The National Pulse

We have officially moved to stage six load-shedding. Eskom says this is a result of coal and staff shortages due to the workers’ strike. This means we will have six hours of load-shedding. Eskom workers continue to strike following a wage deadlock. Are we headed towards a complete blackout?   Guest: energy expert, Professor Sampson Mamphweli

A 15 year old learner from Nombika High School in Ndwedwe in KwaZulu-Natal has committed suicide. The learner was a sangoma and her story made headlines after she was suspended from school for wearing her sangoma cloth draping over her school uniform. The basic education department in the province intervened in the matter and the teenager was allowed back at school to write her exams. Reports of h...

Tebogo Leshope from the department of communications was listening to the conversation and he joins us now to react to today’s court ruling.      Guest: Tebogo Leshope, Broadcast Digital Migration Project Leader at the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies  

The Constitutional Court has ruled that the switch-off of analogue television broadcasts in South Africa must be delayed to allow for more consultation. The court also found that communications minister’s decision on 28 February 2022 to set 31 March 2022 (later revised to 30 June 2022 by the high court) as the final date for analogue switch-off was unconstitutional and invalid. To react to this is...

The federal government of Ethiopia has set up a seven-member committee to commence peace talks with Tigrayan rebels in order to end the long civil war. Since early May, stories have been circulating about secret talks between them. So are we likely to witness peace anytime soon? For more analysis on this, we are joined by….    Guest: Dr David Matsanga, expert on East Africa diplomatic relations an...

It has been a tough weekend for parents in East London following the death of over 20 youngsters at Enyobeni Tavern. How is the process of identifying bodies going? And what were the survivors treated for? We are now joined by Bafana Msibi, Eastern Cape Health Department’s General Manager for Hospital Services, Quality Assurance and Specialised Services.

The Special Investigating Unit has obtained a preservation order to freeze a R27 million luxury property linked to former lotteries boss, Professor Alfred Ntshengedzeni Nevhutanda. The property is owned by Vhutanda Investments, a company Professor Nevhutanda is the sole director of. An investigation by the SIU revealed the property was purchased with funds from NPOs that had applied for grants at...

Two people have been arrested in Mpumalanga after they were caught running a human trafficking operation. The police also rescued 39 human trafficking victims, believed to have been smuggled into South Africa from Mozambique.   Guest: Colonel Katlego Mogale, Hawks spokesperson

It was a busy weekend for the ANC in Gauteng as the chose leaders who will move the organisation forward. Earlier we spoke to Panyaza Lesufi who emerged victorious against Lebogang Maile. Maile earlier congratulated Lesufi on Twitter, saying he is a befitting leader and he ran a clean campaign. Can it be concluded that this province, though with its own issues, is more unified compared other provi...

The Eastern Cape Liquor Board will lay a criminal charge against the owner of Enyobeni Tavern in the East London where over 20 young people died. Many of the people who died were schoolchildren. It is still not clear what exactly killed the youngsters whose bodies were found on the dance floor, on tables and chairs. The Eastern Cape Liquor board also plans to revoke the tavern’s liquor licence. We...

We hear from the newly elected provincial chairperson of the ANC in Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi who defeated Lebogang Maile with 575 votes to 543. What is interesting about the outcome of the 14th ANC Gauteng Provincial Conference is that the two slates that were competing are both represented in the newly elected leadership.   Guest: Panyaza Lesufi, Chairperson of the ANC in Gauteng

As the war in Ukraine continues to affect the international price of oil. The Organisation undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) is calling for fuel levy reprieve of R1.50 to be extended for July. This as they believe that government must find a solution to the runaway costs of the Road Accident Fund (funded by another fuel levy of R2.18 per litre). According to them, this levy should either be reduced or not...

Just how important is this year’s 48th G7 Summit? President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Germany yesterday to participate in the G7 Leader’s Summit. South Africa will participate in two outreach sessions; the first will be a working lunch on investing in the future, where issues of climate, energy and health will be discussed, followed by a working session titled “Stronger Together”, where the Summi...

It will be a busy weekend for the ANC in Gauteng as the organisation will elect its new leaders. Gauteng Deputy Chairperson, Panyaza Lesufi has his eye on the top position. He’s running against provincial executive committee member, Lebogang Maile. Accreditation issues delayed proceedings as members raised issues about the authenticity of some regions. How are things going now? We are joined by SA...

The student whose belongings were urinated on by another student at Stellebosch university has expressed dissatisfaction in how the institution has handled disciplinary proceedings. Babalo Ndwayana was not allowed to bring his legal representative into the hearing. He has also expressed distrust in the process, saying it may be unfair. Student organisation, SASCO has been supporting Ndwayana and a...

    There’s been a lot of reaction at the news that inflation has risen to its highest level in five years. Data released by Statistics South Africa recently shows that the consumer price inflation (CPI) increased to 6-point-5 percent last month, up from 5-point-9 percent in April. In light of this, the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa is calling for the working class to take urgen...

Earlier this week, a Home Affairs-led law enforcement operation led to the arrest of at least 51 illegal migrants who were being held in slave-like conditions at a plastic factory in Alberton. The fifty-one were subjected to inhumane and unspeakable working and living conditions in a factory owned by a Chinese national. Following this incident, Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has warned...

On World News today we look at the 14th BRICS Summit which is currently underway and ask - how is BRICS membership benefiting South Africa and given the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine – how significant is this year’s meeting? According to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the value of South Africa’s membership of BRICS has grown substantially since we joined this group of emerging economies 12 ye...

THE INNERVIEW: Today we examine the work of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, asking – was it worth it? Yesterday, the Zondo Commission released the final part of the State Capture Report and as expected, many people expressed different views in terms of what must happen next moving forward. But one thing that cannot be ignored is the fact that not everyone is i...

FNB Money Series Feature: Today we focus on yet another pertinent issue, giving you advice on whether “should you rent or buy your business premises?”. This as part of FNB’s commitment to educating SMEs and equipping them with the right tools and advice to promote, grow and market their businesses.     Guest: Andiswa Bata, Co-Head, SME Segment at FNB  

This morning, the Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla announced the first case of Monkeypox in the country during a media briefing. The patient is a 30-year-old male from Johannesburg who has no travel history, meaning that this cannot be attributed to having been acquired outside South Africa. According to the World Health Organization, global monkeypox cases are at 2 103, with one recorded death....

In the fifth part and final submission of the Zondo Commission report, the Chief Justice suggested that whilst direct election may not prevent corruption, serious consideration should be given to citizens electing the President instead of voting for political parties. This recommendation has been previously made in the Van Zyl Slabbert Commission back in 2003. What should we read into this recomme...

We hear from Hooda Abrahams-Fayker on why the Black Sash Trust has decided to initiate legal action against government in relation to the R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. They want the North Gauteng High court to set aside a means test regulation as they argue that it excludes many poor people from accessing the R350 grant.      Guest: Hooda Abrahams-Fayker, National Advocacy Manager at...

The Gauteng office of the SA Human Rights Commission has confirmed that they will be looking into the grievances of the victims of the Yeoville Market fire. The organization has called on the community to remain law-abiding whilst engaging with law enforcement agencies and to ensure that perpetrators are identified and brought to book. The fire destroyed goods to the value of R50 000 as it ravaged...

How important is this year’s Commonwealth heads of government meeting? We are told that the Commonwealth countries will focus on critical matters such as trade, investment, rule of law and innovation and that they are also expected to adopt declarations on childcare and protective reforms. But what about other pressing global issues like the ongoing war between Russian and Ukraine? Joining us to e...