The National Pulse

Earlier on I spoke to Joburg Finance MMC, Margaret Arnolds, about the proposed plans to increase the prepaid electricity surcharge from R200 to R270 a month. Action SA has Rejected what it calls the Anti-Poor Adjustment Budget Due to R230 Electricity Surcharge. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Mpumi Edward, Action SA Councillor and Section 79 chairperson for finance in t...

The Teacher Preferences and Job Satisfaction in South Africa report, with findings based on a nationwide survey of over 1 500 teachers, complemented by follow-up telephonic interviews with 80 teachers, has revealed startling findings. To get a reaction to the latest study by the University of Stellenbosch, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Nomusa Cembi, SADTU Media Officer

A joint memorial service for the three police constables whose bodies were retrieved from the Hennops River in Centurion last week took place at Bobbies Park in Bloemfontein today. National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae were expected to attend the service. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Kamohelo Tsotetsi, SABC News Re...

The Democratic Alliance is challenging the Employment Equity Amendment Act at the High Court in Pretoria today. The court action argues that the Employment Equity Act is both unfair and unconstitutional. SABC News reporter, Sibahle Motha, was in court for today’s proceedings and she joins me on the line to give us a report on what happened in court today… GUEST: Sibahle Motha, SABC Ne...

  As we continue to bring you more coverage of South Africa’s G20 Presidency. We are now joined by Professor Bonang Mohale, following the launch of the Values20 (V20) that took place this morning under the theme ‘Living Values: Enabling Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainable Development’. The V20 aims to support the G20 agenda by raising awareness of values and fostering cons...

The Joburg Council has provided more clarity on the proposed plans to increase the prepaid electricity surcharge from R200 to R270 a month, saying there will be no such. This after several reports indicated that the City intended to increase the surcharge. The issue recently sparked widespread backlash from Joburg residents. For more clarity on this, we are joined by….. GUEST: Margaret Arno...

The International Court of Justice has dismissed a case brought by Sudan, accusing the United Arab Emirates of breaching the genocide convention by arming and funding the rebel paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in the deadly Sudanese civil war. The court rejected Sudan’s request for emergency measures and ordered the case be removed from its docket. So what now for Sudan and the ongoing conf...

Earlier on, there were reports that 300 EMPD officers who embarked on an “illegal strike” and blocked highways on the 19th of March 2025 were issued with pre-dismissal letters. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Nkosana Gould, SAMWU Shop Steward Guest: Phakamile Mbengashe, Ekurhuleni Spokesperson  

    Last week Sunday, a fire broke out at Riverlea High School, destroying 11 classes. Four of the destroyed classrooms were actively used by Grade 8 learners. With learners going back to school today, what’s the plan for the Grade 8 learners and any other learners affected? For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Steve Mabona, Gauteng Education Spokesperson &nb...

The Senzo Meyiwa trial resumed in the High Court in Pretoria today. You may recall that It was postponed last month to allow Advocate Charles Mnisi to complete preparations for accused number one, Muzi Sibiya’s defense. However, we understand that Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has postponed the matter to May 19 for further cross examination of the lead investigating officer in the murder case, Br...

Tensions continue to grow within the government of national unity. Several reports suggest that some ANC MPs have expressed their concerns about the party’s indecisiveness on the DA’s participation in the Government of National Unity. It is widely reported that some party members raised their dissatisfaction about the DA’s recent court challenge of the employment equity amendment...

We unpack the International Court of Justice’s ruling on Sudan’s urgent request for provisional measures against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sudan has been arguing that the UAE’s alleged support for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), amounts to aiding and abetting genocide.   GUEST: (Uganda): Dr David Matsanga, International Relations & Conflict Resolution...

Today we are joined by Brand Pretorius, who is widely known for his outstanding and immense contribution to the motor industry. Over the years, Brand successfully built a strong reputation as a knowledgeable speaker on matters pertaining to leadership, business and particularly the motor industry. In 2011, he retired as CEO of the McCarthy Motor Group after having spent 38 years in the motor indus...

Dwain Ponsonby, a councillor in the City of Joburg says it is time to speak out against the senseless killings and gun violence in and around the Eldorado Park community. A few years ago, the councillor said Eldorado Park is in a state of disaster, with the high levels of crime. Dwain Ponsonby, a councillor in the Eldorado Park area joins me on the line to tell us more about what is happening in E...

Kelly Smith and her co-accused have been convicted of kidnapping and trafficking Joshlin Smith. The Western Cape High Court has found that the state proved beyond reasonable doubt that Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn sold the then six -year-old. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Gugu Xaba, Save The Children South Africa

Some of you may be or may not be aware that last month was World Autism Acceptance Month. Our guest, Sisanda Maqina is disappointed that not much noise was made to raise awareness about persons with Autism. She is challenging South Africans to understand the daily lives of people living with Autism. GUEST: Sisanda Maqina, founder and Chairperson of Autistic Gifted and Awesome NPO  

Let’s move to KZN now where civil society organisations, together with some political parties led a march to Durban City Hall, demanding urgent government action to protect employment in the country and also reminding authorities that foreigners are a contributing factor to high unemployment in the country. GUEST: Kenny Kunene, Deputy President for Patriotic Alliance  

Protest over SA job Crisis: Is it fair to always blame foreign nationals for South Africa’s unemployment crisis? To respond to this is…..   GUEST: Bongani Mazwi Mkhwanazi, Executive Secretary for Media and Publicity for Africa Diaspora Forum

Buang Basadi organised a prayer session in Bloemfontein today to comfort families who are battling to find closure after 3 police officers lost their lives in Centurion while travelling to Limpopo last week. SABC News Reporter, Kamo Tsotetsi, was at the prayer session and joins me on the line… GUEST: Kamo Tsotetsi, SABC News Reporter

Police have found the car of the three Constables whose bodies were found this week at the Hennops River in Centurion. To give us a wrap on this tragic story is….. GUEST: Monique Lewis, SABC News reporter

A fire beneath the M1 South in the Johannesburg CBD disrupted traffic on the highway earlier today. City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services and Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department were on the scene. To get an update on what was happening there, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Robert Mulaudzi, Joburg EMS Spokesperson

We unpack the outcomes of the T20 Africa High Level Dialogue which was recently held under the theme “Strengthening African Agency in the G20 within the Emerging Global Order”. The event concluded yesterday and it was attended by policymakers, leading African think tanks, academics and international experts. One of those experts is Dr Olayinka Ajala from Leeds Beckett University. GUEST...

South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) marked the International Workers’ Day with a rallying cry for solidarity against government austerity measures, proposed labour law amendments, and the widening inequality gap. For more on this, I am joined in the line by… GUEST: Zwelinzima Vavi, SAFTU General Secretary

As we celebrate May Day. We chat to Professor Mthunzi Mdwaba and our discussion focuses on the challenges facing the working class in South Africa and what needs to be done legislation wise to address them. Our theme for today is “31 Years of Freedom and Democracy - What’s the state of the working class in South Africa”. One of the key issues that a democratic South Africa needs...

Renowned labour analyst and educator, Terry Bell reflects on trade unionism and politics in South Africa, and is of the view that the future of trade unions is uncertain as the union movement is weaker today and more fragmented. GUEST: Terry Bell, Labour analyst & Educator