2026 METRO FM MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES EVENT!

METRO FM Talk is coming to you live from Sandton this evening as we reveal the nominees for the 2026 METRO FM MUSIC AWARDS! Musically, the country has a lot to celebrate, as our artists continue to release world class music that can be heard across the globe! I’ll be chatting to some executives this evening on what all this means, and I’ll also be wearing a bit of a different hat this evening, catching up with some of your favourite artists and personalities. Get ready for a night of celebrating music, artistry and your favourite station - METRO FM!

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS & CIVIL ORGANISATION REACTION

MAPHEFO SIPULA - DEVELOPMENT ECONOMIST & HEAD OF RESEARCH & IMPACT AT PROPERTY POINT PROF ANDRE ROUX - ECONOMIST AT STELLENBOSCH BUSINESS SCHOOL

REACTION TO BUDGET SPEECH FROM POLITICAL PARTIES

- MK PARTY: DR. THANTI MTHANTI UMKHONTO WESIZWE PARTY (MK PARTY) CHAIRPERSON OF THE ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION SUB-COMMITTEE. ATM: VUYO ZUNGULA, AFRICAN TRANSFORMATION MOVEMENT (ATM) PARLIAMENTARY LEADER - RISE MZANSI - SONGEZO ZIBI, RISE MZANSI LEADER & NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CHAIRPERSON OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

GWEN RAMOKGOPA, ANC TREASURER GENERAL

REACTION TO BUDGET SPEECH FROM POLITICAL PARTIES

BUDGET EXPLAINER & 2026 REPORT ( LULAMA MATYA - SABC SENIOR PARLIAMENT REPORTER )

The rand and the markets have reacted positively to a 2026 budget which forecast modest annual economic growth of 1.6% and a stabilisation of government debt which remains incredibly high but is expected to drop following the 2025/26 financial year. Finance Minister Enoch Godongoana also announced some relief for tax payers with the government decision to withdraw the 20-billion-rand in tax increases which were provisionally included in the May 2025 Budget. However, did the budget go far enough in addressing the country’s three major economic problems of poverty, unemployment and inequality? Over the next couple of hours we’ll be hearing from different political parties, experts and civil organisations as they react to the 2026 Budget.

AFTER 8 : DESIGNED TO BE ADDICTIVE: A LOOK AT HOW SOME FOODS FUEL ADDICTIVE AND OFTEN UNHEALTHY EATING HABITS

Many of us have found ourselves constantly craving unhealthy food and going back for more despite feeling full or having a desire to eat healthier. Well, this could be by design as some evidence reveals that many modern processed foods are explicitly engineered to be "hyper-palatable," designed with specific combinations of salt, sugar, and fat to trigger brain reward pathways that encourage us to keep eating even when we are full.

LESUFI APOLOGISES TO RESIDENTS FOR WATER WOES ( ANDILE STOFILE - CHANGE AGENT IN CHIEF AT THE LEADERSHIP WITH A SOUL INSTITUTE )

Water supply was one of the major focus points as Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi delivered his State of the Province Address last night, as he apologised to Gauteng residents who are experiencing water supply issues and announcing plans to remedy the problem following years of outcries from residents. The premier also highlighted the province’s infrastructure issues, with plans to fix ailing roads and dealing with cable theft and vandalism. Opposition parties and some activist groups have criticised the premier for making more promises, saying the time for apologies is over and there is an urgent need for action.

HOME AFFAIRS A MARKETPLACE FOR PERMITS & VISAS ( KAIZER KGANYAGO - SIU SPOKESPERSON )

South Africa’s immigration system has been turned into a marketplace where permits and visas are allegedly sold to the highest bidder. That is the stark finding presented before an official inquiry by the Home Affairs department. Delivering an interim report on the issuing of permanent residence permits and visas - Acting Special Investigating Unit (SIU) head, Leonard Lekgetho, says the SIU has uncovered widespread corruption within Home Affairs. The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, says disciplinary processes against all implicated individuals are ongoing and the Department is looking to cancel over 2 000 study visas that were identified as fraudulently issued through these syndicates.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: ‘South Africa by the Numbers’ – An in-depth look into the different statics that make up the South African economy and society

As we gear up for the budget speech which will be delivered this Wednesday, we’re joined by the Statistician General of South Africa - to take a deep dive into the different numbers that tell the story of where the country is today. We’ll also be joined by other experts for their take on where we’re lagging and what the numbers should look like for us to be a prosperous nation.

HERMAN MASHABA - FORMER MAYOR OF JOHANNESBURG & ACTION SA PRESIDENT

Former Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba has announced his candidacy for mayor of the country’s economic hub - the City of Johannesburg in the upcoming local government elections. Mashaba was the city’s mayor between 2016 and 2019 under the Democratic Alliance (DA) ticket. Mashaba term was cut short when he resigned from the positions due to differences he had with the DA. In his announcement at the Orlando Communal Hall in Soweto, at the weeked, Mashaba also unveiled what he called a clear recovery plan for the city. This he said will include a five point plan which will deal with, unemployment, ending corruption, illegal foreigners and maintaining infrastructure among other issues facing the richest city on the African continent.

Business Review: Icon PB ( PHILA KOSHIN - FOUNDER OF ICON PB )

Our Business Review special feature follows four entrepreneurs as they walk us through differing aspects of their industries and the world of entrepreneurship. In this cycle of our conversations with the entrepreneurs, they’ll be telling us how they market their business in a digitally driven environment.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: WHY DATING IS CHANGING AS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE STRUGGLE TO FIND THAT SPECIAL PERSON

A lot of data is pointing towards major changes in how we relationship. We’re more single than ever and we’re getting married later, so it seems that finding that special someone seems to be getting harder as we move away from traditional courtship toward a more complex, digital, and isolated, "situationship" culture. Dating is undergoing a significant transformation in today's world, driven largely by technological advancements, shifting societal norms, and changing economic landscapes.

MATTHEW PARKS - COSATU PARLIAMENTARY COORDINATOR

WILL MORE LABOUR INSPECTORS MEAN BETTER LAW ENFORCEMENT The Department of Employment and Labour has given further insight into the President’s plan to bolster the department with an additional 10,000 new labour inspectors. In making the announcement, Ramaphosa made it clear that businesses failing to comply with immigration requirements will face serious consequences. In his response to the president’s SONA, Deputy Labour Minister - Jomo Sibiya said “The additional capacity will assist in improving inspections from 300,000 workplace visits annually to about 1.6 million.

PROF. NTSIKELELO BREAKFAST - POLITICAL ANALYST

These are turbulent times for the coalition in Ekurhuleni The EFF has rejected the Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza’s decision to reshuffle his Mayoral Committee. The EFF’s announcement followed ActionSA’s rejection of the appointment of its mayoral candidate and councillor, Xolani Khumalo to take over Community Services and By-Law Enforcement. The EFF says Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza took the decision to remove and reshuffle its councillors without consultation and says it will now assume opposition benches. ActionSA’s Herman Mashaba has also criticised Xhakaza for appointing Khumalo without consultation, saying Khumalo will not take the position.

BUSINESS REVIEW: WISOLVE's TERRY MAVUNDLA CHATTING STRATEGY

Business Review: Wisolve Our Business Review special feature follows four entrepreneurs as they walk us through differing aspects of their industries and the world of entrepreneurship. We’re following their journeys - and in this cycle of our conversations with the entrepreneurs we’ll be chatting about strategy as our entrepreneurs let us in on how they strategise, the goals they’ve set for the year and how they plan on implementing their strategies.  Back on Metro Fm Talk this evening is TERRY MAVUNDLA - FOUNDER AND CEO OF WISOLVE - which is a mobile apps development and software programming company that is based in Durban.   

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: The challenges of being overqualified in the world of work

While pursuing post-graduate studies such as a masters or PhD is a great achievement it can sometimes become a weakness when it comes to one’s employability or ability to further up the corporate ladder. This evening we take a look at being overqualified and how it can impact your career prospects. MONICA MURAVHA - HR SPECIALIST & SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PATISA NOMBAKUSE - CAREER & LIFE COACH CHENGETAI MYEZWA - TRANSFORMATION SPECIALIST AND FOUNDER OF OKIRU

UFS study detects hormone-disrupting chemicals in menstrual products sold in South Africa

A study by the University of Free State has found hormone-disrupting chemicals in every sanitary pad and pantyliner tested from brands sold in South Africa. They include those labelled organic or chemical-free. The university’s scientists have warned that millions of women face regular exposure. They have called for clearer labelling, tougher safety regulations, and urgent further research. PROF DEON VISSER - A PROFESSOR IN INORGANIC CHEMISTRY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE-STATE NOKUZOLA NDWANDWE - MENSTRUAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND FOUNDER OF TEAM FREE SANITARY PADS

RIKUS BARDENHORST - DA WHIP IN THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES AND MEMBER OF THE JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF PARLIAMENT

The pressure continues to mount on Parliament Secretary Xolile George who’s salary allegedly increased by more than 88% since 2022! Earlier in the month, the Democratic Alliance (DA) requested the President, the Office of the Public Protector as well as Parliament to probe allegations of maladministration and abuse of power at Parliament. In another twist in the story, Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has recused herself from the investigation due to her “personal relationship” with George.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Operation Outrage: Social media’s negativity bias and its real world impact

The psychological tendency to prioritize, share, and react more strongly to negative information over positive information—is actively magnified by platform algorithms that prioritize engagement (likes, shares, comments). We tend to doom scroll negative news, outrage, and fear, which spreads faster and farther, resulting in significant, detrimental real-world impacts on mental health, social cohesion, and our politics.

BUSINESS REVIEW