The National Pulse

IFP president, Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa joins us to discuss coalition partnerships and agreements that his party managed to reach with other role players in different municipalities. The collapse in the IFP’s collaborative arrangement with the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal was the major talking point yesterday. So what went wrong and who broke what promise? Guest: Velenkosini Hlabisa, President of the...

According to the department of health in Gauteng - about 36% of Gauteng healthcare workers are not fully vaccinated. The department is of the view that disinformation is fuelling vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers in the province. On the other hand, Denosa says concerns over the necessity and safety of booster shots is one of the main reasons why some healthcare workers are refusing to coo...

For the first time in Italy, assisted suicide is allowed. A 43-year-old quadriplegic man, identified only as Mario has won the approval of regional health authorities for his bid to end his own life. Mario was paralyzed in a traffic accident 10 years ago and has been unable to move since then. Guest: Willem Landman, Professor extraordinaire, Medical Ethics at the University of Stellenbosch & m...

Political analyst Ongama Mtimka has warned that South Africa is likely to have a chaotic five years of local government because of how the political scenario has unfolded after the local government elections. He says it's interesting to see how alliances among political parties have shifted in a matter of days. This as the DA's Doctor Mpho Phalatse becomes the new Mayor of the City of Johannesburg...

Former Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina has lost his mayorship to the DA's Tania Campbell. In Johannesburg, the ANC's Mpho Moerane lost his mayorship to the DA's Dr. Mpho Phalatse. Pictures of a visibly defeated Mzwandile Masina have been circulating on social media, with his shoulders slumped and his head down at a council meeting, where he handed the reins to the DA. So what are the psychologic...

Change has come to several municipalities across the country as new faces have assumed positions. The one undisputed fact though is that this incoming group of councillors and new mayors would shake things up right away – but how should they deal with staff morale issues? Guest: Dr Mike Sutcliffe, Director of City Insight & former eThekwini Municipality Manager

The DA's Dr. Mpho Phalatse is the new mayor of Johannesburg. She has made history by becoming the first female mayor of the City - The economic hub of South Africa. Dr. Phalatse won by 144 votes, while the ANC's Mpho Moerane received 121 votes. GUEST: Dr. Mpho Phalatse, new Mayor for the City of Johannesburg

Are authorities doing enough to address the cancer crisis in Gauteng? Cancer Alliance is calling on Gauteng Premier, David Makhura to address backlogs and challenges faced by cancer patients in the province. According to them, many cancer patients who cannot afford private sector treatment are paying with their lives because of government’s delays. Guest: Salomé Meyer, member of the E...

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has started a two-day state visit to South Africa. Kenya is one of South Africa’s largest trading partners in Africa outside the 15-nation Southern African Development Community. Joining us to discuss the significance of Kenyatta’s visit is…. Guest: Sophie Mokoena, SABC’s Foreign Editor

The ANC in the Western Cape is reviewing its coalition agreement with the Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa, Icosa. This as calls are mounting for the Western Cape's newly elected Kannaland mayor and convicted child rapist, Jeffery Donson to resign. But before we speak to the ANC in the province, take a listen to this earlier Interview by my colleague Cathy Mohlahlana speaking to Icos...

Earlier today, Greenpeace Africa activists converged at Ghandi Square, demanding more climate action from the South African government. The organisation has urged the government to fast track the implementation of a just transition to renewable energy.  Guest: Thandile Chinyavanhu, Greenpeace Africa Climate and Energy Campaigner

World News: Some Ethiopians living in South Africa and abroad are asking the U.S. government to stay out of their country out of fear the U.S. will interfere in the country's civil war. They are arguing that Ethiopia is a sovereign state and therefore do not need outside interference. Guest: Hailey Shamebo, Ethiopian businessman based in South Africa

The High Court in Pretoria has convicted a couple who attempted to sell their baby for R500 last year. According to the NPA, the couple had the baby in April last year and they did not register the child at the Department of Home Affairs with the intention of selling the baby and for the baby not to be traced back to them. Guest: Lumka Mahanjana, North Gauteng regional spokesperson for the directo...

Well two of our listeners who happened to be cousins were almost in an arranged marriage organized by family members. In yesterday's discussion on the matter, many of our listeners from different cultural groups echoed sentiments on how such practices of marrying one's own cousin are not that taboo but a common practice among many cultures.   GUEST: Francis Moticoe, In Bethlehem in the Free S...

Unlocking F.W de Klerk’s complicated legacy: We speak to the former Secretary General of the National Party, Roelf Meyer who once held the Cabinet portfolios for defence and constitutional development and provincial affairs pre and post 1994. It’s public knowledge that following his death, de Klerk left the country divided with some people celebrating his role in ending apartheid while...

The Department of Health has initiated an urgent investigation into possible food poisoning in Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and Gauteng Provinces, following the deaths of children who allegedly consumed noodles. Guest: Murdoch Ramathuba, Director for Environmental Health at The Department Of Health

Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Head of Department in KZN, NhlakanipoNkontwana joins us to outline the objectives of the Intra-African Trade Fair, which is currently underway in Durban and he will also share thoughts on economic opportunities brought by this mega event.  Guest: Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Head Of Department in KZN, Nhlakanip...

Two men convicted of the 1965 assassination of Malcom X were exonerated yesterday after decades of doubt about who was responsible for the civil rights icon’s death. State Supreme Court Justice Ellen Biden said the re-investigation found new evidence that undermined the case against the men and determined that authorities withheld some of what they knew. To explain what this historic ruling...

Today we have arguments for and against religious education being taught in schools and our question is - Should religion be reintroduced in schools? Most recently, the Patriotic Alliance has resuscitated this old debate about teaching religion in schools, saying they are “unapologetic about bringing God back into our schools”. However, on the other hand we have Dr Ismail Lagardien who...

More details have emerged in the case in which Tshepang Pitse's remains were found in a fridge in a house in Protea Glen, Soweto. Yesterday we spoke to Tshepang's sister Tshenolo Pitse, who revealed that murder accused, Flavio Hlabangwane was actually married to Tshepang Pitse, who is his first cousion. Twenty six-year-old Hlabangwane is currently in police custody on charges of murder. He was arr...

World News: Yesterday, the Mbabane High Court postponed the case for pro-democracy Members of Parliament who are critical of King Mswati and his Government. The MPs who were leading the ongoing calls for democratic reforms in Parliament were arrested in July this year. The case has been postponed to 6-9 December 2021. Meanwhile, the Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland is urging the international...

Earlier today News24 reported that a R50 million ransom was allegedly paid in bundles of cash to ensure the safe release of the four Moti brothers who were kidnapped three weeks ago. Guest: Jeff Wicks, News24 investigative journalist

Umgeni Water says residents of areas in and around Durban will be without water for a while. This after a shaft pump that supplies raw water to the Durban Heights water treatment plant is not working. Guest: Umgeni Water spokesperson, Shami Harichunder

The Special Investigating Unit, SIU say they have finalized 303 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief, TERS matters. A total of 80 criminal matters have been referred for prosecution. The SIU has recovered R23.4 million that was unlawfully claimed and paid by the Unemployment Insurance Fund, UIF. GUEST: Mr Kaizer Kganyago, Spokesperson for the Special Investigating Unit (the SIU)

Tshenolo Pitse, the sister of Tshepang Pitse, the dismembered woman whose remains were found in a fridge in Protea Glen, Soweto says 26-year-old murder accused Flavio Hlabangwane killed her sister, who was also his cousin. Tshenolo Pitse says Flavio Hlabangwane was in a relationship with her sister Tshepang for 5 years. Tshenolo has accused Hlabangwane of being abusive and controlling towards her...