The National Pulse

    Let’s now look at the Nal’ibali’s Leadership in Literacy Dialogue that happened earlier today. Nal’ibali has been running a series of dialogues and conversations on leadership in literacy in cities and towns across the country as they attempt to find solutions aimed at addressing South Africa’s literacy challenges. Some of you are probably aware that Sou...

    We unpack the Electoral Commission’s Tertiary Institutions Campaign that is aimed at improving voter participation amongst students at tertiary institutions as well as encourage participation in the country’s democratic processes.   GUEST: Bonolo Modise: IEC’s Head of Elections in the North West province

South Africa’s unemployment rate has dropped but the country has added 2.6 million people to the number of unemployed over the past ten years, with youth unemployment remaining critically high. So what needs to be done to turn things around? GUEST:

  In conversation with Tricia ‘CK’ Hoffler, a prominent US attorney and the CEO of the CK Hoffler Firm, who has served as legal counsel to civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition for over three decades.  GUEST (Dallas-US): Tricia ‘CK’ Hoffler: CEO of the CK Hoffler Firm

We saw something similar happen in KZN a few years ago, now it is happening in Springs, east of Johannesburg. Residents of the Gugulethu informal settlement are searching for gold at a kraal that has allegedly been hijacked by locals following the discovery of gold particles in the area. Let’s get more information on this from… GUEST: Nontsikelelo Mkhabela, SABC News Reporter

The City of Ekurhuleni has started vetting its Metro Police Officers via an independent forensic firm. The appointed firm is expected to hand in a report within two months. The Union representing most of the workers, the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), believes there is no justification for the City of Ekurhuleni’s decision to vet all its metro police officers. For more on thi...

In June this year, Sizekhaya Holdings will become the fourth operator of the South African National Lottery. Joining us to share the organisation’s vision and also to tell us more about how they intend to transform the aspirations of this country’s citizens in a responsible manner is….. GUEST: Lebogang Ndadana, CEO of Sizekhaya Holdings

    The official unemployment rate in South Africa has dropped to 31.4% in the fourth quarter of last year, that’s according to the latest data released by Statistics South Africa earlier today. The largest increases in employment were recorded in community and social services, construction and finance. For more clarity on this, we are joined by…..   GUEST: Risenga Malu...

    As the country prepares for this year’s local government elections. We tell you more about the IEC’s Seminar that took place last week Wednesday, where industry experts deliberated on how disinformation and misinformation may impact the integrity of the upcoming municipal elections. For more on this, we are joined by…..   GUEST: Titi Pitso, Commissioner at the...

  Post the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour that was recently held in Marrakech, Morocco. We hear from Fernando Morales-De La Cruz who argues that child labour persists not only because families are poor, but because economic systems allow profit to outweigh protection.   GUEST: Fernando Morales-De La Cruz, Journalist and Human Rights activist

    The Free State Premier is set to deliver the 2026 State of the Province Address at the Old Greys Sports Ground in Bloemfontein this Friday. After last week’s State of the Nation Address, the question many are probably asking themselves is, will the national commitments announced by the president translate into tangible change on the ground? For more on this, I am joined on the...

    Three accused in the murder of Bolt driver Isaac Satlat abandoned their bail application and elected to remain behind bars after appearing in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court earlier today. There were also protesters outside of court chanting “Justice for Isaac”. SABC News Reporter, Nonhlanhla Ntshingila, covered this story and now joins me on the line to t...

    After last week’s State of the Nation Address, residents of the Sporong informal settlement in Randfontein are urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to fast-track the deployment of the SANDF. Residents abandoned their homes after they did not feel safe due to illegal miners in the area. SABC News reporter, Luyanda Danca, joins me on the line to tell us more…   GUEST:&nbs...

As we unpack the outcomes of the 39th AU Summit. We understand that President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the African Union’s Peace and Security Council Report. However, he remains concerned about escalating conflicts and instability in several countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan. To help us look at some of the resolutions that have been adopted by the AU is….....

It’s a known fact that whistleblowers act as crucial witnesses, yet often targeted. To enhance their safety, Justice Minister Mamoloko Kubayi has been actively addressing the urgent need for enhanced whistleblower protection, particularly following the murder of key witnesses in high profile corruption cases. Kubayi has recently announced that government will provide whistleblowers with fina...

Today we are joined by Dr Pali Lehohla, someone who was once tasked with counting everyone in the country. In recent years, though operating outside the formal government structures, he continues to make an important contribution to the country’s economic, political and policy education. Lehohla will always be remembered as someone who dedicated his entire working life to numbers. GUEST: Dr...

    During last night’s State of the Nation address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Government is establishing a National Water Crisis Committee, to tackle South Africa’s prolonged water crisis. This committee will be chaired by President himself. Let’s get reaction on this from…   GUEST: Dr. Ferrial Adam, WaterCAN Executive Manager

    The 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) is expected to focus on strengthening local government by shifting from policy to implementation, addressing service delivery failures, and improving infrastructure. Key priorities for municipalities include funding model reforms, professionalising management, and accelerating water and electricity service delivery.    GUEST: Thab...

    What about the Labour Federation expectations of this year’s State of the Nation Address? Let’s get insights from the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU). Joining me on the line now is…    GUEST: Zwelinzima Vavi, SAFTU General Secretary

    We are just under 3 hours before President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the 2026 State of the Nation Address from the Cape Town City Hall. Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, ACDP Leader, joins me on the line to share the party’s expectations    GUEST: Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, ACDP Leader 

    The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) expects President Cyril Ramaphosa to deliver a comprehensive and action-oriented State of the Nation Address (SONA) that outlines government’s plans to advance good governance, strengthen service delivery, and drive inclusive economic development.   GUEST: Nhlanhla Hadebe, IFP Chief Whip

SONA 2026  As preparations gather pace for the 2026 State of the Nation Address. Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza  joins us to outline Parliament’s state of readiness for the landmark occasion.  GUEST: Thoko Didiza, Speaker of the National Assembly

We examine South Africa’s decision to withdraw its contribution of soldiers to the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). According to the Presidency, South Africa’s decision is informed by the need to consolidate and realign the resources of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF). For more reaction and analysis on this, we are j...