The National Pulse

We now tell you more about the annual Nedbank and Old Mutual Budget Speech Competition. This year’s postgraduate essay topic was for entrants to make the case for or against a change in the mandate and ownership of the South African Reserve Bank. Guest: Mahfouz Raffee, Undergraduate economics student from the University of the Witwatersrand

In conversation with Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi about his plans to review permanent residence visas. What informed this decision basically is that the minister noticed a trend from the outcomes of numerous investigations the department has carried out over the past two years, especially those involving prominent people Guest: Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Home Affairs

World News: This month Libyans mark 10 years since the beginning of an uprising that led to the removal of Muammar Gaddafi who was regarded as Libyas strongman. A decade on, what’s the situation like in Libya today – why is the country battling to return to normalcy? Guest: Ebrahim Deen, Researcher at the Afro-Middle East Centre

Tomorrow, SABC and many other broadcasters around the world, will commemorate World Radio Day. In celebrating this day, the SABC Thought Leadership Series will host a panel discussion on “The Future of Radio Is Still Digital – But Which One?”. Tune in to SAfm’s Talking Point with Cathy Mohlahlana as they will carry this event live between 10:00 & 12:00 midday tomorrow. Guest: Jonathan James Lyamgo...

We continue speaking to opposition parties about their expectations of the State of the Nation Address, SONA, tonight and what they want to hear from President Cyril Ramaphosa. We now speak to the IFP about their expectation for tonight.... GUEST: Mkhuleko Hlengwa, IFP MP and National spokesperson

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says the deployment of SAPS officers to the State of the Nation Address tonight is a waste of taxpayer money. The EFF says the "mass" number of officers deployed for SONA is an abuse of power. GUEST: EFF MP and Commissar, Sam Matiase

The Democratic Alliance has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to use the State-of-the-Nation-Address to clarify what steps are being taken to ensure the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccines. The party also wants him to outline steps for economic recovery from the impact of the lockdown. GUEST: Natasha Mazzone, MP and Chief Whip of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Parliament

Staying with expectations for the SONA tonight, we speak to the Freedom Front Plus, FF Plus who say President Cyril Ramaphosa must provide clarity on various matters, such as the local government elections and former president Jacob Zuma's contempt of the Constitutional Court. GUEST: Dr. Pieter Groenewald, Leader of the Freedom Front Plus, FF Plus

Staying with matters SONA - We speak to Land reform and rural development Minister Thoko Didiza whose Department says it has completed its verification process of those who applied for state land to be released for agricultural purposes, as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa a year ago. Minister Thoko Didiza and departmental officials appeared before Parliament's portfolio committee to give an...

We now tell you more about Eskom’s Business Investment Competition which is open to registered, black-owned SMEs in the engineering/construction, manufacturing, agriculture/agri-processing as well as trade/services sectors that have been in operation for at least 24 months Guest: Cecil Ramonotsi, Chief Executive Officer, Eskom Development Foundation

The ruling party says President Cyril Ramaphosa must provide clarity on energy security so that we can address energy crisis that has crippled the production and manufacturing in the country Guest: Pule Mabe, ANC National Spokesperson

We are now joined by the African Transformation Movement and they are going to outline their expectations for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) which is due to take place at 19:00 tonight. Guest: Zama Ntshona, National Media and Communications Manager for the ATM party

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to address the nation at 19:00 this evening under unique circumstances due to Covid19 pandemic that continues to wreak havoc across the globe. The President will present the pared down address that will not include signature traditions such as the 21-gun salute and the ceremonial guard. To explain about these changes is….. Guest: Lechesa Tsenoli, Deputy Speaker of...

Power Utility Eskom has implemented stage 3 loadshedding which started at 1pm today. This is set to continue until 6am tomorrow morning. Eskom says this is due to the loss of generation units and to replenish emergency generation reserves. Has loadshedding become like a game where we go through different Stages? Surely our energy crisis is no longer a laughing matter; as we can't take this Lightly...

We speak toPogiso Dibakoane, a Vehicle expert about Apple's vehicle project, which is reportedly focused on building an autonomous driving car. GUEST: Pogiso Dibakoane, a Vehicle expert

The South Africa Tobacco Transformation Alliance (SATTA) is calling for an urgent probe into illicit cigarette cartels, which allegedly involves Zimbabwe, South Africa and China. According to a report on Cartel Power Dynamics in Zimbabwe, there's strong evidence of under-pricing of tobacco shipments between the three countries and that this - along with a number of other factors - is fuelling illi...

On this day, 31 years ago, former South African President, FW De Klerk announced the release of Nelson Mandela which happened the next day (11th February 1990). As we remember this key event that led to South Africa ending its brutal apartheid system. Guest: Mac Maharaj, ANC stalwart & former Presidential spokesperson

Tito Mboweni's finance department has been fingered for irregular expenditure to the tune of R249 million by the Auditor General. The Auditor General Tsakani Maluleke says Mboweni's department had exhibited non-compliance with spending guidelines. She added that the delay in implementing the Integrated Financial Management System caused R66 million in fruitless & wasteful expenditure Guest: Geordi...

The ANC leadership in KwaZulu-Natal believes former President Jacob Zuma's refusal to appear before the State Capture Commission will have profound implications for the party. The party met with Zuma last week to discuss the issue. Guest: Mdumiseni Ntuli, Provincial Secretary of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal

Yesterday, the world witnessed the commencement of Donald Trump's second Senate impeachment trial. Former President’s supporters are arguing that he wasn’t the only one who riled up the crowd at the now-infamous “Stop the Steal” rally. According to them, 12 other notable “Stop the Steal” speakers have faced few, if any, consequences. Nonetheless, Trump’s second impeachment trial began with a four-...

The World Health Organisation mission in China says further studies need to be conducted to uncover the origin of the coronavirus outbreak - including analysing various animal specimen and frozen product imports into China. A team from the WHO has visited sites in the city of Wuhan, searching for clues about the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking during a media briefing in Wuhan, the he...

Prof Ushotanefe shares tips on how to tackle lifestyle diseases in order to avoid severe Covid19 symptoms. He is recommending that individuals with comorbidities must have regular blood pressure and blood sugar check-ups Guest: Prof Ushotanefe Useh, Acting Director of the Research Entity Lifestyle Diseases at the North West University

The World Health Organisation mission in China says further studies need to be conducted to uncover the origin of the coronavirus outbreak - including analysing various animal specimen and frozen product imports into China. A team from the WHO has visited sites in the city of Wuhan, searching for clues about the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking during a media briefing in Wuhan, the he...

Community leaders in Nyanga on the Cape Flats have called for more recreational facilities in the area. This follows the death of four children who fell into a sandhole they dug on a bridge on the N2. For more on this we're joined on the line by Ward 39 councillor Khaya Yozi, who speaks on behalf of the families... GUEST: Wandile Ngalo, Community Leader in Nyanga

The Electoral Court has authorized the postponement of by-elections scheduled to be held during March due to the continued COVID-19 level 3 lockdown restrictions which prohibit political activities. This brings to 24 the number of ward by-elections which have been postponed since the start of 2021 due to the second COVID-19 wave and its associated restrictions. Guest: Mr Masego Sheburi, Deputy CEO...