The National Pulse

The Japanese government has launched a nationwide competition calling for ideas to encourage its citizens to drink more alcohol – this as the country attempts to boost its tax revenue. The Sake Viva! campaign, which is being run by the National Tax Agency, asks 20- to 39-year-olds to come up with proposals to help revitalise the popularity of alcoholic drinks, which have fallen out of favour becau...

Public servants are going back to the wage negotiation table with the government this week. They say they are ready to down tools if government does come with a better offer, something that could cripple public service. Unions initially demanded a 10% wage increase, however, government said it is unaffordable, proposing a 1,5% plus R1 000 minimum cash equivalent for all employees across all employ...

Opposition parties will apply for motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa for the Phala Phala scandal. The parties have been meeting for the past few weeks to make a decision on how to keep the president accountable. They believe the president has a case to answer and want the motion of no confidence to be done in secret . Mosiuoa Lekota

NotInMyName is urging Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to vacate his public office amid sexual assault allegations. The organisation is also calling on law enforcement agencies to urgently deal with this matter.     Guest: Themba Masango, Secretary General of NOTINMYNAME 

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse says while an expected reduction in fuel prices is welcome, it is concerned consumers might not feel much of the decrease as it may redirected towards the fuel levy and etolls in Gauteng. The organisation says government may seize the price reduction opportunity to increase the fuel levy. So what informs this concern? We are now joined by Outa’s Wayne Duvenage.

guest: Mahmood Oumar

Where are the new generation of leaders from the Indian community in KwaZulu-Natal? Asks senior ANC member in the province, Logie Naidoo as he is worried about the absence of Indians in ANC’s provincial leadership structures. He is arguing that Indian community’s role cannot be trivialised in South Africa’s political landscape as they contributed immensely during the liberation struggle, producing...

Yesterday, the department of justice and constitutional development announced that they have drafted a new bill that is aimed at repealing and replacing the archaic Trespass Act. The department feels that the Act has lost its relevance in our constitutional democracy as it forms part of colonial/apartheid era legislation that is no longer required in our democratic system. The proposed new bill to...

Following Cuba’s announcement that they will soon allow foreign investors into their wholesale and retail trade for the first time in 60 years. We hear from Professor Arthur Mutambara about his interpretation of this major announcement in terms of why now and what informed this pivotal decision – as we know that Cuba is currently facing its most severe economic crisis in decades, with rising price...

Suspended public protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s request to summon President Cyril Ramaphosa to appear before the impeachment inquiry has been declined. Majority of the parties on the committee say it is not necessary for Ramaphosa to appear. Parliament’s legal advisors also say the issues Mkhwebane wants to address in relation to the CR17 campaign have already been dealt with in the courts. Does...

The Socio-Economic Rights Institute has been legally representing 36 families of the Lonmin mine workers who died in the Marikana massacre. The organisation represented the families during the commission of inquiry into the massacre and in the civil suit against the government. What has working with these families looked like over the past decade and what have been some of the challenges? We are n...

Former Eastern Cape Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe didn’t make it into the newly constituted provincial cabinet that was announced by Oscar Mabuyane, Premier of the Eastern Cape earlier on today. Tikana-Gxothiwe joins us now to react to the premier’s decision……     Guest: Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe, former Eastern Cape Transport MEC  

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has announced a ban on the transportation of live stock for the next 21 days. This is government’s attempt to curb the foot and mouth disease outbreak in the country. Government will review this every week and give updates. Exceptions will apply only to people with is a veterinary permit for direct slaughter at registered abattoirs a...

It has been 10 years since the Marikana massacre that claimed 34 lives as police clashed with striking Lonmin miners. A commission of inquiry was set up after the tragedy, but there hasn’t been much accountability for the massacre. What has life looked like for the affected families for the past decade? We are now joined by Mmathabisile Monesa, widow of Khanare Monesa who was 36 years old at the t...

We hear from the ANC’s newly elected North-West chairperson, Nono Maloyi who defeated Bushy Maape for the position of the ANC provincial chairperson. What makes his election interesting is that before the conference there was a strong push for him not to contest for the position, with his critics citing a 2018 culpable homicide case that was provisionally withdrawn by the National Prosecuting Auth...

As today marks 10 years since the tragedy at Marikana. Our guest, Dr Unathi Sonwabile Henama says tourism can be a solution for creating a new economic sector that will alleviate some of the challenges faced by the Marikana area. Henama has been calling for the conversion of the site of Marikana since 2015 and he firmly believes that Heritage Tourism can do wonders for Marikana’s economy. He joins...

So, what are the cultural and spiritual implications of Prince Simakade undergoing usiko lokubikwa, a ceremony done by the family before the coronation of a new king? Prince Simakade performed the ritual with some member of the Zulu royal family who are against his younger brother Misuzulu being recognized as the king. King Misuzulu undergo the same ritual later this week before his coronation. Pr...

Following the resignation of Patricia Kopane from the Democratic Alliance, both as a party member and a Member of Parliament. ActionSA has confirmed signing her up as a member of the party. But what really informed her decision to leave the DA? Patricia joins us now to elaborate further on this …….    Guest: Patricia Kopane, former DA Member

It has been a busy day in the Supreme Court of Appeals in Bloemfontein today. Advocate Mantlheng Mphahlele who represents the Department of Correctional Services has told the court Arthur Fraser used his discretionary power to authorise the release of former president Jacob Zuma on medical parole in 2021. He says the recommendation by the Medical Parole Advisory Board on Zuma’s eligibility for par...

It is a sad day for the music industry and Kwaito lovers following the passing of former TKZee member, Tokollo ‘Magesh’ Tshabalala. The 45 year old’s family says he died from an epileptic seizure. Magesh was a part of the award winning TKZee since it released its first album, Halloween in 1994. The album sold over 200 000 copies and earned them four awards. They released many successful albums aft...

KZN MEC for Social Development Nonhlanhla Khoza is calling for the arrest of a police officer who is accused of abusing her husband. Khoza says social workers have been dispatched to assist the Durban man who says he has suffered abuse for years. It is alleged that the man had to apply for a protection order after his wife injured his private parts.   Guest: Nonhlanhla Khoza, MEC for Social Develo...

As India celebrates 75 years of independence today, Mahmoud Patel is of the view that there’s an urgent need to highlight freedom from the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) which according to him, the Indian state has been ruthlessly misusing to curb dissent and protests in the country.     Guest: Mahmoud Patel, Legal Scholar and Academic, also spokesperson for People Against Apartheid and...

Earlier on today, Cosatu Young Workers led a march against youth unemployment and rising costs of living. They are also calling on government to stop privatisation of State Owned Entities. To take us through their list of demands is…..    Guest:  ZANDILE SIZANI - NATIONAL OFFICE BEARER OF COSATU YOUNG WORKERS

21 alleged instigators of last year’s July Unrest have been granted bail after they were arrested on Thursday. One suspected was remanded in custody. Charges they face range from conspiracy to commit public violence, to incitement to commit arson. The Hawks are looking at a total of 84 suspects including the 22 suspects who have already appeared in court. More than 350 people lost their lives and...

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance has rejected the decision by National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to ask the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence to investigate specific allegations arising out of President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm robbery. The party had initially called for an ad hoc committee to be set up to probe the matter. But this was turned down by Mapisa-Nqaku...