The National Pulse

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 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

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...

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...

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 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...

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

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...

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...

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

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

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, 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

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...

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 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...

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...

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

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

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...

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe addressed delegates today at the G20 Critical Mineral Stakeholder meeting in Sandton, north of Johannesburg, Mantashe lamented the importation of raw minerals, which he says further exacerbates poverty and inequality in the country. For more on this, I am joined on the line by…   GUEST: Katlego Legodi, SABC News Economics Reporter

The department of basic education has revealed that some educators in KwaZulu-Natal continue to us corporal punishment in the classroom, despite the ban. While the practice was once permitted under common law, it is public knowledge that corporal punishment in South African schools was legally abolished in 1997. So what should happen to those who continue to employ this illegal practice? GUEST: El...

The United Nations has expressed serious concern about rising hunger in Africa. According to the organisation, worrying projections indicate that by the end of the decade, 60% of the world’s malnourished population will be in Africa. What is even more disturbing is the fact that currently, more than 280 million people across Africa are malnourished. With our continent possessing a wealth of...

Earlier on, Acting Deputy Chief Justice, Mbuyiseli Madlanga, briefed the nation on the Criminal Justice System Inquiry. The South African Policing Union is reacting to the press briefing. I am joined on the line by…   GUEST: Lesiba Thobakgale, South African Policing Union Spokesperson