The National Pulse

A man identifying himself as Pablo, took to social media platform Tik Tok to take responsibility for leaking shocking videos showing extreme violence and torture perpetrated by Zanzou's nightclub bouncers against patrons who reportedly failed to settle their bills. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Alderman Hannes Coetzee, MMC Community Safety in the City of Tshwane.

As South Africans are keenly waiting for Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to deliver his 2025 Budget Speech tomorrow afternoon. We hear from the Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis as he calls for no cuts to pro-poor grant-funding to municipalities and provinces. GUEST: Geordin Hill-Lewis, Executive Mayor of Cape Town

Stats SA’s latest data shows that South Africa’s unemployment rate has decreased to 31.9% in the fourth quarter of last year - which simply means that the number of employed people increased by 132 000. Employment gains were observed in the formal sector, the informal sector and private households. For more clarity on these latest figures, we are joined by……   GUEST:...

The ANC National Working Committee has made sweeping changes to its provincial structures in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Two provincial secretaries, namely; Bheki Mtolo and TK Nciza will not be part of the newly reconfigured provincial structures. For more on this, we are joined by…… GUEST: Ntebo Mokobo, SABC News senior political reporter

We look at the growing tensions between South Africa and the United States of America over several policy issues. This after four U.S congressmen recently asked President Donald Trump to reconsider South Africa’s eligibility from the African Growth and Opportunities Act. Removal from this trade act would be a major blow to South Africa’s agricultural sector. But what should South Afric...

Earlier today, the Western Cape High Court heard the application by advocacy NGO My Vote Counts, which challenges the constitutionality of the Political Funding Act. The organisation wants the court to declare parts of the Act unconstitutional, arguing that in its current form, the Act undermines the right to transparency and accountability in political party funding. Joining us to elaborate furth...

The water community action network, WaterCAN, recently released a statement on the water situation in Joburg. According to the statement, there’s no water and not enough information. Added to that, there’s inadequate planning which equals to a deluge of anger among residents. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Dr. Ferrial Adam, WaterCAN Executive Manager

The Healthy Living Alliance is looking to the Minister of finance, Enoch Godongwana, to increase the sugar tax levy from 10% to a more meaningful 20%. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Angelika Grimbeek, The Healthy Living Alliance’s Nutrition Programme Manager

Drilling for a borehole has temporarily halted Gautrain services between Park and Rosebank stations. According to the Gautrain Management Agency, investigations have established that  illegal drilling for a borehole was being conducted on a private property above the tunnel. Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, MMC for Community Safety in the City of Joburg City joins me on the line to tell us about the city&...

Cape Town based Imam Muhsin Hendricks, who was often described as the ‘world’s first openly gay imam’, was gunned down in an apparent hit murder in Bethelsdorp, Gqeberha. Dr. Faisal Suliman, South African Muslim Network Chairperson, joins me on the line to react to this shooting… GUEST: Dr. Faisal Suliman, South African Muslim Network Chairperson

According to the latest report that was written by Professor Ivan Turok and Justin Visagie, titled “Striking disparities in employment across South Africa: Evidence from a new spatial database”, South Africa’s eight metros are not evolving in ways that raise productivity and this impedes the country’s national economy. Some of the contributing factors to this are water and...

As the EU leaders are converging in Paris today to discuss possible solutions regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. The United States of America has decided to kick start its own peace process by having direct talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia. This as European and Ukrainian officials worry about being sidelined by Washington in peace talks. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made it clear...

Following Eskom’s public notice, warning the City of Ekurhuleni about extended power cuts due to unpaid electricity bills. The City’s MMC for finance Jongizizwe Dlabathi has revealed that the municipality has lodged a dispute on the amount of money Eskom claims to be owed, also stating that it was unfair for the power utility to issue a notice while still engaging with the city. Dlabat...

  Today we hear from our former Deputy President and former Speaker of the National Assembly, Baleka Mbete. She is someone who needs no introduction really as we all know that her contribution to the country’s liberation struggle says a lot about her resistance, loyalty to the country and leadership qualities. Just like any other politician in this country, who has lived long enough to...

The Ministers of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi and Social Development, Nokuzola Tolashe released a joint statement today announcing an extension to the SASSA cards to Postbank cards process. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Kwena Moloto, Department of Communications & Digital Technologies’ Ministry Spokesperson

Yesterday, I spoke to Puleng Mopeli, from Joburg Water’s Communication and Marketing Department about the water crisis the city is currently facing. Many other areas in South Africa are facing similar struggles. Civil engineer and associate director at NR Aqua, Bulelani Ndebele, joins me on the line to talk about possible solutions for water supply in South Africa… GUEST: Bulelani Nde...

The South African Human Rights Commission’s Gauteng Provincial Office confirms that it has received several complaints concerning unplaced learners in Gauteng for the 2025 academic year. These learners are those who should be attending school, including in schools for learners with special educational needs and centres, but have not been allocated a place in any school yet. Zamantungwa Mbeki...

  MK Party member Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has issued another apology letter, this time around directed to the party’s secretary general Floyd Shivambu after her recent distasteful public remarks which have caused offence, division and disruption within the MK Party. But how genuine is her apology considering the fact that she didn’t sincerely apologise to Floyd the first time aroun...

  In conversation with Lerato Mataboge who was recently elected as the new AU Commissioner for infrastructure and energy by the African Union Executive Council. Prior to this appointment, Lerato championed transformative infrastructure projects across the continent, advocating for sustainable energy and regional connectivity. Interestingly, she currently holds the position of Deputy Director...

Earlier on, I spoke to Samkelo Maseko about the tensions that have escalated within the MK Party after its Parliamentary leader, Dr John Hlophe was allegedly handed a poorly prepared SONA Speech. Dr. Ntsikelelo Breakfast joins me on the line to share his political analysis of what's happening in the MK Party   GUEST: Dr. Ntsikelelo Breakfast, Political Analyst

Not sure if you’ve seen this story but a baboon named Raygun, was killed at a school in Delmas last week. This morning, a second baboon, was spotted and captured on his way to Pretoria. There’s now a reward for any information on what happened to Raygun. To tell us more, I am joined on the line by… Guest: Samanta Stelli, Publicity & Communications Officer at the NSPCA

The Johannesburg High Court has been temporarily closed due to a water shortage. Johannesburg is facing a severe water crisis, with 28 out of 61 reservoirs and towers at critically low levels or completely without water. … joins me on the line to talk about this water crisis and shed light on when can Joburg residents expect things to be sorted out… GUEST: Puleng Mopeli, from Joburg...

We hear from the newly elected President of the Minara Chamber of Commerce, Ebrahim Patel. According to Patel, members of the Chamber can look forward to an array of opportunities as he intends to expand its influence and strategic partnerships. GUEST: Ebrahim Patel, President of the Minara Chamber of Commerce

U.S President Donald Trump has spoken to both Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky about the possibilities of achieving peace. According to Trump, Putin agreed that Washington and Moscow will immediately engage in direct negotiations aimed at ending the Ukraine-Russia conflict. So, should we be optimistic that peace may finally prevail in that part of the world? For more on thi...

We understand that tensions have escalated within the MK Party after its Parliamentary leader, Dr John Hlophe was allegedly handed a poorly prepared SONA Speech. Also it is public knowledge that some members of the party are reportedly jostling for power. It’s been a year and two months since the party was formed - how should we characterise its trajectory so far? For more on this, we are jo...