The National Pulse

Yesterday, Stats SA released its Quarterly Labour Force Survey showing the country's official unemployment rate rose to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2025, up 1 percentage point from the previous quarter. We heard from the youth and labour unions on this so today, we invited an economist to weigh in on the numbers. I am now joined on the line by… GUEST: Xhanti Payi, Senior Economist at PWC

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department has impounded at least 15 delivery bikes and arrested 10 foreign nationals for contravention of the Immigration Act. For more on this, I am joined on the line by…   GUEST: Xolani Fihla, JMPD Spokesperson

Yesterday, a group of Metsimaholo (Sasolburg) residents in the Free State started picketing against Sasol in the area, claiming that the giant energy company is overlooking locals for jobs and procurement opportunities. The protest started in the morning and the police had to be called in to restore order after traffic was blocked, creating chaos in the northern Free State area. To get more on thi...

The EFF wrote a letter to Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, regarding reports of the awarding of the National Lottery operating licence to Gold Rush Consortium. The EFF says this was done unlawfully. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Sinawo Thambo, EFF National Spokesperson  

Tanya Jakeni’s journey to excellence   Have you ever encountered someone who excels in everything? Well Tanya Jakeni might just be one of those people as she was one of the notable winners in this year’s Gauteng Women’s Excellence Awards. She was recognised with an award in the “Girl Child” category, having successfully represented her school (Bertharry English P...

How significant is Donald Trump’s Middle East trip? During his visit to Saudi Arabia yesterday, U.S President Donald Trump secured deals that strengthen America’s economic competitiveness and global influence and it didn’t end there as he also announced that his administration intends to lift sanctions on Syria now that the Assad regime is no longer in power. He also revealed tha...

With South Africa continuing to grapple with high unemployment rate. Neil Coleman from the Institute for Economic Justice argues that we need to change our approach in order to reverse this catastrophe. Currently 12.7 million people remain unemployed, which simply means that our country has one of the highest jobless rates globally.  GUEST: Neil Coleman, Senior Policy Specialist at the Instit...

Africa CEO Forum   Let’s now tell you more about the #AfricaCEOForum that is currently underway in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The event serves as a platform for multinational CEOs on the continent, investors and government leaders, to gather and conduct high-level meetings on innovation and business ideas. Yesterday during the Presidential Panel, President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke glowingly abo...

Earlier on, I spoke to Statistician General, Risenga Maluleke about the latest unemployment stats. As things stand, unemployment in South Africa has increased by a 1% in the first quarter of 2025, with the economy shedding 291 000 jobs. To get some reaction on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Co-ordinator

The East London Magistrates Court has ruled that controversial Nigerian pastor, Timothy Omotoso, can stay in South Africa for now. The televangelist appeared in court earlier today, facing immigration-related charges. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Lubabalo Dada, SABC News Reporter in the Eastern Cape

According to the latest “Perceptions of Democracy Index”, South Africa ranks 7th among countries viewed most positively by the global community. The index summarises attitudes toward democracy, geopolitics and global power players. Interestingly the US is becoming less popular globally. GUEST: Phumzile Van Damme, Tech & Society Consultant & former MP

As you heard from the Statistician General that young people remain vulnerable in the labour market, I guess the big question is - are we failing our youth? GUEST: Thapelo Maleke, President of the Youth Chamber of Commerce

According to Stats SA, the country’s unemployment rate has increased by 1% to reach 32.9%. The organisation has also revealed that young people remain vulnerable in the labour market, with the total number of unemployed youth having increased by 151 00 to 4.8 million. Joining us to unpack the latest numbers is…… GUEST: Risenga Maluleke, Statistician General & head of Stats...

Food producer, Tiger Brands has offered to compensate listeriosis victims. This is a huge development considering the fact that this case has dragged on for years. Some of you may recall that in 2017, more than 200 people died following a listeriosis outbreak. Richard Spoor Inc. played a pivotal role in assisting the affected families during a protracted legal process and they join us now to react...

Last night, a plane carrying 49 South African Afrikaners departed for the United States under US President Donald Trump’s offer for the “discriminated” South African individuals and families to relocate. How did we get here, what does this mean for the relations between the two countries, and, is there something bigger at play here? Sophie Mokoena, SABC International News Editor,...

Last night, a plane carrying 49 South African Afrikaners departed for the United States under US President Donald Trump’s offer for the “discriminated” South African individuals and families to relocate. Spokesperson for the Department of Transport, Collen Msibi, joins me on the line to talk to us about some of the logistics involved to allow this plane to land and leave South Af...

Dysfunction in the Gauteng Department of Health hit home hard for many public sector doctors on 29 April when their overtime payments due for the month went unpaid. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Dr. Cedric Sihlangu, General Secretary of SAMATU

The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) announced its commemoration of International Nurses Day today, with the main national celebration held at Grey’s Tertiary Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Kwena Manamela, General Secretary of DENOSA

We outline the objectives of the annual Trialogue Business in Society Conference. This year’s conference will explore strategic approaches to social investment that remain effective despite the shifting political and economic environment. But, what are some of the hurdles faced by SA businesses, non-profit organisations and government in pursuing meaningful social impact? For more on this, w...

A group of 49 Afrikaners who have been given refugee status by the Trump administration have officially left the country. They will be arriving in the US shortly and they are expected to hold a press conference upon arrival. But, was it wise of them to go there as refugees and what do they stand to gain or lose? For more analysis on this, we are joined by…… GUEST: Professor Loren Lan...

This year marks six years since Professor Mashudu Tshifularo performed the world’s first middle ear transplant, using 3D printed bones. Some often describe him as someone behind many firsts, in 2001 for instance, he was the first black ENT specialist and among the youngest in the country when he was appointed to the Medunsa Department of Otorhinolaryngology and in 2008, he performed a bloodl...

SAPS in KZN held a media briefing this morning to outline their safety plans ahead of tomorrow’s Soweto Derby Cup Final at Moses Mabhida Stadium. To get a sense of what will be happening there tomorrow, I am joined on the line by…   GUEST: Colonel Robert Netshiunda, KZN Police Spokesperson

The United States is working to bring the first group of white South Africans it has classified as refugees to the country early next week, The New York Times reported earlier today, citing officials briefed on the plans and documents obtained by the newspaper. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Sherwin Bryce-Pease -

We learn more about Foundation for Rights of Expression and Equality’s (FREE SA) proposed Power to the People Constitutional Amendment Bill that’s going to be submitted to Parliament at the end of this month. According to the organisation, the proposed bill is aimed at addressing three fundamental flaws in South Africa’s political structure, namely; “an oversized and unacco...

Now that a new Pope has been chosen: What Pope Leo’s election means for the future of the Catholic Church? Some are already speculating that Pope Leo XIV will likely continue his predecessor’s path in his own image. But how much do we know about him in terms of his leadership style?   GUEST: Father Rodney Moss, retired Catholic priest at Archdiocese of Durban & former head of...