The National Pulse

Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has decided to suspend Tshwane speaker Katlego Mathebe and Johannesburg speaker Vasco Da Gama for six months and three months respectively. In light of the chaos during a special council sitting on 16 January, Cogta said their conclusion was informed by the sequence of events that led to the collapse of the council meeting. Guest: Lebo...

The Gauteng Health Department has outlined the measures it's taking to prevent further infections at Tembisa Hospital's prenatal unit. These include the deployment of more nurses and resources by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. This after 17 cases of - what is suspected to be - Klebsiella pneumonia were reported late last year, resulting in the deaths of 10 babies. The bacteria a...

The DA has officially laid corruption charges against the Mayor of George in the Southern Cape, as well as a number of senior municipal officials and business people. Melvin Naik is also accused of interference in administrative processes. The DA says a forensic report found substantive evidence of criminal activity against Naik. He was voted in as mayor in the DA run municipality following the 20...

The Prime Minister of Lesotho Tom Thabane was today expected to present himself before the Deputy Police Commissioner in Lesotho at the police headquarters. The SABC has reliably learnt that an alternative venue may have been arranged for the Prime Minister to appear and assist police with the investigation into the assassination of his former wife Lipolelo Thabane in 2017. Lipolelo was gunned dow...

The Nyati Bush lodge has extended an invite to the South African Human Rights Commission to re-visit the campsite where 13-year old Parktown Boys learner, Enoch Mpianzi had died. Yesterday, the Mpianzi family along with the SAHRC jumped over the gate to gain access to the property. The lodge owners had initially agreed that they visit, but sent a message while they were on their way saying they we...

A high-powered government delegation has been deployed to the strife-torn Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality in the eastern Free State. Angry residents have embarked on violent service delivery protests, demanding constant water supply in QwaQwa, Harrismith and Kestell. Co-operative Governance deputy minister, Parks Tau, and his Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation counterpart, David Mahlobo, were e...

Earlier on today, Sanco members marched to JB Marks Municipality offices to voice their grievances over unsatisfactory circumstances in their area. Residents are demanding better delivery of services and they also want immediate action to be taken about dry taps, spillage of sewage and electricity cuts that have been going on for quite some time now. Guest: Kgotso Sehurutshe, Chairperson of Sanco,...

Unpacking the latest report from the Institute of Race Relations (IRR), titled “Freeing Education”. According to Hermann Pretorius this document offers practical and easily implementable policy solutions to the failures in the South African education system. Guest: Hermann Pretorius, Campaigns Manager at the IRR

The Communist Party of Swaziland is calling for maximum unity among all oppressed sectors in eSwatini, this following the refusal by the Mswati regime to recognise and register an organisation that advocates for LGBTIQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer+) rights. Guest: Pius Vilakati, is responsible for Information and Publicity for Communist Party of Swaziland

Post the NEC meeting of the African National Congress, we a look at a number of issues that were discussed, including the State Owned Enterprises, land reform and the economy of the country. The ANC Lekgotla is an annual gathering of the governing party held twice in a year. It meets to identify urgent priorities requiring attention and it helps to guide the work of ANC officials deployed in gover...

Today on Both Sides of the Story we ask, how can we improve the education system in South Africa? Our guest, Dr Mamphela Ramphele has slammed the proposed Grade 9 certificate by Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga, saying it does not confront the root causes of poor quality education in South Africa. Guests: Dr Mamphela Ramphele, Co-founder of ReimagineSA Elijah Mhlanga, Spokesperson of th...

SAA has defended its decision to cancel some of its local and international flights. In statement issued this morning, the struggling national carrier says the move is aimed at conserving cash and optimising the airline's position ahead of further capital injection. Among flights affected are those linking Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban and Munich in Germany. Guest: Tlali tlali

The Public Servants Association (PSA) says it is disturbed by reports of an armed robbery at Quary Heights Primary School in Newlands, Durban. Robbers apparently robbed the school’s staff of money that was collected from learners as school and registration fees. The PSA says this is not the only problem, they sight incident in hospitals and other government institutions. Guest: Mlungisi Ndlovu – P...

The CEO of Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli hospital in Qwaqwa - Dr Balekile Mzangwa says they will continue to render health services despite calls by the community to transfer patients to other hospitals. Residents embarked on a service delivery protest over water shortage in the area. Dr Mzangwa says closing the hospital is not an option. Guest: Scotch Skhosana, leader of the Total Shutdown Maluti Apho...

AfriForum wants the United Nations to obtain a commitment from Ramaphosa and the South African government that it will effectively protect AfriForum as a human rights defender. The organisation has laid an official complaint against the president as well as Lindiwe Sisulu, accusing them of trying to ‘discredit’ them ‘as a human rights defender’. Guest: Ernst Van Zyl, AfriForum spokesperson

The MEC for Health in Limpopo Dr Phophi Ramathuba has reacted with shock and sadness following the discovery of the body of a medical intern on the Mankweng Hospital grounds over the weekend. Earlier on today, the MEC visited the family of Shongile Nkhwashu. Guest: Dr Phophi Ramathuba, MEC for Health in Limpopo

The SA Municipal Workers in Limpopo is challenging the Sekhukhune District Municipality’s decision to pay salaries to its employees through cheques. The union says they were never consulted before a council resolution was taken on the matter Guest: Patrick Aphane, Provincial Secretary of Samwu in Limpopo

Today on Both Sides of the Story we ask, what is the purpose of WEF and what is expected to be achieved at this year’s World Economic Forum? Those who are against this all important meeting always argue that Davos is not a fertile ground for the change that so many people desire - why? Because the people will not be there. One other issue for them is that those who want to attend must be invited,...

The family of anti-apartheid activist Dr Neil Aggett says it's disgraceful that they've had to wait for 26 years after democracy before the reopening of an inquest into his death. Agget was found hanging in his cell at the then John Vorster Square Police Station in Johannesburg on 5 February 1982. He was the only white anti-apartheid activist to die in detention. The first day of the hearing got u...

HIV/AIDS advocacy organisations in the Free State have called for strong action against those found guilty of stealing life-saving ARV drugs. Activists have picked outside the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court, where two men accused of stealing ARVs appeared briefly for a bail application. They were allegedly found in possession of one-point-two million rand worth of ARVs. One of the accused is a he...

The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng says it is horrified that ten babies have died following an outbreak of klebsiella pneumonia at Tembisa Hospital north of Johannesburg. Seventeen newborns were infected with the bacteria which killed ten babies in November and December last year. Overcrowding and a shortage of staff have been cited as the reasons behind the spread of the bacteria. Guest: Jack Blo...

Fedusa is calling on Telkom board to resign. While Telkom said last week it proposed the retrenchment of 3,000 workers, according to Fedusa it could be double this figure facing job losses. Guest: Riefdah Ajam, Acting General Secretary of Fedusa

Is South Africa doing enough to curb street robberies? Our guest is of the view that street robberies affect more people than other types of robbery in the country, yet they are being ignored and not much is being done to deal with them. Guest: Ms Lizette Lancaster, Manager for Crime and Justice Information Hub at the Institute for Security Studies

Understanding the significance of the Africa-UK Investment Summit. Today, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is hosting the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London. The UK-government organised event brings together the public and private sector to promote investment in the continent. Around 20 African leaders are expected to participate. But how important is this event for Africa? Guest: Victor Kg...

Today is the last day for South Africans to make submissions on Eskom’s proposed tariff increase. The power utility has launched a legal bid to officially force through tariff increases over the next three years and they are contending that approving increases by 9.41% for 2019-2020, 8.10% for 2020-2021 and 5.22% for 2021-2022 instead of the requested 16% was insufficient. Guest: Chris Yelland - E...