The National Pulse

The MBChB Class of 2006 marks 20 years since graduating from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) this year. One alumnus is going the extra mile to make a meaningful difference in the lives of future doctors. UKZN alumnus and specialist anaesthesiologist, Dr Sizwe Zungu, will take on the legendary Washie 100 Miler in the Eastern Cape this July to raise R100 000 towards registration fees for financially challengedUKZN medical students. GUEST: Dr Sizwe Zungu, UKZN alumnus and specialist anaesthesiologist

The MK Party is calling for the head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, Andrea Johnson, to be suspended as allegations of interference in criminal investigations mount against her. MK Party Member of Parliament, Mzwanele Manyi, has written to National Prosecuting Authorit head, Andy Mothibi, suggesting Johnson face an inquiry into her fitness to hold office. GUEST: Mzwanele Manyi, MK Party Member of Parliament

A new space biology and agricultural initiative will see South African Rooibos seeds launched to the International Space Station this October to study the effects of microgravity and radiation on crop resilience.  GUEST: Adele Du Toit – Spokesperson for the SA Rooibos Council 

Following the recent ICASA public hearings on the Draft Regulations for the rapid deployment of electronic communications networks and facilities we unpack the proposals to understand the drafts better… GUEST: Nomvuyiso Batyi - Association of Communications & Technology CEO 

The Office of the Public Protector has this afternoon released a report into food safety in Gauteng’s informal sector.  GUEST: Vusi Dlamini - Head of the Public Protector Office in Gauteng 

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has blamed South Africans for enabling undocumented foreign nationals to live in the province by renting out backyard rooms and providing illegal accommodation. Ramathuba made the remarks this morning during a media briefing following an operation targeting undocumented immigrants in Polokwane.  GUEST: Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, Limpopo Premier

Key focus: Would formalising artisanal and small scale mining address the widespread issue of illegal mining. GUEST: Dr Kgothatso Nhlengetwa - Founding Director and Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Expert

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has dismissed four officials from its Nebo office in Limpopo’s Sekhukhune district after they were found guilty of involvement in a R33 million social grants fraud scheme. The dismissals follow an internal investigation that uncovered how the officials allegedly manipulated the social grants system while working with external syndicates. GUEST: Tebogo Tshipi, Sassa Senior Manager: Communications and Marketing and Customer Care Unit

SA Harvest’s has launched the “Start Strong” this Mandela Month that seeks to address how to build food access systems that will ensure safe, edible surplus food that reach people consistently, responsibly and with dignity. GUEST: Ozzy Nel – CEO of SA Harvest 

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday signed Proclamation 325 of 2026 giving the SIU the authority to probe the procurement of the Free State Department of Education into the construction of schools in the province. GUEST: Selby Makgotho – SIU Spokesperson 

The Mangaung Metro has disqualified more than a thousand spaza shop applicants found to be fronting for undocumented foreign nationals. The Metro received over 2100 applications with only 956 successful applicants.  GUEST: Zinn Lockman, Economic Development Manager for SMME’s in the Mangaung Metro Municipality 

Last week, the Constitutional Court upheld a Western Cape High Court ruling that found two provisions of the Refugees Act unlawful and unconstitutional. With this judgment in mind as well as what’s been happening in South Africa with mass demonstrations against undocumented migrants, we’ve invited someone who understands the law around these issues to answer a few questions… GUEST: Ashraf Essop, Specialist immigration lawyer

The Siyafana Sonke Action Campaign, a coalition of over 160 civil society organizations, trade unions, and community groups formed to combat rising xenophobia, Afrophobia, and vigilante violence in South Africa held a media briefing to give an update of the migrant conditions on the ground.  GUEST: Dr Lubna Nadvi - Siyafana Sonke Action Campaign member 

The South African Human Rights Commission has published a damning report detailing its findings and recommendations on police and correctional facilities across the North West.  GUEST: Shirley Mlombo - Provincial Manager for the South African Human Rights Commission in the North West province

Continuing with our BIG ISSUE of the week looking into the country’s illegal mining crisis, today we look at the socio – economic drivers and impact of illegal mining in mining communities… GUEST: Christopher Rutledge – Executive Directors of Mining Affected Communities United in Action

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Parks Tau, officiated the announcement of Toyota South Africa Motors‘ R10,4 billion investment in Durban today. The investment is expected to strengthen South Africa’s manufacturing sector and boost economic growth.  GUEST: Gcinokuhle Malinga, SABC News Reporter in Kwa-Zulu Natal

Sipho Mhlangu, a 35-year-old suspect, arrested by the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in connection with the murder of Tshwane EFF regional secretary, Monicca Dube, appeared in the Cullinan Magistrate's Court today where the case was postponed to 23 July for bail application. EFF Treasurer-General, Omphile Maotwe, joins me on the line to react to this as well as arguments in the Phala Phala matter after the Western Cape High Court reserved judgment.  GUEST: Omphile Maotwe, EFF Treasurer-General

The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation has opened its High School Scholarship Programme applications invites learners to apply for this empowering opportunity… GUEST: Litha Mkatini - Scholarship Selection Officer at Allan Gray Foundation

Lufuno Muthubi-Mthethwa, the executive director of the JumpStart Foundation, a South African non-profit improving foundational mathematics in schools penned an interesting op-ed asking if we are still failing learners because of language? Particularly when it comes to mathematical comprehension… GUEST: Lufuno Muthubi-Mthethwa, Executive Director of the JumpStart Foundation

South Africa’s financial industry watchdog, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), has launched an investigation into the Public Investment Corporation (PIC). Trade unions, business organizations and political parties have also voiced concern about mounting allegations of governance failures at the state-owned Public Investment Corporation (PIC), following the suspension of its CEO. GUEST: Claude Naiker, Assistant General Manager at the Public Servants Association

Our guest has penned an opinion piece that unpacks the challenges of housing in the Western Cape. He claims that it’s not an underfunding issue, and rather structural problems in the province's housing priorities and governance. GUEST: Brett Herron - GOOD Party Secretary-General

The TRC Cases Commission of Inquiry resumed this week in which it focused on whether police and prosecutors deliberately stalled the prosecution of some TRC-related cases.  GUEST: Busi Chimombe – SABC REPORTER

Continuing with our BIG ISSUE of the week looking into the country’s illegal mining crisis, today we look at the Economic cost of illegal mining with an economist … GUEST: Prof Heinrich Bohlmann – Economist from the Department of Economics at the University of Pretoria.

xVusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s Madlanga Commission testimony has been postponed to the first of September 2026. Matlala’s lawyer, Advocate Annalene van den Heever, relied on his Section 35 rights in the South African Constitution to advance this bid ahead of Matlala’s trial for the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane. Matlala has also been ordered to submit his witness statement by the 29th of July 2026. GUEST: Bophelo Seleke, Independent Legal Analyst

Professor Eldrid Jordaan, a South African Technologist, Global Speaker renowned for advancing digital governance and founder of GovChat.ORG penned an opinion piece about South Africa’s municipal crisis and the role technology plays vs leadership. GUEST: Professor Eldrid Jordaan, a South African Technologist, Global Speaker renowned for advancing digital governance and founder of GovChat.ORG

As South Africa marks Nelson Mandela Month, we ask what Madiba's legacy means to today's youth and whether his lifelong values of justice, equality and active citizenship are still inspiring a new generation to shape the country's future. GUEST: Samantha Mashapa - Dialogue and Advocacy analyst at the Nelson Mandela Foundation. 

Earlier, we played clips from senior Investigative Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) investigator, Colonel Brian Padayachee, strongly denying allegations made against him by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lt. General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. GUEST: Andy Mashaile, Security Strategist

The South African Chefs Association has announced its Junior Team Masakhane Training Squad for the 2026 Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg. We speak to one of the junior chefs on their culinary journey and what being part of this team means to them… GUEST: Makgobokele Nchabeleng – Member of the Junior Team Masakhane Training Squad

On Monday, a building collapsed at eBuhleni Village in Inanda, north of Durban leaving atleast 10 church members of the Shembe Church injured, and several more were buried deep under rubble.  GUEST: Celamusa Zulu - SABC REPORTER 

On Monday the Public Investment Corporation board announced that it has resolved to place chief executive Patrick Dlamini on precautionary suspension in line with its whistleblower policy. GUEST: Carol Paton – Fin24 Journalist 

In recent weeks we have seen numerous raids and arrests of illegal miners in various  hotspots in Gauteng, we look at the issue of mining in SA. Today we focus on ‘Can South Africa Win the War Against Illegal Mining?’ What practical solutions exist? GUEST: Advocate Mmadikeledi Moloto; Deputy Director-General: Compliance and Enforcement, Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.

Yesterday, we played you sound from a press conference where the MK Party announced corruption-accused and former eThekwini Mayor, Zandile Gumede, as its new member and deputy convener of KwaZulu-Natal. The party’s spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu welcomed Gumede, calling her political credentials in KZN and South Africa “unquestionable”. Is that really the case? Let’s get a sense with… GUEST: Professor Dirk Kotze, Political Analyst from the University of South Africa

The EFF has called for a parliamentary investigation into the remuneration and spending of the NSFAS administrator and four advisers, alleging that millions of rands may have been spent without proper oversight and raising concerns about the use of funds meant for students. We speak to… GUEST: Ismael Mnisi - NSFAS Spokesperson

Many SME owners wear every hat in the business. This afternoon we want to look at how leadership evolves as a business grows, and how business owners can leverage on this… GUEST: Shaun Fuchs - CEO and Founder at Centennial Sch

At least 10 people have been injured and several buried deep under rubble, after a building collapsed at eBuhleni Village in Inanda, north of Durban. Emergency services rushed to the scene, where rescue efforts and medical assistance began.  GUEST: Garrith Jamieson, ALS Paramedics spokesperson

South African motorists could face a new financial burden as the government considers introducing a vehicle-linked fee to help fund the struggling Road Accident Fund. Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy has said that the department  is reviewing the RAF’s funding model, with a separate mandatory fee attached to annual vehicle licence renewals or initial registrations among the options being considered. Unions have also rejected the idea of a new vehicle tax, warning that it would add further financial pressure on workers who are already struggling with rising costs. GUEST: Reuben Maleka, Spokesperson: The Public Servants Association

The Mpumalanga South African Human Rights Commission conducted an oversight visit to the historically troubled Rob Ferreira Hospital in Nelspruit. The hospital has had resources and infrastructure challenges for years and we get feedback from … GUEST: Eric Mokonyama – Mpumalanga SAHRC Commission’s Provincial manager

Doctors Without Borders  has launched an emergency medical humanitarian response following a recent surge in anti-migrant violence and intimidation across South Africa. We find out more on this… GUEST: Claire Waterhouse, MSF Emergency Coordinator for Migrant Response 

In recent weeks we have seen numerous raids and arrests of illegal miners in various  hotspots in Gauteng, we look at the issue of mining in SA. This week we focus on ‘Is illegal mining now one of South Africa's biggest organised crime challenges?  GUEST: Peter Major - Mining Analyst

45-year-old Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, a British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage wanted by authorities in the United Kingdom for the alleged murders of his wife and two young daughters was arrested in Johannesburg last week. Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma appeared for two different matters today.  GUEST: Lerato Makola, SABC News Reporter in Johannesburg

Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has declined the plea deal offered by the court, resulting in his prior agreement with the state being nullified. Matlala returned to the dock in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court earlier today after the rejection of his plea agreement with the state by Magistrate Ignatius du Preez on 1 July. Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala had pleaded guilty to charges of corruption, money laundering, and fraud linked to a R228 million health services contract awarded to his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, by the South African Police Service. What happens now that Cat has rejected the plea deal? GUEST: Nthabiseng Dubazana, Legal Expert and Director of Dubazana Attorneys Incorporated

Belgium plans to open a vast colonial-era geological archive on the Democratic Republic of Congo, containing almost 500 metres of mining records from the colonial era. These files could help the DRC identify unexplored mineral deposits, attract investors, and strengthen its control over a mining sector valued at $24 trillion.GUEST: Olamilekan Okebiorun, Business Insider Africa Journalist

July 18 the country collectively honours and observes the birthday of the late stateman Nelson Mandela by giving back to the community. We speak to one organisation that has launched the ‘hands-on-heroes’ campaign for the day… GUEST: Danny Diliberto - CEO and founder Ladles of Love 

Public Interest SA has lodged a criminal complaint with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) against a senior SAPS Officer, alleging possible contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). The complaint centres on the controversial R360 million SAPS Medicare24 Tshwane contract. For more on this, I am joined on the line by GUEST: Tebogo Khaas, Public Interest SA chairperson

South Africa’s municipalities are confronting the growing and uncomfortable reality that the number of households requiring state support is rising sharply, while the financial capacity of local government to meet that need is increasingly constrained. However some experts have raised concerns with this system… GUEST: Nicholas Maweni - Munsoft CEO  

Chairpersons of Parliament’s governance cluster oversight committees this morning addressed the media and stakeholders as part of the 7th Parliament’s Committee Cluster Media Engagement programme. We speak this afternoon to… GUEST: Jan De Villiers - Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration  

On today’s edition we look at Public Trust and Community Safety – Why confidence has eroded.Public perceptions of safety, community policing, vigilantism and the rise of private security. GUEST: Frans Kgasago - Limpopo CPF Provincial Chairperson 

The Kingdom of Eswatini has confirmed the arrival of 11 more third-country nationals deported from the United States, marking the fourth group of migrants transferred to the southern African kingdom under a controversial bilateral agreement that continues to attract sharp criticism from international human rights organisations. GUEST: Wandile Dludlu, The People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) Deputy President 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the Madlanga Commission’s deadline to 16 November 2026. This is to allow the commission to hear all evidence related to its terms of reference. The Commission initially had until 31 August 2026 to submit its report. Let’s get an understanding of this extension as well as what  GUEST: Sibahle Motha, SABC News Reporter

A teenager’s alleged Telegram manifesto revealed chilling new details about a failed bomb attack at Ballito Junction Regional Mall, where an improvised explosive device emitted smoke instead of detonating. The 15-year-old Zimbali resident, who cannot be identified as he is a minor, allegedly placed the device in the mall’s crowded food court on Sunday, March 29. The potentially deadly attack was averted only because the improvised device failed to explode, apparently due to a construction fault. For more on this, I am joined on the line by… GUEST: Jacqueline Herbst, The North Coast Courier Journalist