The National Pulse

ACDP reacts to the Israel-Hamas ceasefire: The party has been very consistent in saying that ‘every sovereign state has the right to defend itself against any form of attack’ and according to them, this right also extends to Israel Guest: Rev Kenneth Meshoe, leader of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP)

KZN’s Social Development Budget Vote: The department outlines its plans in terms of how they’re going to implement various programmes that are aimed at tackling poverty, social protection and social development amongst the poorest of the poor, and the most vulnerable and marginalised. Guest: Nelisiwe Vilakazi, Head of Department for KZN’s Social Development

Yesterday, Israel’s security cabinet voted to approve a tentative cease-fire, after days of fighting with Hamas that claimed hundreds of lives. The truce came into effect this morning. But what guarantees do we have that violence won’t ensue again? We find out from… Guest: Naeem Jeena, Executive Director of the Afro-Middle East Centre

What constitutes the township economy? And how does this informal economy provide unique insights into township informal business and entrepreneurship? How do we measure Informal economies and how much do townships contribute to South Africa's economy? And lastly how can we revive South African's townships after the Covid pandemic? To answer this we're joined on the line by... GUEST: Dr Thami Mazw...

The MEC for Education in KZN, Kwazi Mshengu has tabled the budget for the Department of Education in the province. We speak to MEC Mshengu about some of the challenges and achievements they have registered over the past 2021/22 financial year. Guest: KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education, Kwazi Mshengu

The MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development in KZN, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, officially delivered her third annual Budget Policy Speech at the KZN Legislature in Pietermaritzburg today. We speak to Vusi Zuma the spokesperson for KZN Agriculture and Rural Development who will unpack the major plans by the Department for the 2021/22 financial year... GUEST: Vusi Zuma the spokesperson for KZN Agricul...

As phase two of the vaccination roll-out gets underway, the Pan South African Language Board has criticised the government for not doing enough to ensure COVID-19 information is disseminated in indigenous SA languages. The board says government officials continue to communicate information mainly in English, which often gets lost in translation. GUEST: Xolisa Tshongolo, acting CEO of the Pan South...

Former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke will lead an elections review panel. The review panel is to advise the IEC if polls can go ahead under the current COVID-19 conditions. Prof William Gumede joins us to unpack the results of the 40 by-elections that took place yesterday. The big winner was the ANC as the ruling party managed to retain 27 of the 40 wards it contested. We also speak to IEC...

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has vowed to protect borders with all necessary measures after thousands of migrants swam from Morocco to the bordering Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Monday and Tuesday. Joining us to explain what’s going on is… Guest: Marta Garrich, Commentator of Spanish political affairs

A pupil from Belgravia High School, in Cape Town has been suspended after he set fire to a girl's hair during class. The incident reportedly took place on Monday. To elaborate further on this, we're joined on the line by Millicent Merton, a spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department GUEST: Millicent Merton, a spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department

Northern Cape schools have continued to record an increase in COVID-19 cases. Since the beginning of May, at least 124 positive COVID-19 cases were reported at schools across the province. Some schools have since closed as a result of positive cases GUEST: Northern Cape Education Department spokesperson, Lehuma Ntuane

Medical practitioners are proposing that government increase the R70 administration fee for a COVID-19 vaccination from the private sector. Vaccines will neither pay for the doses, nor the administration fee. Either medical aids or the state will foot the bill. But the South African Medical Association (SAMA) says the R70 fee is too little. GUEST: Dr Angelique Coetzee, chairperson of the South Afr...

Gauteng police have condemned a mob justice incident that left has four people dead in Zandspruit near Honeydew north of Johannesburg. Police spokesperson Kay Makhubele says no arrests have been made. He says police are investigating cases of murder and attempted murder. It's understood a group of nine young men was taken to a local sports ground in the early hours of this morning. The young men w...

Stefanie Fick explains why OUTA is against the allocation of R2.7 billion to SAA subsidiaries. The organisation will soon approach Parliament to convince them to stop the bailout of SAA subsidiaries Guest: Adv Stefanie Fick, Chief Legal Officer, Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse

The Modjadji royal council in Limpopo say it will not backing down on its decision to name prince Lekukela Modjadji as the heir to the Balobedu throne. The council caused a stir last week when it announced that princess Masalanabo would no longer ascend the throne as queen. The council is accusing the ANC's Member of Parliament Dr Mathole Motshekga of sowing divisions and confusion in the monarchy...

Trade union Solidarity is set to file court papers to challenge the Water and Sanitation Department's decision to hire Cuban engineers to assist with the country's water infrastructure. The Union recently filed papers to force the department to disclose information on the employment of the Cuban engineers. GUEST: Solidarity's spokesperson Morne Malan

Pupils in Ivory Park, Tembisa have shut down eight schools after a teacher allegedly raped a Grade 10 pupil. This allegedly took place at Umqele High School. Pupils are demanding for the removal of the educator. GUEST: Mahlako Komane, SABC senior journalist GUEST: Steve Mabona, Spokesperson for the Gauteng Education Department

Tomorrow will see 40 by-elections taking place in 25 municipalities across the country and in a few months’ time, South Africa will hold its local government elections. So joining us to discuss the IEC's state of readiness for upcoming by-elections and local government polls is… Guest: Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Deputy CEO, Masego Sheburi

On World News today, we look at the Africa Finance Summit that is being hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. Several African leaders are attending the summit, including our own President Cyril Ramaphosa. But what can we expect from this Summit and how is Macron’s relationship with some of the African countries? Guest: Professor Gilbert Khadiagala, Professor of International Relations @ Wits

The ANC will oppose an application to lift the temporary suspension of Secretary-General Ace Magashule. The party took this decision this afternoon. GUEST: Pule Mabe, ANC national spokesperson

Public Works Minister, Patricia de Lille, who was scheduled to be the first witness in the Arms Deal fraud and corruption case involving former president Jacob Zuma, says she is relieved that the case is finally resuming. De Lille was the whistle blower and raised the alarm on the issue of the arms deal more than 20 years ago. She was in court today as proceedings were postponed by the Pietermarit...

Leaders of the Mangaung Shutdown protest are calling for the disbandment of the Mangaung Metro Council for its failure to steer the metro in the right direction following its placement under administration. They are also calling for the removal of the city manager, Tankiso Mea whom they accuse of financial mismanagement, unauthorised and wasteful expenditure. Guest: Themba Zweni, Spokesperson of t...

World News: On Saturday, Ethiopian authorities announced the postponement of the country’s parliamentary elections, due to take place next month. The head of the country’s election board said repeated extensions of voters' registration dates, delay in nominating and training of electoral staff as well as delay in printing and distribution of ballots forced the delay Guest: Dr David Matsanga, exper...

Gauteng is now in the midst of a Covid-19 third wave. Premier David Makhura confirmed this during an official opening of a refurbished mining hospital in Carletonville west of Johannesburg. The 181 bed hospital which cost 460-million rand will cater for Covid-19 patients. Makhura says despite the province being in a third wave, there'll be no need to shut down the economy. GUEST: Meisie Lerutla, C...

Parliament’s health portfolio committee has expressed concerns following chaotic scenes that were recently witnessed at Sisonke vaccination sites in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. But what can be done to avoid a repeat of this? Guest: Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health