listen to METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: The Funding Gap: Why Is It Still So Hard for Women to Get Money?
Entrepreneurship is often sold as the great equaliser — have a good idea, work hard, build a strong business and the money will follow. But for many women entrepreneurs, getting the money to turn that idea into a viable business can be one of the biggest hurdles they face. From bank loans and venture capital to government funding and private investors, women continue to navigate a financial system where access to capital can be difficult. And the challenge isn't always about whether the business is viable — sometimes it's about collateral, networks, credit history, the size of the business, or whether investors believe a woman-led company can scale. So, during Women’s Month, we're asking a difficult question: is the funding system genuinely gender-neutral, or are women still having to prove themselves more before someone is willing to put money behind their businesses? Are investors unconsciously more likely to see male entrepreneurs as ambitious, scalable and investment-ready? And what role do property ownership, access to wealth and existing financial networks play in determining which entrepreneurs get a seat at the table? Today, we're putting the entrepreneur and the funder across from each other — to ask where the gap really lies, and what needs to change to ensure that a woman's business idea isn't held back simply because she can't access the capital to grow it.
ALLEGED KZN POLICE HIT SQUADS: COMMISSION HEARS CLAIMS OF TARGETED KILLINGS
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has turned its attention to KwaZulu-Natal, and the evidence being presented is raising deeply troubling questions about the conduct of some police task teams. The commission has heard allegations of police hit squads targeting suspects linked to cash-in-transit robberies, drug syndicates and taxi violence — with claims that some suspects may have been deliberately killed rather than arrested and brought before the courts. IPID Deputy Director for Investigations Len John has told the commission that three KZN task teams, dealing with CIT robberies, drugs and taxi violence, were particularly associated with these allegations. He says officers often failed to notify IPID promptly when suspects were killed in police shootings, and in some cases could not even provide the identities of the deceased or evidence that they were responsible for the crimes they were allegedly being pursued for. The testimony raises a fundamental question: were these genuine law-enforcement operations that went tragically wrong, or were some police officers effectively operating outside the law, deciding who should live and who should die?
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: DIABETES: SOUTH AFRICA’S SILENT KILLER
Diabetes is no longer just a chronic condition that South Africans are being warned to manage — new mortality figures show that it has become the country’s leading underlying natural cause of death. Stats SA data shows that diabetes accounted for 27,692 deaths in 2023 — about 5.8% of all recorded deaths — overtaking HIV and TB. But perhaps the most troubling part of this story is that experts say many of these deaths could be prevented. Late diagnosis, inadequate screening, poor diets and an unhealthy food environment are all contributing to a growing crisis. South Africa is estimated to have millions of people living with diabetes, many of whom may not even know they have it. So what has gone wrong? Why has diabetes become such a major killer — and are we treating it with the urgency it deserves? We’re unpacking the numbers, the causes and what can be done to reverse this trend.
EMFULENI: FROM CRISIS TO RECOVERY?
Emfuleni has been battling years of financial pressure, failing infrastructure and poor service delivery, from sewage and water problems to potholes and irregular refuse collection. But in his State of the Municipality Address last week, Executive Mayor Councillor Hassan Mako declared that the municipality is now moving from what he calls an era of excuses to decisive action. He points to the R7.6-billion water and sanitation intervention, the replacement of collapsed sewer lines, improvements to wastewater treatment works and a new municipal fleet aimed at strengthening service delivery. But Emfuleni still faces significant financial challenges, including billions in unauthorised, irregular and fruitless expenditure, while its current collection rate stands at just 70%. So, how much has actually changed — and can residents finally expect to see the turnaround on the ground?
Your Voice, Your Law: South Africans Invited to Comment on Major New Bills
South Africans are being urged to take part in shaping four pieces of legislation that could have significant implications for how the country deals with illegal mining, the legal profession, trusts and incitement to commit serious crimes. Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says the proposed laws are aimed at closing loopholes, strengthening accountability and bringing some legislation in line with the realities facing the country today. Among the most significant proposals are dramatically tougher penalties for certain illegal mining offences, including fines of up to R100 million and prison sentences of up to 30 years. There are also proposals to strengthen oversight of trusts and repeal the apartheid-era Riotous Assemblies Act. Three of the Bills are now open for public comment — so what exactly is being proposed, and how can South Africans have their say?
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: PUBLIC URINATION: WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT US?
JMPD has issued a warning to people urinating in public, saying those caught could face fines, arrest and even criminal prosecution. It’s a problem we see in many of our cities — on pavements, next to buildings, around transport hubs and in other public spaces. But beyond the embarrassment, the smell and the frustration of seeing someone relieve themselves in public, perhaps there’s a more uncomfortable conversation we need to have. What does our willingness to urinate in a public space say about our sense of right and wrong? Is it simply a practical decision by someone who needs a toilet and cannot find one? Is it a failure by municipalities to provide enough clean, accessible public facilities? Or, in some cases, is it a question of morality — of whether we still feel a responsibility to respect spaces that belong to all of us? Because perhaps the real issue isn't just whether someone breaks a by-law. It's whether we have reached a point where we only do the right thing when we know someone is watching. And if the answer is yes, can a fine or a CCTV camera really change our behaviour — or does meaningful change have to come from something deeper? We’re reflecting on public urination, personal responsibility, dignity and the moral choices we make in shared spaces with Dalu Cele, Founder and CEO of Clean City SA.
SA Unemployment Crisis Deepens as Jobless Rate Climbs to 33.6%
South Africa’s unemployment crisis is deepening, with the official unemployment rate climbing to 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026, up from 32.7% in the first quarter. That means another 345,000 people have joined the ranks of the unemployed, taking the total number of unemployed South Africans to about 8.5 million. And behind these numbers are people who are looking for work, graduates struggling to get their first opportunity, parents trying to provide for their families and young people questioning whether the economy has a place for them. Employment actually declined slightly during the quarter, while more people entered the labour market looking for opportunities. So what is driving this persistent jobs crisis? Why are we struggling to create employment at the scale needed — and what needs to change if South Africa is to get millions of people into work?
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: THE SILENT VOICES THAT FAIL WOMEN: WHY DO WE KEEP LOOKING AWAY FROM GBVF?
GBVF doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Behind many cases are people who knew something was wrong but chose to remain silent; friends who looked the other way, men who refused to challenge other men, women who sometimes protect abusive partners, and institutions that fail victims when they need help most. We often ask why perpetrators continue to abuse — but perhaps we also need to ask what happens around them that allows that abuse to continue. If we all say we are against gender-based violence, why do we so often remain silent when we see it happening?
FROM HEALTH ADVOCATE TO CITY HALL: CAN TLALENG MOFOKENG LEAD JOHANNESBURG?
The EFF has entered the race for Johannesburg with a candidate who comes from outside traditional party politics. Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng has been announced as the party’s mayoral candidate for the City of Gold, following the EFF’s manifesto launch in Thohoyandou over the weekend. Mofokeng is a medical doctor and prominent public-health advocate, who has worked extensively on HIV and AIDS, neonatal health, gender equality and the right to health. She also recently completed her term as the first African to serve as the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health. Now she is making the move into active politics — and into one of the country’s biggest political battles. She will go up against candidates including Helen Zille of the DA and Herman Mashaba of ActionSA, while the ANC is yet to announce its candidate. Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng joins us in studio to unpack her decision to enter politics, her vision for Johannesburg and why she believes she is the right person to lead the city.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: WOMEN BEYOND IN BLUE, BEYOND THE BADGE
For generations, women in South Africa have fought for the right to be seen, heard and respected in spaces that were once considered the preserve of men. Few professions embody that struggle more than policing. Every day, women in blue put on their uniforms and step into some of the country's most difficult and dangerous situations. They comfort victims, investigate crimes, protect communities, lead specialised units and carry the enormous responsibility of upholding the law while often balancing the demands of motherhood, family life and public service. This Women's Month, we are taking time to honour the women who serve behind the badge. Beyond the uniform, beyond the rank and beyond the statistics, we want to hear the stories of resilience, sacrifice, courage and determination that have shaped their journeys. At a time when South Africans are demanding safer communities and stronger institutions, these women continue to stand on the front lines, often facing danger, criticism and immense pressure. Yet they remain committed to serving their communities with dignity and pride. Tonight, we celebrate the women in blue who continue to prove that strength and compassion can exist side by side.
Classrooms, Citizenship and the Constitution: Who Should Be Allowed to Teach?
The debate around employment, immigration and citizenship in South Africa has once again found its way into the education sector. The March and March movement has called for teaching posts to be reserved exclusively for South African citizens, arguing that local job opportunities should be protected. However, the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa, better known as NAPTOSA, has firmly rejected those calls. The organisation says threats and intimidation have no place in a profession governed by the rule of law and has emphasised that employment decisions must remain consistent with the country's legislation and constitutional values. As emotions continue to run high and questions around unemployment, immigration and labour rights dominate the national conversation, we ask whether this debate is really about jobs, the law, or something much deeper.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: IDAC Under Fire: When the Watchdog Becomes the Story
Tonight, we turn our attention to an institution that was created to protect South Africans from corruption, abuse of power and political interference, but which now finds itself at the centre of some of the very allegations it was established to investigate. The Independent Directorate Against Corruption, better known as IDAC, is facing one of the biggest credibility crises in its history. Explosive testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has exposed allegations of witness intimidation, docket manipulation, fabricated statements, abuse of authority and serious procedural failures within the organisation itself. This evening, we'll be joined by a security expert, a political analyst and an independent commentator who has closely followed developments at the commission. Together, we'll unpack what this means for the country's anti-corruption efforts, the future of Crime Intelligence and the damage that is done when institutions tasked with protecting democracy begin to lose the public's trust.
Helen Zille returns to the battlefield: Can she fix Johannesburg? ( Hellen Zille )
Love her or loathe her, one thing is undeniable: Helen Zille knows how to command attention. Tonight, one of South Africa's most recognisable and outspoken politicians joins us as she attempts to write what could be the next chapter in her long and often controversial political career. From exposing the truth behind Steve Biko's death as a journalist, to becoming mayor of Cape Town, premier of the Western Cape and leader of the Democratic Alliance, Zille has spent decades at the centre of South African politics. Now, at the age of 75, she is setting her sights on Johannesburg, a city she says is in desperate need of rescue. Ahead of the Democratic Alliance's national manifesto launch on 8 August, Zille has placed the slogan "Get Joburg Working" at the centre of her campaign, promising to tackle crumbling infrastructure, unreliable service delivery, corruption and what the party describes as a culture of political patronage. But this campaign is about more than policy. Zille's social media campaign has once again placed her squarely in the national spotlight, with energetic videos, sharp political commentary and her trademark ability to generate both admiration and outrage in equal measure. Tonight, we'll ask whether Helen Zille believes Johannesburg can really be turned around, whether South Africans are buying into her message and why she believes she remains the right person for one of the country's toughest jobs.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Power Without Protection – The Hidden Cost of Being a Woman in African Politics
For decades, African women have fought for the right to be seen, heard and represented in the spaces where decisions are made. Today, more women are serving in parliaments, leading political movements and occupying positions of power than ever before. But while the numbers may be improving, the reality behind those statistics tells a very different story. Across the continent, women who dare to enter politics continue to face barriers that many of their male counterparts never have to contend with. They are questioned about their appearance rather than their policies, criticised for choosing careers over traditional expectations and subjected to relentless abuse, both online and in person. Some have been threatened, intimidated and even forced to abandon their political ambitions altogether. From South Africa to Nigeria, from Zimbabwe to Uganda, women are increasingly using social media platforms, grassroots activism and community networks to challenge the status quo and demand equal representation. Yet many argue that the system itself remains deeply unequal and that genuine transformation remains frustratingly slow. As South Africa marks Women's Month, we ask an important question: Have African women truly gained political power, or are they still being forced to fight for a seat at the table?
A Fight for Water Ends in Tragedy: Questions Surround the Death of a KwaZulu-Natal Resident
The struggle for access to water has once again exposed the devastating consequences of South Africa's ongoing service delivery crisis. A family in Adams Mission, south of Durban, is demanding answers after 38-year-old Celani Zungu was killed in an incident involving an eThekwini municipal water tanker. According to his family, Zungu had joined fellow residents who believed the tanker had arrived to provide water to the entire community, only to discover that it was allegedly delivering water to a single household. An argument reportedly broke out, and moments later, Zungu was run over by the truck. His family claims the vehicle moved over him more than once. Police have opened a culpable homicide case, while the municipality has launched its own investigation into the incident.
Court Reinstates PIC CEO Patric Dlamini After Suspension Ruled Unlawful
The leadership crisis at the Public Investment Corporation, the institution responsible for managing more than R3 trillion in public funds, has taken another dramatic turn. The Gauteng High Court has ruled that the precautionary suspension of chief executive Patrick Dlamini was unlawful and invalid, ordering his reinstatement. Dlamini was suspended last month after allegations of impropriety surfaced through a whistleblower report, but the court found that the board had failed to comply with both the Public Investment Corporation Act and its own internal governance procedures. The judgment raises important questions about governance, accountability and political tensions at one of the country’s most influential financial institutions.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Locked Out of the Workplace: The South Africans Who Have Never Had a Job
South Africa's unemployment crisis is often measured in percentages, statistics and quarterly reports. We hear about millions of people who are unemployed, but hidden behind those numbers is an even more troubling reality. There is a growing group of South Africans who have never had any kind of formal employment. They have never walked into an office for their first day of work, never attended a staff meeting, never signed an employment contract and never received a payslip. For many of them, unemployment is not something that happened after losing a job. It is the only reality they have ever known. Research shows that the longer people remain outside the labour market, the harder it becomes for them to enter it. Employers often demand experience, but how do you gain experience when nobody is willing to give you an opportunity in the first place? As the years pass, many young people are left feeling discouraged, isolated and uncertain about their future. Tonight, we want to put human faces to these statistics. We will be speaking to a young South African who has never had formal employment to understand the emotional, social and financial toll of being excluded from the world of work. We will also be asking an important question: what practical steps can young people take to improve their chances of becoming employable in an increasingly competitive economy?
The Road to the 2026 Local Government Elections: Are South Africans Ready to Vote?
The race towards South Africa's local government elections is gathering momentum, and today the Independent Electoral Commission has provided a clearer picture of who is stepping forward to participate in the country's democracy. During a media briefing earlier today, the IEC revealed that around 291,000 first-time voters have registered ahead of the November polls, with more than 200,000 of those registrations completed online. The commission says an additional 2.1 million voters have been added to the voters' roll since the 2024 national elections, with KwaZulu-Natal recording one of the strongest responses from younger voters during the final registration weekend. More than 20,000 voting stations were opened across the country over the weekend, with the IEC reporting that more than 99 percent of them opened on time. Although the in-person registration period has come to an end, online registration remains available until the election date is officially proclaimed. The commission says this remains a crucial opportunity for eligible South Africans to register, update their details and ensure that they are assigned to the correct voting district. To help us unpack what these numbers tell us about voter participation and whether young South Africans are becoming more politically engaged, we are joined by ...
Fuel Shock Absorber: Can Treasury's R10 Billion Plan Protect South Africans From Rising Petrol Prices?
South Africans have become used to the monthly ritual of holding their breath as fuel prices are adjusted. And while motorists are celebrating a drop in the price of petrol this month, government is already looking beyond the immediate relief. National Treasury has announced plans to set aside R10 billion to help shield the country from sudden spikes in global oil prices, particularly as tensions in the Middle East continue to threaten supply routes and destabilise markets. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says the money will be channelled into the Equalisation Fund, which is designed to absorb some of the impact of dramatic price fluctuations. But the move raises important questions. Will it provide lasting relief for ordinary South Africans, or is it merely a temporary fix to a much bigger problem?
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: When Funding Fails, Survival Takes Over: Why Are Students Selling Weed, Alcohol and Food Just to Stay in University?
Tonight's conversation begins with a difficult and deeply uncomfortable question: what happens when students run out of money, but refuse to give up on their dreams? South Africa has spent years encouraging young people to pursue higher education, telling them that qualifications are the key to opportunity, success and social mobility. But for thousands of postgraduate students, the reality is very different. Once their undergraduate studies end, so does much of the financial support available to them. The result is that many find themselves trapped between crushing debt, rising living costs and an uncertain future. According to a recent investigation by Daily Maverick, some students have started small businesses selling food and hair products, while others have admitted to selling alcohol and marijuana simply to survive. Their argument is simple: if there is no money for rent, transport, food or tuition, then survival becomes the priority. Tonight, we ask whether South Africa is pushing desperate students towards illegal activities. Are these students criminals, or are they casualties of a broken system? Joining us to unpack this story is the journalist behind the investigation, Siyabonga Goni.
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