listen to METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
After 8 is After 8: Spring Day Celebrations gone too far?
Spring Day is meant to signal a new season — warmer weather, brighter days and, for many young people, the familiar tradition of splashing water. But this year, celebrations in parts of Tshwane have sparked serious concern after videos showed people being targeted without consent, vehicles being stopped, public transport damaged and commuters caught in the chaos. The issue took a tragic turn in Refilwe, Cullinan, where 21-year-old Tshepang Nyathi was allegedly stabbed to death after an altercation involving a 53-year-old man who was allegedly targeted with water. The suspect has been arrested and is expected to face a murder charge. Tshwane Bus Service says two buses were put out of operation after the celebrations, affecting more than 300 passengers, including pupils and students. So, has a harmless tradition crossed a line? Should water-splashing games be banned, regulated through designated spaces, or is the real issue a lack of respect for consent, public property and safety? Let’s talk about it.
SA sisters arrive home after Malawi trafficking ordeal (Dr Tebogo Mabe - Director for Adoptions and International Social Services - Department of Social Development)
Tonight, we turn to a harrowing case that has shaken communities in South Africa and beyond. Two young South African girls, aged nine and 15, have finally returned home after nearly two years of alleged trafficking in Malawi. According to authorities, the children were lured across the border by perpetrators who had gained their family’s trust, only to have their passports confiscated and be confined in a house under mistreatment. While their mother and grandmother were released earlier this year, the girls remained in Malawi until they were rescued by local authorities in July. Today, Social Development Minister Dina Pule received them at OR Tambo International Airport, calling their return a critical step toward healing and family reunification. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation is now handling the criminal probe, with officials urging the public to treat this not as a missing persons case, but as alleged child trafficking and exploitation. As the girls begin their recovery, we ask if our country is winning the war against human trafficking. What are the warning signs? Are authorities doing enough and how communities can help protect vulnerable children.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: What About the Boys? Are We Failing South Africa’s Boy Child?
We spend a great deal of time, and rightly so, talking about the challenges facing the girl child. We talk about gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, abuse, safety and the need to empower young women. But in the middle of all these important conversations, there is another child we need to ask about: the boy child. What is happening to South Africa’s boys? Because behind the school uniforms, the bravado and the insistence that “boys will be boys”, there are young boys dealing with bullying, violence, peer pressure, absent or emotionally unavailable fathers, substance abuse, gangs and mental-health struggles. And too often, when a boy is hurting, we don't ask what's wrong. We tell him to toughen up. When he cries, we tell him to stop. When he is bullied, we tell him to fight back. And when that pain eventually comes out as aggression, we punish the behaviour without always asking where it came from. So, have we forgotten to check in on our boys? Are we raising boys who know how to communicate, process rejection, deal with anger and ask for help—or are we simply raising boys who have been taught that vulnerability is weakness? Today, we put the boy child under the microscope and ask a difficult question: If we don't invest in the emotional, social and mental wellbeing of boys today, what kind of men—and ultimately what kind of society—are we creating tomorrow?
THE ANC IN KZN ASKING FOR ANOTHER CHANCE ( Mayor of eThekwini Cyril Xaba )
The election season is officially heating up, and in KwaZulu-Natal, the ANC has now put its promises on the table. The party launched its provincial election manifesto in Cornubia, in the eThekwini region, outlining what it says it will do to improve the lives of communities ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. But manifestos are easy to launch; delivering on them is another matter entirely. For residents of eThekwini and KwaZulu-Natal, the questions are deeply personal: Will there be reliable water? Will roads be fixed? Will young people find jobs? Will municipalities finally deliver basic services? And perhaps most importantly, can the ANC convince voters that it has learnt from the failures that have cost it public trust over the years? The party says its programme is focused on issues including service delivery, job creation, youth development and rebuilding trust in government. But what exactly does that mean for ordinary residents, and how will these promises be implemented? We are joined now by Cyril Xaba of the ANC to unpack the party's manifesto and what the ANC is promising the people of KwaZulu-Natal.
After 8 is After 8: When the Child Becomes the Parent
A child is supposed to worry about homework, friendships, school trips and what they're going to wear tomorrow. They are not supposed to worry about whether there is enough food in the house. They are not supposed to be checking whether their mother has taken her medication, making sure their younger siblings have eaten, cooking dinner, getting them ready for school or wondering what will happen if the electricity is cut off. And yet, for many children, this is their reality. When a parent is seriously ill, living with a disability, struggling with addiction, or simply unable to cope, children can quietly step into the role of caregiver. They become the responsible one. The one who doesn't cause problems. The one who knows when Mom is having a bad day. The one who comforts their younger siblings. And sometimes, they become so good at being the adult that nobody stops to ask whether they're still getting the chance to be a child. Today we're asking: What happens to a child who grows up taking care of everyone else? Does it make them resilient — or does it force them to carry emotional responsibilities that can follow them into adulthood? And perhaps most importantly: when a child becomes the caregiver, who is caring for the child?
The 19-year-old who went from MK youth leader to starting her own political party
Imagine being 19 years old and already having a political history. Before most young people have even figured out their first career move, Kwanda Summers had already entered the political arena. Growing up in Nkandla, she met former president Jacob Zuma and, as a teenager, approached him with an idea to get young people more interested in politics. That idea eventually became the MK Teens and Learners Command, with Kwanda at the helm. She says she mobilised thousands of young people, but became frustrated when she felt the youth structure wasn't being taken seriously or getting the national recognition she believed it deserved. So she walked away — and when the young people who had followed her asked where they should go next, she decided to build a political home of her own. Today, at just 19, Kwanda is the founder and leader of the Next Generation Political Party, which she says already has around 7,000 members and plans to contest municipalities including eThekwini, uMsunduzi and uMngeni. So, what happens when a young person who was once being mentored and encouraged within one of South Africa's newest political movements decides she doesn't want to wait her turn? Tonight, we meet Kwanda Summers — and ask whether South Africa's next political generation is already knocking on the door.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Postpartum Mental Health — The Lindsay Clancy Trial and South Africa
When a mother gives birth, we expect joy. The baby arrives, the congratulations pour in, and everyone asks about the newborn. But sometimes, beneath the smiles and the pictures, a mother is falling apart. The trial of American mother Lindsay Clancy has put one of the darkest sides of maternity back into the spotlight. Clancy is accused of killing her three children in 2023, with her defence arguing that she was suffering from postpartum psychosis. Whatever the outcome of that trial, it has forced a difficult conversation about what happens when severe maternal mental illness goes unrecognised — and what can happen when a mother’s cry for help is missed. And that conversation is not as far away from home as we might like to think. South Africa has its own deeply worrying warning signs. Research has found high rates of infant homicide in the country, with mothers accounting for a significant proportion of neonaticide cases, while gaps in mental health, reproductive and social services leave many women without the support they need. So, how do we know when the exhaustion of new motherhood has become something more serious? And are we asking mothers how they are really doing — or are we only checking that the baby is healthy? South African author Kim Vermaak knows that battle personally. Her new book, Taming the Monster of Postpartum Depression, combines her own experience with research and the stories of other women. She joins us now to talk about the mothers who are struggling silently — and why we cannot afford to wait for a tragedy before we start listening.
FILL UP OR PAY UP: FUEL PRICE SHOCK HITS SOUTH AFRICANS
South African motorists are being given one last chance to fill up before another painful fuel-price increase kicks in. From Wednesday, petrol will cost R1.34 more per litre, while diesel motorists face an even bigger shock — with increases of up to R3.15 a litre. And the pain won’t stop at the petrol station. Higher fuel costs feed into the price of transporting food, goods and people, putting yet more pressure on households already battling the rising cost of living. The increases are being driven by higher international oil prices, supply pressures and the cost of moving oil through the Strait of Hormuz. A stronger rand has offered some relief, but not enough to prevent the hike.
IFP PUTS MKHULEKO HLENGWA FOR ETHKWENI — CAN HE WIN DURBAN?
The race to control eThekwini is heating up ahead of the 4 November local government elections, and the Inkatha Freedom Party has now put one of its biggest political names on the ballot. The IFP has named 39-year-old Deputy Transport Minister and party spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa as its mayoral candidate for eThekwini — a significant move for a party seeking to challenge the ANC's grip on KwaZulu-Natal's economic powerhouse. Hlengwa has been an MP since 2012 and previously chaired Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts, giving him extensive experience in national government and public oversight. But this election is about more than a political title. eThekwini is facing deep challenges around service delivery, infrastructure, municipal finances and public confidence. The IFP says it wants to restore accountable, people-centred governance and believes Hlengwa has the experience to lead that turnaround. The party has also announced businessman Sizwe “Mavava” Skhakhane as its deputy mayoral candidate, describing the pairing as a “two-horns” strategy. So, what exactly is the IFP promising Durban voters — and can Hlengwa translate his national political profile into enough support to take control of eThekwini?
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: South Africans Are Running on Empty – But Can’t Afford to Stop
We often talk about burnout as though it’s simply a matter of working too hard — take a holiday, switch off your phone, get some sleep and come back refreshed. But what happens when the reason you can’t switch off is bigger than your workload? What happens when your salary is paying the rent, the bond, groceries, petrol, electricity, school fees and debt — and the idea of leaving an unhealthy workplace is simply not financially possible? A recent report highlighted just how trapped many South Africans feel. A SADAG employee survey of 963 people found that 75% struggled to stop thinking about work when they were off duty, while 61% said they wanted to leave their jobs but couldn’t afford to. Four in ten were also worried about losing their jobs. So, are we looking at a burnout crisis that is no longer just about the workplace, but about the cost of surviving in South Africa? Are people working longer hours, answering WhatsApps after hours and checking emails on weekends simply because they are terrified of what happens if that income disappears? And at what point does being financially secure come at the expense of your mental and physical wellbeing? Today, we want to ask: Are South Africans running on empty because our workplaces demand too much — or because the cost of living leaves us with no choice but to keep going?
The ANC says: “Clock it” — but will voters? ( ANC NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON - MAHLENGI BHENGU-MOTSIRI )
The ANC has put its 2026 local government election manifesto on the table, and on paper, it appears to acknowledge something South Africans have been saying for years: too many municipalities simply aren’t working. The party itself concedes that communities are dealing with unreliable water, ageing infrastructure, sewage spills, financial distress, corruption and weak leadership. But that admission raises a much bigger question: if the ANC knows exactly what is broken, why should voters believe that it can now fix it? The manifesto promises a turnaround, including a 100-day programme targeting potholes, streetlights, water leaks, sewage spills and illegal dumping, as well as measurable targets and deadlines for municipalities. And that is where the political debate begins. Critics have described the manifesto as full of familiar promises that are difficult to believe given the ANC's record in local government. The Daily Maverick's Manifesto Test, for example, questions whether the party can realistically fix problems that have developed under its own watch. So, is this genuinely a new approach to local government — or are South Africans being asked to believe the same promises one more time? We're putting that directly to ANC spokesperson Mahlengi.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: BUY IT, THINK ABOUT IT OR RUN! — Is That Car Really Worth Your Money?
We all have that moment when we see a car we absolutely love and immediately start imagining ourselves behind the wheel. But sometimes, the car that looks amazing on the outside can become a financial nightmare once you own it. From questionable second-hand deals to expensive maintenance, poor fuel consumption or parts that cost a fortune, the price on the windscreen doesn't always tell the full story. So today, we're putting some of those cars to the test. Is it worth your money? Should you think about it a little longer? Or should you RUN before you make an expensive mistake? And helping us make those calls is Bonabay Universe, a popular South African automotive content creator and journalist, and a nominee for Automotive Influencer of the Year at the SASMA Awards. We'll be putting YOUR potential car purchases on trial — so tell us what you're looking at, how much you're paying, and Bonabay will tell you: Buy it, think about it, or RUN!
Is Your Customary Marriage Registered? Home Affairs Deadline Looms
A marriage can be deeply recognised by a family, a community and by tradition — but if it isn’t formally registered, proving that marriage can become incredibly difficult when legal or financial disputes arise. That is the concern behind a final call from the Department of Home Affairs to couples in unregistered customary marriages. The department is giving qualifying couples until 31 August 2026 to register their customary marriages under a special registration period that opened in September 2024. This applies not only to marriages entered into after the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act came into effect in November 2000, but also to older customary marriages that were never registered. Registration is important because it provides official proof of the marriage and can have serious implications when it comes to property, inheritance, maintenance and other legal rights. And with only days left before the deadline, the question is: how many couples are still living in marriages that are recognised within their families and communities, but not properly documented by the state? Today, we want to unpack exactly who qualifies, what couples need to do before the deadline, and what could happen to those who fail to register.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Free Data, Real Access: Are Mobile Networks Ready to Zero-Rate South Africa?
Imagine needing information about a social grant, looking for a job, trying to access healthcare advice or simply trying to educate yourself online — but you cannot afford the data required to get there. For millions of South Africans, the cost of mobile data remains a barrier to accessing information and services that many of us take for granted. Now, mobile network operators are facing a deadline that could make a significant difference to that reality. By 15 January 2027, South Africa’s major mobile network operators are required to zero-rate the digital content of eligible public benefit organisations — meaning users should be able to access that content without it eating into their mobile data. This obligation forms part of the conditions attached to the multibillion-rand spectrum auction in 2022. But with the deadline now just months away, concerns are being raised about whether the operators — and the regulator, ICASA — are doing enough to ensure this actually happens at scale. According to the DG Murray Trust, only around 15 organisations have been zero-rated out of the thousands that could potentially qualify, and there are questions about how the process will be monitored and enforced. So what exactly does zero-rating mean for ordinary South Africans? Which organisations and services should qualify? And why, despite this being a legal obligation, does it appear that implementation is still lagging? Today, we unpack whether zero-rating can genuinely help close South Africa’s digital divide — or whether another important deadline is approaching with too little urgency.
101 COMPANIES BLACKLISTED: The Other Side of the Blacklist
Eskom says it is taking a tough stance against fraud, corruption and misconduct in its supply chain, announcing that 101 suppliers have been restricted from doing business with the power utility for periods of up to 10 years. But behind that headline are companies who say they have been unfairly blacklisted — and who are now questioning the process that led to their exclusion. The Association of Private Security Owners, TAPSOSA, has raised particular concerns about 26 black-owned companies, alleging that they were referred for restriction without proper due process. Eskom rejects that claim, saying its disciplinary processes were followed, that suppliers were given an opportunity to respond, and that the referrals were based on evidence of serious misconduct. So today, we're hearing directly from some of the companies at the centre of this controversy. What were they accused of? Were they given a fair opportunity to defend themselves? And what does being blacklisted by a state-owned company mean for a business, its employees and its ability to survive? Because while consequence management is essential, so too is ensuring that the process itself is fair.
NATHI MTHETHWA — ONE YEAR ON, THE QUESTIONS THAT REMAIN
It’s almost a year to the time when South Africa woke to the devastating news that its ambassador to France, former police minister Nathi Mthethwa, had died in Paris. On 30 September 2025, the 58-year-old was found dead after falling from the 22nd floor of a hotel. His death immediately raised questions about the circumstances surrounding it. French authorities have now concluded their investigation and classified his death as suicide. But South African officials say they have yet to receive the final report. So, as we approach the first anniversary of his death, what do we actually know? What did the French investigation establish, and why are questions still lingering nearly a year later? Tonight, we revisit Nathi Mthethwa's death and ask: do we finally have the answers his family and the South African public deserve?
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Climate Justice vs Mineral Autonomy — who gets to decide how South Africa uses its natural resources?
South Africa is rich in minerals — resources that can drive economic growth, create jobs and strengthen our energy security. But increasingly, the country is also under pressure to rethink how it extracts and uses those resources in the face of climate change. A landmark Constitutional Court judgment involving proposed oil and gas exploration along the Wild Coast has now raised important questions about where we draw that line. The court has made it clear that economic development cannot simply happen at the expense of communities, the environment and future generations. But there is another side to this conversation: how much influence should international organisations and environmental groups have over South Africa’s ability to develop its own natural resources? Is environmental protection about climate justice — or could international pressure sometimes undermine a country's mineral and energy sovereignty?
CAN BOSA’S NOBUNTU HLAZO-WEBSTER FIX JOHANNESBURG? ( Nobuntu Hlazo- Webster )
Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, BOSA’s co-founder and deputy leader, has been named the party’s candidate for Johannesburg mayor. She is no newcomer to national politics. She currently serves in Parliament and previously stood as BOSA’s candidate for Gauteng premier. But this campaign is about more than winning City Hall. Hlazo-Webster is presenting herself as part of a different political project — one centred on competence, accountable government and economic growth rather than what she describes as the politics of managing decline. Her promise is ambitious: to build a skills-led city government, stimulate township enterprise, make Johannesburg a major African logistics hub, restore the city’s financial integrity, tackle corruption and make Johannesburg safer. She has also argued that the city needs to be fundamentally reorganised, particularly by addressing the fragmentation between entities such as City Power, Joburg Water and the Johannesburg Roads Agency. But the big question is whether voters are ready to give a relatively smaller political party a chance to run one of Africa’s most important cities. And perhaps even more importantly: what would a BOSA-led Johannesburg say about the changing political landscape of South Africa?
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: THE BIG FAMILY MEETING: CAN WE REBUILD THE FAMILY?
The family as we once knew it is changing — and perhaps changing faster than we are prepared to acknowledge. More relationships are ending, more children are growing up between two households, single-parent families are becoming increasingly common, and blended families are creating new and sometimes complicated dynamics. We have parents trying to co-parent with former partners, step-parents trying to find their place, grandparents stepping in to raise grandchildren, and children often caught in the middle of adult conflict. But rather than simply asking what went wrong with the family, today we want to ask a more difficult and perhaps more important question: Can we rebuild the family? What does a healthy family look like in 2026? And how do we create family structures where children feel loved, supported and secure, even when relationships between adults have broken down? Today, we’re calling a Big Family Meeting — an honest conversation about what is happening to the modern family and, more importantly, what we can do to change the trajectory.
The Sacred Power of Womanhood ( Pratiba Daya National co-ordinator of the brahma kumaris Gauteng )
Today we explore a deeply inspiring theme, “The Sacred Power of Womanhood.” Womanhood carries within it a unique spiritual strength — qualities such as compassion, intuition, resilience, gentleness, emotional wisdom, and the ability to nurture and uplift. These qualities are not only powerful; they are sacred. They shape families, communities, and the emotional fabric of society. Joining us today is [NAME] from the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. She will share profound insights on how feminine qualities influence our emotional wellbeing, our relationships, and our inner world — and how embracing these qualities can help us live more peaceful, balanced, and meaningful lives. And we’d love for you, our listeners, to be part of this conversation. Send us your questions, reflections, or personal experiences as we explore the sacred power of womanhood together. You can WhatsApp us — text or voice note — on [INSERT NUMBER] and share your thoughts with us. The Brahma Kumaris is a worldwide spiritual organization founded in 1937. With centers in more than 110 countries, it focuses on meditation, self-transformation, and promoting peace.
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