The National Pulse

In conversation with the Freedom Front Plus as they recently voted against the Fiscal Framework and the party is convinced that raising VAT is not viable. They are suggesting that the proposed 0.5% VAT increase must be postponed. GUEST: Wouter Wessels, FF Plus MP

Earlier on I spoke to … about this morning’s events at the Walter Sisulu University's Nelson Mandela Drive campus in Mthatha. It was reported that four students were allegedly shot by a staff member, with one unfortunately losing their life. GUEST: Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, SAPS Spokesperson in the Eastern Cape

Thobile Ngcamphalala became the second Black South African female to graduate with a Master’s degree in Topology with Distinction at Rhodes University. Dr. Phethiwe Matutu, the Chief Executive Officer of Universities South Africa was the first to achieve this milestone 33 years ago. Thobile Ngcamphalala joins me on the line to tell us more about her journey… GUEST: Thobile Ngcamphalal...

Gabon recently held its first presidential election since the 2023 coup that ended the Bongo family’s 55-year rule. Junta chief Brice Oligui Nguema won the country’s presidential election with over 90% of the vote. Interestingly, the AU’s established norm prohibits coup leaders from contesting post coup elections. So does it mean that Nguema’s election won’t be recogn...

The Walter Sisulu University has suspended all operations for the day, following a tragic incident at its main campus in Mthatha. According to reports, a university employee allegedly opened fire on students during the violent protest, leaving one dead and three injured. According to the SRC, students were protesting against the poor state of their campus residence. GUEST: Nomzwanele Mngoma, SABC...

Researchers from South Africa and China have set a new world record in quantum communication. With their combined efforts, they successfully connected the two countries over 12, 900km in an experiment conducted in October last year. GUEST: Dr Yaseera Ismail, Head of the QuPhotonics Lab @Stellenbosch University within the Physics Department

Earlier on, I spoke to SABC International News Editor, Sophie Mokoena about former deputy finance minister, Mcebisi Jonas, being named as special envoy, not ambassador, to the US by President Cyril Ramaphosa. We will now get reaction from… GUEST: Herman Mashaba, Action SA

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme has issued a statement urging  students who have received R10,800 designated for accommodation allowances to settle their outstanding payments with their landlords as soon as possible. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Ishmael Mnisi, NSFAS Spokesperson

Save South Africa Civic Movement accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of 'lacking agility' amid souring SA-US relations. What do they now make of the appointment of former deputy finance minister, Mcebisi Jonas, as special envoy, not ambassador, to the US? To share with us the civic movement’s views on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Sydney Monnakgotla, President: Save South Afr...

Earlier today, the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg began the inquest into the deaths of former ANC President, Chief Albert Luthuli and Human Rights Lawyer, Griffiths Mxenge. Joining us to provide more details on the reopening of the case and its significance is…… GUEST: Canny Maphanga, SABC News reporter…

Have you ever asked yourself as to which political party would you vote for if President Cyril Ramaphosa was removed as president of the country and a new election was called? According to the findings of the latest survey that was recently published by the Social Research Foundation, the ANC would sit just above 20% without Cyril Ramaphosa as its leader, and this would place it as the second larg...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former deputy minister of finance Mcebisi Jonas as South Africa’s Special Envoy to the United States of America. Jonas is entrusted with the responsibility to advance South Africa’s diplomatic, trade and bilateral priorities. For more reaction on this important appointment, we are joined by…… GUEST: Sophie Mokoena, SABC News Interna...

Gun Free South Africa has welcomed the proposed amendments under the private security industry regulation act, which will impose stricter limitations on using firearms by private security companies. However, the private security companies have warned that the proposed restrictions threaten the operational effectiveness of security companies. Let’s hear from Gun Free SA on why they think this...

The ANC’s Study Group on International Relations and Cooperation has criticised the recent visit to Israel by members of the Democratic Alliance, the Patriotic Alliance and the African Christian Democratic Party, arguing that their visit constitutes a clear endorsement of Israel’s policies. For more on this, we are joined by…… GUEST: Supra Mahumapelo, Chairperson of the A...

    African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association released a statement today welcoming new drone and body-cam technology that will be used by the Border Management Authority and Home Affairs to safeguard some of South Africa’s ports of entry. Despite welcoming the technology, the association feels this is not enough. To tell us why this is not enough and what else should be done, I...

Professor Michael Rudolph from UJ helps us understand the challenges of hunger among students in higher education in South Africa. According to Stats SA, our country has been experiencing high levels of food and nutrition insecurity in recent years. Food has become expensive and inaccessible to many people, including students in institutions of higher learning. So how best should South Africa tack...

KwaZulu-Natal is bracing for an exceptionally busy Easter weekend, with traffic volumes expected to surge to more than 1,500 vehicles per hour at tollgates across the province starting next Thursday. In response, the provincial government has launched a massive road safety operation, deploying over 950 law enforcement officers to ensure road safety. For more on this, I am joined on the line by&hel...

Let’s move to Zimbabwe now where government authorities have begun the process of compensating white farmers who were negatively affected by the country’s land reform programme. Between 2000 and 2001, thousands of white farmers were forcibly removed from their land under a contentious government initiative that was aimed at rectifying historical injustices from the colonial era. So how...

Earlier today, the Electoral Commission in KwaZulu-Natal launched the Schools Democracy Programme Focus Week. According to the commission, the main aim of the project is to deepen the understanding of electoral democracy and the importance of youth participation in election processes. Joining us to elaborate further on this is…… GUEST: Moagisi Sibanda, General Manager for civic and d...

    The Border Management Authority will deploy four high-tech drones and 40 body-worn cameras at various border posts and ports of entry over the Easter period to address illegal crossings. Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Leon Schreiber, made the announcement during a joint media briefing with the the Border Management Authority in Pretoria on the authority’s operational plans for the...

Amnesty International has just released a new report on sexual violence committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan. The report shows that the RSF have carried out widespread conflict-related sexual violence, including rape, gang rape and sexual slavery across towns and villages in Sudan. For more on the outcomes of the report, we are joined by…..   GUEST: Sarah Jackson, Amnes...

The Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Dr. Nasiphi Moya delivered her State of the City Address earlier today at the Tshwane House Council Chamber. The mayor now joins me on the line to share some of the key take outs from the address… GUEST: Dr. Nasiphi Moya, Executive Mayor of Tshwane

    The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has reopened the inquests into the deaths of ANC leader Chief Albert Luthuli and human rights lawyer Griffiths Mxenge. According to apartheid regime’s records, Luthuli was killed after being hit by a train in 1967 in Groutville, north of Durban, while Mxenge was brutally stabbed 45 times in 1981 in Umlazi near Durban. Both inquests are s...

South African mental health advocate Ncazelo Mlilo has been internationally recognised at the prestigious Women Changing the World Awards. She walked away with two global awards and a prestigious runner up honour. Ncazelo is the co-developer of the Tree of Life Methodology, currently applied in over 60 countries, including the U.S, Australia, Brazil, India, Germany and Canada. GUEST: Ncazelo Mlilo...

    Earlier today, the Commission for Gender Equality, the Human Rights Commission and the CRL Rights Commission outlined their response to what they say are systemic failures in the justice system. Their update comes after the acquittal of Timothy Omotoso brought into sharp focus the plight of GBV victims. Javu Baloyi, Commission for Gender Equality Spokesperson joins me on the line to...