The National Pulse

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has been very consistent in calling for all matric learners to write the same exams. Lesufi is of the view that this will ensure fairness and equality in the education system. Well, today we have invited him to elaborate further on his single exam call…… GUEST: Panyaza Lesufi, Gauteng Premier

Eastern Cape High Court Judge President Selby Mbenenge, who is facing possible impeachment for sexually harassing a young secretary, had even on his own version admitted to “gross misconduct”. This was according to advocate Salomé Scheepers, presenting evidence before the Judicial Conduct Tribunal hearing the case against Mbenenge. Mbekezeli Benjamin, Judges Matter Research and...

Six more bodies of illegal miners were recovered from Stilfontein mine earlier today. Rescue teams pulled the six bodies from Shaft 11 and rescued another eight miners who required medical care. Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu and Gwede Mantashe, the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, were in the Stilfontein area today. SABC News Reporter, Zebilon Maine was in Stilfontein and he joins m...

The one big talking point for everyone looking at the Class of 2024 Matric results is the fact that all provinces achieved a pass rate above 84%. Free State is the best-performing province, with a pass rate of 91%. The Free State Premier, Maqueen Joyce Letsoha-Mathae joins me on the line to talk about this amazing achievement… GUEST: Maqueen Joyce Letsoha-Mathae, Free State Premier

The National Teachers’ Union has expressed concern about the state of readiness for KwaZulu-Natal schools that are set to reopen tomorrow. To tell us more about these concerns, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Doctor Ngema, General Secretary of the National Teachers’ Union  

According to our guest Edwin Naidu, the matric examination serves as an annual reminder of how society celebrates short-term gains that put the country on the road to long-term ruin. He argues that instead of honouring those with distinctions, there should be a probe into why an estimated 300 000 learners annually do not leave with a matric certificate. GUEST: Edwin Naidu, Head of Higher Education...

We look at the pending Gaza truce deal. The latest development is that the United States of America has indicated that a ceasefire deal is on the brink of success while Hamas says talks are progressing well. We also understand that there is a renewed sense of optimism to end the ongoing war in Gaza. So what are some of the factors influencing this latest round of negotiations? GUEST: Thembisa Faku...

The Hawks are investigating as to whether the 28 undocumented Ethiopian nationals that were recently found naked in Sandringham are indeed victims of human trafficking. All 28 of them appeared in court earlier today after being charged with contravening the Immigration Act. For the latest on this, we are joined by….. GUEST: Philani Nkwalase, Hawks spokesperson  

Let’s now celebrate the St Mary’s DSG Class of 2024. The class of 2024 has proven that when young women believe in themselves and are supported by a nurturing environment, they can achieve extraordinary things. This was proven by Saadiya Daya who obtained 7 distinctions. GUEST: Saadiya Daya, St Mary’s DSG Class of 2024

As we celebrate some of the top performers of 2024. The St David’s Marist Inanda Matric Class of 2024 has crowned what was an incredible year of excellence and impact with a stunning set of results in the IEB Matric examinations. The 148 boys who wrote achieved a remarkable 444 distinctions across 21 subjects, and Theo Dreyer got 10 distinctions.   GUEST: Theo Dreyer, St David’s M...

    Education activist Hendrick Makaneta called on the Department of Basic Education to clarify its position regarding the sale of matric results by a private entity. Earlier on, the department’s spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, said the department is investigating this matter. Question is; Is the department simply launching an investigation into this matter enough? Education Activist...

Earlier today, the Competition Commission released the final report of the Fresh Produce Market Inquiry that looked into aspects and features that could impede, restrict or distort competition in the fresh produce market. SABC News Economics Reporter, Katlego Legodi was at the briefing and joins me on the line to share what came out of that media briefing… GUEST: Katlego Legodi, SABC News E...

We continue our focus on the 2024 Matric results and this time around, we put the spotlight on top achieving Matric learners from Redhill School. Redhill is currently the ONLY school in South Africa offering students the option to graduate with either an Independent Examination Board or International Baccalaureate qualification. Two of the top achievers from Redhill School join me on the line&hell...

    Earlier today, Umalusi pronounced on the 2024 end of year National Examination results of the public and private assessment bodies in respect of National Senior Certificate, National Certificate Vocational, NATED report as well as General Education and Training Certificate: Adult Basic Education and Training. Biki Lepota, Umalusi’s Senior Manager for Public Relations and Commun...

Build One South Africa Leader, Mmusi Maimane, caused a bit of stair online when he criticised the 30% pass mark. Earlier today, through his X account, Maimane made another interesting point regarding what he says the DA calls the real pass mark. Mmusi Maimane joins me on the to tell us more about his views GUEST: Mmusi Maimane, BOSA Leader

The Department of Basic Education has launched an investigation into a potential breach of its processes in relation to a possible data breach of the 2024 matric results. According to the department, the State Security Agency and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) have been brought in to look into the matter. For more on this, we are joined by…. GUEST: Elijah Mhlanga,...

The Nigerian Air Force has conceded that close to twenty civilians have been killed in a military air strike in the country’s north-western Zamfara State after being mistaken for criminal gangs. What is so disturbing about this entire story is that a mishap of this nature wasn’t happening for the first time, however though, the airforce has promised an investigation into the matter. Fo...

As you may have heard in the first hour when we were discussing the issue of crime. South Africa is worryingly top of the list when it comes to the issue of crime in Africa. In fact, six cities from our country feature prominently on the latest continental crime stats, with Pietermaritzburg topping the list. So how rife is the issue of crime in Pietermaritzburg, joining us for this discussion is&h...

Anti-immigration group Operation Dudula says it will be deploying its members across the country to schools in a bid to prevent children of foreign nationals being admitted before South Africans. Operation Dudula President, Zandile Dabula joins me on the line to tell us more… GUEST: Zandile Dabula, Operation Dudula President

Law enforcement authorities rescued 15 Ethiopian nationals who were being held against their will in a house in what some reports suggest is Lombardy East and others Sandringham. The Hawks said 11 Ethiopian nationals have been hospitalised while dozens escaped, most naked. SABC News Reporter, Refilwe Mekoa was at the scene and joins me on the line… GUEST: Refilwe Mekoa, SABC News Reporter

Cape Town's beaches, once considered some of the most pristine in the world, are facing growing scrutiny as independent water testing initiative, Project Blue, revealed troubling discrepancies between the City of Cape Town’s claims of safe water quality and the reality on the ground. The City of Cape Town and the DA have criticised the report. Project Blue’s spokesperson, Professor Ant...

The next few days will see the final surge in border movements, with many travellers returning to work and schools set to reopen next week. The Border Management Authority is ready to implement the return phase of its festive season plan at South Africa's 71 ports of entry. Doctor Michael Masiapato, the Commissioner of the Border Management Authority, joins me on the line to tell us more… G...

In conversation with Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi regarding the issue of unemployed medical doctors. Motsoaledi has conceded that there is a shortage of doctors in the country but has also made it very clear that government has no money to hire them. So what’s the way forward regarding this issue? GUEST: Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health

Did you know that South Africa remains the country with the highest crime index in Africa. According to the latest continental crime statistics, six cities from our country feature prominently with Pietermaritzburg topping the list. What is even more disappointing is the fact that even last year, South Africa dominated the top spots. To react to this is…… GUEST: Andy Mashaile, Retire...