SAfm

The National Pulse

Latest News, Trends, and light features for an afternoon commute- Business, Traffic, Weather and Sport

Author

SAfm

Category

Government

Podcast website

www.sabc.co.za

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

Public Service Commission and King Misuzulu kaZwelithini meet to address the needs of traditional communities 24.03.2026

    The Public Service Commission (PSC) has just concluded its meeting with His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, the reigning King of the Zulu Nation and Monarch of KwaZulu-Natal. The meeting was aimed at finding lasting solutions on how the Kingship and the PSC can collaborate to address the needs of traditional communities and promote their well-being. Since early last year, the com...

SA Innovation Week (wrap) 24.03.2026

    We unpack the outcomes of SA Innovation Week. The event took place last week and it brought together government, industry, academia and communities to strengthen collaboration across the innovation ecosystem.   GUEST: Loyiso Tyira, Board Chairperson @Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)

DRC warfare 24.03.2026

    Former DR Congo President Joseph Kabila has condemned Kinshasa’s attacks in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. His remarks come amid escalating fighting in South and North Kivu, where government forces and their allies, including Burundian troops have broadened their aerial warfare against the AFC/M23 rebels. For more analysis on this, we are joined by……  ...

DA federal congress list 24.03.2026

The DA has released a list of party members vying to the top leadership positions. Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis will go against Sibusiso Dyonase, a DA leader from Sedibeng in Gauteng for the party’s federal leader position. Let’s get a sense of what could possibly happen at the party’s federal congress next month with… GUEST: Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast, Politica...

Cradock Four Inquest 24.03.2026

    Yesterday, Lukhanyo Calata, son of the late Fort Calata, was seen speaking to Eugene de Kock at Cradock Four Inquest in the Gqeberha High Court. SABC News Reporter, Ntombozuko Balintulo, was in court and captured that moment on camera. Let’s get a sense of what that conversation was about as well as what happened today in court…   GUEST: Ntombozuko Balintulo,&n...

Youth Capital and Equal Education call for support for TVET students amid systemic challenges 23.03.2026

As we commemorate this year’s Human Rights Month under the theme “Making Human Dignity Real,” Youth Capital together with Equal Education are calling on policymakers to look into the systemic challenges undermining the human dignity and constitutional right to further education for students in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. Around 60% of TVET stu...

Troubling state of the Vaal River 23.03.2026

    In conversation with Professor Wynand Malherbe who is studying the ecological health of the Vaal River. His research has found that the river is currently surviving but not thriving as it is highly impacted by pollution. He joins us now to elaborate further on this…….   GUEST: Professor Wynand Malherbe, North-West University researcher

Fireside Chat with Father Michael Lapsley 20.03.2026

As we observe ‘Human Rights Month’. Today, we are joined by Father Michael Lapsley who played a vital role in South Africa’s liberation struggle and subsequent healing process. Lapsley is a recipient of numerous honours for his human rights work and continues to advocate for social justice. GUEST: Father Michael Lapsley, global activist & founder of the Institute for Healing...

Madlanga Commission daily round up with SABC Reporter 20.03.2026

Member of the Gauteng Organised Crime unit, Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, continued answering questions at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry today. Let’s get a sense of what he had to say today with… GUEST: Sibahle Motha, SABC News Reporter

Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) 19.03.2026

Guest: Ismail Abdoola - Acting CEO

Post Office: Possible Liquidation 16.03.2026

We hear from the Creative Workers Union on why they don’t want the SA Post Office to be liquidated. This after the Post Office’s business rescue practitioners communicated the plan in a letter to the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, on Friday last week. GUEST: Nathan Bowers, National Bargaining Coordinator for Creative Workers Union (CWU)

Joburg’s air pollution 16.03.2026

Some of you may have witnessed the smell of rotten eggs that engulfed large parts of Johannesburg recently. The city has since confirmed that the smell was caused by hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide in the air, and this placed a lot of people at higher risk of poor health outcomes and premature deaths. So how do we deal with this problem, moving forward? For more on this, we are joined by&hel...

Witness D’s alleged killer appears in court 16.03.2026

The alleged killer of Marius van der Merwe, known as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission appeared before the Brakpan Magistrates Court today. Chad Thomas, Crime Expert and CEO of IRS Forensic Investigation was in court today. Chad now joins me on the line to tell us what came out of court today…   GUEST: Chad Thomas, Crime Expert and CEO of IRS Forensic Investigation

Fireside Chat with Ebrahim Rasool 13.03.2026

Today we are joined by former Pretoria’s envoy to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool. He has a long history of activism and is widely respected for his work in fostering interfaith dialogues and combating Islamophobia. Rasool has been the recipient of a number of awards that include “Social Services Leader of the Year” award, “Visionary Leadership and Public Good” award...

COSATU supports NUM planned strike against Eskom unbundling 13.03.2026

  The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has thrown its weight behind the National Union of Mineworkers’ planned strike against the unbundling of Eskom. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Zanele Sabela, COSATU Spokesperson

UWC rejects proposal to honour Allan A Boesak with institution name change 13.03.2026

  The University of the Western Cape has rejected a proposal to rename the institution after prominent theologian and anti-apartheid activist Allan Aubrey Boesak, saying it prefers to retain its long-standing name tied to its geographical identity. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Gasant Abarder, University of the Western Cape Spokesperson

Iran war scenarios and the oil price 13.03.2026

  We look at the ongoing war in the Middle East and its impact on South Africa’s economy. This as energy markets remain on tenterhooks as the prospect of prolonged war in the Middle East grows. For more on this, we are joined by….. GUEST: Dr Azar Jamine, Director & Chief Economist of Econometrix

Suspended South African Police Service (SAPS) Organised Crime Head, Major-General Richard Shibiri has concluded his testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. 13.03.2026

Suspended South African Police Service (SAPS) Organised Crime Head, Major-General Richard Shibiri has concluded his testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. During cross examination, Shibiri’s testimony revealed deep divisions within the police leadership. To give us a wrap on this, we are joined by……. GUEST: Sibahle Motha, SABC News reporter

Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new Supreme Leader? 09.03.2026

  Mojtaba Khamenei has been elected as Iran’s new Supreme Leader. Mojtaba’s father, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, was killed on the first day of the war that started more than a week ago. According to Iranian media, Mojtaba once served in the military for several short periods during the Iran-Iraq war. For more on this, we are joined by….. GUEST: Thembisa Fakude, Senior Rese...

Engineering symposium 09.03.2026

  Following recent, fatal building collapses in South Africa. We hear from the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as they intend to host their Inaugural Biennial Engineering symposium this month. We understand that this time around the symposium will focus more on public safety, infrastructure resilience, accountability and the future of engineering in South Africa. For more on this,...

One Graduate, One Placement campaign 09.03.2026

As South Africa’s labour market remains under severe strain, with structural unemployment continuing to limit economic participation. We hear from Yershen Pillay post CHIETA’s launch of “One Graduate, One Placement” campaign that is aimed at tackling rising graduate unemployment rate. GUEST: Yershan Pillay, CEO of the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CH...

First of five remains of miners at Ekapa Minerals retrieved 09.03.2026

  Around 3PM today, Police in the Northern Cape confirmed that the first of five remains of miners at Ekapa Minerals have been retrieved. The men were trapped 800m underground in mid-February. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Ulrich Hendricks, SABC News Reporter in the Northern Cape

Fireside Chat with Pandelani Nefolovhodwe 06.03.2026

Today we are pleased to be joined by one of the Black Consciousness movement cadres, Pandelani Nefolovhodwe. During the dark days of our struggle against apartheid, Nefolovhodwe and many other leaders amplified the black voice, advocating for civil rights, social justice and equality. We hope that his story will inspire others to stand for what they believe in and know that their voice matters. GU...

 Court rules against unilateral VAT powers of finance minister 06.03.2026

  The DA and the EFF welcomed a court ruling that has declared the unilateral powers of the finance minister to determine the valued-added tax rate as unconstitutional. Let’s get more on this from… GUEST: Sinawo Tambo, EFF National Spokesperson

Miners trapped at Ekapa Mineral’s Joint Shaft 06.03.2026

Earlier today, a Prayer session was held in Kimberley by the Northern Cape government for the five men still trapped at Ekapa Mineral’s Joint shaft. Family members of the five miners were also present at the session. As it stands, the men are presumed deceased after a mud rush more than 2 weeks ago. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Ulrich Hendricks, SABC News Repor...

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