SAfm

The National Pulse

Latest News, Trends, and light features for an afternoon commute- Business, Traffic, Weather and Sport

Author

SAfm

Category

Government

Podcast website

www.sabc.co.za

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

DA warns motorists against the JMPD’s aggressive revenue collection drive 04.08.2025

The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng has revealed that the JMPD officers are increasingly engaging in excessive roadblocks as they are under pressure to each collect at least R7 000 in traffic fines daily. They say this is done to aid the struggling City of Johannesburg municipality. For more on this, we are joined by….. GUEST: Michael Sun, DA Member of the Provincial Legislature

Empowering girls with leadership skills is crucial, says Phuti Mogale 04.08.2025

As we observe Women’s Month in South Africa. We are joined by Phuti Mogale who will share her views on why she thinks every girl in this country deserves a seat at the leadership table. Phuti is of the view that if we are serious about transforming our continent, we must stop seeing girls as beneficiaries of development, and start seeing them as leaders of it. GUEST: Phuti Mogale, Head of Se...

SA-U.S Trade Relations 04.08.2025

As South Africa continues to engage the United States in order to enhance mutually beneficial trade and investment relations. DIRCO minister Ronald Lamola has revealed that government is seeking new markets in Africa and Asia as it moves towards diversifying the country’s export markets. The US’s 30% unilateral tariffs on foreign imports comes into effect at the end of this week. For m...

Friday’s Fireside Chat with Sophie Mokoena 01.08.2025

Today we bid farewell to our beloved colleague, a veteran journalist who has worked in the field of journalism for a significant amount of time, 31 years to be precise. She posses a deep understanding of the field, its ethics, and the intricacies of storytelling and reporting. In case you are wondering who I’m talking about here. Her name is Sophie Mokoena and she officially retired yesterda...

ANC NEC Meeting 01.08.2025

Today marks the start of the four day ANC’s NEC ordinary sitting. Proceedings began with a political overview delivered by ANC President, Cyril Ramaphosa, followed by reflections on the domestic and geopolitical environment. SABC News’ Political Reporter, Ntebo Mokobo was part of the media contingent at the meeting. Ntebo Mokobo now joins me on the line to give us an overview of what h...

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry: State of Readiness 01.08.2025

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system officially begins its work today. The commission was established after explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. GUEST: Jeremy Michaels, Spokesperson of the Madlanga Commission

Tanzania ban foreign small businesses 01.08.2025

Gabriel Zakaria joins us to unpack Tanzania’s decision to bar non-citizens from running small businesses. According to the country’s authorities, the policy is aimed boosting local jobs and income for its citizens. However, Kenya has warned that the move undermines the core objective of regional economic integration and poses a significant setback to the gains made under the East Afric...

FlySafair Strike Ends 01.08.2025

The FlySafair pilot strike is over, following an agreement between airline management and Solidarity trade union. We understand that the agreement was reached through the CCMA’s proposed settlement. This development means that FlySafair will begin restoring full capacity to the market, with all aircraft returning to active duty. But what were the thorny issues and how was this particular agr...

MK Party vs Ramaphosa: Legal analysis on ConCourt ruling 31.07.2025

The Constitutional Court has dismissed the MK Party’s urgent application, challenging President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to appoint a non-member of parliament, Professor Firoz Cachalia as the acting minister of police. Legally speaking - what went wrong for the MK Party? For more analysis on this, we are joined by….. GUEST: Advocate Michael Osborne, Constitutional Law expert

The Constitutional Court has dismissed the MK Party’s urgent application, challenging President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to appoint a non-member of parliament 31.07.2025

The Constitutional Court has delivered judgment on the MK Party and former President Zuma’s challenge to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence, the appointment of Professor Firoz Cachalia & the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry. For more on this, I am joined on the line by…   GUEST: Nhlamulo Ndhlela &nd...

Chat Commerce Powering Daily Life In South Africa 31.07.2025

South Africans are increasingly turning to their smartphones as the definitive hub of everyday life, and Whatsapp, by far the most widely used messaging platform in the country, sits at the centre of this digital shift. To tell us more about this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Nafisa Akabor, Technology Journalist

G20 EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN WORKING GROUP 31.07.2025
Bain & Company shuts down its operations in SA 31.07.2025

Global management consultancy firm, Bain & Company has confirmed that it has decided to shut down its consultancy operations in South Africa, revealing that its Johannesburg office would now become a services hub supporting the organisation’s global operations. Some of you may recall that in 2022, Bain suffered reputational damage from its involvement in a state capture scandal. For more...

What does recognising a Palestinian state mean? 31.07.2025

In a major policy shift, more powerful nations have indicated that they intend to recognise Palestine as a state as from September. One other important thing to note is that out of the 193 United Nations member states, 147 already declared that they recognise Palestine as a state. The latest development is that Canada has joined France and Britain in announcing plans to recognise a Palestinian sta...

The MPC decided to reduce the policy rate by 25 basis points, to 7%, with effect from the 1st of August. The decision was unanimous. 31.07.2025

GUEST: Sifiso Skenjana, Economist and Managing Director of ESG Analytics

Mother and two men arrested after 3-year-old recorded 'smoking drugs' 30.07.2025

Three people, including a mother, have been arrested after a viral video surfaced showing her encouraging her three-year-old child to light and smoke from what appears to be a drug-laced glass pipe. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Shaheda Omar, Clinical Director: Teddy Bear Foundation

Business to Brand Summit 30.07.2025

Pat Mahlangu tells us more about the upcoming Business to Brand Summit which will take place in two days time in Sandton. This summit is often described as a strategic platform, designed to empower businesses to shift from transactional thinking to brand-driven growth. GUEST: Pat Mahlangu, founder of Pat On Brands & CEO of Lerato Agency

The Health Ombud releases investigation findings into the treatment, complications and deaths of psychiatric patients in the Northern Cape hospital 30.07.2025

The Health Ombud, Professor Taole Mokoena, has released the findings of an investigation into the treatment, complications, and deaths of psychiatric patients at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital and the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Professor Taole Mokoena, Health Ombud

EFF Councillor Mzubanzi Dambuza was choked in Cape Town Council Chamber 30.07.2025

It is widely reported that earlier today - EFF Councillor Mzubanzi Dambuza was choked to the point of unconsciousness. According to GOOD party councillor Roscoe Palm, the unfortunate incident happened when the Speaker of the City of Cape Town Council, Felicity Purchase failed to maintain order in the Council Chamber.   GUEST: Roscoe Palm, GOOD Party Councillor, City of Cape Town Council (he w...

SA-US Trade Policy Engagement 30.07.2025

As South Africa and the United States are actively engaged in trade policy discussions. One of our top economists, Wandile Sihlobo has warned that uncertainty in trade policy is indeed a significant concern. Sihlobo is of the view that whatever the outcome of the negotiations will be, our country will never be back to the environment where it was at the beginning of the year and the path ahead wil...

Stats SA indicated that more than 500 000 White South Africans have left the country in the past two decades. 30.07.2025

Stats SA has released its latest mid-year population estimates report for 2025. The data reveals that demographically, all of the country’s population groups are growing, except for White South Africans. Notably, the report has also revealed that more than 500 000 White South Africans have left the country in the past two decades. I guess the big question is - what informs this worrying tren...

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 29.07.2025

Tomorrow, marks World Day Against Trafficking in Persons and this year’s event will be observed globally under the theme “Human Trafficking is Organised Crime - End the Exploitation”. To mark this day, tomorrow, the department of justice and constitutional development will launch the Local Task Team to support anti-trafficking efforts at ports of entry across the country. To talk...

1 in 5 KZN pupils beaten by teachers despite ban on corporal punishment 29.07.2025

Earlier on I spoke to the department of basic education spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, about educators in KwaZulu-Natal using corporal punishment in the classroom, despite the ban. We now getting reaction from… GUEST: Hendrick Makaneta, Education Activist

Is South Africa’s aviation sector on the brink of another fuel crisis? 29.07.2025

According to the South African Petroleum Association, we are, as most local fuel refineries have shut down. So to what extent will this affect our major airports? Joining us for this discussion is….. GUEST: Guy Leitch, Aviation analyst & Editor of SA Flyer magazine

City of Joburg: Latest Water Challenges 29.07.2025

Water issues around the City of Joburg have become a recurring issue on this show. A number of people have over the past few days taken to social media to voice their frustrations with recent water challenges the city faces. I’ve seen people around the Sandton and Bryanston are talk about their challenges over the past few days, some going as far as posting videos of water tankers in their a...

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