The National Pulse

We hear from education activist, Hendrick Makaneta who says Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga must urgently address the issue of some of the lost scripts for the matric class of 2021. Makaneta argues that if this issue remains unresolved it will negatively affect the results. Guest: Hendrick Makaneta, Education activist

The Hawks say preliminary investigations show that the 49-year old suspect who had been arrested for the fire that destroyed the National Assembly and Old Assembly buildings gained entry through a window. The suspect is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court tomorrow. GUEST: Hawks Spokesperson, Brigadier Nomthandazo Mbambo

For the latest update on the cause of the fire in Parliament, we're joined on the line by Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith... Guest: Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith

World News: Yesterday, Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok announced his resignation. The decision by Hamdok comes as widespread protests continue to grip the northeast African nation. Hamdok was restored to power a month ago after being deposed in a coup, but he was never able to gain control of the fractious country. But what does his resignation mean in the grand scheme of things? Guest: Ebr...

A 49 year old man has been arrested after a large fire severely damaged the Houses of Parliament in Cape Town. The parliament is not currently in session because of the holidays, and no-one was injured. However the building is home to thousands of treasures including historic books, photographs and important works of art. Guest: Wouter Wessels, Member of the National Assembly and National Spokespe...

Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele, says scientists believe South Africa may have passed the peak of its fourth wave of Covid19 infections. A government statement says the Omicron variant, while highly transmissible, had seen lower hospitalisation rates than previous waves. Following the outcomes of yesterday's Special Cabinet meeting the curfew has been lifted with immediate effect. Alc...

    As we ring in the New Year, we assess South Africa’s weather patterns. Some of the country’s cities have seen plenty of sun and warm weather throughout December – but what can we expect this evening, what will tonight’s temperature be and how will it affect various gatherings across the country? Guest: Kumsa Masizana, Weather forecaster at the South Afric...

As we say goodbye to 2021 – we continue to pay tribute to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. Today we focus more on Tutu the activist as we all know that the Arch was an activist, priest and a “politician”, though certainly not in the traditional sense. He was very consistent when addressing the issues - Tutu was as tough on the new democracy as he was on South Africa's apartheid...

Yesterday, Sudanese security forces shot four people dead during nationwide protests, as tens of thousands of people were marching against military rule. According to the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors - at least 52 people have been killed by security forces since pro-democracy activists launched a campaign of street demonstrations against an October 25 coup.   Guest: Ebrahim Deen, Sen...

    Examination markers in the Eastern Cape have not been paid yet. Yesterday we received a call from one of our listeners, Ernest from Gqeberha, a disgruntled Matric examination marker, who said that he is still waiting for payment from the provincial Department of Education for work done in November and December this year. The department hired over 5000 markers to mark 131 000 scripts....

Well some South Africans feel migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers in the country should not have any input or say in some of the social ills affecting citizens, as the influx of foreign national has further exacerbated the situation. Yesterday we were inundated with calls from listeners calling on foreign nationals to rather focus on matters affecting their own respective countries, which they e...

At least 55 people have been killed on Western Cape's roads in the last 10 days. Western Cape Provincial Transport Minister, Daylin Mitchell, says 14 of the fatalities were pedestrians. He says the main cause of the collisions was drunk driving. He now joins us on the line to elaborate further... GUEST: Western Cape Provincial Transport Minister, Daylin Mitchell

Home Affairs Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi has welcomed the decision by High Court in Pretoria to strike off the roll an urgent application by Zimbabwe Exemption Permit or ZEP holders, for lack of urgency. Permit holders were given a year's grace to apply for mainstream visas and unsuccessful applicants would have to leave South Africa or be deported. GUEST: Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Home A...

Healthcare workers have been given until the 14th of January next year to get their Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. We now speak to the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa, Denosa who are calling on their members to get vaccinated...   GUEST: Simon Hlungwani, President of the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa, Denosa

As we continue to celebrate the legacy of Desmond Tutu we ask - Should South Africa adopt Ubuntu philosophy as public policy in honour of the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu? Joining us for this conversation is Professor Muxe Nkondo who will help us understand a philosophical interpretation of Ubuntu, as we examine how it works in societies and how it can be introduced as public policy. But...

Mourners are filing past the coffin of Archbishop Desmond Tutu as his body lies in state at St George's Cathedral in Cape Town. Large crowds are expected to visit the cathedral over the next two days. But what are the protocols associated with this practice and what is it that you are allowed and not allowed to do when viewing Archbishop Tutu’s coffin? Guest: Father Michael Weeder, is Dean o...

    World News: This afternoon, U.S President Joe Biden will hold a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia and National Security Council. It is reported that Biden plans to use today’s telephone meeting to preview the upcoming bilateral talks between the US and Russia set to take place...

We hear from General Bantu Holomisa on why he thinks acting chief justice Raymond Zondo should present the report into state capture to parliament instead of handing it over to President Cyril Ramaphosa who was a witness in the inquiry. Guest: General Bantu Holomisa, UDM leader

The South African Local Government Association (Salga) has submitted an application to the Pretoria High Court, for a declaratory order that would give South African municipalities exclusive rights to administer, distribute and sell electricity throughout South Africa. So what would a court victory for Salga entail for Eskom’s future and South Africa’s current electricity crisis?... GU...

A 15-year-old girl has been found dead in a home in the North West province, which she was allegedly renting with her boyfriend. The deceased was identified by her brother as Tshegofatso Agnes Matibako but the identity of her alleged boyfriend is still unknown... GUEST: Captain Sam Tselanyane, Spokesperson for the North West police

As we continue to celebrate the life and legacy of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. Today we focus on his leadership style and the crucial role that he played during his tenure as chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. You may recall that the TRC was set up by the then government of national unity to help deal with what happened under apartheid – But did the commission succ...

World News: Mali's transitional president and former coup leader has launched a four-day forum that aims to pave a path to civilian rule. The nationwide forum is observed to foster change in the country, however, many groups across Mali have boycotted the initiative and slammed it over being fruitless in decision-making. Joining us to explain what this means is…… Guest: Nixon Ka...

  Studies show that people drink more during the holiday season and buy more alcohol during this period to usher in the New Year. While many of us will raise a glass or beer in celebration, excessive alcohol use can lead to increased risk of health problems, injuries and violence. For more on this, we speak to the National Liquor Traders' Association of South Africa about responsible drinking...

A 52-year-old suspect arrested in connection with the shooting and killing of his 7 family members on Christmas Day at Jimmy Jones village outside Malamulele in Limpopo has appeared in court today. The victims include a pregnant woman and children aged 1, 4, 8 and 12. For more on this, we're joined on the line by Thendo Mulaudzi, a representative for the family... GUEST: Thendo Mula...

At least 35 initiates have died during the summer initiation season, which began in November in the Eastern Cape this year. The Commission for the Promotion and protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) and the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA) say illegal schools in the province must be closed with immediate effec...