METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8 - E-HAILING AT BREAKING POINT
South Africa’s e-hailing industry has once again been thrust into the spotlight after the tragic killing of a driver in Soweto this past week. For years, drivers have raised the alarm about the dangers they face on the job — from violent robberies and hijackings to disputes with traditional taxi operators. Despite repeated calls for protection, many say they are still operating in fear, often without adequate safety mechanisms in place. The Department of Transport has promised stricter regulations to improve security for drivers and passengers, but the question remains: are these measures enough? This evening, we speak to the family representative of the driver who lost his life, a spokesperson from the Transport Department, and e-hailing drivers themselves, to reflect on the risks in the industry and what more can be done to protect those behind the wheel.
DINNER WITH THE JOBURG MAYOR DADA MARERO
Johannesburg’s leadership has been in the spotlight, with billions in irregular expenditure, service delivery concerns, and questions of accountability dominating headlines. Today, we’re joined in studio by Mayor Dada Morero to unpack it all. From the R23.6 billion flagged in the city’s finances to the reforms he’s introduced — like the Disciplinary Board, the ‘Bomb Squad,’ and the ‘war room’ — we’ll explore what these mean for residents. We’ll also tackle his criticism of the previous DA-led coalition and ask what his administration is doing differently to restore stability and trust
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Research Pack: Jonathan Kohler – Property Entrepreneur & CEO
The property sector remains one of the most important pillars of South Africa’s economy, shaping everything from urban growth to household wealth. But it’s also an industry that reflects our challenges — affordability, infrastructure, and the ever-changing demand for housing and rentals. Joining us tonight is Jonathan Kohler, who has spent years immersed in this market. We’ll talk to him about the big lessons business leaders can draw from property, and his perspective on how the sector can evolve to better serve South Africans in the years ahead.
Defence Under Fire: Maphwanya’s Iran Remarks Spark Calls for Resignation - RISE MZANSI LEADER SONGEZO ZIBI
A storm continues to brew in the defence force. SANDF Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya, just months away from retirement, is at the centre of a political firestorm. His recent trip to Iran — approved by Defence Minister Angie Motshekga — was meant to strengthen military ties. But instead, his remarks in Tehran have sparked outrage at home and concern abroad. By aligning South Africa with Iran’s position on Gaza and suggesting deeper strategic ties, Maphwanya is accused of stepping outside his lane — undermining the SANDF’s apolitical mandate and potentially jeopardising South Africa’s delicate diplomatic balancing act with the United States. With the DA calling for his immediate court-martial, government distancing itself from his comments, and the presidency preparing to weigh in — the question remains: will this controversy cost him his position before retirement?
The National Dialogue Convention: LUKHONA MGUNI (POLITICAL ANALYST) & CAMERON KASIMBALA ( COMM MANAGER FOR WOMEN FOR CHANGE)
South Africans came to Pretoria this weekend with hope — and left with anger and unanswered questions. At the National Convention, citizens told the government in no uncertain terms that promises are no longer enough. Teachers, parents, and community activists spoke passionately about crime, inequality, and corruption, demanding that leaders listen and act. President Cyril Ramaphosa and Deputy Paul Mashatile faced pointed criticism, as delegates accused the government of using the event for political gain while ignoring the very voices it was supposed to elevate. The message was clear: South Africans want a dialogue that reflects reality, not electioneering.
Flames at Maponya Mall: The Deadly Clash Between Taxis and E-Hailing Drivers
It started with a murder — and ended with a community in revolt. On Wednesday night, 27-year-old e-hailing driver Mthokozisi Mvelasi was gunned down and his vehicle torched outside Maponya Mall. Two others were shot, several vehicles destroyed, and the shockwaves have rippled far beyond Soweto. By Thursday, hundreds of residents had shut down the mall, blocked Chris Hani Road and vowed to keep protesting until those responsible are arrested. They accuse taxi operators of trying to control who customers choose for transport — while taxi associations deny involvement and call for calm. In studio today, we’ll hear from the community, the industry, and the Gauteng MEC for Transport on what it will take to end this cycle of violence.
After 8 is After 8: The Long Wait: South Africa’s Prosthetics Crisis and the Fight for Mobility"
Imagine losing a limb... and then waiting years for the very device that could help you walk again. That’s the reality for many South Africans relying on the public health system for prosthetic limbs. In rural hospitals, the backlog is staggering, the resources stretched thin. The result? Lives put on hold — dreams deferred. In this episode, we travel from hospital wards to homes, meeting people who refuse to give up, even as they face impossible odds. Some have turned to ingenuity, crafting their own prosthetics in workshops and backyards. Others continue to wait, navigating daily life with grit and hope. We’ll explore how this crisis deepens inequality, why it’s a symptom of bigger systemic failings in our healthcare system, and what solutions — from policy shifts to community-driven innovation — could finally turn the tide.
After 8 Is After 8: Beyond the Baby Boom: South Africa’s Fertility Decline and What It Means for the Future
In less than two decades, South Africa’s fertility rate has dropped from nearly three children per woman to just over two. It’s part of a global trend — one driven by economic pressure, career goals, and personal choice. Old myths, like the Child Support Grant driving births, simply don’t hold up. The truth? Women have more power than ever to decide when — and if — to have children. But with an ageing population on the horizon, the big question is: how do we turn this change into a win for the country’s future?
Jobs on the Brink: South Africa’s Unemployment Crisis Deepens
South Africa’s jobs crisis is deepening — and the latest numbers are sounding the alarm. Stats SA’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey shows unemployment has climbed again, now at 33.2% — one of the highest rates in the world. That’s more than 7.9 million South Africans without work, and behind each number is a life on hold, a dream deferred. Tonight, we unpack what these figures really mean — and why experts say urgent, structural economic reform can no longer be delayed.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8 - NATIONAL DIALOGUE
The credibility of South Africa’s much-anticipated National Dialogue has taken yet another blow. Just days before its first major gathering, six of the country’s most respected legacy foundations — including those of Thabo Mbeki, Desmond and Leah Tutu, Steve Biko, and Oliver Tambo — have pulled out. Their reason?
WHY WOMENS ENTREPRENEURSHIP MATTERS NOW
It’s Women’s Month in South Africa — a time to honour the strength, resilience, and achievements of women who are shaping our society. Among them are women entrepreneurs, boldly starting and growing businesses in an economy that doesn’t always make it easy.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Operation Dudula: When Foreign Children Are Locked Out of Learning
South Africa is no stranger to heated debates about immigration and resources — but few have stirred as much public reaction as Operation Dudula. The movement, now actively blocking foreign pupils from enrolling in schools, insists it is defending the interests of South African citizens. Human rights advocates, however, warn that these actions not only violate the Constitution but also deepen social divisions and put vulnerable children in harm’s way. So what’s driving this rise in popularity, and where could it lead? Joining us for a no-holds-barred conversation is Operation Dudula leader Zandile Dabula, alongside Equal Education, to unpack the motivations, the consequences, and whether there’s any room for common ground.
ActionSA's Nobuhle Mthembu Quits Amid Council Turmoil: NOBUHLE MTHEMBU
Nobuhle Mthembu’s political journey in Johannesburg has been anything but quiet. She was appointed ActionSA’s regional leader just last year, and soon after, took up the position of council Speaker — elected with the support of the ANC-led coalition. But the alliance quickly soured. In June, ActionSA stood its ground against supporting a motion of no confidence in Mayor Dada Morero. In response, the ANC threw its weight behind efforts to remove Mthembu as Speaker — a move that ultimately succeeded. In her resignation letter, Mthembu paints a picture of a party unwilling to engage in meaningful internal reform, saying repeated calls for transparency and open discussions went unanswered. She says that, after careful consideration, leaving is in the best interests of both herself and the community she represents. Her departure marks yet another shift in Johannesburg’s already unstable coalition politics, raising fresh questions about whether the city’s governing partners can hold things together.
TERRY OAKLEY SMITH
Founder of Diversi-T, Terry Oakley Smith, says that appropriate action for Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie would be to resign following the resurfacing of the alleged racist remarks he made.
America’s Dirty Deal with Eswatini? ( International Relations and Cooperation Department spokesperson Chrispin Phiri )
A diplomatic storm is brewing in Southern Africa — and it’s raising serious questions about human rights, security, and global accountability. The United States has quietly deported a group of foreign nationals — convicted of some of the most heinous crimes, including child rape and murder — to Eswatini, a small, landlocked kingdom with limited resources and fragile social systems.
THE PRICE OF SILENCE - R60 000 ( Pieter-Louis Myburgh, investigative reporter at the Daily Maverick )
It’s a scandal that reads like a political thriller — a suspended CEO, a brown envelope stuffed with cash, and an undercover sting operation by one of South Africa’s top investigative journalists. Tebogo Malaka, the suspended CEO of the Independent Development Trust — or IDT — and her spokesperson Phasha Makgolane have been caught on camera allegedly attempting to bribe Daily Maverick journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh with R60,000. Their goal? To make the story disappear.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: The Rise of the Silver Influencer
Think influencers and you might picture a 20-something in athleisure, sipping on iced coffee while doing a skincare routine on TikTok. But there’s a new wave of creators flipping the script — and they’re doing it with style, substance, and decades of experience.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Invisible Battles: Adult ADHD in a Country That Doesn’t Talk About Mental Health
South Africa is a country still coming to terms with the realities of mental health. For decades, mental illness has been either ignored, misdiagnosed, or swept under the rug — and in many communities, it's still seen as weakness, spiritual crisis, or even a personal failure. The result? Thousands suffer in silence, without the language or the support to understand what they’re going through.
THE SILENT EMERGENCY IN OUR CLASSROOMS
Education is often called the great equalizer — the one tool that can break cycles of poverty, open doors, and transform entire communities. In South Africa, we have made strides in expanding access to education, especially for our most vulnerable children. From no-fee schools to free meals and scholar transport, our national education policies aim to keep learners where they belong — in the classroom.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Undertrained and Overwhelmed – Policing in Crisis
Tonight, we confront a growing crisis in South Africa’s criminal justice system — a crisis that lies not just in crime itself, but in the very institutions meant to fight it. The South African Police Service is buckling under the weight of poor training, outdated methods, and a chronic lack of resources. Officers are often thrown into high-pressure, high-risk situations with little more than theoretical training and minimal psychological preparation.
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