The National Pulse

June is World Infertility Awareness Month, a time dedicated to heightening awareness regarding numerous infertility issues faced by couples across the globe. This includes problems related to female as well as male fertility. During this month, several myths regarding infertility are debunked and a lot of options are brought forward to those who may want to conceive. GUEST: Dr Johannes Van Waart,...

The Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Commission say companies who lie about their black ownership status may have their operating licences terminated. Triple-B EE Commissioner, Zodwa Ntuli says Fronting - the misrepresentation of black economic empowerment status and the falsification of certificates, remains rife in South Africa. Some non-compliant entities - aided by consultants o...

Elijah Mhlanga explains why grade 12 learners will not be writing the midyear exams. On Tuesday this week, Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga told parliament that this decision was taken to ensure that they give students more time to complete the curriculum. Guest: Elijah Mhlanga, National spokesperson of the Department of Basic Education

The Special Investigating Unit says it has handed over more than a hundred cases relating to Personal Protective Equipment procurement for possible prosecution. Yesterday the unit virtually briefed Parliament's Standing Committee on Accounts on its on-going investigation into the matter. So far it is investigating corruption allegations of more than 14-billion rand. GUEST: Mr Kaizer Kganyago, Spok...

The National Prosecuting Authority, NPA is embarking on the extradition process to get two Gupta brothers and their wives, involved in the Estina dairy project case in the Free State, back into the country to face charges related to the over R240-million-rand Vrede dairy farm project. GUEST: Sindisiwe Seboka, Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA's) Investigating Directorate

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize’s woes keep piling up. Earlier today, the Public Protector’s office revealed that they are going to lay contempt charges against Mkhize after he failed to respond to a subpoena on three occasions. Guest: Oupa Segalwe, the Public Protector’s spokesperson

Word News: On World News today we ask, why are there so many kidnappings in Nigeria and why are school children being targeted? There have been at least six kidnappings of students in north-west and central Nigeria since December last year, and more than 800 students and staff have been abducted. In the latest school kidnapping saga to hit northern Nigeria, at least 136 students were seized on Sun...

Renowned artist and activist Ntsiki Mazwai says some black people make drinking alcohol a status symbol. The poet took to Twitter to chastise South Africa's boozing culture, particularly among Black communities, which she says takes us backwards. Mazwai also lashed out at celebrities with alcohol brands, saying that they fail to play a positive Influence among their supporters as they promote alco...

The Democratic Alliance has vowed to press criminal charges against Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize and Health director-general Dr Sandile Buthelezi over what the party alleges to be an irregular contract awarded to Digital Vibes. They are arguing that there is a clear violation of the law in terms of how Digital Vibes were awarded the Covid19 communication’s contract. So what will this do now to...

Gift of the Givers have responded to the water crisis at Rahima Moosa Hospital in Coronationville, Johannesburg. The non-governmental organization and disaster relief group has sent a drilling team to search for boreholes at the Hospital. Helen Joseph was another major hospital affected by the recent water shortages. GUEST: Gift of the Givers founder, Dr Imtiaaz Sooliman

Eskom salary negotiations have collapsed. The power utility says it has declared a dispute with trade unions NUM, NUMSA and Solidarity. It says the parties have been unable to reach an agreement during wage negotiations in the Central Bargaining Forum. GUEST: Irvin Jim, General Secretary of the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (Numsa) GUEST: Sikonathi Mantshantsha, Eskom spokesperso...

Education expert, Professor Mary Metcalfe is calling on government to prioritise the vaccination of educators – as the country prepares to enter a possible third wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Guest: Prof Mary Metcalfe, Senior Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg

The Association of Private Security Owners of South Africa (TAPSOSA) is accusing trade unions who are chosen to represent workers in the bargaining council of selling out. They are also of the view that the bargaining council is a scam designed to defraud and exploit the vulnerable security officers. But can they substantiate their claims? To speak to us about this, Guest: Moses Malada, Secretary...

Word News: The African Union has suspended Mali’s membership from the bloc, following last week’s military coup. The block is also calling for the immediate lifting of the house arrest of Bah N'Daw, the president of the transitional government overthrown by the coup, and Moctar Ouane, the prime minister. So how does this move affect the politics of Mali on the continent and the country’s Haidara C...

The children's Institute at the University of Cape Town and the Centre for Child Law have called on Parliament to address South Africa's crisis of child malnutrition and increase the child grant by R10 during October's Medium Term Budget, this as the country marks Child Protection week. For more on this we are now joined on the line by Professor Katherine Hall from the University of Cape Town's Ch...

The Progressive Youth Alliance has given Finance Minister Tito Mboweni 30-days to voluntarily resign from office. The Youth Alliance, which consists of the ANC's youth alliance structure such as the ANC Youth League, Sasco, the Young Communist League and Cosatu Young Workers, amongst others, marched to the National Treasury offices today, to demand the removal of politicians and those in strategic...

So we all know Samsung as the company that puts the power of great technology in our hands. Recently Samsung continues to play an active role in Government's vision for a more inclusive society. The electronics giant has achieved a remarkable third successive Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Level 1 Contribution Status. This is impressive - especially at a time when the country need...

Statistics South Africa has released the unemployment rate for the first quarter, which rose slightly to a new record high of 32.6% from 32.5% in the fourth quarter of 2020. This means that the number of unemployed people now stands at seven million and 242 000. Following this increase, we are told that this is the highest unemployment rate recorded since the start of the Quarterly Labour Force Su...

The South African Medical Association (Sama) say many of their member doctors are planning to emigrate if the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill is implemented. Speaking during a presentation on the NHI in parliament earlier today, SAMA's chairperson Dr Angelique Coetzee says they are in full support towards the achievement of Universal Health Care in South Africa but more transparency is needed...

Several Non Profit Organisations (NPOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) say they haven't received their subsidy from the Gauteng Department of Health in months. Woodside Sanctuary, a registered PBO and NPO in Johannesburg, is allegedly owed close to 800-thousand-Rands. The NPO which provides full-time residential care to people with profound intellectual disabilities says this has been h...

Natalie Zimmelman explains why SA’s public sector doctors are not happy with SAMATU’s persistence in deducting membership fees. Apparently, doctors across the country are being forced into paying for SAMATU membership fees even though some of them have already embarked on a process of leaving the union. Guest: Natalie Zimmelman – CEO of the South African Society of Anaesthesiologists (SASA) Guest:...

Word News: Last week, the Southern Africa Resource Watch went to court to defend themselves against a law suit brought against them by a Canadian mining company, First Quantum Minerals. At the heart of this issue, the organization is against the exploitation of poor communities by mining companies. Guest: Edward Lange, Southern Africa Resource Watch’s Research and Policy Officer

SAMWU), Tshwane Region will tomorrow be marching to the office of Tshwane Executive Mayor highlighting challenges facing employees. Guest: Mpho Tladinyane, SAMWU Tshwane Regional Secretary

GUEST: Sophie Mokoena - SABC Foreign Editor

This yearly celebration informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations. Guest: Corné van Walbeek - Professor at the School of Economics and Principal Investigator of the Economi...