listen to METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Lost in Love: Looking Within
When relationships end badly, our first instinct is often to focus on the other person. We replay the lies, the betrayal, the red flags we missed, and the emotional scars left behind. We tell stories about the toxic partners we dated and the heartbreak they caused. But today, we're turning the spotlight inward. What if the most important question isn't "Why did they hurt me?" but rather "What was happening within me that made me stay, ignore the warning signs, or accept less than I deserved?" In this conversation, we explore the unhealed wounds, childhood experiences, insecurities, and emotional patterns that can influence the partners we choose. This is not about blaming ourselves for what happened, but about understanding ourselves more deeply so that we can break unhealthy cycles, heal old wounds, and build relationships rooted in self-worth, emotional maturity, and genuine love.
DA Shake-Up: Steenhuisen Out, Aucamp In as Hill-Lewis Makes His First Cabinet Move
South Africa’s Government of National Unity is seeing its first major political reshuffle from within the Democratic Alliance. Newly elected DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has moved swiftly to stamp his authority on the party’s national leadership team, requesting President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove former DA leader John Steenhuisen as Minister of Agriculture and replace him with current Deputy Minister Willie Aucamp. The move comes amid mounting criticism of Steenhuisen’s handling of the foot-and-mouth disease crisis, which has seen the department locked in legal battles with farming and agricultural organisations. Hill-Lewis says the changes are aimed at strengthening the DA’s contribution to government and delivering on the mandate given to the party by millions of voters. But what does this reshuffle say about the DA’s priorities, and will new leadership in agriculture help resolve one of the sector’s biggest crises?
Justice Beyond Words: Can the Courts Guarantee a Fair Trial for the Non-Verbal Accused?
A murder case before the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court has raised profound questions about fairness, equality and access to justice in South Africa. The accused, Mpendulo Thabethe, faces a murder charge, but the case has been postponed because the court has been unable to establish whether he fully understands the proceedings against him. Thabethe is non-verbal, reportedly has limited hearing, cannot read or write, has never attended school, and does not understand formal sign language. Despite efforts involving interpreters, medical practitioners and sign-language specialists, the court has so far been unable to find an effective way to communicate with him. The magistrate has stressed that no trial can proceed unless the accused understands the charges and is able to participate meaningfully in his own defence. The case shines a spotlight on a rarely discussed challenge within South Africa’s justice system: how does the law ensure a fair trial when traditional forms of communication fail? Are our courts equipped to deal with accused persons who have complex communication disabilities, and what happens when the system cannot bridge that gap? Tonight, we unpack the legal, ethical and human rights implications
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Child Pregnancies: A Failure to Protect South Africa's Girls?
Every year, thousands of South African girls under the age of 16 fall pregnant. Behind many of those pregnancies lies a disturbing reality: the possibility of statutory rape. Yet despite the scale of the problem, questions are being raised about whether those responsible are ever being investigated or prosecuted. The Democratic Alliance has now taken its concerns to the South African Human Rights Commission, alleging that government departments, schools, social workers, healthcare professionals and law enforcement agencies are failing to report and act son cases involving underage pregnancies. The party argues that what should trigger criminal investigations is too often treated as a social issue, allowing perpetrators to escape accountability while vulnerable children remain unprotected. Tonight, we unpack the DA's complaint, the legal obligations of professionals who encounter child pregnancies, and whether South Africa's systems are failing the very children they are meant to protect.
Can a Service Delivery Party Fix South Africa? ( Thabo Matau - Founder and President - Service Delivery Party )
South Africans are increasingly frustrated by failing service delivery, crumbling infrastructure, water shortages and persistent power outages. A new political party, the Service Delivery Party, says it has a simple solution: put communities at the centre of governance and judge politicians by what they deliver, not what they promise. But can a party built around service delivery succeed where others have failed? We are joined by the founder and president of the Service Delivery Party, Thabo Motau, to unpack his vision for South Africa.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Youth Day at 50: Are Young South Africans Still Patriotic?
Fifty years ago, thousands of young people took to the streets in what would become one of the defining moments in South Africa's struggle for freedom. The students of 1976 risked their education, their safety and, in some cases, their lives, in pursuit of a better future. Their actions helped change the course of the country's history and remain a powerful symbol of courage, sacrifice and patriotism. But half a century later, South Africa's youth are facing a very different reality. They are not fighting apartheid, but many are confronting unemployment, inequality, crime, corruption and growing frustration about the pace of change. Some critics argue that today's young people are disengaged from politics and civic life, while others say they are expressing their patriotism in new ways—through entrepreneurship, activism, community work, innovation and holding leaders accountable. So tonight we ask: Are young South Africans as patriotic as the generation of 1976? Has patriotism declined, or has it simply evolved? Is patriotism measured by protest and political participation, or by the determination to build a life and contribute to a country despite its challenges? And what does love of country look like for a generation that inherited freedom but continues to struggle for opportunity?
Stranded and Forgotten? The Growing Humanitarian Crisis at Durban’s Sherwood Hall ( Premier Thami Ntuli )
Thousands of people are sleeping in makeshift conditions at Sherwood Hall in Durban, waiting for a chance to return home to Malawi. What started as a gathering point for foreign nationals seeking assistance has now become what KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli describes as a growing humanitarian crisis. Questions are mounting about who should take responsibility for the welfare of those stranded, how long they can remain at the site, and what support government is able to provide. Tonight, we examine the human reality behind the headlines, the challenges facing authorities, and whether South Africa has a clear plan for managing situations involving large groups of migrants seeking repatriation.
Billions for Energy Projects But When Will Ordinary South Africans Feel the Difference? ( Mzukisi Kota Partner at Webber Wenzel - Energy Sector )
The Africa Energy Forum is one of the continent's biggest gatherings of energy investors, policymakers and industry leaders. Every year, announcements are made about billions of rands and dollars being committed to new power projects, renewable energy developments, transmission infrastructure and energy security initiatives. This year's forum is no different, with South Africa once again positioning itself as a key destination for energy investment. But while the investment figures sound impressive, many South Africans are asking a simple question: when will these promises translate into real relief at home? Households are still battling high electricity costs, small businesses continue to struggle with the cost and reliability of energy, and economic growth remains sluggish. For many citizens, the conversation about energy investment can feel disconnected from their daily reality. So tonight we ask: Billions for energy projects, but when will ordinary South Africans feel the difference? How much investment is actually flowing into the country? Will any of these projects help lower electricity prices? How long before families and businesses begin to see tangible benefits? And are we investing in the right energy solutions to meet South Africa's needs?
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Should Ordinary South Africans Face R100,000 Fines for Employing Undocumented Domestic Workers?
A proposed amendment to South Africa's employment laws could see ordinary households hit with fines of up to R100,000 for employing undocumented foreign nationals as domestic workers, gardeners or caregivers. Government says the move is necessary to enforce immigration laws and ensure that South Africans are prioritised in the labour market. But critics argue that many households may not fully understand the complexities of immigration documentation and that the policy risks punishing families while doing little to address the deeper failures of the country's immigration system. As Parliament considers the Employment Services Amendment Bill, we ask whether these tough penalties are a necessary deterrent or an unfair burden on ordinary South Africans.
ActionSA Accuses Ramaphosa of Using Zuma Tactics to Stall Impeachment Inquiry ( ACTION SA MP - athol trollip )
A fresh constitutional and political battle is brewing in Parliament after President Cyril Ramaphosa moved to halt the National Assembly's impeachment inquiry process. The president has approached the Western Cape High Court seeking an interdict to prevent Parliament's impeachment committee from proceeding while his review application against the Section 89 Independent Panel report is being considered. But ActionSA has hit back, accusing Ramaphosa of using the same legal tactics employed by former president Jacob Zuma to delay accountability. The party argues that Parliament's constitutional duty to exercise oversight cannot be suspended by litigation and is calling on lawmakers to resist what it describes as an attempt by the executive to undermine parliamentary independence. Tonight, we examine the legal, political and constitutional implications of this latest showdown.
Top Gauteng Traffic Cop Suspended Amid Explosive Commission Allegations ( Spokesperson: Gauteng Provincial Government Elijah Mhlanga )
The fallout from the Madlanga Commission continues to send shockwaves through South Africa's law enforcement ranks. Gauteng Traffic Police Chief Inspector Samuel Mashaba has been placed on precautionary suspension pending a formal disciplinary process. The suspension follows allegations linking him to an alleged criminal network, testimony regarding his involvement in the Aeroton drug bust, and revelations about his relationship with a police informant from whom he admitted receiving money. Mashaba now joins a growing list of law enforcement officials facing scrutiny, suspension, or arrest in the wake of the Commission's findings. Tonight, we unpack what these developments mean for accountability within the criminal justice system and whether the Commission is beginning to deliver tangible consequences.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Dying on the Job: When Productivity Comes at a Human Cost
The death of 29-year-old Gcina Dhladhla has sparked a national conversation about the realities many employees face behind office doors. According to her family, Gcina informed her supervisor that she was feeling unwell while at work, but instead of being allowed to go home, she was allegedly encouraged to continue working after purchasing pain medication. Hours later, she died. While investigations into the circumstances surrounding her death continue, the tragedy has raised uncomfortable questions about workplace culture, employee welfare and the pressures workers experience to remain productive even when their health is compromised. In an economy marked by high unemployment, shrinking opportunities and increasing performance demands, many workers fear being labelled unreliable, missing targets, or jeopardising their careers if they take time off when ill. Labour laws may guarantee protections, but do employees genuinely feel empowered to prioritise their health without consequences? Tonight, we explore whether some workplaces have created cultures where productivity is valued above people, and whether employers are doing enough to recognise the warning signs when an employee is physically or emotionally struggling. At what point does the pursuit of performance become a threat to employee wellbeing?
Vanished Without a Trace: The Mystery of the Four Siganga Children
More than 18 months have passed since four young siblings disappeared from the yard of their family home in the rural Eastern Cape, yet the questions surrounding their disappearance remain as haunting as the day they vanished. Seven-year-old Sive Siganga, four-year-old Oyintando Siganga, and twins Thabile and Thabsile Siganga were last seen playing outside their home in Ntabankulu on 10 November 2024. Within moments, they were gone. No witnesses. No confirmed sightings. No explanation. Despite an extensive investigation involving intelligence operations, inter-provincial searches and community engagements, authorities have been unable to uncover what happened to the children. Now, the Hawks have renewed their appeal for public assistance, describing the case as one of the most distressing missing children investigations they have encountered. The simultaneous disappearance of four children from the same family has elevated the matter to one of exceptional urgency and concern. Tonight, we revisit a case that has gripped a community, devastated a family, and baffled investigators for more than a year. What happened to the Siganga children, and could the key to solving this mystery still lie with someone who knows more than they have revealed?
Licence to Deceive: How South Africa's Number Plate Black Market Fuels Crime and Fraud
A number plate is supposed to identify a vehicle. Instead, authorities warn it is increasingly becoming a tool for criminals to hide in plain sight. The License Plate Association of South Africa estimates that more than half of the 250,000 number plates produced every month are illegal, feeding a thriving underground industry that allows anyone to obtain cloned or fraudulent plates with little scrutiny. From dodging traffic fines and evading law enforcement to facilitating organised crime, experts say the country's number plate system has become dangerously compromised. The warning comes as a separate government investigation uncovers alleged widespread abuse of South Africa's vehicle registration system. Triggered by a high-profile McLaren crash in Cape Town, investigators discovered hundreds of luxury vehicles allegedly purchased and registered using fraudulent documentation and questionable Traffic Registration Numbers. With illegal number plates, weak enforcement, and suspected corruption exposing serious vulnerabilities in the system, questions are mounting about whether South Africa has lost control of one of the most basic tools used to identify vehicles and their owners.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Why Are More Young Girls and Young Women Turning to Alcohol?
A recent University of Cape Town study has raised concerns about increasing alcohol consumption among adolescent girls and young women in South Africa. While alcohol abuse has traditionally been associated with men, experts say changing social norms, peer pressure, mental health challenges, social media influence, unemployment and exposure to trauma may be driving more young females towards drinking. What is behind this trend, and what are the long-term consequences for young women's health, safety and future opportunities? Tonight, we unpack the social, economic and psychological factors contributing to alcohol use among girls and young women, and explore what families, schools, communities and policymakers can do to address the problem before it becomes a bigger public health crisis.
Human Trafficking in Gauteng: Are We Doing Enough to Protect the Human Vulnerable?
Human trafficking has been described as one of the fastest-growing and most profitable crimes in the world, yet many victims remain hidden in plain sight. The Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, has warned that trafficking in persons is not merely a law enforcement issue but a direct assault on human dignity and fundamental human rights. Speaking at the Gauteng Dialogue on Trafficking in Persons, the MEC called for stronger action to identify victims, improve support services, tackle online recruitment by traffickers, and address the poverty and inequality that leave many vulnerable to exploitation. She says government and society must move beyond awareness campaigns and focus on prevention, protection and coordinated action against trafficking networks.
Cleveland Massacre: Is Illegal Mining Fueling a Deadly War in Gauteng?
Twelve people dead. Ten others wounded. And a community left traumatised after one of the deadliest mass shootings Gauteng has witnessed in recent years. Residents of the Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, east of Johannesburg, say heavily armed gunmen stormed the area on Tuesday night and opened fire indiscriminately for more than an hour. As police launch a nationwide manhunt and deploy specialised investigative units, attention is increasingly turning to the shadowy world of illegal mining. While SAPS says it is too early to definitively link the massacre to zama zama activity, community leaders, residents and political parties argue that violent battles between rival illegal mining syndicates have turned parts of Cleveland into a war zone. Tonight, we ask: Is illegal mining now one of the greatest threats to community safety in Gauteng, and what must be done to stop these criminal syndicates before more innocent lives are lost
AFTER IS AFTER 8: CCTV in Classrooms: Protecting Learners or Policing Teachers?
Incidents of bullying, classroom violence, learner misconduct, and even allegations of corporal punishment continue to raise concerns about safety in South African schools. In response, some have suggested that CCTV cameras be installed inside classrooms to provide accountability, protect both learners and teachers, and offer evidence when disputes arise. Supporters argue that cameras could deter bad behaviour and help create safer learning environments. But not everyone agrees. Many teachers and unions argue that constant surveillance could undermine trust, violate privacy, and create a culture where educators feel monitored rather than supported. Would CCTV cameras make classrooms safer, or would they turn schools into surveillance zones that damage the relationship between teachers and learners? BASIL MANUEL - NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS’ ORGANISATION OF SOUTH AFRICA. LERATO LUFUNO MONGUNI - PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIETY OF HISTORY TEACHING (SASHT).
South Africa’s Economy Grows Again — But Is the Recovery Reaching Ordinary Citizens? ( Isaac Khambule is a professor of political economy at the University of Johannesburg )
For years, South Africans have grown accustomed to headlines about economic stagnation, unemployment, load shedding and shrinking opportunities. Yet the latest figures from Statistics South Africa offer a glimmer of hope. The economy expanded by 0.5% in the first quarter of 2026, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of growth and suggesting that, despite significant challenges, South Africa may be finding its footing. Strong performances in finance, agriculture, trade and transport helped drive the expansion, demonstrating resilience in sectors that continue to keep the economy moving forward. But while economists may welcome the numbers, many South Africans are asking a different question: if the economy is growing, why does daily life still feel so difficult? Unemployment remains stubbornly high, the cost of living continues to squeeze households, and many communities are yet to experience tangible benefits from economic growth. Tonight, we unpack what these GDP figures really mean. Is South Africa finally turning a corner, or are the gains too modest to make a meaningful difference in people's lives? And how do we ensure that economic growth translates into jobs, investment and improved living standards for all?
Private Jets, Public Money: Is State Capture Still Alive in Local Government? ( SUNDAY TIMES SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST: SIPHO MASANGO )
When the findings of the State Capture Inquiry were released, South Africans hoped the era of politically connected individuals receiving lavish benefits from companies seeking government contracts was behind us. The commission laid bare a pattern of corruption in which private businesses allegedly cultivated relationships with public officials through gifts, luxury travel, accommodation and other perks, often in exchange for access and influence over lucrative state tenders. It was a blueprint that cost the country billions and eroded public trust in government institutions. Now, a new controversy has reignited those concerns. Criminal charges have been laid against former City of Ekurhulenicity manager Dr Imogen Mashazi following allegations that IT company XET Solutions funded a R3.35 million private jet trip to London during her tenure. The trip is reportedly linked to municipal contracts awarded to the company, raising uncomfortable questions about whether South Africa is witnessing a repeat of the very practices exposed by the Zondo Commission. Tonight, we ask whether enough has been done to reform public procurement, and whether local government remains vulnerable to the same corruption networks that defined the state capture era.
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