The National Pulse

South Africa has never had a formal symbol to represent its national space programme so the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is calling on high school learners to design the official mascot to represent the country’s national space programme. The winning design will be professionally developed into SANSA's official mascot for use at schools, youth outreach events and public engage...

Mpumalanga-based, woman-led SME Samanjalo is turning mining waste into low-carbon construction products while tackling two major challenges facing the province: pollution and youth unemployment. With UK-backed funding and support helping the business scale, we explore whether the circular economy can create sustainable jobs while transforming waste into an economic opportunity. GUEST: Prudence Sim...

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza is today facing her first motion of no confidence as the leader of Parliament. She’s been accused by the EFF of not being impartial or acting in Parliament’s best interests in the way she’s handled legal matters related to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s impeachment inquiry. GUEST: Dr. Shadi Maganoe, Senior Lecturer at the Wits School of L...

This year marks several significant milestones in South Africa’s democratic history, which will be commemorated under the Milestones of Freedom Campaign. The campaign was launched at the Union Buildings on 18 June 2026 by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The official theme of the campaign is “Honouring the Past. Delivering the Future”. Tomorrow, the Free State Province will host the Mi...

The Pretoria Master’s Court is facing serious questions over service disruptions, digital failures and growing backlogs, after Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi witnessed the challenges first-hand during an unannounced oversight visit and referred a R415-million digitisation contract for investigation. GUEST: Kalayvani Pillay, Acting Director General for the Department of Justice and Constit...

TrackPulse has launched a new monthly Presidential and Government Approval Rating to measure public confidence in South Africa’s political leadership and government performance. Its inaugural results show 29.6% approval for President Cyril Ramaphosa and 26.7% for government, with high levels of disapproval. We speak to TrackPulse about the findings, what is driving public sentiment, the impo...

The reopening of the Steve Biko inquest has renewed focus on Black Consciousness activists who died in detention and whose stories have often been forgotten or marginalised. We take a look at the historical significance of the inquest, the pattern of unresolved deaths in detention, the connection between Mapetla Mohapi and Biko, the impact of delayed justice on families, and whether South Africa h...

Couples in unregistered customary marriages have until 31 August 2026 to make use of the special registration period introduced by the Department of Home Affairs. As the deadline approaches; What rights and protections it offers, and the potential challenges couples may face in proving their marital status, accessing inheritance, property and spousal benefits. GUEST: Prof Musa Xulu, Cultural Exper...

A police captain, investigating former Knysna Mayor and ANC Ward Councillor, Aubrey Tsengwa’s murder, has been gunned down in a shootout with a suspect in the early hours of this morning. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Brigadier Novela Potelwa, SAPS Western Cape Spokesperson

The Eastern Cape’s ambulance crisis is far worse on the ground than official fleet figures suggest. Emergency medical services workers in Nelson Mandela Bay describe a system on life support, with only a handful of properly equipped ambulances available to respond to emergencies on some shifts. Let’s understand what is happening here with…  GUEST: Thembisa Witbooi, Health a...

COSATU's support for the ANC faces a potential test ahead of the 2026 local government elections, with the federation's affiliates seeking mandates from their members on whether they should back the ANC, the SACP or seek another way forward. For more on this, I am joined on the line by…  GUEST: Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator

Yesterday, the US announced an expansion of secondary sanctions it hopes will sever every economic lifeline sustaining Iran, as US President, Donald Trump's administration struggles to resolve the war that has pushed energy prices higher. US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, unveiled what he described as an "economic D-Day" that aims to give a final warning to countries to cut their business ties...

Political parties are increasingly using a mix of traditional media, digital platforms and social media to communicate with voters. As political messaging becomes more targeted and immediate, parties are adapting their strategies to reach different audiences, shape public opinion and drive voter engagement.  GUEST: Tebogo Ditshego, CEO of Ditshego Media

South Africa’s annual inflation eased to 4.3%, offering some relief to consumers after months of elevated price pressures. However, rising global oil prices could threaten this progress by pushing up fuel, transport and other costs. We take a look at  what is driving the latest inflation figure, whether the decline is sustainable, the impact of higher oil prices on households, and what...

South Africa’s higher education sector is facing renewed questions over governance and accountability following a Labour Court ruling ordering a former University of Johannesburg senior director to repay R18.18 million linked to a fraudulent student accommodation scheme. The case raises concerns about the impact on students, NSFAS-funded accommodation, private provider oversight and whether...

Ladies of Hope is a community-based organisation supporting vulnerable women, families and patients through services including gender-based violence support, a Safe Haven, home-based and palliative care, feeding programmes and skills development. We speak to founder Myrtle Williams about the organisation’s work, the challenges facing women escaping abuse, access to safe accommodation and the...

My AI Lawyer has launched in South Africa, offering an affordable artificial intelligence legal advisor you can access online and at any time. Available on the web and via WhatsApp, the platform provides you with practical, on-demand guidance on everyday legal questions. But how does it work? To answer this, I am joined on the line by…  GUEST: Darren Cohen, Head of Distribution and Mar...

The ANC launched their local government elections manifesto at Riverside Park near Diepsloot in Johannesburg yesterday. Party President , Cyril Ramaphosa outlined six areas of focus for the party over the next five years. Ramaphosa also said representatives would have 100 days to show real progress in tackling the most pressing issues in their municipalities and those ANC mayors and councillors wh...

Family and friends of murdered whistleblower, Babita Deokaran, gathered yesterday to remember her life and renew their call for justice. Five years after she was gunned down outside her home, and 1 823 days after the hitmen were arrested, one question continues to haunt them: who ordered the hit? GUEST: Rakesh Deokaran, Babita Deokaran’s Brother

Seven Emfuleni Municipality employees have been arrested by the PKTT in Gauteng for alleged fraud, theft and tampering with essential infrastructure. We find out more on the case with GUEST: Thabiso Radebe – SABC Reporter

Following a two-day oversight visit the Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Dr Jack Bloom is calling on eThekwini Metro to urgently strengthen its response to persistent water and sanitation challenges affecting communities across the municipality.  GUEST: Dr Jack Bloom - Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister

Google is backing South African entrepreneurs using artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems, with applications now open for the 2026 Google for Startups Accelerator South Africa.  GUEST: Siyavuya Madikane - Communications and Public Affairs Manager at Google South Africa

Alleged crime boss, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s lawyer believed it was unfair for proceedings at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry to continue in the absence of his lead counsel. Advocate Fatima Missi appeared on behalf of Advocate Annelene van der Heever, who is said to be unwell.  GUEST: Nthabiseng Dubazana, Founder and director of Dubazana Attorneys

Andy Burnham is marking his first foreign visit as UK Prime Minister with a trip to Kyiv. The Prime Minister’s visit will include a hand over of blueprints so Ukraine can build its own long-range missiles. The UK Prime Minister will also chair his first meeting of the "coalition of the willing", set up by the UK and France under his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer. In addition to that, the UK...

Professor Brian Williams released a statement yesterday strongly rejecting claims that the late General Andre Lincoln advised or encouraged suspended MP and National Coloured Congress leader, Fadiel Adams, to pursue criminal charges against senior crime intelligence officials.  GUEST: Professor Brian Williams, Lifelong friend of General Andre Lincoln