The National Pulse

According to Automobile Association, South African motorists can expect a big drop in fuel prices at the start of 2023. The latest fuel price update from the Central Energy Fund shows that the prices of diesel, petrol, and illumination paraffin are all set to decrease significantly. To explain the dynamics around this is…..  GUEST: Layton Beard, Spokesperson of the Automobile Association (AA)   

Four of KwaZulu-Natal’s most wanted suspects have been shot and killed in a shootout with police along Higginson Highway near Marrianhill, west of Durban. The men were wanted in connection with various crimes, including murder. Police say they attempted to stop a suspicious looking vehicle and the occupants opened fire on officers.    GUEST: Brigadier Jay Naicker, Police spokesperson in KwaZulu-Na...

The Eastern Cape Liquor is calling on all alconol traders I the province to comply with regulations or face consequences. The liquor board has shut down a tavern in Hofmeyr following the death of three people on Boxing Day. Two of them were teenagers under the age of 18. The taverns owner and his assistant have since been arrested and will face prosecution for allowing minors inside their establis...

Poet, internationally acclaimed author, the bard of liberation and struggle icon Donato Francesco Mattera commonly referred to as "Bra Don" was born in Westbury 1935 grew up in Sophiatown, Johannesburg and died on the 18th July 2022. He published more than fifteen books and received numerous awards and honors internationally. Today on the 29th December is his birthday and we pay homage to this gia...

After receiving tip offs about traffic officers who allegedly demanded bribes from motorists. ActionSA Councillor Nkele Molapo has warned motorists not to buy Tshwane Metro Police officers cold drink. For those of you who may not be familiar with this ‘cold drink’ lexicon. A cold drink is a commonly known code name for a bribe that takes place between a motorist and a traffic official – this bribe...

N3 Traffic Update: As more people are travelling this festive season. Major routes and freeways are expected to be heavily congested by huge traffic volumes, also traffic on the N3 towards Gauteng is expected to peak between December 31 and January 3. To give us an update on what’s happening on the N3 Toll Concession is…..     Guest: Thania Dhoogra, Operations Manager @N3 Toll Concession  

Rosemary Anderson shares thoughts on the potential that the outbound Chinese market holds for South Africa with the announcement this week that travellers will no longer need to quarantine upon arrival on the mainland starting from January 8 next year.    GUEST: Rosemary Anderson, National Chairperson of the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa

Acting CEO at Tourism SA, Themba Khumalo tells us more about the ‘Gimme Summer That’ campaign, which promotes travel discount and encourages South Africans to explore our country more this festive season.     GUEST: Themba Khumalo, Acting CEO of SA Tourism    

Afro-Soul singer, Lulama K has teamed up with actor SK Khoza to raise awareness about alcohol abuse. These two gentlemen have just released a new track called Alcohol and Hubbly, which they hope will encourage South African youth not to drink excessively during the holiday season. According to Aware.org, 50% of teenagers in South Africa drink alcohol. One of the organisation’s studies also reveal...

World News: Yesterday, the UN’s Human Rights chief, Volker Türk, urged the Taliban de facto authorities to immediately revoke a raft of policies that target the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, saying that they cause terrible, cascading effects on their lives and risk destabilizing the nation. Joining us to unpack what this means is….    GUEST: Ebrahim Deen, Independent Researcher  

Former President Jacob Zuma intends to oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa's urgent interdict application against the private prosecution bid against him. You may recall that about a week ago, Zuma launched a private prosecution bid against Ramaphosa for allegedly contravening the NPA Act on the disclosure of his medical records by the prosecutor Billy Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan. To furnish...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has filed papers in the Gauteng High Court for an urgent application to interdict former President Jacob Zuma from taking any further steps to give effect to his private prosecution bid against the President. The President is also seeking the court to excuse him from appearing before the court on the 19th of January 2023 as directed by the summons. Zuma launched a private...

To react to this, we are now joined by Oupa Pilane who is Co-chair of the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA). This as the organization has vehemently condemned the reported racist attack against guests at Maselspoort Resort, saying this kind of incident undermines the efforts of South Africans who are working daily to promote cultural diversity, sensitisation and reconciliation. ...

According to the Recorded Live Births, 2021 Report released by Statistics South Africa, almost 1 million births occurred in 2021 and the most popular baby names were Lethabo and Melokuhle for boys and girls respectively.    GUEST:  Dr Mosidi Nhlapho  

Five cases of measles have been recorded in Bethlehem in the Free State. The department of health in the province is calling on parents to check for the signs of measles in their babies and take their children to clinics to get vaccinated. To elaborate further on this is….    GUEST: Lumka Mangoejane, Director: Maternal, Child Women’s Health, Integrated School Health & Health Promotion, Free St...

Yesterday, key figures in the Democratic Republic of Congo, accused President Felix Tshisekedi's regime of pursuing a policy of outsourcing the vast country's security. The accusation was made in a joint declaration that was signed by Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege and presidential hopefuls Martin Fayulu and Augustin Matata Ponyo. This as the country is preparing to hold presidential and p...

Over the festive season, our beaches become a major destination by many holidaymakers and families spend time together to enjoy a wealth of seaside activities. However, there are incidents of drowning that take place andrate of drownings peak during the holiday periods. Some members of the public may not always know what to do when a loved one goes missing in the water.   Guest: Craig Lambinon - M...

Silent strokes have become more prevalent in South Africa in the past few months. This may be attributed to limited symptoms and these incidents are happening more frequently among persons under 40 years of age. We have this in conversation in light of the news that Lvovo Derrango (aka Thokozani Ndlovu) was hospitalized after suffering a minor stroke after a performance and the passing of Mampints...

Amnesty International has commended Zambia for abolishing the death penalty and removing criminal defamation of the president, saying the abolition is a good and progressive move. On Friday, Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema announced that he has assented to a law banning the death penalty and the offence of criminal defamation of the president. To explain what this means for the people of Zam...

What will South Africans say if a so-called illegal immigrant wins the lottery? Let’s now tell you more about this beautiful story of former immigrants who won the lottery jackpot in Spain, looking at how they were celebrated, and ponder in terms of what life lessons this story teaches us as South Africans and our attitude towards immigrants.     GUEST: Marta Garrich, Commentator of Spanish politi...

The #YesEldos Again Movement on Tuesday marked 100 days since a peaceful protest kicked off outside a local police station. Residents and various groups are protesting over high crime in the Eldorado Park community. They are now moving to Phase 2 which is taking legal action against the Gauteng Government and SA Police Services

Earlier this week, Eskom reached new generation output low when it failed to reach 23 000 megawatts required and forced stage six loadshedding. As we edge closer to Christmas weekend, the power utility is struggling despite mines and factories closing down for the Festive Season which would provide respite on demand. To unpack the outlook for the rest of the Festive season, we are joined by... Gue...

This afternoon, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department is currently holding their Buya Mthetho Cross Border and public transport joint operation. This is part of the Public Safety Festive Season Campaign underway alongside the Office of Public Safety in the City. The purpose of the operation is to reduce illegal Cross Border Public Transport Operations taking place ahead of Christmas weekend. Th...