The National Pulse

Western Cape Education Minister Debbie Schäfer says investigations into the racism furore at Brackenfell high school shows that there is no evidence of racism regarding a private party that was organised for matrics by their parents. She says the invitation was widely circulated on WhatsApp groups and extended to all matric learners regardless of race. Last month EFF supporters clashed with parent...

Students at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) are currently protesting over unpaid NSFAS allowances. The students have accused the University of refusing to pay students their NSFAS allowance for December. Earlier students clashed with members of the police and vowed to continue protesting if their demands are not met. GUEST: Mike Khuboni, Spokesperson for the Vaal University of Technology (...

Students at the University of the Free State are protesting over NSFAS allowances. The SRC says the University has submitted the template required for additional living allowances. They demand that the university tap into their coffers and pay students allowances while they wait for NSFAS money and will hand over a memorandum of demands to management. Guest: Kamohelo Seleke, Deputy Secretary Gener...

What now for Public Protector? The High Court in Pretoria has set aside Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s report on the so-called SARS Rogue Unit. In its judgment, the court issued a punitive costs order against Mkhwebane. In the report, Mkhwebane found that former SARS commissioner Pravin Gordhan, who is the current Public Enterprises Minister, had misled Parliament by failing to disclose tha...

On World News today we ask, what will it take to silence the guns in Africa? African Union Chair President Cyril Ramaphosa is calling on leaders across the continent to work together to stop acts of violence and terrorism in Africa. Ramaphosa was speaking during the 14th extraordinary session on silencing the guns. Take a listen….. Guest: Izak Khomo, former Producer of Spot Light Africa @Channel A...

South African Airways staff members affiliated to the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and the South Africa Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) picketed outside SAA headquarters in Kempton Park, Johannesburg today over unpaid salaries. It has been eight months since staff at the airline was paid. NUMSA also held another picket at the corporate head offices of Denel over unpaid sal...

Engen Oil Refinery says they will launch an investigation following this morning's explosion at their Wentworth plant south of Durban. Emergency services say seven people sustained mild injuries and have been hospitalised. The blast that occurred just after 7 o' clock this morning could be felt in areas in and around Durban. GUEST: Frank Alexander, who is an Activist and Wentworth Community member...

Last night, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the summer initiation season will go ahead, except in Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape which has been declared a Covid-19 hotspot. Traditional leaders in the Eastern Cape have been calling for the initiation season to be opened and joining us now to react to President Ramaphosa’s announcement is…. Guest: Adv Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana, Chairpe...

Layton Beard from Automobile Association takes us through the results of their fourth round of SA car crash tests. The Chinese-made GWM Steed 5 bakkie sold in SA scored a shocking zero stars when it was crash tested recently with two other local cars at Global NCAP’s facility in Munich - with Global NCAP saying it “demonstrated a high probability of life-threatening injury” in the crash. Guest: La...

38 nurses have been suspended from a TB hospital in Port Elizabeth for allegedly refusing to work with COVID-19 patients. The nurses downed tools after the hospital was turned into a COVID-19 treatment hospital 8 months ago. GUEST: Khaya Sodidi, the Provincial Secretary of Nursing Union Denosa in the Eastern Cape

As we continue to observe 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. We hear from 1000 Women Trust, a Women’s Organisation that aims to raise awareness around Gender-Based Violence, rape, and abuse and mobilize resources. Guest: Tina Thiart, Trustee @1000women1voice

The community of Coligny in the North West has called for the re-investigation of the death of 15-year-old Matlhomola Mosweu in 2017, in order for the family to get closure. The two men accused and earlier convicted of the killing have now been released after the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned the judgment of the High Court in the North West. Pieter Doorewaard and Phillip Schutte were sentence...

Recently, Sanral announced that their E-toll collection contract has been extended. However, Outa is of the view that e-toll fees are illegal as from today. Their point of departure is that the contract cannot be extended for the third consecutive time. Guest: Wayne Duvenage, Outa Chairperson

There is a strong possibility that President Cyril Ramaphosa may announce restrictions on the sale of alcohol in coronavirus hotspots. However, the Restaurant Association of South Africa has threatened legal action over the proposed restrictions, arguing that government did not sufficiently consult with the sector. Guest: Wendy Alberts, Chief Executive at the Restaurant Association of South Africa...

As President Cyril Ramaphosa is preparing to address the nation tonight. The Western Cape Government says it will not be in support of any potential plans aimed at re-introducing alcohol restrictions. Instead they are suggesting that government should come up with instruments of legislation that will deal harshly with those who refuse to wear masks Guest: Alan Winde, Premier of the Western Cape

The SABC has welcomed the Labour Court's dismissal of trade union BEMAWU's urgent application for the public broadcaster to retract redundancy letters it's already issued as part of its retrenchment process. The union also wanted the court to compel the public broadcaster to engage in a fair process regarding its restructuring plans which could see as many as 400 permanent staff members lose their...

The Constitutional Court has dismissed former ANC Nelson Mandela Bay councillor Andile Lungisa's application for leave to appeal his three-year jail sentence. He was released on parole yesterday, two-and-a-half months after beginning a two-year prison sentence for smashing a water jug over the head of DA councillor Rayno Kayser. However, Lungisa is adamant that he acted in self-defence as he was a...

Public sector unions have rejected government's request to postpone the court hearing on the public sector wage bill. The Government want the court case to be postponed to February next year, to give it more time to negotiate an out of court settlement with unions. Trade unions say the court case must continue GUEST: Mugwena Maluleke, Chief negotiator for the majority of the Cosatu unions

On Monday, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan admitted to the Zondo Commission that there was a unit in the South African Revenue Services to investigate the illegal smuggling of cigarettes and illicit trade but maintained it was above board. So what are the legal consequences of Gordhan’s admission given the fact that this issue at some point was hotly contested in Courts? Guest: Karyn Ma...

Women’s rights organisation People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) has answered President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appeal for South Africa to get behind efforts to enact new far-reaching legislation designed to confront the gender-based violence and femicide scourge threatening the country. They are also calling on government to prioritise three new Bills that are specifically designed to tackle the country’...

We look at the issue of medical tourism by African leaders and politicians, asking – should it be encouraged or discouraged? Our discussion is informed by the fact that the Prime Minister of Eswatini, Ambrose Dlamini, is currently in the country for the purpose of undergoing medical treatment, more than two weeks after he contracted COVID-19. Guest: Lucky Lukhele, Spokesperson of the Swaziland Sol...

Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, says one person has been directly linked to the leaking of matric papers. It has emerged that the Maths, Physics and Business Economics papers for this year's matric exam had been leaked. However the department says it picked up the Business Studies leak quickly and had been able to use a back-up paper instead. Motshekga says they've received an incomplet...

The Treatment Action Campaign has expressed concern at the high number of teenagers and young people dropping out of their HIV treatments. This as countries across the globe including South Africa is commemorating World Aids Day. So why are young adolescents not taking their HIV treatments? GUEST: Thulina Moukangwe, who is an activist

Today, South Africa joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Aids Day under the noble theme, “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Resilience and Impact.” To mark this day, KwaZulu-Natal provincial cabinet will visit all the 11 districts of the province to engage with communities and also to unpack the progress the province has made so far in the fight against HIV/Aids. Guest: Sihle Zikalala, P...

In a move to mark the end of the ward delimitation process, earlier on today, the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) handed over 4 468 final ward boundaries to the Electoral Commission (IEC) in preparation for the 2021 Local Government Elections. Guest: Mr Masego Shiburi, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer of the IEC