The National Pulse

We unpack the announcement by U.S President Donald Trump of a 30% tariff on South African goods and produce. President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the correspondence from his US counterpart while also maintaining that the 30% reciprocal tariff is not an accurate representation of available trade data. He also made it clear that South Africa will continue with its diplomatic efforts towards a more ba...

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has called for calm and caution, following Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s explosive revelations. The trade union has also emphasised the fact that the safety and security of South Africans must never be compromised during this turbulent period. GUEST: Richard Mamabolo, POPCRU National spokesperson

We continue getting reaction on that explosive press briefing that was held yesterday by KZN Police Commissioner, Lt. General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Let’s get a sense of what police unions make of what was uncovered yesterday with… GUEST: Mpho Kwinika, General Secretary: Independent Policing Union of South Africa (IPUSA)

Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, officially received an investigation report on the findings of the inquiry conducted by Section 59 Investigation Panel into allegations of racial discrimination by medical schemes against black health care providers in South Africa. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Minister Aaron Motsoaledi

We unpack the outcomes of this year’s BRICS Summit that has just concluded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Interestingly, U.S President Donald Trump has warned once again that he will impose an additional 10% tariff on any countries aligning themselves with the anti-American policies of the BRICS group of developing nations. For more on this, we are joined by….. GUEST: Sophie Mokoena, SABC...

Following KZN Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s startling revelations yesterday. We hear from the former Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner about what this means for national security and policing in this country. During yesterday’s press briefing, Mkhwanazi accused the minister of police Senzo Mchunu of political interference in investigations and also revealed that prior its...

Today we are joined by a young person who is known for expressing his thoughts and opinions freely, even if they may be unpopular or controversial. His name is Pieter Kriel and as I have just said, he is a brave young man who is not afraid to voice his perspectives, regardless of potential consequences or disapproval. Kriel’s political commentary is so fascinating and definitely gets a lot o...

Former ANC Treasure General and former Premier of Mpumalanga province, Dr Mathews Phosa pays tribute to former Deputy President David Mabuza. According to Phosa, Mabuza was a very shrewd politician and they didn’t call him “The Cat” for nothing. He joins us now to reflect on his political life. GUEST: Dr Mathews Phosa, former ANC TG

Tributes continue to pour in for former deputy president, DD Mabuza, who passed away yesterday in a Johannesburg hospital. Current deputy president, Paul Mashatile, spoke to reporters outside Mabuza’s Johannesburg home, describing the deceased ANC member as someone who wanted unity. This is what Paul Mashatile had to say CLIP: 2:10 I am now joined on the line by SABC News Reporter in Mpumala...

Russia has become the first country to formally recognise the Taliban’s government in Afghanistan since it seized power in 2021. It’s not only that, Moscow has also removed the group from its list of outlawed organisations. So politically speaking, what has changed between these two countries and what informs Russia’s change of heart, and what exactly does this recognition mean f...

Today, the defence team and members of the Pretoria High Court, including judge Ratha  Mokgoatlheng were in Vosloorus to inspect the areas where one of the five accused Muzi Sibiya was allegedly assaulted. To give us an update in terms of how that inspection went, we are joined by… GUEST: Pearl Magubane. SABC News reporter

As tributes continue to pour in for the man nicknamed “The Cat”, we are joined by Vusi Shongwe who once worked very closely with former Deputy President David Mabuza. Sometime in 2015 Shongwe served as acting Premier of Mpumalanga while the late David Mabuza was on sick leave. GUEST: Vusi Shongwe, former MEC for Community Safety and currently serves as the Provincial Chairperson of SAN...

“ATM MP, Vuyo Zungula explains why his party wants to change South Africa’s official name to the republic of Azania”. GUEST: Vuyo Zungula, Leader of the ATM Party in Parliament

The South African Police Services says it is encouraged after receiving more than 185 000 new applications from South Africans, the majority of whom are women wanting to join the service and be police officers. For more on this, I am joined on the line by…   GUEST: Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, SAPS National Spokesperson

AG: As we continue with our G20 coverage, today we are looking at the work South Africa has to do ahead of the summit in November. Since the country took over the G20 presidency, there have been 13 working groups that met to come up with South Africa's G20 priorities. TL: The G20 working groups are made up of government officials, international organisations and civil society to collectively shape...

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has recommended that Judge Dunstan Mlambo be appointed as the Deputy Chief Justice (DCJ) of the Constitutional Court. Mlambo currently serves as Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court. But what makes someone the best candidate for the DCJ role? We find out from …….   GUEST: Fasiha Hassan, MP & Representative on Judicia...

The African Transformation Movement has confirmed that it will soon table a proposal before parliament to change South Africa’s official name to the Republic of Azania. The party is of the view that the current name, South Africa, should be replaced as part of a broader effort to decolonise the state as it fails to reflect the nation’s indigenous heritage. To share his thoughts on this...

The National Prosecuting Authority has filed a petition with the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), challenging a court ruling that deemed Moroadi Cholota’s extradition unlawful. The organisation believes that there are compelling reasons for the SCA to hear its appeal, they are also of the view that the Free State High Court judge erred in dismissing their application for leave to appeal. To he...

Earlier on, we spoke to Sandra Makoasha, Commissioner at SA Human Rights Commission about a statement the commission released earlier today about healthcare facilities denying people treatment due to their nationality or documentation status. The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa, DENOSA, has a view on this. I am now joined on the line by… GUEST: Simon Hlungwani, DENOSA Presid...

The National Prosecuting Authority has filed a petition with the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), challenging a court ruling that deemed Moroadi Cholota’s extradition unlawful. The organisation believes that there are compelling reasons for the SCA to hear its appeal, they are also of the view that the Free State High Court judge erred in dismissing their application for leave to appeal. To he...

A few days ago, Floyd Shivambu announced the names of the people that will be spearheading the Mayibuye National consultation process. These are the people that will be consulting various communities about launching a new political party. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Mmabatho Mokause, Mayibuye National Chairperson

The National Teachers’ Union, NATU, is not pleased with the announcement of Yali Joyi as the new Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal. NATU General Secretary, Doctor Ngema, joins me on the line to tell us why… GUEST: Doctor Ngema, NATU General Secretary

The South African Human Rights Commission has expressed concern about recent reports suggesting that there are certain healthcare facilities in the country that deny treatment to individuals on the basis of nationality or documentation status. The commission has warned that such practices are not only unethical and unlawful but also inconsistent with South Africa’s obligations under both dom...

US President Donald Trump has announced that Israel has agreed to the conditions of a 60-day Gaza ceasefire and that now it’s up to Hamas to decide if they accept Trump’s proposal. According to Trump, mediators Egypt and Qatar will deliver the final ceasefire proposal. GUEST: Zeenat Adam, Deputy Executive Director @ the Afro-Middle East Centre

The Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI) is worried that many crime incidents particularly the ones occurring on farms and in rural areas are not reported to the South African Police Service. According to SAAI, a comparison between statistics from external stakeholders and SAPS's database reveals shocking discrepancies. To elaborate further on this, we are joined by…. GUEST: Leon Lourens...