listen to METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
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.
Beneath the Surface: How Illegal Mining Is Threatening Johannesburg’s Roads and Safety ( MMC for Transport cllr. Kenny Kunene )
Johannesburg has long carried the scars of its mining history, but tonight there are growing fears that a dangerous crisis is unfolding beneath the city itself. A shocking discovery under an M2 highway bridge in the Johannesburg CBD has raised serious concerns after footage released by the Johannesburg Roads Agency revealed extensive illegal excavation directly beneath critical infrastructure. Authorities say illegal miners have hollowed out large sections of ground and paving, creating cavities that could compromise the structural stability of roads and bridges used by thousands of motorists every day. What is particularly alarming is that officials say this may not be an isolated incident. Over the past few years, road collapses and sinkholes linked to underground excavation have emerged in several areas including Selby, Booysens and near Wemmer Pan. Some underground cavities are said to extend as deep as 22 metres beneath the surface. As city officials warn that the damage poses a direct threat to public safety and key economic routes, difficult questions are being asked. How widespread is this problem? Are authorities losing the battle against illegal mining? And could Johannesburg be sitting on an even larger infrastructure crisis hidden beneath its streets?
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: When Help Doesn't Answer: Are Police Emergency Lines Failing South Africans?
Imagine finding yourself in the worst moment of your life. You hear someone breaking into your home. You witness a violent crime. A loved one collapses and every second suddenly matters. Your instinct is immediate — grab your phone and call for help. You dial the police emergency number expecting that on the other side of the line someone is ready to respond. But instead, the phone rings ... and rings ... and rings. No answer. No reassurance. Just silence. For many South Africans, these are not stories from a movie or worst-case scenarios imagined in fear — they are experiences that people claim to have lived through during moments of panic, danger and desperation. Complaints about police emergency numbers allegedly going unanswered have surfaced repeatedly over the years, leaving many questioning whether emergency systems designed to protect the public are functioning as they should. Tonight we ask whether these are isolated incidents or warning signs of something much deeper within South Africa’s policing and emergency response system. Are emergency call centres overwhelmed by high volumes of calls? Are there staffing shortages, resource constraints or technological failures affecting response times? Or are deeper systemic challenges within policing beginning to show themselves in ways that directly affect ordinary citizens? Because beyond the frustration of a missed call lies a much bigger issue — public trust. What happens when people begin to lose confidence in the very systems meant to protect them? If South Africans start believing that help may not arrive when they need it most, what does that do to feelings of safety, to confidence in law enforcement and to the relationship between communities and police? Tonight we hear from policing experts, authorities and most importantly from you — our listeners. Have you ever called for help and received no response? What happened and how did it affect you? When South Africans call for help, is help answering?
Nearly 3 Million Respond: Youth Drive Voter Surge Ahead of 2026 Elections
Close to three million South Africans have answered the Electoral Commission’s call to either register or update their voting details ahead of next year’s local government elections — and perhaps one of the biggest surprises is who is showing up. For years there has been a narrative that young people are disengaged, politically disconnected and simply not interested in participating in democracy. But according to the IEC, that narrative may be shifting. During this weekend’s voter registration drive, nearly 2.9 million registration transactions were recorded — a significant jump from the 1.7 million recorded during a similar registration period before the 2021 local government elections. More strikingly, young people between the ages of 16 and 29 accounted for 80% of all new voter registrations. The Commission says these figures suggest youth-focused campaigns are beginning to resonate and challenge long-held assumptions that young South Africans are apathetic about politics. But does registering necessarily translate into voting? And what does this growing interest tell us about the state of our democracy ahead of 2026?
Another Activist Silenced: DA By-Election Candidate Gunned Down in Dunoon ( Nicolas Gotsell DA )
Another activist has been killed, adding to growing fears over violence targeting community leaders and political figures in South Africa. This time, a Democratic Alliance by-election candidate and respected community activist has been shot dead in Dunoon in the Western Cape. Sinovuyo Dyokwe was reportedly returning home after spending the day helping residents register to vote when gunmen opened fire. Her death is now raising difficult questions about political safety, intimidation and whether community activists are increasingly paying for public service with their lives.
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?
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