The National Pulse

    Security was beefed up at the US Embassy in Pretoria as a coalition of South African trade unions, political groups, and civil society organisations picketed outside the building today. The picket is against US attacks on Venezuela. Let’s find out more with…   GUEST: Muhammed Desai, from the South Africa Latin America Association

The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thami Ntuli, has formally endorsed the renewal of the contract of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for a second term, following a meeting with the South African Police Service National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola. According to Ntuli, General Mkhwanazi has earned widespread recognition for his decisive and hands...

    Dr John Foster-Pedley shares his thoughts on “How to live a life that rhythmically moves from success to significance”. He is of the view that we all have it within ourselves to be significant.   GUEST: Dr John Foster-Pedley, an Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Reading UK, and Dean and Director of Henley Business School Africa

Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to appoint Advocate Andy Mothibi as the country’s new national director of public prosecutions. We hear from Dr Llewellyn Curlewis on whether or not this was a wise decision as Mothibi’s appointment has been met with mixed reactions.   GUEST: Dr Llewellyn Curlewis, Legal expert from the University of Pretoria

    As world leaders continue to react to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the United States of America. Here at home, RISE Mzansi leader, Songezo Zibi has criticised Trump’s military campaign, arguing that it amounted to unlawful regime change.   GUEST: Songezo Zibi, Leader of Rise Mzansi

    COGTA Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa joins us to discuss the deaths of initiates during traditional initiation seasons in South Africa. The deaths are generally not attributed to the cultural practice itself, but rather to negligence and illegal operations. Hlabisa recently convened a high-level engagement to receive updates on initiates’ deaths recorded during the 2025 summer i...

    The Mossel Bay Municipality in the Western Cape says the fire that has been raging has been contained in some areas, including the northern flank in Aalwyndal, the eastern flank in Island View and the southern flank on the N2. Let’s get more details on this with…   GUEST: Sagree Chetty, SABC News Reporter in the Western Cape

    A number of security personnel deployed at airports and other sensitive public sites hit social media platforms to complain about unpaid salaries after an internal Mafoko Security Patrols memorandum confirmed a missed salary payment in December 2025. Mafoko Security has also faced ongoing allegations and litigation linked to unpaid provident fund contributions deducted from workers&r...

    ANC launched a fundraising campaign this morning ahead of the party’s birthday rally on Saturday. Party President, Cyril Ramaphosa and Treasurer-General, Gwen Ramokgopa, kicked off the annual January 8 Presidential Golf Day at Gary Player Golf Course in Sun City. Let’s get a sense of what the ANC President had to say this morning. Joining me on the line now is… &nb...

    In an effort to combat child obesity. The ministry of health in the United Kingdom has announced that adverts for less healthy food and drinks will be banned from appearing on television between 5:30am and 21:00pm. The banned products are high in fat, sugar and salt. The new rules came into force on the first of this month. What lessons can South Africa learn from this announcement?...

    The Civil Society Working Group on State Capture, which The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) is part of, wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa last year, asking him to ensure the implementation of the Zondo Commission's recommendation on improving the process of appointing a National Director of Public Prosecutions. Let’s get reaction on the appointment of Advocate Andy Mothi...

    We unpack the UN Security Council’s debate, with the current focus being an emergency session on the U.S intervention in Venezuela after US forces captured President Nicolas Maduro, creating sharp divisions among members over sovereignty and international law. Interestingly, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking and other charges...

    The DA put out a statement today condemning the department of international relations and cooperation’s stance on the Venezuela issue and they are not the only GNU partner who did that. The Freedom Front Plus issued its own statement, warning that the ANC cannot speak on behalf of South Africa regarding the events in Venezuela or its foreign policy. So why is it that GNU partne...

    We hear from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) on the progress the scheme has made regarding funding applications for this year. To date, 609,653 applications have been approved, with 203,731 applications currently in progress, and 16,862 applications have been cancelled. According to the organisation, a significant portion of applications were from vulnerable groups....

    A suspect has been arrested after 10 teenage boys were rescued in Mulbarton, south of Johannesburg. Police were alerted to a group of eight half-naked teenagers walking around. For more on this, I am joined on the line by…   GUEST: Colonel Katlego Mogale, Hawks Spokesperson 

    In the next two hours, the United Nations Security Council’s members will debate the United States’ invasion of Venezuela. Many countries, including China, Russia, South Africa, and France, have condemned recent U.S. actions in Venezuela, arguing that the military intervention violates international law, specifically the UN Charter’s ban on using force against...

    The Economic Freedom Fighters has condemned the United States’ military operation in Venezuela as well as the US’ capture of Venezuela’s President, Nicolás Maduro. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Nqobile Mhlongo, EFF Member of Parliament that serves on the International Relations portfolio committee

    The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato, has provided an update on high traveller movement volumes across various ports of entry during the peak return phase of the festive season. According to him, the organisation managed to intercept a group of illegal migrants attempting to cross into South Africa from Zimbabwe, resulting in 25 arrests at t...

    ANC Johannesburg Regional Chairperson, Loyiso Masuku, won an urgent defamation case against her. The judgment was handed down by the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Johannesburg on 31 December 2025 after Masuku sought an interdict against political analyst and podcast host Phapano Phasha for making defamatory remarks about her in public. Let’s dive deep into the legalitie...

    Last night, about five swimmers were swept out to sea at Pennington Main Beach on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast after being caught in rough ocean conditions. Let’s get an update on the rescue operation with…   GUEST: Samantha Nerick, IPSS Medical Rescue Spokesperson

    The annual Ditrupa Festival is happening in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga, today. The annual festival brings the community of KwaMhlanga together through culture, music, and dance. Let’s get a sense of what was showcased today with…   GUEST: Nonhlanhla Ntshingila, SABC News Reporter in Mpumalanga

    The 2026 Local Government Elections will happen later this year so we thought we should look at what we can possibly see happening this year in politics. There was a change in leadership for the ANC in Johannesburg, Hellen Zille being announced as the DA’s Mayoral candidate in the City of Joburg, we’ve seen the work done by Action SA’s Dr. Nasiphi Moya as Tshwane Ma...

A dispute over the use of fireworks to ring in the New Year has resulted in the death of one person in the North West province. Police in Lethabong near Rustenburg have opened two dockets, one of murder and another of malicious damage to property following the incident. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane, North West Police Spokesperson

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has warned the public against consuming all shellfish, irrespective of whether they are washed or collected from shore. Let’s get more details on this from… GUEST: Steve Lamberth, Senior Scientist Inshore Resources at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

    The operator of South Africa’s last remaining manganese smelter, Transalloys (Pty) Ltd. says it may have to cut as many as 600 jobs as the company is unable to sustain its operations due to high power prices, current market conditions, including exchange-rate pressures against the US dollar and euro. So - what kind of interventions do they need in order for them to be able to r...