The National Pulse

Action SA has formally submitted an application last week, in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), to obtain the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (IPID) report on the theft that took place at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Michael Beaumont, Action SA National Chairperson

Former minister in Nelson Mandela’s cabinet and former general secretary of Cosatu, Mr Jay Naidoo shares thoughts on “31 years of democracy: what next for South Africa and how do we ensure that we don’t fail those who fought and died for the freedom and democracy that we enjoy today”. GUEST: Jay Naidoo, Author, activist & former General Secretary of Cosatu

In a surprising turn of events. Police have confirmed that a fourth body has been recovered as the search for the missing police officers took a twist this morning. Police national spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe has also revealed that the identities of the three bodies that were retrieved from the Hennops river in Centurion have not yet been confirmed. GUEST: Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, Poli...

Last week, you may have listened to our interview with Salman Khan, following the attack on civilian tourists in Kashmir. Well, today we are joined by someone who is based in New Delhi who will give us an update and to a certain extent India’s perspective in terms of how the country’s authorities are handling this matter and what informed their initial response post the attack. What we...

South Africa’s iconic musical group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo joins us to talk about their musical journey as they are celebrating their 65th anniversary in the music industry. The multi-award winning group was formed in 1960 by the late Dr Joseph Shabalala and they are known for their powerful isicathamiya performances. As part of celebrating this incredible milestone, the group will embark...

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane confirmed that a fire broke out at Riverlea High School on Sunday evening, 27 April 2025, destroying 11 classrooms. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Steve Mabona, Gauteng Education Spokesperson

National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, says they have issued a reward of R350 000 to anyone who has information that will lead to a breakthrough in the disappearance of three police constables. The three missing police constables disappeared on Wednesday while travelling to Limpopo for their deployment. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Brigadier Athlenda...

he Border Management Authority executed one of its most extensive deployments to date across all 71 Ports of Entry during this year’s Easter period. This was revealed by the organisation’s commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato earlier today. According to him, the organisation’s officials managed to intercept and detain over 6000 individuals who were attempting to enter the country il...

As we continue to observe Freedom Day. We chat to Nombulelo Malinga, a young entrepreneur who joins us to discuss ‘a new kind of freedom’ that has allowed her to actively shape her career. According to her, South Africa’s political liberation alone is not enough and it is incomplete without social, economic and environmental freedom. She joins us now to elaborate further on this...

The Western Cape High Court has ruled that a proposed increase in the Value Added Tax rate be suspended. The court order also sets aside the adoption by the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces of the report of the standing and select committees of finance of the fiscal framework. So what lessons can be learned from the budget debacle going forward? GUEST: Khaya Sithole, Indepen...

Today we chat to Professor Thenjiwe Meyiwa who was recently appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mpumalanga. Those who know her well always argue that her leadership skills and spirituality are the two outstanding qualities that make her unique. Another interesting thing about her is that she is a National Research Foundation rated scholar with extensive experience in higher e...

This week was a defining moment in the history of the North-West University after the launch of the North-West University Desmond Tutu School of Medicine. This was a profound moment for North-West University as the institution launched and named the North-West University School of Medicine. Professor Petra Bester, Research Director at the University of the North West joins me on the line to tell u...

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has apologised to Bergview College principal, Jaco Pieterse, for falsely identifying him as a suspect in the alleged rape of a child that attends the school in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape. In a letter to AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit, Mchunu says he has “human and personal empathy” for Pieterse and any other person “wrongly fingered&rdq...

AfriForum has just confirmed that Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu has apologised to Bergview College principal, Jaco Pieterse, for falsely identifying him as a suspect in the alleged rape of Cwecwe. The organisation’s private prosecution unit has welcomed Mchunu’s apology, also emphasising the importance of following due process when handling sensitive matters. For more on this, we are j...

As tomorrow marks World Intellectual Property Day. We look at the significance of Intellectual Property in fostering innovation and economic growth, also recognising how Intellectual Property has shaped the music industry and beyond. GUEST: Stephen Hollis, is a Partner @Adams and Adams, specialising in Intellectual Property  

The United Nations has urged both India and Pakistan to show maximum restraint and avoid any further deterioration following a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir. Reacting to this week’s deadly attack, New Delhi announced a series of sanctions against Pakistan. On the other hand, Islamabad has denied any involvement, calling attempts to link Pakistan to the attack frivolous and vowed to re...

Post the budget impasse. Dr Ralph Mathekga argues that the undeniable message is that the status quo can no longer be sustained as we need to protect our economy from losing its competitiveness and productive capacity. GUEST: Dr Ralph Mathekga, The Speakers Firm’s thought leader in politics and economics, and a senior expert at the Lichtenstein based Geopolitical Intelligence Services (GIS)...

The DA, through a statement released late yesterday, confirmed reports that lawyers acting for the Minister of Finance approached their lawyers proposing an out-of-court settlement, in the matter the DA brought to interdict the VAT increase scheduled for May 1st 2025. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Karabo Khaukhau, DA National Spokesperson

The ACDP is another political party that welcomed Treasury’s announcement to rescind the proposed 0.5% VAT increase. ACDP is one of the parties that voted against the Fiscal Framework Revenue Proposals on the second of April 2025. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Wayne Thring, ACDP MP

Action SA on the other hand have been saying, even though they voted for the Fiscal Framework Revenue Proposals, there will be no VAT hike. Today the party called Treasury’s announcement, a victory for South Africa. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Michael Beaumont, Action SA National Chairman

Build One South Africa stated this morning that, despite a well-funded misinformation campaigns designed to discredit them, the party refused to be distracted or derailed in stopping the 0.5% point VAT hike. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, BOSA Deputy Leader

The ANC held a joint media briefing this morning with the Inkatha Freedom Party, Action-SA, Pan Africanist Congress, Rise Mzansi, BOSA, United Democratic Movement, Good Party, Al-Jamah as well as the Patriotic Alliance on the Fiscal Framework Revenue impasse. The media briefing communicated the outcomes of the parties’ discussions to resolve the fiscal framework. For more on this, I am joine...

The Freedom Front Plus released a statement earlier today stating that the party opposed any form of tax increase and welcomed the decision to scrap the proposed VAT increase. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Dr. Corne Mulder, Freedom Front Plus Leader

The party has criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, arguing that he is not a legitimate president. Earlier on today, members of the MK Party staged a picket outside the Union Buildings in Pretoria, voicing out their disapproval of Zelenskyy’s visit. Joining us to elaborate further on why they didn’t want Zelenskyy to come...

Following the National Treasury’s decision to scrap the 0.5 percentage point VAT increase. The Economic Freedom Fighters have called for Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and the Director General of the National Treasury to resign with immediate effect as they believe that the entire budget fiasco clearly demonstrated that both of them are out of depth and pose a threat to the economy stabil...