The National Pulse

Lorraine Botha, education standing committee chairperson in the Western Cape Legislature joins us to share her views and thoughts on why more and more learners are committing suicide in the Western Cape Province. According to her, the figures are worrying and more needs to be done to help the learners. Guest: Lorraine Botha, Education standing committee chairperson in the Western Cape Legislature

The Government Employees Medical Scheme (Gems) and the Board of Healthcare Funders have approached the courts to interdict the public release of an interim report about alleged racial discrimination against doctors by medical schemes. Gems say they have not seen the interim report nor been afforded the opportunity to respond to the serious allegations in the report. GUEST: Dr Stanley Moloabi, Prin...

The Congress of South African Students (Cosas) has threatened to close down all schools that have decided to go against the pronouncement by the Department of Basic Education to postpone the opening of schools. They are arguing that those schools are undermining government’s decisions. Joining us now to elaborate further is….. Guest: Teboho Magafane, Secretary-General of the Congress of South Afri...

World News: On Saturday, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Germany elected Armin Laschet as its new party leader. Laschet is now in a strong position to become the Christian conservatives' candidate in the next general election to be held later this year, since Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she would not run again. But who is Armin Laschet and what does he stand for? Guest: Martin Schäfe...

Zuma’s lawyer Eric Mabuza has just confirmed that the former president won’t be appearing before the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture on Monday, despite a court application compelling him to testify. Zuma’s main argument is that he is still waiting for the Constitutional Court to respond to the commission's application. So legally speaking – what other options can the Zondo Commission purs...

What Influence do films have on our attitudes and behaviour? And why are African countries in western media and films in most cases portrayed as politically unstable, poverty-stricken and violent? While our counterparts, such as the U.S, which over the years has been portrayed as the epitome of democracy, law and order . But recently America's impervious Image of perfection was tarnished by the im...

Meanwhile, the National Alliance of Independent School Associations has also welcomed the decision by the Department of Basic Education to delay the opening of schools. But, the Association says the closure of schools by two weeks will negatively impact their revenue GUEST: Mandla Mthembu, Chairperson of the National Alliance of Independent School Associations

The South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU) has welcomed the decision by the Department of Basic Education to delay the opening of schools. However, the SADTU say they do not agree with the call for educators and School Management Teams to report for duty from the 25th of January, as teachers are vulnerable to the pandemic as the learners. Guest: Nomusa Cembi, Spokesperson for the South A...

The opening of both private and public schools in South Africa has been postponed by two weeks. This was announced earlier today by the Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr Reginah Mhaule. According to her, government took the decision amid fears of rising Covid-19 cases during the second wave. Guest: Dr Reginah Mhaule, Deputy Minister of Basic Education

World News: We look at what’s happening in Scotland post Brexit agreement. Reports coming from that side of the world suggest that fishing industry bodies are up in arms because Brexit border trade agreement is blocking them from getting catches to the EU, their biggest market. Guest on the line (Scotland) Musa Mdunge, Political Analyst based at the University of Dundee, Scotland

Wits scientists, local and global partners have artificially infected mosquitoes with human malaria to advance treatment. The experiment has identified a new chemical compound to treat malaria... GUEST: Professor Lizette Koekemoer, Co-Director at the Wits Research Institute for Malaria

The EFF says local government elections scheduled for later this year should be postponed until 2024 as they can become a super spreader event. Speaking at a virtual media briefing today party leader Julius Malema says outside the dangers presented by the covid 19 pandemic, it does makes sense that the country hold local, provincial and national elections at the same time. GUEST: EFF deputy presid...

ActionSA say calls by the EFF to delay the 2021 local government elections until 2024, "demonstrates a threat of a future ANC/EFF coalition". ActionSA has questioned why the EFF and the Ace Magashule faction of the ANC have reportedly joined forces to delay the elections... GUEST: Herman Mashaba, President of ActionSA

Dr Thobile Mbengashe outlines the objectives of the Eastern Cape government’s plan that is aimed at vaccinating about 3.7 million residents over the next nine months to curb Covid-19 infections. Through this plan, the province is aiming to vaccinate two-thirds of the population by the end of the year. Guest: Dr Thobile Mbengashe, Eastern Cape Premier’s Special Advisor

In conversation with John Steenhuisen on why the Democratic Alliance supports the Western Cape government’s move to acquire vaccines independently. He says South Africa is in a race against time and we need every single vaccine we can get. Guest: John Steeinhuisen, DA Leader

World News: Ugandans are voting today in a presidential election tainted by widespread violence. Long-time President Yoweri Museveni who has wielded power since 1986 seeks a sixth term against a strong challenge from Bobi Wine, a popular musician-turned-opposition lawmaker. Nine other challengers are trying to unseat Museveni. A candidate must win more than 50% to avoid a runoff vote. So what’s th...

The testimony of former Eskom and Transnet chief financial officer Anoj Singh has been postponed. The postponement comes after the legal team of the commission of inquiry into state capture failed to issue a summons for Anoj Singh to appear before the Commission. Singh was found guilty of improper conduct and gross negligence in breaching the code of professional conduct during his time at the two...

With the advent of social media more and more victims of sexual assault and abuse are using the platform to share their stories, at time even outing their attackers by name. Many victims have been empowered by the hashtag MeToo movement, to speak out publicly. Although sharing personal stories about sexual assault is not new, forums like Facebook and Twitter have made the practice easier and more...

A former campaigns co-ordinator and staunch supporter of former Thekwini mayor and ANC KZN MPL, Zandile Gumede, has been shot dead. Sduduzo Magwaza was killed last night in Durban. The motive for the killing is unknown. GUEST: Mzomuhle Dube, a close friend of slain Sduduzo Magwaza

We tackle service delivery challenges at JB Marks Municipality in the North West province. Sanco is greatly concerned about the level of corruption and lack of service delivery in the municipality and they are calling on community leaders and other residents’ associations to join them in this fight in order to bring the city back to its former glory. Guest: General Thekiso, Provincial Convenor of...

World News: On Monday, the Trump Administration reclassified Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism and this has angered Cuba and its allies across the globe with many describing Trump’s latest actions as arrogant, dishonest and morally bankrupt Guest: Father Michael Lapsley, Chairperson of Friends of Cuba Society in Cape Town

Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs is visiting the Beitbridge border post on a fact-finding mission. There have been many challenges experienced at the port of entry, with many travellers crossing the border, some with fake Covid-19 certificates. GUEST: The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Adv Bongani Bongo

Two Malawian Ministers have succumb to COVID-19 in JUST ONE day. Malawi's Local Government Minister Lingson Belekanyama and the Minister of Transport and Public Works Sidik Mia, have died from COVID-19 Tuesday. GUEST: Malawi's Minister of Information, Gospel Kazako

What has become of gang-ridden areas in the Western Cape since the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to assist police in curbing gang related violence in areas such as the Cape Flats? Did the deployment of soldiers stabilise such affected areas? Over the years South Africa has witnessed mass protests against gangsterism and drugs by disgruntled coloured communities in...

We continue our coverage on the financial challenges facing the Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Faith Muthambi has called on stakeholders of Amathole District to find solutions to the financial and budgetary problems contributing to the municipality's inability to pay workers. So what...