The National Pulse

Yesterday, the UN Economic and Social Council adopted a resolution to remove Iran from the Commission on the Status of Women for the remainder of its four-year term ending in 2026. The development comes in the wake of the country’s brutal crackdown on protests calling for justice for Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old woman who died in police custody in September.  To explain what this means is……    GUE...

The ANC has been dealt another blow at a key municipality in the North West. The results for the by-elections at Ditsobotla Municipality are in and it's not looking good for the party. The ANC got 39.82% of votes, while the EFF is just under 27% while the DA got just under 15%. The municipality was led by the ANC, however, it was dissolved in September due to lack of service delivery as ANC factio...

An in-depth look at ANC political developments over the years with Sophie Mokoena. This as former Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize will compete with President Cyril Ramaphosa to lead the African National Congress at a five-yearly elective conference that begins tomorrow. So, what’s likely to happen - should we expect any surprises?      GUEST: Sophie Mokoena, SABC Foreign Editor  

Statistics South Africa has released its annual consumer price index data. The data shows eased marginally 7.6% in October to 7.4% in November. The main contributors are remain food, non-alcoholic beverages, housing and utilities. Inflation rate remains above the 3-6% target by the Reserve bank. Guest: Patrick Kelly, chief director responsible for Price Statistics at Stats SA.  

According to News24, Eskom’s group chief executive, André de Ruyter has resigned. His resignation comes as no surprise as there have been ongoing calls for him to be removed amid the load-shedding gripping the country. To react to this is…..   GUEST: Khaya Magaxa, Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises

Cosatu is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to sign the General Laws Amendment Bill into law urgently. The bill was recently passed in parliament and seeks to strengthen South Africa’s anti-money laundering and terrorism financing regulatory framework. Cosatu says the passing of the bill is a necessary step to avoid greylisting by the Financial Action Task Force, however, it is concerned about...

What next for the five ANC MPs who defied the party by voting to adopt the Section 89 report into the Phala Phala matter? Yesterday, ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe said the five members who defied the party directive would be taken through the party processes to explain themselves. But were they wrong for voting against the party? We find out from ……  GUEST: Precious Lugayeni, Independent politica...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has decided to suspend Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe from his duties. The president’s decision is based on the advice of the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) as you may recall that in July this year, the commission found Hlophe guilty of gross misconduct for attempting to influence two retired justices of the Constitutional Court in a matter involving former...

The department of social development has conducted a study to support its proposal to extend the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant for unemployed South Africans between the ages of 18 and 59. The department says its report shows that shows the impact of the grant on poverty and inequality is potentially more significant than previously understood. The research was commissioned by the depart...

The National Assembly is currently debating and will be voting on the decision to implement the Section 89 Independent Panel of Experts report involving President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Phala Phala saga. The African Transformation Movement (ATM) had voiced its concerns regarding voting through an open ballot versus a secret ballot as this will compromise the legitimacy of the votes, which the par...

The Young Nurses Indaba Trade Union is calling for Eskom CEO, Andre De Ruyter to be fired. The trade union says Eskom’s inability to provide electricity to some healthcare facilities at all times affects life-saving equipment like ventilators, leading to loss of lives. Many healthcare faiclities are still not exempt from load-shedding, and this includes clinics that many communities depend on for...

The City of Johannesburg has submitted an urgent request to Eskom to be exempt from load shedding for three days. This as the City attempts to address challenges of escalating faults and outages in Gauteng following torrential rain.    

The National Association of Schools Governing Body is calling for a thorough investigation into allegations that more than 1000 pupils from six provinces cheated in this year’s matric exams. It is alleged pupils paid teachers up to R1500 to join a whatsapp group where answers were shared while exams were in session. In addition to that, it is also alleged some invigilators were providing answers t...

The Institute of Race Relations has urged Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka to release the answers that President Cyril Ramaphosa gave to the famous “31 Phala Phala questions” that Public Protector Bhusisiwe Mkhwebane put to the President before she got suspended. This as the National Assembly is scheduled to vote tomorrow on whether to commence proceedings that would require President Ramap...

Earlier on today, Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi together with the Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements and Infrastructure Development Lebogang Maile and City of Johannesburg MMC for Human Settlements Cllr Mlungisi Mabaso visited flood-affected areas in Soweto. Following recent heavy rains in Gauteng that have caused so much damage to road infrastructure and houses so much that some...

Carl Niehaus has been expelled from the ANC. The ANC’s national disciplinary committee ruled today that the suspended uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veteran’s Association spokesperson made comments in 2021 that brought the party into disrepute. It found him guilty of six counts of misconduct for contravening Rule 25 of the ANC Constitution. The expulsion comes just four days before the ANC’s national...

What is it about Morocco’s historic win that makes it hard for other African countries to celebrate with them? On Saturday, Morocco became the first African and Arab country to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup when they beat Portugal 1-0 but there are those who feel that their win should not be celebrated until Morocco ends its occupation of Western Sahara. Do you agree with them or are...

Many artists, musicians, creators and athletes have adopted Converse as their brand of choice. The brand is continuously spearheading the creative spirit in individuals through its #CreateNextMovement. Through this movement, Converse All Stars are challenged to innovate and enhance their creative narrative through music alongside musical ensemble from Cape Town, The Kiffness. The music ensemble ha...

With few days to go before the ANC’s Elective Conference, we ask - What will it take for the ANC to deal with internal dissent and how should the party use the upcoming conference to unite its members? Many argue that divisions and tensions began to appear within the ANC leading up to the party’s 2007 national conference and since then tensions between the factions have increased and the party has...

Does former ANC Women’s League President, Bathabile Dlamini have a case against the ANC? Dlamini was banned from running for a role on the party’s National Executive Committee. ANC Electoral Committee Head, Kgalema Motlanthe sent a letter to Dlamini informing her she had been eliminated after a vetting process because she had been found guilty of a crime in a court of law. Dlamini was found guilty...

It is International Anti-Corruption Day. The day seeks to highlight the link between anti-corruption and peace, security, and development. This year it comes at a period where South Africa is dealing with a variety of high profile corruption and fraud related cases. President Cyril Ramaphosa was expected to give a keynote address at the official event today, however, he canceled. To discuss the st...

40 years ago today, South African Defence Force commandos attacked Maseru, in Lesotho and their intention was to kill ANC members who were suspected of planning sabotage in South Africa. As we recall events of that night 40 years ago today. Take a listen to Manyano Ondala, son of ANC veteran Mlamli William Ondala and Nomathamsanqa Ondala, giving his account on what transpired on that night of the...

Today, the ANC’s National Executive Committee is meeting in Nasrec to finalise its preparations for next week’s national elective conference. But what can we expect from this important meeting, given numerous challenges that the organisation must deal with before the conference kicks off? Let’s find out from……      GUEST: Samkele Maseko, SABC News senior political reporter 

Let’s now focus on this year’s Festive Season Road Safety Campaign. Yesterday, the department of transport launched the 2022 Road Safety Arrive Alive Campaign under the theme “It Starts with You”. According to transport minister Fikile Mbalula, more than 90% of road traffic crashes can be directly attributed to the human element, which invariably relate to violation of traffic rules. Mbalula says...

Afrosoul singer, Brenda Mntambo is back on stage, as she celebrates 10 years of her music career. The MMA and SAMA nominee started singing at a young age and joined South Africa’s biggest gospel choir, Joyous Celebration and went on to work with artists like Lira, Judith Sephuma and Brian Thusi before releasing her first album called ‘Inspired’ in 2013. She released her second album, ‘So Much More...