The National Pulse

The Potchefstroom Regional Court in the North West has acquitted Speaker of the National Assembly, Thandi Modise, of all 6 charges of animal neglect. Modise was charged with animal cruelty after more than 50 animals were found dead on her farm. GUEST: AfriForum’s chief investigator, Andrew Leask GUEST: Mr Wesley Vittee, Attorney for Ms Thandi Modise

A storm is brewing in Zimbabwe following a landmark ruling by the High Court that if a married woman cheats then her husband is entitled to full lobola refund. This came after years of court proceedings in which a magistrate court also made the same judgement but was appealed against. In the appeals court, Justices' Mwayera and Uchena concurred that the husband is entitled to a full lobola refund...

What now for the Zulu Nation following “ukukhothama” of Her Majesty Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu, Regent of the Zulu Nation? Guest: Shalo Mbatha, Zulu royal historian and author, lecturing at the University of Zululand

On World News today, we assess President Joe Biden’s first 100 days in office, asking - what has he achieved in 100 days – has he done any better than his predecessor? Joining us for this discussion is… Guest: Dr John Stremlau, Honorary Professor of International Relations @ Wits

“Unpacking and analyzing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s performance at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture” Guest: Anti-Corruption Activist, Thabiso Zulu Guest: Dr Snuki Zikalala, President of the African National Congress (ANC) Veterans' League Guest: Sophie Mokoena, Veteran journalist & SABC Foreign Editor Guest: Professor Kwandiwe Kondlo, Professor of Political Econom...

Minority Front’s Viresh Bhana shares her views and thoughts on what Freedom Day means for minority groups in South Africa. Viresh Bhana believes government policies such as Affirmative Action have been benefiting only Blacks while South Africans of Indian origin who were also marginalised under apartheid are side lined. GUEST: Viresh Bhana, NEC member & Treasurer General of the Minority Front part...

Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane helps us to unpack the High Court’s judgement which clearly defines what monetary compensation you can receive in relation to sexual assault in the workplace. Guest: Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane, Legal practitioner

In conversation with David Letsoalo about why he thinks South Africa should scrap Freedom Day from its national calendar. He says as a nation we should ask ourselves if Freedom Day is worth celebrating. Guest: David Letsoalo is a Sankarist, an activist and a law academic

On World News today, we tackle the politics of Lesotho and examine the country’s state of affairs, particularly looking at its fragile coalition government. This after the Mountain Kingdom’s Prime Minister Lehlohonolo Majoro decided to fire four more ministers of his party who announced that they were forming a new party. Guest: Rapelang Radebe, SABC Corresponded based in Lesotho

Transgender teens are at a higher risk of being victims of abuse, violence, using drugs and attempting suicide compared to their peers, according to new reports. Psychiatrist and past-president of the South African Society of Psychiatrists, Professor Gerhard Grobler says despite growing global attention on and acknowledgement of gender diversity, young people who identify as transgender still face...

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies says Jewish Judges are being target at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) interviews prior to Freedom Day. The Board feels Jewish Judicial candidates; Advocate Lawrence Lever and Judge David Unterhalter were subjected to questions pertaining to their Jewish identity while no other candidates were subjected to offensive religious scrutiny. GUEST: Wendy...

What’s next for Hlophe – can his legal team turn the tables against the tribunal findings? Following the damning findings against Western Cape High Court Judge President John Hlophe by the Judicial Conduct Tribunal – we speak to the man who represented him during the tribunal hearing, Courtenay Griffiths QC. He disagrees with the findings of the tribunal Guest on the line (UK) Defence lawyer, Cour...

Forensic DNA backlog will soon be a thing of the past, following the SAPS announcement that they have just concluded a two-year contract with a service provider to supply the much-needed consumables essential for DNA testing. Guest: Vishnu Naidoo, National Police spokesperson

What contributed to the country’s low pass rate for chartered accountants and why are we failing to increase the number of black chartered accountants in South Africa? We hear from Abasa president after a worrying 43% pass rate for chartered accountants. Guest: Ashley Dicken, President of the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa (Abasa)

Yesterday, Cubans living in South Africa added their voices in the Global Caravan against the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba. For those of you who may not be familiar with the story (the United States embargo against Cuba - basically prevents American businesses, and businesses with commercial activities in the United States, from conducting t...

There has been a surge in skilled people leaving South Africa. "Brain drain" - the long-term departure of qualified and experienced people from a country has raised concern. Some South Africans are not necessarily moving because they feel opportunity is better, some have cited corruption, poor policies, crime and political instability as some of the main driving factors to leave. GUEST: Walter Pri...

The families of rape survivors say the DNA test kit backlogs are prolonging their agony and preventing them from finding closure. Senior police officials recently told Parliament the backlog at the National Forensic Science Laboratory stands at more than 173 thousand cases. Experts say this opens the door for perpetrators to walk free and continue their crime sprees. The details in this story may...

The Department of Water and Sanitation says government's diplomatic relations agreement allows for its use of Cuban professionals. The Department is clarifying its reasons for hiring 24 Cuban engineers to assist with South Africa's water challenges. The Department says around 65-million-rand will be spent on the engineers over the next two years. However, civil society organisations and members of...

The South African tourism sector wants answers on why the United States of America has decided to issue a travel advisory, warning its citizens not to travel to South Africa, citing violent crime, protests and strikes as some of the key reasons. Guest: Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa: CEO, Tourism Business Council

There has been a surge in skilled people leaving South Africa. "Brain drain" - the long-term departure of qualified and experienced people from a country has raised concern. Some South Africans are not necessarily moving because they feel opportunity is better, some have cited corruption, poor policies, crime and political instability as some of the main driving factors to leave... GUEST: Dr Pali...

ANC MP Mervyn Dirks joins us to explain why some party members want Pemmy Majodina to be held accountable over the personal protective equipment deal that the ANC caucus awarded to her son. Guest: Mervyn Dirks, ANC MP

General Secretary of Contralesa joins us to outline the objectives of the inaugural Ancestors Day ceremony which is due to take place next month at the Mathibela Royal Palace in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga. The organisation is urging South Africans to celebrate and observe African spirituality and its role in our lives through ceremonies and rituals that honour the ancestors. Guest: Zolani Mkiva, Ge...

On World News today we take a closer look at Derek Chauvin’s guilty verdict, asking how significant is it for the US and black bodies in general across the globe? I’m sure you will agree that George Floyd’s trial has been one of the most closely watched cases in recent memory. Guest on the line (US): Tricia “CK” Hoffler, Civil rights lawyer & President of the National Bar Association

Members of Equal Education have been picketing at the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education in Pietermaritzburg to demand the release of the final KZN Learner Transport Policy. The policy comprises legal guidelines to provide transport to pupils who have to walk a long distance to school. Equal Education says learners should be free from the burden of walking exhausting dangerous routes to school....

Following the official launch of Limpopo’s electronic registration for Covid19 vaccine – we hear from the province’s Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba in terms of how they are going to manage their roll out processes moving forward. Guest: Dr Phophi Ramathuba, MEC for Health in Limpopo