The National Pulse

UpDate: on the #AlexShutDown

A new forensic report into a multibillion-rand locomotive contract at Transnet has recommended that former Transnet CEO Brian Molefe and others must face criminal charges for their role in a dodgy locomotive contract deal. Guest: Kanabo Skhosana, from MNS Attorneys (she is the author of the report)

Protests in Sudan reached a new stage over the weekend, with tens of thousands of people demonstrating in front of army headquarters in Khartoum to demand the departure of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who has been leading the country for three decades. Guest: Sabir Ibrahim, representative of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, North (SPLM)

Today the Minister of Transport, Dr Blade Nzimande officially launched the Easter Road Safety Campaign in KwaZulu- Natal. The focus this year is the impact of alcohol on motorists and its contribution to road carnage. Guest: Simon Zwane- Spokesperson, Road Traffic Management Corperation (RTMC)

Every Friday we celebrate South Africans from all walks of life with a great story to tell. This afternoon we celebrate Dr Welcome ‘Bhodloza’ Nzimande… for his contribution to empowering maskandi musicians. Guest: Dr Welcome “Bhodloza” Nzimande, former Station Manager of uKhozi FM

The Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke memorial lecture will take place on the 7th of April, which marks her 148th birthday. The lecture will be delivered by business woman and philanthropist, Dr Anna Mokgokong under the theme “No one left behind: redefining Charlotte Maxeke’s call, 25 years of democracy.” To find out more about what informed this year’s theme we are joined by Dr Yonela Njisane who is one of...

Sunday the 7th marks World Health Day. This afternoon we’ll put the spotlight on cardiac diseases in South Africa as well as the Back to Rhythm campaign by the Heart & Stroke Foundation… Guest: Professor Pamela Naidoo - CEO of the Heart & Stroke Foundation

Residents in Alexandra held a community meeting in the morning to address some of their issues. Mayor Herman Mashaba was expected to attend but didn’t show up. SABC reporter, Sashin Naidoo joins us now for the latest on this story Guest: Sashin Naidoo- SABC Reporter

The department of Transport will brief us in terms of what they are doing to clear a backlog of close to 200 000 driving license cards. Guest: Ishmael Mnisi- Spokesperson for the Department of Transport

The My Vote Counts (MVC) representatives have called on political parties to disclose information pertaining to their private funding sources for the upcoming elections next month. This follows the announcement by the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) this week that it will postpone the implementation of the Political Party Funding Act, which was signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in January this...

yesterday saw the Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party launching its election manifesto. Guest: Irvin Jim-who is the face of this new Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party and General Secretary of Numsa

Two villages in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape are fighting over a boundary that separates them. As a result 250 people from one of the villages are displaced after 22 households were destroyed. For more on this story, we are joined on the line by … Guest: Mamkeli Ngam, Spokesperson for the Department Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the Eastern Cape

According to the CEO of the Southern African Bitumen Association (SABITA), Saied Solomons, roads that are not properly and timeously maintained are costing South Africa millions of Rands and negatively affect our economy and society. Saied Solomons joins us now on the line to unpack this further Guest: Saied Solomons-CEO of the Southern African Bitumen Association (SABITA)

A number of people have lost their lives in Zimbabwe since the start of the Cyclone Idai. The government says that 268 people are now known to have died in the floods and landslides triggered by the storm last month. At least $33 million (about R466 million) is required to recover infrastructure and material loss. For an update of the story we are joined on the line by SABC correspondent in Zimbab...

Western Cape premier Helen Zille has said that state capture started under former president Nelson Mandela. Zille was addressing a DA meeting in Kempton Park last night. Zille joins us now to explain what she meant. Guest: Helen Zille- former DA leader and Western Cape Premier

Zwelinzima Vavi owns up to past mistakes and shares thoughts on the current state of affairs in the country. Guest: Zwelinzima Vavi, General Secretary of Saftu

A disturbing video of a child at a crèche in Carltonville being beaten by his teacher and being forced to clean up after throwing up has caused an uproar on social media. Many are calling for the teacher to be arrested immediately. We are now joined by the MEC for social development in Gauteng, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza who is at the center at the moment. Guest: Nandi Mayathula-Khoza- the MEC for soci...

Is Africa/Southern Africa becoming the dumping ground for chicken from other markets? Izaak Breitenbach explains why SA poultry industry backs Namibia against dumping of chicken from Brazil? Guest: Izaak Breitenbach, General Manager, SA Poultry Association

The Independent Electoral Commission has received objections to 30 names on ANC list. It is reported that Deputy President David Mabuza and ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe are among 30 party members whose candidacy for parliament and the provincial legislatures has been objected to by South Africans. Guest: Dakota Legoete, acting National Spokesperson of the African National Congress

The Freedom Front Plus has withdrawn its application to have Black First Land First banned as a political organisation. The FFP and the BLF met in the Johannesburg High Court this Thursday morning over the BLF's announcement that it's a blacks-only party. The FF Plus wanted the Guest: Black First Land First leader Andile Mngxitama, Guest: FF Plus leader Pieter Groenewald

World News: Ethiopian Transport Minister, Dagmawit Moges today delivered a preliminary report into the air crash that claimed 157 lives last month. The report indicated that pilots followed the right procedures and did everything they could to control the aircraft. Guest: Coletta Wanjohi- SABC Correspondent in Ethiopia

The South African Cities Network is to launch the 2018/2019 State of Urban Safety in South African Cities Report on 11 April. Joining us to discuss the importance of Urban Safety in South Africa and how urban safety is central to cities playing their development role is…… Guest: Siphelele Ngobese, Researcher for Inclusion and Wellbeing @South African Cities Network

Amcu vs Sibanye gold – There have been many attempts to bring an end to the strike that has been going on for four months – why are these two organisations failing to reach a fair and reasonable outcome? Today we get to the bottom of the issues as we give you Both Sides of the Story. Guests: Joseph Mathunjwa, President of Amcu guest: Thabisile Phumo

On Monday this week, Nobel laureate Paul Romer described South Africa as an "economic disappointment", citing the high levels of unemployment among the country's youth, calling it a "human catastrophe". Where are we going wrong – how can we turn things around? Guest: Thapelo Maleke, President of SA Youth Chamber of Commerce

Brand SA’s chief executive officer (CEO), Kingsley Makhubela responds to weekend reports that suggested that the organisation was in a state of paralysis. It was reported this past weekend that Makhubela was placed on special leave last year, following his announcement that he wanted to commission a forensic investigation into a questionable tender for a digital marketing agency. But first let’s h...