The National Pulse

    World News: In a bid to eventually phase out smoking, New Zealand will ban the sale of tobacco to its next generation - meaning from 2027 people aged 14 and under will never be able to legally buy tobacco. Under a new law that the government plans to pass next year, the minimum age to buy cigarettes would keep rising year after year. Guest: Dr. Catherine Egbe, Specialist Scientist in...

    The National Consumer Commission is investigating Grandisync CC, the supplier of Howe Instant Noodles following the death of three children who died in the Eastern Cape, allegedly after consuming Howe noodles… Guest: Thezi Mabuza, Acting Commissioner at the National Consumer Commission

    The Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa, CoRMSA is calling for birth registration and certificates for all migrant children. CoRMSA, which promotes and protects the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in South Africa and the region, protested outside the Home Affairs Department in Pretoria yesterday for the Department to provide all children in migration...

    The South African Parliamentary Institute will be officially launched today. The Institute will provide sector-specific training programmes and courses; quality research and advisory services; and up-to-date information to parliamentarians and staff. The institute’s 11 board members will also be announced at the event. Guest: Lechesa Tsenoli, Deputy Speaker of the National Asse...

    Eskom in the Western Cape says local communities must say no to illegal connections in their areas. Illegal connections, cable theft and vandalism in parts of greater Cape Town have not only left communities without electricity for prolonged periods but has often caused the public to take to the streets in protest to voice their frustration. Guest: Kyle Cookson, Eskom spokesperson in...

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected countries across the globe, with devastating impact on vulnerable groups. Within the context of promoting South-South cooperation, BRICS Member countries held a webinar session today, focusing on the impact of COVID-19 on population and development under the theme: "The Demographic Impact of COVID-19 and Response Measures in BRICS Countries." So what strategies w...

Residents of Mparane village near Matateile in the Eastern Cape are calling on government and human rights organizations to tackle the issue of so called muthi-murders. The villagers say people are being killed and their bodies harvested of organs. The latest victim is 26 year old Dineo Manuokole, her dismembered body was found dumped not far from her home. Her hands, an eye and her womb were remo...

National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Shamila Batohi has reiterated that the National Prosecuting Authority, NPA is not in a crisis. Batohi was appearing before Parliament to answer questions about the resignation of the head of the Investigating Directorate Hermione Cronje. She has also provided reasons for the NPA missing its own December 2 deadline regarding the prosecution of those...

    Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke says the annual irregular expenditure amounts to R166,85 billion. This was incurred by 286 auditees. Auditor-General Maluleke was releasing the audit outcomes of national and provincial departments, including their entities. She says the majority of provinces across the country have shown improvements, except for Mpumalanga. GUEST: Auditor-General Tsa...

Professor Puleng Segalo tells us more about the upcoming 15th Chief Albert Luthuli Memorial Lecture which is going to be delivered by former President Thabo Mbeki this coming Friday. The theme for this year’s Lecture is ‘Africa and Freedom’ premised on Luthuli’s 1961 Nobel Peace Award Acceptance Speech delivered in Oslo, Norway. Guest: Professor Puleng Segalo, Chief Al...

A new study carried out by researchers from the University of Pretoria has found that commercial, off-the-shelf hand sanitisers used by the public in South Africa are often sub-standard and do not contain the recommended alcohol content. To speak to us about this is…..   Guest: Dr Abdullahi Ahmed Yusuf, senior lecturer in entomology in UP’s department of zoology and entomology in...

We look at the ongoing protests in Sudan, where protesters among other things are calling for the restructuring of the military under civilian oversight, purging of officers loyal to al Bashir and the disbandment of armed groups. It is reported that rallies across Sudan will continue through December in protest against recent measures by army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Guest: Ebrahim Deen,...

There has been a march organized by Fathers4Justice, Fathers Rights Movement and others to the National Department of Social Development in Pretoria. The coalition of fathers' rights groups are demanding legislative changes to the Children's Act (section 18-21) to allow for unmarried fathers to gain access to their children and elevate the status of fathers rights.     GUEST: G...

Post the National Assembly’s debate re the Constitution’s 18th Amendment Bill aimed at amending section 25 of the Constitution to allow for expropriation without compensation – we speak to Dr Mathole Motshekga about the outcome.   Guest: Dr Mathole Motshekga, Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee Committee to Initiate and Introduce Legislation Amending Section 25 of the Consti...

Members of the National Assembly will debate and vote on whether the Constitution should be amended, allowing for expropriation without compensation. The motion was tabled by the EFF and supported by the ANC in 2018. To speak to us about the importance of today’s debate is…..   Guest: Bulelwa Mabasa, author and editor of Land in SA book and member of the Expert Presidential Advis...

Stats SA released the third quarter. Following four quarters of consecutive growth, the South African economy contracted by 1,5%. Six of the ten industries recorded a decline in production in Q3:2021 - agriculture, trade and manufacturing registering the largest decreases. GUEST: Mandla Isaacs - Political Economist  

Lately, South Africa has been experiencing rainy weather and severe thunder storms full of lightning. This has prompted us to look at different interpretations and myths about lightning. Our guest Khumsa Masizana joins us to explain why it is important to separate fact from fiction regarding lightning as we know that lightning is very dangerous – for example, recently, two men aged between 2...

The political environment in Gambia remains relatively tense after incumbent President Adama Barrow who previously said he would not run for re-election in 2021, decided to pursue another term in office. Barrow has been declared the winner of the December 4 presidential election, however multiple opposition candidates have rejected the election results and they want him to step down.   Guest:...

A Western Cape police officer has been arrested for allegedly raping a suspected male shoplifter. The 29-year-old constable will appear in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court tomorrow on a charge of rape. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate, IPID are currently investigating the matter. GUEST: Ms Grace Langa, Spokesperson for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, IPID

A case of culpable homicide has been opened after three matric pupils were killed in a car accident in the Western Cape. The three Limpopo Matriculants from Hoërskool Ben Viljoen in Groblersdal, were reportedly on their way to an end-of-school celebration when they were killed in a car accident on the Garden Route. The three 18-year-old pupils have been identified as JG Greyling, Stiaan Grobl...

The ANC in the Northern Cape has been accused of not taking any action against its newly elected speaker in the John Taolo Gaetsewe Local Municipality, despite being accused by 12 women of sexual harassment. Ikgopoleng Aiseng was elected as Speaker in the municipality following last month's local government elections. Ikgopoleng was reportedly even suspended at his church for touching women inappr...

The families of the netball players who perished in a bus crash on the way to the South African Netball championships in Cape Town yesterday morning say they are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones. The three players from OR Tambo and an official died when a bus they were travelling in crashed on the R61 near Aberdeen. Twenty-five others were injured in the crash and take...

World News: A court in Myanmar has sentenced ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi to four years in prison on charges of inciting unrest and breaking COVID-19 rules. Kyi has been held at an unknown location since February, and it is not known if she will serve her sentence in prison or under house arrest. Guest: Nay san Iwin, Coordinator of the Free Rohingya Coalition

Earlier today, the National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Shamila Batohi hosted a virtual media briefing on important NPA matters. During the press briefing, Batohi asked for patience and assured South Africans that many cases are ready to be enrolled and every effort is being made to ensure that those accused of corruption and state capture are brought to book. Guest: Karyn Maughn, Sen...