The National Pulse

This month marks exactly one year since the Corporation for Deposit Insurance (CODI) was founded. In case you are wondering why we are discussing this, one thing you should know is that CODI is part of South Africa’s financial sector safety net and in the event of a bank failure, it protects the most exposed or most vulnerable bank customers. GUEST: Sabinah Mohammed, CEO of the Corporation f...

This week, US Congressman Troy E. Nehls introduced the Asylum for Farmers and Refugees in Crisis and Necessary Emigration Resettlement Act, which is also known as AFRIKANER Act. The Act will grant Priority-2 refugee status to residents of South Africa who are members of the Afrikaner ethnic minority group, particularly those who feel ill treated by the government post the introduction of the expro...

In our case, the B20 is co-chaired by Business Unity South Africa and Business Leadership South Africa. Its primary objective is to deliver concrete actionable policy recommendations on priorities by each rotating presidency to inject economic growth and development. But most importantly it consolidates the voices of global business leaders in their attempts to finding solutions on matters pertain...

Yesterday, Parliament eventually confirmed the passing of the controversial budget with 194 members voting for it and 182 voting against. With the DA opting to file court papers challenging Parliament's passing of the Budget Fiscal Framework, questions are swirling about as to whether this signals the end of the Government of National Unity. Professor Steven Friedman, Political Analyst from the Un...

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi is not happy about the acquittal of Nigerian pastor, Timothy Omotoso, on rape and human trafficking charges. Her concerns stem from apparent shortcomings in the prosecution’s handling of the case and she has requested a comprehensive report from the national director of public prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi, to u...

what did yesterday’s narrow adoption of the fiscal framework in the National Assembly demonstrate to the ANC? Taking into consideration there was no support from one of their partners in the GNU, the DA. To answer this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Mdumiseni Ntuli, ANC Chief Whip

In conversation with DIRCO about their recent visit to the United States of America. We understand that during their visit, the delegation advanced discussions originally initiated by the former U.S Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool. They also addressed the perception that the South African government’s policies are designed to violate the human rights of minorities in post apartheid South Africa. T...

Earlier today, the Public Service Commission held a press briefing on the Quarterly Bulletin titled “The Pulse of the Public Service”, which looked at various issues pertaining to the public sector (from January to March this year). I must indicate that two issues grabbed our attention; one, the issue of whistleblowers: the commission is calling for the establishment of the whistleblow...

U.S President Donald Trump has announced sweeping tariffs on goods from countries around the world and additional reciprocal tariffs for dozens of countries that he described as bad actors. South Africa was not spared as Trump imposed a 30% rate. President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted with concern the newly imposed tariffs on South Africa, saying that the latest tariffs serve as a barrier to trade an...

Controversial Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, have been acquitted of all charges, including rape and human trafficking, against them. The High Court in Gqeberha made it very clear that the state failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. GUEST: Lerato Fekisi, SABC News reporter based in the Eastern Cape

Members of Parliament are expected to vote on the 2025 fiscal framework and revenue proposals. It is public knowledge that most political parties, including the Democratic Alliance are against the proposed increase in the VAT rate by 0.5 percentage points. But are we likely to witness any surprises inside Parliament? For more on this, let’s speak to our reporter…….. GUEST: Zale...

Earlier today, Dr Kgosientso Ramokgopa held a press briefing where he announced that government will reach out to the private sector about the construction of transmission lines through the Independent Transmission Programme, a move that will add at least 3000 megawatts of energy to the national grid. Chris Yelland did attend the briefing and he joins us now to share his thoughts on this latest de...

Women for Change, in coalition with multi-sectoral stakeholders, including activists, businesses, and civil society organisations, will gather at the Union Buildings next week to demand that the South African government declare Gender-Based Violence and Femicide a National Disaster. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Bulelwa Adonis, Women for Change Spokesperson

The national budget has become the point of contention among political parties with one of the reasons being the proposal of a 0.5 percent value-added tax increase from May. The ANC is confident of securing adequate consensus to pass the fiscal policy framework in the parliamentary portfolio committee today, as well as in the sitting of Parliament tomorrow. For more on this, I am joined on the lin...

The DA on the other hand remain opposed to any VAT increases proposed in the national budget, a position which has hit the Government of National Unity with severe turbulence. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Karabo Khakhau, DA National Spokesperson

As South Africa continues to search for sound solutions in order to tackle the ongoing water challenges. CHIETA CEO Yershen Pillay says the chemical industries have the power to solve the water scarcity problem in the country. According to him, a new approach with innovative, long-term, sustainable solutions is required to address the problem of water scarcity and the escalating water crisis. Pill...

Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally in France has been found guilty of misappropriation of public funds and barred from running for office for five years. She has also been sentenced to four years in prison, two of which were commuted to wearing an electronic monitoring device. The big question is - will she ever recover from this scandal and how will yesterday’s court ruli...

The tragic rape of seven-year old Cwecwe has fuelled nationwide outrage, with several marches taking place across the country today. Many activists are saying now is the time to unite in action against the violence perpetrated against women and children. Joining us to discuss the significance of today’s march is …… Mthobisi Mkhaliphi, SABC News Reporter in Mpumalanga Mariska Bo...

AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit put out a statement rejecting with contempt any suggestion that the unit is protecting a suspected rapist from investigation. The unit does however confirm they represent Jaco Pieterse, Principal of Bergview College in Matatiele. What exactly are they representing him for? Barry Bateman, Spokesperson for the AfriForum Private Prosecution Unit joins me on...

Guest: Vuyiseka Mboxela

aQuellé is classified a natural spring water - it is not chemically treated and bottled in its original purity. aQuellé is registered with the South African National Bottled Water Association (SANBWA) and adheres to their stringent standards. aQuellé also has 10 fruity sparkling flavours to choose from. Guest: Sharon Combrink - Marketing Manager 

Shaheda Omar, Clinical Director of the Teddy Bear Foundation joins me on the line now to talk about the kind of support the family and the victim will need to deal with such cases, particularly now that it is one of the biggest talking points in the country... GUEST: Shaheda Omar, Clinical Director: Teddy Bear Foundation

What does the law say about handling such cases in order to protect the best interest of the child? What is the media’s responsibility when it comes to publishing the child’s name and pictures? To shed some light on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: William Bird, Media Monitoring Africa Director

Umkhonto weSizwe Party member, Bonginkosi Khanyile is currently leading the “Where Is My Vote” walk, which is a 14 hour walk to the Constitutional Court that will see him submitting a memorandum regarding last year’s election results. This as the party believes that last year’s general elections were rigged. GUEST: Bonginkosi Khanyile, member of the MK Party

Let’s now tell you more about the upcoming Africa Children’s Summit, which is dedicated to amplifying voices of children across the continent, ensuring their active participation in shaping their future. The event will bring together 1,300 children from all five African regions to discuss pressing issues affecting their well-being. Joining us to outline the objectives of this Bi-Annual...