The National Pulse

Pennyville residents in Soweto have threatened to disrupt voting in the area if government does not address their grievances. The residents embarked on a protest today over title deeds to the flats they have been occupying since 2005. For more on this story we are joined on the line by SABC reporter, Sashin Naidoo Guest: Sashin Naidoo- SABC Reporter

Our guest shares thoughts on the important role that Neuroscience can play in understanding the role of the human brain in social and emotional aspects of human cognition and work place behavior. Guest: Paul Potgieter, a senior psychologist at Nutricula Psychology (Australia)

Today’s Cape Town launch of Gangster State, Pieter-Louis Myburgh’s book about ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule, has been cancelled over safety concerns – does this then drowns the freedom of expression? Guest: Samkelo Mokhine- Freedom Of Expression Institute

President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration plans to exhume and rebury victims of the Gukurahundi genocide that happened under Robert Mugabe's rule. Under the watch of former president Robert Mugabe, his North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade led the brutal crackdown against civilians, mostly Ndebele speaking, in the southern part of the country under the pretext of looking for "dissidents". Guest:...

As the “Total Shutdown” movement spreads across the country, we are in conversation with Dr Malusi Langa as we ask - What informs the psyche behind South Africa’s violent protests? Guest: Dr Malusi Langa - Psychologist and Researcher at the Centre for the Study of Violence Reconciliation

Bekkersdal residents have threatened to boycott next month’s elections if their demands were not met. Could we see more people staying away from the polls due to service delivery issues? What implications could this have? Political Analyst, Ralph Mathekga joins us now for this conversation Guest: Ralph Mathekga- Political Analyst

The brother of the Chairperson of Commission of Inquiry into State Capture Deputy Chief Justice Chairperson Raymond Zondo, Mxolisi Zondo is said to have been implicated in former Independent Police Investigative Directorate, Robert McBride’s evidence. The head of the commission’s legal team, Paul Pretorius, sought advice on whether the deputy chief justice should recuse himself for part of the tes...

Sudan's President Omar Al-Bashir, who ruled for three decades, has stepped down and unconfirmed reports are suggesting that he is under house arrest. What does his departure mean for the politics and people of Sudan? Guest: Ibrahim Dean – Researcher at the Afro-Middle East Centre

Guests: Dr Anthea Jeffery - IRR Head of Policy Research guest: Dr Anban Pillay - deputy director general responsible for NHI at the department of health

Two people have died following a violent confrontation between the Red Ants and a group of people in Rustervaal in Vereeniging in the Vaal. Five other Red Ants employees have been rushed to hospital with serious injuries. This follows an attempt by the Red Ants to evict a group of residents who have been illegally occupying a plot of land. For more on this story we are joined by the spokesperson f...

Today marks the 26th anniversary of the assassination of the late SACP General Secretary and uMkhonto weSizwe Chief of staff, Chris Hani. Joining us to discuss his legacy and contribution in the liberation struggle is…… Guest: Solly Mapaila, 1st Deputy General Secretary of the SA Communist Party

Earlier this month, the SANDF announced that it has suspended 35 soldiers after they went AWOL in Cuba for more than a month. However, the South African National Defence Union (Sandu) is disputing those claims and they are demanding that the SANDF must reinstate the students or face legal action. Guest: Pikkie Greeff, SANDU spokesperson Guest: Brigadier General Mafi Mgobhozi, SA National Defence F...

On World News today, we tackle the issue of Brexit from a South African perspective and our guest, Dr Rob Davies will explain as to why South Africa needs to prepare contingency plans to protect its economic interests. Guest: Dr Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry

In celebration of South Africa's 25 years of transformation, a two-day Top Empowerment Summit is taking place at Emperors Palace today. The summit will among other things look at how empowerment has changed – what it means today versus 1994 and how far we still need to go, considering the criticisms of empowerment only helping a small elite group. Guest: Waseem Carrim, CEO of the National Youth De...

The IEC has dismissed nearly all the objections they had received against the candidates nominated by political parties contesting this year’s elections. Guest: Mosotho Moepya, IEC Commissioner

Dam levels in Makhanda are reportedly at a critical level despite recent rains. Guest: Mr Mzukisi Mpahlwa-Mayor of Makana Municipality

Today, we discuss Rural Security, asking – was it wrong for SA government to phase out voluntary "commando" units? In February 2003, then President Thabo Mbeki announced that commando units were to be disbanded – many White farmers objected to the move at the time arguing that commandos were an integral part of rural security, while government officials felt that the units were simply perpetrating...

Two teenagers who were arrested in Polokwane, Limpopo in connection with the death of a 12-year-old pupil at a special school in Seshego will not be appearing in court. According to the National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi the case was not enrolled at court as the two are minors and there was no evidence linking them to the crime. What measures are put in place to...

The Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) has launched Agenda 2019, which is a series of short policy briefs aimed at providing voters with information on critical policy issues. One of the key issues Agenda 2019 tackles is creating cities of hope which is about moving towards a more urbanised future that will help in bringing forth economic inclusion and opportunities for people as well as...

According to the The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) the crisis of depravation, want, neglect, poverty and squalor is what is driving the anger of the people of Alexander and other black working-class townships. The federation has therefore, put its weight behind the Alex Shutdown and has called on other townships to join in. Guest: Moleko Phakedi -Deputy Secretary-General, SAFTU

Yesterday, Fikile Mbalula who is the ANC’s head of elections - revealed that the party will use “surplus” candidates to shore up its list of MPs and MPLs to Parliament, should its integrity commission ask those implicated in allegations of corruption to step aside. Guest: Fikile Mbalula, ANC Head of Elections

A group of women affiliated to the Inyanda National Land Movement are calling on traditional leaders to respect the constitution that guaranteed gender equality and access to land by all. Tomorrow they will march to the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders to demand an end to discrimination against women in land allocation. Guest: Nomonde Phindane, Inyanda women’s empowerment programme manage...

Is party loyalty still a determining factor in South African politics? And what role do demographics like race, age and gender play? New research shines a light on the profile of the South African voter, the complexity at play in their minds, and the power of trust in President Ramaphosa in shaping voter preferences. Guest: Prof Leila Patel (Department of Science and Technology/National Research F...

: As from next month, Zim government will start paying partial compensation to white commercial farmers whose properties were seized nearly 20 years ago under Robert Mugabe’s land reforms. The chaotic fast-tracked land reform in 2000 saw thousands of white commercial farmers ejected from the land and their workers displaced. Guest: Ben Freeth, (Zim farmer and Executive Director at Mike Campbell Fo...

South Africans have condemned the attack of a police officer by an alleged group of foreign nationals. Meanwhile, police have confirmed that the video doing the rounds on social media to which its members were attacked in Sunnyside is valid. Guest: Dr Chris de Kock, Independent crime analyst Guest: Dr Vusi Sibanda, President of the African Diaspora Forum