The National Pulse

Yesterday, U.S President Donald Trump made a surprise announcement that Israel and the United Arab Emirates have reached a historic peace agreement that will somehow normalise relations in the Middle East. But Palestinian leaders, apparently taken by surprise, denounced it as a 'stab in the back' to their cause. But why did the UAE take this historic decision and why now? Guest: Naeem Jeena – Exec...

On World News today: We look at Somalia’s Sexual Intercourse Related Crimes Bill that has sparked outrage in the East African nation. Some believe that this proposed new bill is deeply flawed and in serious breach of international standards. Once is signed into law, the new Sexual Intercourse Related Crimes Bill would allow forced marriage as long as the family gives their consent Guest: Corlette...

Earlier on today, unemployed graduates marched to the Union Buildings and to different municipalities in the Eastern Cape to highlight the crisis of unemployment. Led by the Unemployed Graduate Movement, the group is of the view that they are deliberately being ignored by the country’s policymakers and according to them, government should invest in research opportunities as another way of creating...

The Bench Marks Foundation says Covid-19 crisis is no excuse for the lack of progress to date, on the prosecutions of police officers who were responsible for the deaths of 34 miners during the Marikana tragedy. This as South Africa will commemorate the upcoming 8th anniversary of the Marikana tragedy at the weekend GUEST: Mr John Capel, Executive Director of the Bench Marks Foundation

We speak to Phil Craig, a co-founder of the Cape Independence Advocacy Group, which has long advocated for the secession or independent state of the Western Cape from the rest of South Africa. GUEST: Phil Craig, A co-founder of the Cape Independence Advocacy Group

MEC Fezeka Nkomonye who is also the chairperson of the Gender Machinery in the Eastern Cape, visited East London’s safe house today to interact with victims and survivors of Gender Based Violence. This as there has been more reports of Gender Based Violence and Femicide incidents during the lockdown period Guest: Fezeka Nkomonye, MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture in the Eastern Cape

MEC for Community Safety in KwaZulu-Natal, Bheki Ntuli joins us to discuss the objectives of the provincial turnaround strategy that is aimed at combating crime and taxi violence in the province. To-date 47 taxi violence cases have resulted in convictions, 48 cases are currently on the Court rolls and more than 449 cases are under investigations. Guest: Bheki Ntuli, MEC for Transport, Community Sa...

BSS: Is Eskom doing enough for Transformation? Well opposition parties don't seem to think so. This after the power utility appointed former Edcon CFO Richard Vaughan as the Eskom's general manager for treasury. Critics of the appointment say this is anti-transformation, as Mandla Maleka, who reportedly acted in the position for eight months, was side line by the utility... GUEST: Narius Moloto, P...

Another body of a woman has been discovered in the sugar plantation of the uMnamfu area in uMthwalume on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast. It is the fifth body to be discovered in the last nine months, four of which were discovered during lockdown. The latest body was discovered by a woman who was collecting fire-wood. GUEST: KZN Police spokesperson Thembeka Mbhele

The legal team of the Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane is arguing that the Parliamentary rules to remove the head of a Chapter Nine institution lacks constitutionality as it is unfair, among others. The matter of the Public Protector challenging Parliament's rules on how to remove the head of a Chapter Nine institution is currently underway on a virtual platform in the Cape Town High Court. Pa...

Last week Friday, Mozambican Minister of Land and Environment, Ivete Maibasse announced that the country will soon ban the use of plastic bags – a move that was welcomed by Greenpeace Africa and they join us now to discuss the significance of this decision… Guest: Angelo Louw, Greenpeace Africa’s Plastics Project Lead

Last week Friday Olly Mlamleli was voted out of her position as the Executive Mayor. However the ANC in the Free State reacted angrily to this and instructed its councillors in the Mangaung municipality to correct the situation, this after some of their members voted with the opposition to oust mayor Mlamleli Guest: Thabo Meeko, Free State ANC spokesperson

On World News today, we ask - who is Kamala Harris, Joe Biden's Vice President Pick? Joining us to explain what Kamala Harris brings to Joe Biden’s campaign is Professor John Keiger. Guest on the line (France): Professor John Keiger, Director of Research at the Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS), University of Cambridge in the UK

Russia says it has become the first country in the world to register a vaccine to treat the COVID19 infection in the country. President Vladimir Putin says the regulatory approval follows less than two months of human testing. The development paves the way for the mass inoculation of the Russian population. However there are concerns that Russia may be putting national prestige before sound scienc...

An organisations affiliated to the ANC in Limpopo has written to ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule, calling for the re-establishment of the liquidated VBS Mutual Bank. In the letter, the organisation, Vhembe Fraternal Organisations, also criticise the ANC NEC for reinstating Florence Radzilani and Danny Msiza, who were linked in a report by advocate Terry Motau on the alledged looting of the ban...

Yesterday, uMzansi Youth in Business embarked on a walk to Durban, this as part of their vital essential toiletries (Veto) campaign which seeks to collect 10 000 hygiene packs to be donated to under-privileged young girls. The campaign also seeks to raise awareness about violence against women and children. Guest: Nonjabulo Khuzwayo, Manager in the CEO’s office @uMzansi Youth in Business

Still on Beirut’s story……Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab and his government stepped down yesterday amid mounting pressure from protesters demanding accountability for an explosion in Beirut that killed more than 200 people. Guest: Naeem Jeena – Executive Director of the Afro-Middle East Centre

The High Court in Pretoria has ruled that findings made by Advocate Terry Motau in his VBS Great Bank Heist report against Limpopo ANC Treasurer General C are unconstitutional and unlawful. The court also ruled that Motau failed to afford Msiza the right to procedural fairness before he released the report on VBS Guest: Joseph Maluleke, Danny Msiza’s lawyer

We pay tribute to Bob Mabena who was notably one of the most recognised voices on radio and faces on TV. In remembering this great radio icon, Bongi Gwala spoke to Thabiso Sikwane & Vusi Letsoalo (his former colleagues) about his journey from his days at BOP TV and Radio Metro…….. guest: Thabiso Sikwane - a former colleague at Metro Guest: Vusi Letsalo - former Metro DJ

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) are up in arms against an application by employers in the petroleum industry; the South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA), Fuel Retailers Association (FRA), to have workers declared as essential services. They say the move would prevent workers from striking in labour disputes. GUESTS: Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, Spokesperson of t...

The Eastern Cape government says they have taken a decision to publish details relating to Covid-19 procurement. This in efforts to maintain accountability, transparency and ethical behaviour in the Province. GUEST: Mr Daluhlanga Majeke, HOD: Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury Department

Former ANC disciplinary committee chairperson Derek Hanekom has accepted former President Jacob Zuma’s apology on Sunday. This stems from a social media post by the former President labelling Hanekom an enemy agent. Hanekom went to court in reaction to the tweet where he sued Zuma for R500 000. GUEST: Former ANC disciplinary committee chairperson, Derek Hanekom

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara's decision to run for a third term in October's presidential election has triggered outrage among the opposition and civil society groups. They have labelled it a 'coup' that risked tipping the country into chaos. Ouattara has been in power since 2010. In March this year, he said that he would not run for re-election, which the opposition has strongly mainta...

Today on Beyond Innovation – we are joined by Professor David Katerere who is a co-founder of Nutrigo SA Pty Ltd to discuss the effect of varied energy and protein sources of feed on growth and development of broiler chickens. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two different feed formulations on the growth, development and organoleptic properties of broiler chickens at a commercial fa...

The North West Health Department say they are in disbelief at the attempt by the Democratic Alliance MP Siviwe Gwarube's attempts to deliberately mislead the public about the Maseve Field Hospital in Rustenburg. Yesterday Ms Gwarube tweeted a picture showing an empty field where she claimed a promised 200-bed field hospital was meant to be built. The Health department says the 200-bed field is ope...