The National Pulse

The department of higher of education and training has announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on AI and digital skills development between them and Google South Africa. The MoU seeks to enhance digital skills, incorporate AI in higher education and promote workforce development in SA. For more on this, we are joined by…… GUEST: Kabelo Makwane, Google Country Director

Chaos ensued in KuGompo City in the Eastern Cape earlier as protesters torched vehicles and buildings allegedly belonging to foreign nationals in protest against the installation of a Nigerian king in the province. SABC News Reporter, Hlumisa Qabaka, closely followed proceedings in the area and now joins me on the line… GUEST: Prince Langalibalele Mthunzi Ngonyama: former Spokesperson...

The South African Union of Students, SAUS, has called for urgent reform at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme after shocking findings by the Auditor-General. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… Guest: Dr. Thato Masekoa, SAUS Spokesperson

This past weekend, Gauteng police made a drug bust at OR Tambo International Airport, arresting five South African drug mules allegedly carrying drugs worth more than R5 million. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, SAPS Spokesperson

Earlier today, traffic was brought to a standstill in KuGompo City as protests broke out over the alleged coronation of a Nigerian traditional leader in the area. Those who were part of the march argue that there is no constitutional basis for a foreign national to crown themselves as a king in the Eastern Cape. SABC News reporter, Sdima Mfeku joins us now to give us the latest…… GUE...

More than 40 “No Kings” protests took place across the United States of America on Saturday, as part of opposing President Donald Trump’s chaotic second administration, the mass deportation campaign, the rising cost of living and the Iran war. But can these protests change the country’s political landscape and should Trump3 be worried about GUEST: Prof John Keiger, former R...

Today we are joined by the founding partner and group chief creative officer of brand and communications group Joe Public, Dr Pepe Marais. If you are someone wanting to succeed in marketing, you can’t miss this one as one of South Africa’s advertising creative icons will help you understand how to build resilience, fostering a growth mind-set, and embracing change to overcome challenge...

Civil society organisations including Judges Matter, Freedom under law, Section 27 and others express deep concern at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s delay in appointing judges to the Constitutional Court. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Mbekezeli Benjamin, Judges Matter Research and advocacy Officer

Yesterday, we spoke to ANC Eastern Cape member, Lwazi Rotya, about the High Court in KuGompo City’s decision to interdict the party’s provincial elective conference. Lwazi is part of a group of ANC members who wanted this conference to be interdicted. Earlier reports coming out of the Eastern Cape were that the Elective Conference will in fact continue today and this lead to members wh...

As rumours of fuel shortages continue to swirl. Government officials and industry bodies have assured South Africans that fuel supply remains stable, dismissing widespread social media rumours of shortages as fake news.   GUEST: Reggie Sibiya, Chief Executive Officer @Fuel Retailers Association

Ian Burger from SOLA Group explains why coal decommissioning, transmission bottlenecks and municipal fragility mean companies must prioritise renewables, battery storage and behind-the-meter resilience now to secure long term stability. GUEST: Ian Burger, from SOLA Group

GUEST: Councillor Unathi Hlathuka, Finance Portfolio Head of Joe Gqabi District Municipality

Kholeka Gcaleka in her capacity as the Chair of the African Ombudsman Research Centre has relaunched the research centre located in the University of KwaZulu-Natal, to strengthen the capacity and the effectiveness of African ombudsman institutions and continental governance across Africa, to advance the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), in particular SDG 16 focusing on...

Yesterday I touched on a case brought by some ANC members in the Eastern Cape to try stop the provincial conference of the party. Proceedings were still on in the East London High Court when we tried to talk to the ANC members yesterday. Let’s get an update on this matter with… GUEST: Lwazi Rotya, ANC member in the Eastern Cape

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has criticised the Trump administration for normalising the erasure of Black History. Mahama highlighted the removal of Black history courses from schools and the increasing bans on books about slavery and racism. However, the White House defended Trump, claiming he has delivered historic support for Black Americans and enjoys their support. To react to this,...

We look at the upcoming South African Investment Conference, which will take place next week Tuesday at the Sandton Convention Centre. This as South Africa is showing encouraging signs of economic recovery, with four consecutive quarters of growth recorded leading into early 2026. To date, over R600 billion in investment commitments have been secured. For more on this, we are joined by…&hel...

  Auditor General (AG) Tsakani Maluleke has called on the government to double its efforts to improve its audit outcomes. This after her office’s audits indicate minimal progress towards improved audit results. Worryingly, only 151 out of 417 auditees achieved unqualified audit outcomes with no other matters. The AG joins us now to elaborate further on this……   GUEST:...

GUEST: S’fiso Skenjana, Economist and Managing Director of ESG Analytics 

About a month ago, the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, warned young people against substance abuse, cautioning that it threatens their health, safety, education and long-term contribution to South Africa’s socio-economic development. Joining me on the line now to talk about young people and substance abuse is…...

The historical Botha Sigcau Building in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, was engulfed in fire yesterday. Earlier today there were reports of some parts of the building still in flames. This historic building accommodates more than eleven government departments. Let’s get a sense of the damage done here with… GUEST: Mlu Ncapayi, NEHAWU Eastern Cape Provincial Secretary

At least 12 high-ranking police officers and a company director have been arrested in connection with the awarding of an irregular R360 million tender to attempted murder accused tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s company, Medicare 24 Tshwane District. Their court appearance was earlier today and SABC News Reporter, Nonhlanhla Ntshingila, was in court and she joins me on the...

It is public knowledge that as of early this month (March), tensions between the U.S and Iran have escalated into open conflict. Iranian officials continue to deny any peace talks, amid reports the US sent the country a ceasefire proposal via Pakistan. How should we interpret this latest development and what kind of interventions are needed to end the conflict? For more analysis on this, we are jo...

The Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, presented the 2026 State of the City Address earlier today in Germiston. SABC News Reporter, Luyanda Danca, was in Germiston and now joins me on the line to share some of the key points from the Mayor’s Address… GUEST: Luyanda Danca, SABC News Reporter

We unpack the findings of a research study conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council on voter readiness ahead of the upcoming Local Government Elections. The study has found that nearly half of eligible South African voters are not registered to vote. It has also revealed that there is a concern from the public that politicians are undermining democracy. To react to this, we are joined by&h...

National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola has been summoned to appear in court on April 21 over the R360m health tender awarded to Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Athlenda Mathe, SAPS National Spokesperson