The National Pulse

Renowned human rights lawyer, Clive Stafford Smith speaks to us about his efforts to free Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist who gained international attention after her conviction in the US and is currently serving an 86-year sentence for attempted murder and other felonies at the Federal Medical Center in Texas. However, Siddiqui’s supporters firmly believe that she was wrongly...

During today’s proceedings, Jessi-Ann Thompson, a social worker in private practice, recommended that Malema be given a suspended fine instead of a prison sentence, arguing that he is a first time offender and has not been implicated in any criminal conduct in the seven years since the firearm discharge incident. For more update on this, we are joined by…… GUEST: Hlumisa Qabaka...

Friends and families of the twelve pupils killed in a horror scholar transport crash In Vanderbijlpark on Monday gathered today for a joint memorial service. SABC News Reporter, Thabiso Radebe, was at the memorial service and now joins me on the line to tell us what came out of the service… GUEST: Thabiso Radebe, SABC News Reporter 

    As of August last year General Dagvin R.M. Anderson (US Air Force) assumed command of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), succeeding Marine General Michael Langley. Heading into 2026 and beyond, Gen. Anderson’s tenure is defined by a strategic shift towards strengthening the security-economics nexus, focusing on mitigating terrorism's impact on development, an...

The Constitutional Court has remitted the case against Moroadi Cholota, the former personal assistant to Ace Magashule, back to the High Court. The apex court handed down a ruling earlier today in Cholota’s extradition case, in which the National Prosecuting Authority was appealing a High Court ruling. Let’s get reaction from the NPA. Joining me on the line now is… GUEST: Advoca...

Bongani Ndlovu, Public Relations Officer: Greater Johannesburg Learner Transport Association

    Authorities impounded more than 60 scholar transport vehicles earlier today in Lenasia, South of Johannesburg. The vehicles were impounded for carrying more children than they were allowed to and some drivers did not have valid public driving permits (PDPs). For more on this, I am joined on the line by…   GUEST: Sashin Naidoo

On Saturday (January 24th), South Africa and the rest of the world will observer ‘International Day of Education’, a global observance by UNESCO and the United Nations to celebrate education’s vital role in peace and development. This year’s theme highlights “The Power of Youth in Co-creating Education”. To celebrate this day, here at home, UNICEF will highlight...

As the global conversation turns to Davos this week. We are joined by Minister Stella Ndabeni and she is part of team South Africa that is attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting that is currently underway in Davos, Switzerland, and she is going to share insights on their respective business segments and the role they play in shaping economic and social impact. GUEST (Davos): Stella Ndabe...

    Around 300 families from the Seporong informal settlement in Randfontein have fled their homes after threats and violence from illegal miners and are now sheltering in an overcrowded community hall. For more on this, I am joined on the line by…   GUEST: Zine Buthelezi, SABC News Reporter

    Multiple people have been shot, two fatally, at Booysens Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg earlier today. SABC News Reporter, Luyanda Danca, was at the scene and now joins me on the line…   GUEST: Luyanda Danca, SABC News Reporter

    Kruger National Park will cautiously allow day visitors access to sections of the reserve, but full operations are yet to resume after a week of heavy rainfall and flooding. For more on this, I am joined on the line by…   GUEST: JP Louw, SANParks Head of Communications and Spokesperson

    ActionSA’s mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni, Xolani Khumalo, has handed himself over to police in Katlehong. This is in connection to an assault charge opened against him in December. ActionSA's national chairperson, Michael Beaumont, said that the party is fully behind Khumalo. Michael Beaumont now joins me on the line to tell us more…   GUEST: Michael Beaumont, Ac...

    The North-West University (NWU) has become the first South African university to adopt an official artificial intelligence (AI) policy. According to the varsity’s head of AI Hub, this marks a milestone for the sector and helps shape national conversations about the responsible use of AI in higher education and research.   GUEST: Professor Anne Verhoef, Director of the Nort...

    At least 13 school pupils lost their lives in a tragic accident involving a scholar transport vehicle in Vanderbijlpark, in the Vaal area, this morning. Preliminary information from officials at the scene indicates that the accident occurred on Fred Droste Road, also known as R553, behind ArcelorMittal. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Matome Chiloane, Educ...

    Tom Hoyem who served as Denmark’s last minister for Greenland in the 1980’s weighs in on whether risings tensions between NATO and the U.S could lead to a military confrontation. Trump has warned that 8 European nations face tariffs rising to 25% if Greenland isn’t sold to the U.S.   GUEST: Tom Hoyem, former Danish Minister to Greenland

    We look at the key findings of the 2025 Township Economy Report. The report found that Township businesses are economically resilient and digitally aware, but outdated, cash-heavy systems and weak local value chains are preventing the economy from reaching its full potential.   GUEST: Annelene Dippenaar, Chief Business Officer from Shop2Shop

    Earlier on, I spoke to MEC for Education in Gauteng, Matome Chiloane, about the thirteen learners that have died in the Vanderbijlpark scholar transport accident this morning. SABC News reporter, Thato Letsaba, was at the Sebokeng mortuary with emotional family members a few hours ago. Let’s get an update on this story…   GUEST: Thato Letsaba, SABC News Reporter

    Government has declared a national disaster over torrential rains and floods that have killed at least 30 people in the country, damaged thousands of homes and washed away roads and bridges. The worst impact is in the northern provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, where the fatalities occurred. To react to this is……   GUEST: Professor Wiseman Chingombe, Professor of...

The ministry of defence and military veterans has launched an inquiry into Iran’s participation in the BRICS+ naval exercises held in South African waters over the past week. According to the department, the inquiry would seek to determine whether President Cyril Ramaphosa’s instructions regarding Iran’s involvement were misrepresented or ignored. For more analysis on this, we ar...

    As South Africa continues to grapple with unemployment and the need to build a future-ready workforce. Our guest, Riaz Moola, helps us understand South Africa’s ongoing skills shortage problem and what needs to be done to improve alignment between education providers and labour market demands.   GUEST: Riaz Moola, CEO of HyperionDev

    Today we are joined by someone who is well known for her passion about gender justice and social justice in general, and that’s Lebogang Ramafoko, popularly known as Lebo. Late last year, Ramafoko was appointed the new Executive Director of Corruption Watch, something that will allow her to play a pivotal role in South Africa’s anti-corruption efforts. So today, we will g...

Let’s now focus on the Ugandan elections and we understand that counting is underway post yesterday’s presidential elections. Partial results released by the electoral commission from nearly half of polling stations showed Museveni with 76.25% of the vote, far ahead of his main challenger Bobi Wine, who is on 19.85%. Museveni has ruled Uganda since seizing power in 1986 and is looking...

    Crime Intelligence boss, Dumisani Khumalo, revealed that forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan has been under crime intelligence scrutiny for several months. The Lt. General was responding to questions from EFF MP, Leigh-Ann Mathys, when he was giving evidence at the Ad Hoc Committee yesterday. Let’s dissect some of the key things that came out of the Ad Hoc Committee thi...

    Let’s continue with the issue of the SANDF and Iran. according to the defence and military veterans, Minister Angie Motshekga has launched an inquiry into Iran’s participation in the Brics+ naval exercises held in South African waters over the past week. For more on this, I am joined on the line by…    GUEST: Dr. Kingsley Makhubela, Former SA ambassador a...