The National Pulse

In conversation with Khandani Msibi who explains the rationale behind Numsa’s decision to roll out remdesivir drug in South Africa. Apparently, the 3Sixty Global Solutions Group has been working with a number of local and international partners to develop and source therapeutic solutions to fight Covid-19. Guest: Khandani Msibi, Group CEO of Numsa Investment Company and 3Sixty Global Solutions Gro...

As we remember our late former President Nelson Mandela – we speak to Justice Albie Sachs (deliberately so) about his legacy and ethical leadership that he provided as many of you may recall that most people often describe Madiba as a symbol for justice, equality and dignity. So we thought inviting Justice Sachs who is an activist in his own right will be a brilliant idea and a befitting tribute t...

The Council for the Advancement of the Constitution of South Africa (CASAC) says there has been a lack of transparency in the nomination of the new Executive Director of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate. Police Minister Bheki Cele nominated Dikaledi Jennifer Ntlaseng for the position and Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police has endorsed it. CASAC Executive Director Lawson Nai...

In conversation with the Minister of Public Service and Administration who is currently in the Eastern Cape at the O.R Tambo District Municipality where he is going to set up interventions that are aimed at fighting the scourge of Gender-Based Violence. The Minister is also concerned about recent media reports concerning the investigation into allegations of misconduct by the director general of t...

Cold and frustrated South Africans have endured loadshedding in the past few days and some analyst predict that Eskom's intermittent load shedding will continue for the next 18 months. So what is going on at the power utility? I would give you answers BUT I am also in the dark. To shed light on the matter, we are now joined on the line by... Guest: Ted Blom, Energy analyst

The case against former eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede and her co-accused has been postponed to the 10th of September this year. Ms Gumede and seventeen others appeared in the Durban Commercial Crimes Court today, facing charges of fraud and corruption in connection with a 400 million rand Durban Solid Waste tender scandal. Guest: Mzomuhle Dube, who is the spokesperson for the supporters of Zandil...

Dr Judy Dlamini tells us more about Wits Business School’s “Aspire, Higher” sexual health innovation competition which was created to tackle the high number of new HIV infections in young South African women. Guest: Dr Judy Dlamini, Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand and the founding chairperson of Mbekani Group

We look at Mali’s political crisis, this after President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita rejected concessions aimed at resolving political tensions in the country. Reports coming from the West African country suggest that the court has been at the centre of controversy in Mali since April 29, when it overturned the provisional results for March's parliamentary poll for about 30 seats. Guest: Musa Mdunge, I...

We hear from the ANC Veterans League in Limpopo on why they are against the pending reinstatement of Danny Msiza and Florence Radzilani. The Veterans League has criticised the ANC National Executive Committee’s decision to reinstate these two officials who were suspended for their alleged involvement in the looting of the now-defunct VBS Mutual Bank. Guest: Thabiso Mampuru, Spokesperson of the ANC...

Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent remarks regarding our nation’s unbecoming behaviour during Covid19. Today on Both Sides of the Story we ask – are South Africans patriotic in working with government to curb the spread of Covid19? This as Brand South Africa has challenged South Africans to alter their psyche during this difficult pandemic period. Guests: Tshepiso Malele, Marketing Manag...

The South Africa Tobacco Transformation Alliance (SATTA) has launched a national campaign to draw attention to the plight of workers in the tobacco sector. The Alliance says the livelihoods of more than 296 000 people are at risk, if government continues with its ban on the sale of cigarettes during the COVID-19 lockdown Guest: Zacharia Motsumi, the spokesperson of the South Africa Tobacco Transfo...

At least 33 officials at Emfuleni Local Municipality, In Gauteng have been implicated in corruption and irregular expenditure amounting to R870m. And yet none of the officials have been held accountable. We now speak to City Press Senior Journalist, Abram Mashego who wrote about this R870m looting spree... Guest: Abram Mashego, Senior Journalist at City Press Guest: Stanley Gaba, Communications Ma...

Earlier on today, Statistics South Africa announced that the country’s Consumer Price Inflation has dropped to its lowest level since 2004 and they say this was mainly caused by falling fuel prices. To explain what this means for the consumers is…. Guest: Xhanti Payi, Economist and Head of research at Nascence Advisory and Research

World News: Today, Human Rights Watch penned a letter of concern to the newly elected President of Burundi Évariste Ndayishimiye urging him to turn the page on his late predecessor’s rule of violence and abuse, and to take strong, bold, and concrete steps to advance rights during his presidency Guest: Lewis Mudge, Central Africa Director @Human Rights Watch

Gauteng Public Transport MEC, Jacob Mamabolo briefs us on taxi peace agreement that he signed today with Gauteng’s taxi associations. The agreement is aimed at ending violence and modernising the taxi industry’s operations. MEC Mamabolo joins us now to give us more clarity on this historic agreement Guest: Jacob Mamabolo, MEC for Public Transport and Road Infrastructure in Gauteng

South African Airways Business Rescue Plan has been accepted. This after 86% of the creditors of SAA voted to adopt the airline's proposed business rescue plan. The vote means the ailing national carrier gets to avoid liquidation Guest: Mashudu Raphetha, President of the National Transport Movement

Post the national executive committee meeting of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) – we speak to the general secretary of the union about the outcomes of their all-important meeting which largely focused on challenges faced by various schools during Covid19. This largest teacher union has resolved that schools should close until after Covid19 peak. So what really informed this de...

World News: As we continue to celebrate Madiba Month – we look at the state of Chinese community in South Africa and how they draw their strength from our late statesman Nelson Mandela. In as much as they enjoy living in the country, most of them feel that they are still targeted by racists. Guest: King Pon, Chairman of the S.A. Shunde Friendship Association

In conversation with Limpopo’s Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba about the growing numbers of Covid19 cases in the province. Guest: Dr Phophi Ramathuba, Limpopo’s Health MEC

Co-operative Governance Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has sought to explain the reasons behind the suspension on the sale of alcohol - saying it sometimes leads to uninformed decision-making by people amid the coronavirus pandemic. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that alcohol sales have been suspended with immediate effect - as part of government's renewed measures to contain the spread of...

Amnesty International has raised some serious concerns over unsafe working conditions for medical workers who are leading the battle against Covid19. In a new report published today, rights group has slammed governments for failing to provide sufficient personal protective equipment - face masks, gowns, gloves and goggles - to their medical staff Guest: Mienke Steytler, Media and Digital Content O...

The Restaurant Association of South Africa (rasa) is seeking legal advice on what claim they have against government for damages on non-performance, restrictions on liquor licenses and the curfew regulations Guest: Wendy Alberts, CEO of the Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA)

Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim says there is nothing democratic about imposing a curfew and an immediate ban on alcohol without consulting anyone. He says workers who work in the breweries and in liquor stores are still workers with human rights that need to be respected Guest: Irvin Jim, General Secretary of the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (numsa)

World News today: We look at terror attacks in Mozambique and ask – Is South Africa next? This after members of Islamic State (ISIS) recently warned South Africa to avoid getting into a war it cannot afford. Violence in the Cabo Delgado regions has escalated in recent months and there have been suggestions that South Africa could draft in its own recruits to fight the terrorists alongside troops f...

Following President Ramaphosa’s address which took place last night - Matthew Parks explains why Cosatu was not impressed by his address. Cosatu is disappointed that the president said nothing about the need to extend the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s Covid-19 relief fund for those workers over 60 years of age or with co-morbidities, including workplaces that remain under operational restrictions...