The National Pulse

World News: A petrol station cashier was killed following a row over a face mask in Germany. It is reported that the suspect told police officers that he acted out of anger and he further stated during interrogation that he rejected the measures against the coronavirus. So what can we learn as South Africans from this unfortunate incident? Guest: Dr Kgosi Letlape, Health activist and President of...

Political parties and independent candidates intending to contest the local government elections have until 17:00pm today to submit their candidate lists to the Electoral Commission of South Africa.   Guest: Natasha Phiri- SABC Reporter

Yesterday we received a call from Ayanda who said that he is going to vote, but will then rather spoil his ballot. Let’s take a listen to what he said……     Guest: Thembelani Mazibuko – Researcher at the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa  

As you’ve heard in the news that a team of social workers has been dispatched to investigate an incident of rape following reports of a 52-year-old man accused of having sex with his biological daughter for more than 12 years at Bulwer in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands. It is believed that the victim lost her mother, but stayed with her sibling, the father and her stepmother. It is alleged that...

Western Cape police are investigating the shooting death of a primary school teacher in Cape Town. The 52-year-old man, who was a grade 6 teacher at Heinz Park Primary School in Philippi, was shot and killed minutes after arriving at school on Tuesday morning.   Guest: Jonavon Rustin, Provincial Secretary of Sadtu in the Western Cape

Yesterday, a Rwandan court sentenced Paul Rusesabagina to 25 years for terrorism. You may recall that Rusesabagina was portrayed in a film called ‘Hotel Rwanda’ as a life-saving hero during the Rwandan genocide that occurred in 1994. Rusesabagina has also been a vocal critic of President Paul Kagame, who has now led Rwanda for more than 20 years. Joining us to discuss his conviction is...

South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor has described as disappointing the UK government's decision to keep the country on its red list for travel - holding in place restrictive and expensive quarantine conditions for local travellers. The UK revised the list on Friday, removing eight countries, including Egypt and Kenya. Despite hopes, South Africa d...

About two hours ago, the Electoral Commission briefed the media on the outcomes of the voter registration weekend and they also gave an update on the preparations of the upcoming local government elections which are scheduled to take place on the 1st of November. Guest: IEC Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Mawethu Mosery

The EFF wants the ANC disqualified from contesting an election in ward 21 in the Msunduzi Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.  This comes after clashes between ANC and EFF supporters in a voting station. EFF leader Julius Malema had to force his way into the registration venue after supporters of the ANC prevented his vehicles from entering the premises. The incident happened in KwaDambuza outside...

The Constitutional Court today dismissed the Democratic Alliance's application to have the Electoral Commission's (IEC) decision to re-open the candidate nomination process - declared unlawful. Meanwhile, the Inkatha Freedom Party says despite it accepting the Constitutional Court's latest decision on the upcoming local government elections, the party believes the apex court may have erred in its...

On World News today we focus on Russia’s parliamentary elections: The country’s ruling party is on course to maintain its majority in parliament. With a third of all the ballots counted so far, indicating that the United Russia party has won some 45 percent. This puts President Vladimir Putin in a good position ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Guest: John Keiger, Retired Profes...

The Constitutional Court today ruled that former President Jacob Zuma's rescission application does not meet the requirements for rescission. The apex court upheld its decision to sentence Zuma to a 15-month jail term for being found in contempt of court, for his refusal to testify on state capture. Zuma served only two months of his jail term before he was granted medical parole earlier this mont...

The former head of Tshwane Emergency Services, Previn Govender is reportedly still being paid R167 000 a month despite his suspension in 2019. Govender was suspended for allegedly misrepresenting his qualifications. Govender was still earning his salary despite Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane's recommendations for the City of Tshwane to review and set aside his appointment. GUEST: Jor...

Freedom Under Law, CEO, Nicole Fritz says they are concerned about the composition of the selection panel for South Africa's next Chief Justice. They say while the panel consists of several outstanding persons, the inclusion of two political appointees from the same political party is not welcomed. GUEST: Nicole Fritz, CEO, of Freedom Under Law

The KwaZulu-Natal Parents’ Association is disappointed with some schools in Phoenix who have seemingly allowed pupils diagnosed with Covid19 to write examinations on school premises. They are arguing that this creates fear and anxiety in schools that were supposed to be safe places for children. Guest: Vee Gani, Chairperson of KZN Parents Association

KZN department of education outlines measures and health protocols that are usually followed in the context of Covid19. So in terms of communication protocol for schools – what should happen next? This after some schools in Phoenix seemingly allowed pupils diagnosed with Covid19 to write examinations on school premises. Guest: Dr Barney Mthembu, Acting head of KZN's education department

Germany and France have expressed concerns about an agreement between Mali's military and a Russian private security firm Wagner. According to various reports, Wagner Group will train the Malian military and provide protection for senior officials. So given the latest sign of Russia’s expanding presence on the African continent – why is Africa silent? Guest: Dr David Zoumanou...

Political parties are essential institutions of democracy, however, in some countries like South Africa – some political parties don’t even amass enough votes to govern, which then begs the question as to why do we have so many political parties – is it beneficial for South Africa to have 505 parties? Guest: Dr Michael Louis, Chairperson of the One SA Movement Guest: Dr Trevor Ng...

President Cyril Ramaphosa ppositioned himself in his New Dawn campaign as an anti-corruption leader. President Ramaphosa promised that his administration would have zero tolerance for corruption to represent a clean break with state-capture allegations that marked his predecessor Jacob Zuma's tenure. But South Africans see corruption as worsening during President Ramaphosa's tenure, according to a...

Constitutional Court will tomorrow morning deliver judgment on former President Jacob Zuma's rescission application, challenging his 18-month jail term for contempt of court. GUEST: Dr. Llewellyn Curlewis, senior lecturer in criminal and procedural law at the University of Pretoria

After lunch time today, the Electoral Commission briefed the media on the state of readiness ahead of the voter registration weekend scheduled to take place this coming Saturday and Sunday. Guest: Sy Mamabolo, Chief Electoral Officer of the Independent Electoral Commission

Tshwane Metro Police gave Theresa Park's so-called 'cabbage bandit' until the end of business yesterday to obtain a permit, or remove a vegetable patch on his pavement. Joe Nkuna's neighbour complained that the vegetable garden attracts vagrants and undesirable people to the quiet Pretoria North suburb. GUEST: Joe Nkuna, the 'Cabbage Bandit' GUEST: Tshwane Mayoral Spokesperson Jordan Griffiths

The Abantu Batho Congress, ABC launched its election manifesto in Durban, KZN today. The party which was formed last year in January by former National Freedom Party (NFP) councillor Philani Mavundla and some party members describes itself as an "Afrocentric, Pan-Africanist and womanist revolutionary movement". We speak to Philani Mavundla, President of the Abantu Batho Congress, ABC GUEST: Philan...

The family of a 16-year-old Alexandra boy, who was reportedly stabbed to death by a 14-year-old girl during an argument, is asking for public assistance with funeral arrangements. The family says they are struggling with money to transport Mosa Vilakazi's body to Ermelo, in Mpumalanga for burial this week. Meanwhile the girl was expected to appear in the Alexandra Magistrate's Court in Johannesbur...

The National Senior Certificate examination is set to begin a few days earlier this year to accommodate the upcoming local government elections on November 1. So how will this disrupt this year’s timetable and how will it affect the psychological wellbeing of matric learners as well? Guest: Anne Oberholzer, CEO of the Independent Examinations Board Guest: Dr Cathy Angus, Clinical Psychologis...