The National Pulse

A 19-year-old man who is accused of the murder of 18-year-old Gomolemo Legae has abandoned his bail application in the Mmabatho Magistrate's Court in the North West. Karabo Mahurutshe of Ramosadi village in Mahikeng appeared in court which was full to capacity with his head covered. Legae sustained multiple stab wounds and third degree burns. She was buried at the cemetery in Seweding village this...

Is government doing enough to recognise the role of rural communities in the cannabis industry? About a week ago, when addressing the Cannabis Investment Protocol at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, KZN’s economic development MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube said ordinary South Africans must be licensed to grow cannabis as they have a long history of growing and consuming...

Latest developments re the election of Joburg mayor: The Johannesburg City council is holding its second sitting today to elect a new mayor, following the resignation of Herman Mashaba. Last week, the matter was postponed after Council Speaker, Vasco Gama said it was necessary to seek independent legal advice on the rules and law after councillors argued on how the numbers would be calculated. Gue...

Yesterday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs issued statement condemning airstrikes carried out by East Libya-based forces in the past few days that left 16 people killed. Libya's internationally recognized government also confirmed the news that East Libya-based forces killed at least 16 people, calling the attacks in the capital Tripoli and town of Murzuq "tantamount to...

We begin the programme by unpacking a recent court judgment which makes it unlawful for banks to bring National Credit Act matters before the high court. Lawyers have complained for years that banks were attempting to financially ruin their customers by forcing them into the high courts in an effort to collect on outstanding debts. Guest: Sinawo Makhangela - an attorney & Deputy Chairperson of Tra...

BSS: As you may have heard that the petrol price is to go up by 22 cents a litre from midnight tonight. The diesel price, however will go down by between 15 and 16 cents a litre. Surely not good news especially now that we are in the festive season Guest: Layton Beard - Automobile Association spokesperson Guest: Visvin Reddy - National Convenor of PAPPI (People Against Petrol and Paraffin Price In...

Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke has outlined the greater contributors to South Africa's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracting by zero-point-six per cent in the third quarter. On a year-on-year basis, however, the economy has grown by zero-point-one per cent. Maluleke says the mining and manufacturing industries were among those that contributed to the figures. What does this mean for us a...

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has condemned the latest wave of taxi violence in Olievenhoutbosch in Pretoria that left five people dead and nine others - including a policeman - wounded. Ministerial spokesperson, Ayanda Allie-Paine says Mbalula has send his condolences to the families of the deceased and wish the wounded a speedy recovery. To hear from the taxi industry, Guest: Abnor Tsebe – D...

Just an hour ago, we spoke to the Vhembe Municipality which held its Men’s Forum, news just in is that wo more women have been killed, allegedly by their intimate partners in Limpopo. Limpopo police say the body of 28-year-old Sibongile Nkanyane from Sekgosese was discovered this morning, while that of 30-year-old Mapula Muleya was found at Matidza village outside Thohoyandou yesterday. Our report...

The Commission for Gender Equality is holding public investigative hearings on the state of shelters in the country. They published a report on this in their 2018/2019 financial year. What were some of the key findings and what are they hoping to achieve from these hearings? Guest: Javu Baloyi – Spokesperson for the Commission for Gender Equality

Vodacom says it has noted the release of the Competition Commission's Data Services Market Inquiry report, as well as Icasa's discussion document on the Market Inquiry into mobile broadband services in South Africa and will respond within a specified timeframe. Vodacom has pointed to inconsistencies between ICASA and the Competition Commission's reports on data pricing and spectrum allocation. Gue...

The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in Limpopo says it is investigating staff in the premier's office following allegations of religious discrimination. The investigation is directed at alleged statements and actions by Nana Manamela - the deputy director general in charge of corporate management services in the office of the premier. How did this come to their attention? Guest: Victor Mavhidul...

The Vhembe Municipality held its Men’s Forum in partnership with Munna Ndi Nnyi under the theme: Enough is enough, 365 days against gender based violence. What are they hoping to achieve by this forum as we’ve seen over the years all sorts of initiatives which yielded no results. What are they hoping to do differently? Guest: Crl Dowelani Nenguda – Executive Mayor of the District Municipality

On World News today, Amenesty International is reporting that the Tanzanian government has withdrawn the right of individuals and NGOs to directly file cases against it at the Arusha-based African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. They go on to say that the withdrawal of rights will rob people and organisations in that country a vital avenue to justice, in a country whose justice system is deepl...

Guest: Thembinkosi Kinana

Last week Thursday we spoke to Noncedo Madubedube of Equal Education about the 6th anniversary of government’s adoption of the Norms and Standards for Public Infrastructure. Today we revisit the subject and we have also decided to invite the department of basic education to hear their thoughts on the topic. Today we just want to hear from both parties as to how much progress has been made since th...

As part of commemorating World Ids Day, As the world focused on World Aids Day is calling on communities in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Durban to take part in ground breaking clinical trials to help end HIV and associated diseases like tuberculosis (TB) and cervical cancer. Guest: DR Mohammed Rassool

Sonke Gender Justice in partnership with Gun Free South Africa have launched a campaign calling on parents and caregivers and family members to support a toy gun free festive season. Guest: Suleiman Henry

Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has appointed a Ministerial Task Team to investigate sexual exploitation and abuse my members of the National Defence Force. The task team is expected to provide a report early next year. This comes after a leaked report indicated that out of 41 reported cases, 26 were finalised with 13 convictions were secured of South Africans sold...

The Western Cape Ministers of Community Safety and Transport, are set to meet to discuss the stone throwing incidents on the province's roads. Both Albert Fritz and Bonginkosi Madikizela have condemned the attacks taking place along the N1 highway. Last week a teacher from Paarl, Michelle Pietersen died after a brick was thrown at her husband's vehicle. Minister Fritz spokesperson, Cayla Murray sa...

JMPD spokesperson superintendent Wayne Minnaar joins us to talk about the City of Joburg’s festive season safety campaign that was launched today. According to him, the focus of this year’s campaign will be to address unroadworthy vehicles, drunk and driving, and bad driving behaviour. Guest: Wayne Minaar - JMPD Spokesperson

Following their recent policy conference - Black First Land First chats to us about the outcomes of their meeting. The movement met in Durban this past weekend to discuss its current and future status in South African politics. You may recall that In July this year, the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) announced that it would deregister the party. This after the Freedom Front Plus had lodged a cas...

On World News today, we assess the situation in the regions affected by the floods in East Africa. Over 1 million people have been affected by flash flooding in East Africa. Hundreds of thousands of people in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia have been displaced by the floods. Guest: Sarah Kimani - SABC’s East Africa correspondent joining us on the line from Nairobi

The One Wage Campaign lodged a legal submission to the National Minimum Wage Commission arguing against the exclusion of domestic, farm and EPWP workers from the full national minimum wage. They are also contending that the current minimum wage of R20.00 an hour is not sufficient to cover their basic needs. Guest: Florence Sekolane, who is a Domestic Worker and from Izwi Domestic Workers Alliance

We examine the Traditional and Khoisan Leadership bill that was recently signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Those who are concerned about the bill argue that it puts too much power and authority into the hands of traditional Khoisan leaders and councils to enter into agreements and partnerships with insufficient input from the affected communities. Guest: Dr Aninka Claassens, Chief Rese...