponya for his contribution to township economy. For more on how they intend to continue with Dr Ma...

Over the last 24 hours, thousands of grant beneficiaries have been unable to access their funds due to a technical glitch on the part of Postbank. This meant beneficiaries were unable to access funds from bank ATMs, retailers, and Post Office branches across the country. Earlier today, Postbank announced that their technical teams had fixed the issue. To provide more clarity on this, we are joined...

We unpack the department of social development’s 9-9-9 campaign against Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD). This as South Africa has been identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to have the highest reported prevalence of FASD in the World. Deputy Minister of Social Development, Hendrietta Bogopane Zulu has used this campaign to call for the law to start looking at charging women who...

Earlier today, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on political killings in KZN briefed the media on the latest developments of the police task team investigations. Over the past 10 months, 17 councillors have been killed in the province. In the past month, two councillors have been killed in attacks in Nongoma and Pietermaritzburg, with two additional attempts on the lives of councillors in separate...

We examine the executive summary of the report into the controversial docking of a Russian vessel in Simon's Town last year. It is public knowledge now that the panel appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa found no evidence to substantiate claims that some equipment or arms were loaded on Lady R. To help us unpack this is…..   GUEST: Helmoed Heitman, Defence analyst

The United Kingdom government has announced that it intends to declare Russia’s Wagner mercenary group a terrorist organization, accusing it of  threatening democracy and freedom around the world. Joining us to explain what this means for the group’s presence and activities in Africa moving forward is…..   GUEST ON THE LINE (UK): Dr Olayinka Ajala, Senior lecturer in Politics and International Rel...

Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has announced a public-private partnership for the redesign and modernisation of the country’s six busiest land border posts. According to him, this modernisation project is aimed at enhancing regional economic integration, improving revenue collection and to halt illegal migration among other things.   GUEST: Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Home Affairs

According to reports on social media, a fire broke out in Braamfontein at the corner of De Korte and Bertha streets. Unconfirmed reports stated the blaze was caused by a “gas explosion”. Radebe said this could not be confirmed. She said the cause of the blaze would be investigated. Now were joined by Nana Radebe-Kgiba Johannesburg EMS spokesperson

Former Steinhoff Chief Executive Officer, Markus Jooste has failed to appear in court to challenge his R20 million administrative penalty for insider trading. Jooste was found guilty of sending information to his friend to dump Steinhoff's stock ahead of the 2017 accounting scandal. This penalty was a 90% reduction from the initial penalty set by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority ruling of R1...

Earlier today, the Minister of Electricity held a media briefing on the performance of the energy grid following the announcement of stage six load-shedding. During the briefing, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa explained that the higher stages of load-shedding being experienced was due to planned maintenance and the loss of two additional generation units on Monday. According to the Minister, the departm...

There is a sense of optimism, following today’s announcement by Stats SA that our country’s economy grew by 0.6% in the second quarter of this year. The manufacturing and financial sectors contributed most to the increase while the rise in investments included products related to renewable energy. GUEST: Risenga Maluleke, Statistician General of South Africa and head of Statistics South Africa

Spokesperson for the Department of Basic Education in Gauteng, Steve Mabona gives us an update about online applications and learner placement process which commenced yesterday. So far, over 200 000 parents have received placement offers.   Guest: Steve Mabona, Spokesperson for the Department of Basic Education

The United States has revealed that Kim Jong Un, North Korean leader, is planning to travel to Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin. It is widely reported that the two leaders are likely to discuss the possibility of supplying Russia with more weapons for its war in Ukraine and other military cooperation. For more analysis on this, we are joined by…. GUEST (Scotland):  Musa Mdunge, Politic...