listen to METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Sacred Waters, Silent Tragedies
For many believers around the world, baptism is far more than a religious ceremony. It is seen as a sacred crossing point — a moment of cleansing, surrender and spiritual rebirth. Across generations, rivers, streams, dams and open waters have become places where people gather to publicly affirm their faith and begin what they believe is a new journey with God. These ceremonies often bring together entire families and communities to witness deeply personal moments of transformation and hope. But while these waters carry profound spiritual meaning, they have also become associated with a growing number of tragedies that leave families shattered and communities searching for answers. Over the years, South Africa and several other countries have seen repeated incidents where worshippers have drowned or lost their lives during baptism ceremonies. In some cases, dangerous currents, rising water levels and flash floods have turned moments of celebration into scenes of devastation. In others, questions have emerged around planning, safety measures and whether enough awareness exists about the risks associated with natural water environments. Tonight, we broaden the conversation beyond a single tragedy and ask difficult questions around faith, responsibility and prevention. Can these sacred practices continue in the way they always have? Should there be stronger safety measures in place? And perhaps most importantly, can faith and safety coexist without one undermining the other?
Tafelberg Judgment: A Turning Point for Housing Justice in Cape Town
For decades after the end of apartheid, South Africa’s cities have continued to carry the scars of spatial inequality — where where you live often determines the opportunities you can access, the schools your children attend, and even the cost and time of getting to work. Now, in what has become one of the country’s most significant housing rights battles, the Constitutional Court has delivered a landmark judgment on the controversial sale of the former Tafelberg school site in Sea Point. The court has ruled that the sale was unlawful, finding that both the Western Cape government and the City of Cape Town failed to adequately consider affordable housing in well-located areas. Although the property sale itself was cancelled years ago, the broader questions remain: who gets to live in South Africa’s cities, and who continues to be pushed further away from economic opportunities? Tonight, we unpack the significance of this ruling, its impact on future housing policy, and whether this could reshape the ongoing struggle against apartheid-era spatial planning.
Starlink, Lobbying and Questions of Influence: Is South Africa Facing Another Transparency Test?
Questions around political influence, lobbying and access to power are once again taking centre stage following allegations involving government ministers, a prominent public affairs firm and one of the world's most talked-about technology companies. Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies chairperson, Khusela Sangoni-Diko, is now demanding answers from communications minister Solly Malatsi over claims that representatives linked to Starlink sought access to government through politically connected channels. The controversy emerged after former DA leader John Steenhuisen alleged that a public affairs firm linked to former DA leader Tony Leon attempted to facilitate meetings between ministers and private clients, including Starlink representatives. While the claims have been strongly denied, the allegations have reignited concerns around transparency, accountability and whether private interests may be exerting influence over public decision-making. Tonight, we unpack the allegations, the denials and whether this represents routine lobbying or raises deeper questions about how business gains access to political power.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: The Financial Legacy You Leave Behind Will Your Children Inherit Wealth or Financial Problems?
Every parent hopes to leave something meaningful behind for their children, whether it’s a home, savings, investments or simply financial security. But what happens if someone passes away with outstanding debt? How does that affect the estate and the inheritance their loved ones were expecting? And perhaps more importantly, how can you start planning now to make sure you’re leaving behind a legacy rather than financial complications? From managing debt to building wealth and planning your estate properly, what does it take to get it right? Today we’re joined by a financial planner and a debt expert to help us understand how to protect your loved ones and leave behind the best possible financial legacy.
Ramaphosa Announces Cabinet Reshuffle
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a Cabinet reshuffle, making several changes requested by the Democratic Alliance (DA) as part of the Government of National Unity. Key appointments include: ● Willem Aucamp as Minister of Agriculture. ● David Maynier as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. ● John Steenhuisen as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. ● Alexandra Abrahams as Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy. ● Jack Bloom as Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation. ● Yusuf Cassim as Deputy Minister of Higher Education. Ramaphosa also appointed Dina Pule as Minister of Social Development, filling the vacancy left after Sisisi Tolashe was dismissed in May. Pule's appointment is controversial because she was dismissed as Communications Minister in 2013 after investigations found she had acted unethically. Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found that Pule had lied to Parliament and violated the Executive Members' Ethics Code over her relationship with a businessman who benefited from his association with her. She was reprimanded, suspended by Parliament, and removed from Cabinet by former President Jacob Zuma. After returning to Parliament as an ANC MP following the 2024 elections, Pule has now been reinstated to Cabinet. Ramaphosa wished all the new ministers and deputy ministers well in their new roles. We break down his decision.
City Power consumers face 8.63% electricity hike as new tariffs kick in
City Power consumers will have to dig deep in their pockets as sharp price hikes kick in.It follows NERSA's approval of an 8.76 percent annual tariff increase for Eskom for 2026/27.But the power utility says it's adjusting its tariffs for the year to 8.63 percent lower than NERSA and Eskom to help cushion customers against rising electricity costs.NERSA has approved 176 municipal and local authority tariff hike applications for the 2026/27 financial year. What does this mean for South Africa’s economy and energy system?
Court Rejects Proposed Sentence in Cat Matlala Plea Deal
The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court rejected a plea agreement that would have allowed businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala to serve an effective eight-year prison sentence for fraud, corruption and money laundering linked to a R228 million SAPS tender.Magistrate Ignatius du Preez ruled that the proposed sentence was too lenient and did not adequately reflect the seriousness of Matlala's crimes. While acknowledging Matlala's cooperation with investigators, the court found that it did not demonstrate genuine remorse and should not justify a reduced sentence. The magistrate also stressed that investigating and prosecuting corruption is the responsibility of the SAPS and the NPA, not the accused.Instead, Du Preez suggested a sentence that would result in an effective 12 years' imprisonment, including: -15 years for fraud, with seven years suspended under strict conditions. -10 years each for corruption and money laundering, with most of those sentences running concurrently.The matter has been postponed to 13 July to allow the State and Matlala to negotiate a revised plea agreement based on the court's guidance. We understand this better with a legal expert.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Is South Africa truly more accepting of the LGBTIQ community, or just more polite about it?
Twenty years after South Africa became one of the first countries in the world to legalise same-sex marriage, a new study suggests the country may be changing in ways many did not expect. While public attitudes toward LGBTI people appear to be becoming more accepting, the picture is far more complex than a simple story of progress. The latest research from the Other Foundation and the Human Sciences Research Council shows that more South Africans now support equal rights and say their own views have shifted over time. Yet questions around family acceptance, religion, culture and everyday inclusion remain deeply contested. So what has changed over the last decade, what is driving these shifts, and are constitutional protections translating into real experiences for people on the ground? Tonight, we unpack the numbers and the stories behind them with voices from the Other Foundation and organisations working directly within these communities.
Anti-immigration protests - Voices from the streets
As South Africa reaches the end of a highly charged and tense day, questions are now emerging not only about immigration, but about the state of the country itself. Today, thousands of people across various parts of South Africa took to the streets as anti-illegal immigration groups coordinated nationwide demonstrations, calling for stricter immigration enforcement and the deportation of undocumented migrants. While organisers insisted the protests were aimed at government policy and border control, in several areas the day took on a far more volatile character, with reports of homes being entered, foreign nationals being targeted, sporadic violence breaking out and police being forced to intervene. In places such as Germiston and Alexandra, tensions escalated as community members moved through neighbourhoods searching for foreign nationals, while in Cape Town authorities moved swiftly to contain opportunistic criminal activity. Police had warned beforehand that they would have a strong presence on the ground and that any criminality or vigilantism would not be tolerated. Tonight we speak to activists, organisers and ordinary South Africans from different corners of the country to understand what unfolded, what people were demanding and whether today's events signal a deeper frustration over unemployment, crime and governance, or something far more dangerous developing beneath the surface.
From Steenhuisen to Mashaba: Questions Around Internal DA Battles ( ACTION SA LEADER HERMAN MASHABA )
Former DA leader and outgoing Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has levelled explosive allegations against his own party, accusing Resolve Communications — a public relations firm chaired by former DA leader Tony Leon — of driving a sustained campaign against both him and his chief of staff. Steenhuisen claims powerful figures within the party worked to shape public narratives against him amid mounting pressure over his future and internal tensions within the Democratic Alliance. The claims have reignited questions around power dynamics within the DA and whether political figures have previously found themselves isolated or pushed out through similar circumstances. We’ll be unpacking these allegations with former DA member and ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba, who has previously spoken about his own experiences within the party. Speculation and allegations have also surfaced around whether similar tactics may have played a role during his departure from the DA, and we’ll be getting his perspective on the claims now emerging from Steenhuisen.
Questions Mount After Handwritten Note Found at Feroz Khan Shooting Scene
The alleged attempted assassination of Crime Intelligence Deputy Head Feroz Khan has taken another dramatic turn after investigators reportedly recovered a handwritten note at the scene where he was shot in Houghton. The note allegedly calls for criminal charges to be opened against Colonel Khoromi and General Khumalo, who are themselves being investigated by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption. Khan remains in critical condition in hospital after he was ambushed by unknown gunmen travelling in a Mercedes-Benz. Now, as police assemble a high-level team involving the Hawks, Crime Intelligence and the Political Killings Task Team, new questions are emerging. Who wrote the note? Why was it at the scene? Was it connected to Khan, or could it have been deliberately placed there? The shooting also comes just days before Khan was due to appear before the Madlanga Commission, adding another layer of complexity to a case already generating intense public interest. PROFESSOR SETHULEGO MATEBESI - SENIOR LECTURER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE. RETIRED INTERPOL AMBASSADOR ANDILE MASHAILE
Illegal Migration Crackdown: Security, Strain and South Africa’s Immigration Debate ( KZN PREMIER THAMI NTULI )
South Africa’s immigration debate has once again taken centre stage, with KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli revealing that more than 12,000 undocumented foreign nationals have already been deported ahead of the controversial June 30 deadline. The premier also made a startling revelation — saying a diplomat from a country that contributes a significant number of migrants to South Africa had requested a five-year grace period to legalise their citizens living in the country. Ntuli says he rejected the proposal, arguing that South Africa is already under enormous social and economic pressure and cannot afford further strain on its systems. But this story goes beyond deportation numbers. It touches on difficult questions around border security, migration policy, employment pressures, access to healthcare and public services, and concerns around social cohesion. At the same time, authorities are urging communities not to confuse frustration over undocumented migration with hostility towards foreign nationals, warning against vigilantism and violence.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Homelessness in South Africa: Men on the Streets, Invisible Struggles and Mental Health
Homelessness remains one of South Africa’s most visible yet often misunderstood social challenges. Across city centres including Pretoria CBD, more people are sleeping on pavements, under bridges and in public spaces, becoming part of a landscape many commuters pass every day. But behind the visible reality of homelessness lies a much deeper story — one of unemployment, trauma, family breakdown and emotional struggles that often go unseen. Many of those living on the streets are men carrying burdens that extend beyond simply not having a roof over their heads. They are also dealing with stress, anxiety, depression and mental health challenges that frequently go unnoticed and untreated. As the country marks Male Mental Health Month, difficult questions emerge around the pressures men face and why so many continue to suffer in silence. Are societal expectations around masculinity preventing men from seeking help? And are we too quick to reduce homeless people to statistics or stereotypes without understanding the circumstances that brought them there? Tonight we speak to Brian Dala, a young man who spends nights among homeless communities documenting their lived experiences, in an effort to encourage South Africans to see beyond the labels and recognise the humanity, dignity and stories behind life on the streets.
The R51 Billion Question: Why Millions of Retirement Benefits Remain Unclaimed ( SYDNEY MOSHOALIBA - STEERING COMMITTEE ON OF THE UNPAID BENEFITS CAMPAIGN )
More than R51 billion in retirement benefits remains unclaimed in South Africa — money that belongs to approximately 4.3 million people, many of whom may not even know that these funds exist in their names. Think about that for a moment: while millions of South Africans are struggling with unemployment, rising living costs and financial insecurity, billions of rand intended to provide financial relief and dignity in retirement are sitting untouched within the system. The latest volume of Open Secrets’ Who Owns South Africa? report places the spotlight on South Africa’s pension and financial services sector, arguing that deep structural inequalities continue to shape who benefits and who gets left behind. The report raises serious questions about whether the pension industry is adequately serving workers and beneficiaries, and whether enough is being done to reunite people with money that rightfully belongs to them. Tonight we unpack why these unpaid benefits continue to grow, who is being affected most, and whether there has been sufficient urgency in addressing what some campaigners are calling a longstanding injustice.
Viljoen Legal Storm Deepens: US Bench Warrants and Mounting Criminal Charges ( IRS FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR - CHAD THOMAS )
The legal troubles surrounding Peet and Mel Viljoen appear to be moving far beyond a single arrest story and are now becoming an international legal saga stretching from the United States back to South Africa. US authorities have issued bench warrants for the couple after they failed to appear before a Florida court following their arrest for shoplifting. While the warrants do not mean American law enforcement will pursue them on South African soil, they effectively ensure that if the pair attempt to re-enter the United States, they could be arrested immediately and brought before a court. At the same time, Peet Viljoen’s legal difficulties escalated the moment he arrived back in South Africa, where Hawks investigators arrested him at OR Tambo International Airport in connection with a long-running municipal property fraud investigation. He now faces more than 400 charges including fraud, corruption, theft, perjury and forgery. Tonight we unpack what a bench warrant actually means, whether these legal matters in two countries intersect in any way, and whether this marks the beginning of a much bigger legal battle.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER: Born Into HIV: A Generation Coming of Age
Tonight we look at a generation born into one of South Africa’s biggest public health crises — young people who entered the world carrying HIV and are now coming of age. They are navigating adulthood while managing lifelong treatment, relationships, identity and the weight of stigma that still exists today. But HIV did not only change individual lives; it transformed the structure of South African families, with many children growing up in the care of grandparents, relatives and even child-headed households after families were torn apart by illness and loss. As medical advances have helped many live longer and healthier lives, what does growing up with HIV look like today, and what lasting impact has the epidemic had on families across the country?
Police and Private Security: Is South Africa Redrawing the Lines of Law Enforcement Ahead of Nationwide Protests? ( PROF KHOLOFELO RAKUBU - CRIMINOLOGIST )
South Africa is preparing for planned nationwide anti-illegal immigration demonstrations on 30 June, but a new question is now emerging around who exactly will be responsible for keeping order on the streets. The South African Police Service has turned to private security companies including Bidvest Protea Coin, Fidelity and G4S to strengthen operations, while the army has also been placed on standby. But does this signal a growing shift in how the country responds to major security threats? South Africa already has one of the world's largest private security industries, with more private guards than police officers, but crowd management, public order policing and protest control traditionally fall within the mandate of the state. Private security personnel operate under different legal powers and limitations compared to SAPS officers. So what happens when those lines begin to blur? Is this simply additional support and manpower, or does it reflect mounting pressure on the country's policing capacity?
Human Trafficking Fears Raised After 23 Young People Rescued in Limpopo ( Police spokesperson in Limpopo Colonel Malesela Ledwaba )
What began as promises of jobs and a chance at a better future has now triggered a police investigation into suspected human trafficking in Limpopo. Twenty-three young men and women, aged between 19 and 23, were rescued from a crowded three-bedroom house in Seshego after concerned residents alerted authorities to suspicious activity in the area. The group, drawn from several provinces including Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, allegedly believed they had been recruited for insurance sales work. Instead, police found them living in poor conditions, raising difficult questions about how vulnerable young people searching for opportunities may be falling prey to exploitation and deception. Tonight we unpack what investigators know so far, whether warning signs are being missed, and the broader concerns around recruitment scams targeting South Africa’s youth.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Private vs Public Schooling: Is Quality Education About Cost or Choice?
Education remains one of the most powerful tools for shaping a child's future, and for parents, selecting the right school often comes with pressure, sacrifice and difficult decisions. For years, many families have viewed private schooling as the preferred option, believing that paying more for education often translates into better teaching, safer environments, improved facilities and stronger academic outcomes. Some parents are willing to make significant financial sacrifices because they believe private education gives their children a competitive advantage in life. However, the conversation is becoming increasingly complex. While private schools may offer certain advantages, many parents are beginning to question whether those benefits justify the financial burden and whether quality education exists beyond expensive school fees. There are public and semi-private schools producing excellent results, highly skilled graduates and successful professionals. Some also argue that factors such as parental involvement, learner support at home, school culture and individual student needs may play a greater role in success than the institution itself. Tonight we look beyond assumptions and perceptions to ask difficult but important questions: Are private schools truly better, or simply different? Are parents paying for quality, convenience and opportunity — or are they also paying for a particular image and expectation? And ultimately, what should parents prioritise when deciding where to educate their children in a rapidly changing world?
Ekurhuleni Budget Showdown: Opposition Support Saves Metro from Administration ( INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST MODIBE )
Tonight, political compromise appears to have pulled the City of Ekurhuleni back from the brink. After weeks of uncertainty, heated debate and concerns over the future of the metro;s finances, councillors have finally approved a revised municipal budget — a move that has not only secured the citys spending plans for the new financial year but may also have prevented a deeper governance crisis. The revised budget passed with 176 votes in favour and 31 against after several opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance, agreed to support amendments made to the original proposal. The initial budget had faced strong criticism, with opposition parties arguing that it failed to prioritise service delivery and included questionable spending decisions. The deadlock raised fears that if council failed to pass a budget before the required deadline, Ekurhuleni could face provincial intervention and potentially be placed under administration. Supporters of the revised budget say meaningful changes were made to strengthen accountability, improve fiscal responsibility and protect services for residents. But beyond the numbers and political negotiations lies a bigger question about coalition politics and governance in South Africa's metros. Does this outcome demonstrate political maturity and a willingness to place residents ahead of party interests, or is it simply a temporary solution to a larger political challenge? Tonight we unpack what this budget means for residents, service delivery and the future stability of one of the country's largest municipalities.
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