METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Is our Constitution, Therefore our Laws, Trembling on and Westernising our Cultures and Traditions?
We had quite the conversation last night regarding customary marriages following the Constitutional Court ruling which confirmed that customary marriages are not dissolved when a couple enters a civil marriage and that an ante-nuptial contract concluded after a customary marriage is invalid. Many of you send us many questions about this and other issues related to customary law. This evening we’ll answer some of your questions on customary marriage and also explore a big theme that came through from your messages questioning whether our Constitution and laws are trembling or Westernising our cultures and traditions.
ROB HANDFIELD-JONES - DRIVING.CO.ZA MANAGING DIRECTOR
Banning alcohol should not be a prime solution in dealing with fatalities on S.A’s roads - that’s what some experts are once again saying. This follows Transport Minister Barbara Creecy’s statement that the government plans to reduce the legal blood alcohol driving limit to zero, effectively banning all alcohol usage for drivers regardless of the amount consumed. This is not the first time that this total ban has been proposed, it was previously rejected by the transport committee in parliament, although a different legislation was passed focusing on dealing with corruption in the enforcement of existing laws.
MATTHEW PARKS - COSATU PARLIAMENTARY COORDINATOR
The Congress of South African Trade Unions - COSATU believes the salaries of South African politicians in public office should not be increased by the 3.8%, which was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa this week. The trade union federation says these public office bearers already earn generous packages and an increase sends an ill-considered message to an increasingly frustrated society of a political elite that is dangerously out of touch with the lived realities of ordinary South Africans. The increase follows the recommendation by the Independent Commission for Remuneration of Public Office Bearers. The increase of 3.8% applies to Members of the National Executive, Members of Parliament, members of provincial executive councils and members of provincial legislatures.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Dealing with Sexual Abuse Committed Learner to Learner in Schools.
As a parent when you leave your child at school, you expect them to be in a safe space, But, as we know sexual assault or abuse is rife in South Africa and schools are not spareed from this scourge. Whether it’s sexual abuse committed by a learner on another learner or a teacher on learner, many parents are left confused, isolated, and unsure of where to turn when these incidences occur as the lines of accountability are often blurred. I have a mom whose girl child was sexually assaulted by a fellow learner, and she wants to highlight this issue and its impact on the wider community.
Customary Marriages are as Significant as Civil Marriages ( ZAMA MOPAI IS A LECTURER & CUSTOMARY LAW EXPERT. [SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW, CULTURAL RIGHTS, AND THE COMPLEXITIES OF CUSTOMARY VS. CIVIL MARRIAGES.]
The Constitutional Court this morning confirmed that customary marriages are not dissolved when a couple enters a civil marriage. This ruling was seen as a confirmation that an ante-nuptial contract concluded after a customary marriage is invalid - upholding the legal significance of customary marriages. The ruling was made following a case that was brought before the court which questioned the validity of ante-nuptial contracts signed after a customary marriage but before a civil marriage.
SANDF GONE ROGUE? ( DAKOTA LEGOETE - CHAIRPERSON OF PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS )
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s role as the Commander In Chief of the South African National Defence Force has come into question after members of the SANDF ignored his instruction not to allow the Iranian Navy to participate in the recent Will for Peace 2026 naval drills which took place off the coast of Cape Town. The Minister of Defence - Angie Motshekga has established a Board of Inquiry which will look into establishing whether the instruction of the President may have been misrepresented and/or ignored as issued.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Thirteen Children Lost: Mourning in the Age of Cellphones
South Africa continues to mourn an unbearable loss. The death toll has risen to 13 following a devastating collision between a school transport vehicle and a truck in Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg. Thirteen young lives gone. Several more children remain in hospital, fighting to survive. But as the country grieves, another painful conversation has emerged. In the aftermath of this tragedy, images of parents collapsing on the ground, crying out for their children, spread rapidly across social media. Raw, private moments of unimaginable pain became public content.
When Illegal Mining Comes Home: Communities Displaced by the Zama Zama Crisis ( INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST - GRAHAM COETZER - WHOSE BODY OF WORK FOCUSES ON ZAMA ZAMAS )
Illegal mining is no longer a distant problem happening underground or far from where people live. It is now knocking on front doors, forcing families to flee their homes and reshaping entire communities. In Randfontein, about 300 families from the Sporong informal settlement have been displaced and are currently taking refuge at the Randgate community hall. They say they were terrorised by zama zamas, leaving them with no choice but to abandon their homes in fear for their lives.
SRD Grant Under Scrutiny: Clearing the Confusion Around Foreign National Eligibility ( PASEKA LETSATSI - SASSA SPOKESPERSON )
Have foreign nationals been allowed access to South Africa’s COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant, or is this another case of misinformation spreading faster than the facts? Social media claims suggest the eligibility criteria has changed, sparking confusion and anger among many South Africans. But what does the law actually say, and who qualifies for the SRD grant? To bring clarity, we will be joined by a representative from SASSA to separate fact from fiction.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: When Success Feels Dangerous – The Deep Psychology of Fear, Belief and Witchcraft in our Communities
Naledi-ya-Meso Secondary School in Limpopo has recorded a 100% matric failure rate, with poor management, weak discipline and limited parental involvement cited as contributing factors. Educators and parents have also pointed to a deeply rooted fear in the community that academic success can attract witchcraft. Learners have described feelings of shame, humiliation and hopelessness, while parents say their children withdrew from social life following the results. Education officials have raised concerns about ongoing discipline problems, violence and a breakdown in school governance, as well as a belief that standing out, excelling or being seen as “too clever” can be dangerous. This raises a deeper question: what happens when fear discourages success, and how do we protect children caught in the middle? Joining us to unpack this from both psychological, cultural and systematic perspectives are Anele Siswana, Siyabonga Mkhize and Itumeleng Mothlabane.
National Flood Crisis Spurs Urgent Road Safety Warnings in Limpopo ( MATOME TAUEATSOALA / THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNITY SAFETY )
South Africa continues to grapple with the deadly impact of weeks of torrential rain and flooding, which have claimed dozens of lives, damaged roads and bridges, and disrupted communities across several provinces. While the flooding has been classified as a national disaster, the danger is being felt most acutely at ground level – particularly on roads and low-lying bridges.
Political Inaction Blamed as Tshwane Moves to Sell Off Municipal Fleet ( KHOLOFELO MORODI / MMC FOR CORPORATE & SHARED SERVICES IN THE CITY OF TSHWANE )
City of Tshwane is set to auction off more than 800 aging municipal vehicles in an attempt to raise much-needed revenue, but opposition parties have warned that the move may do little to ease the city’s deepening financial crisis. The vehicles, many of which have fallen into disrepair due to years of poor maintenance, are expected to be sold in February, with proceeds earmarked for municipal operations.
13 Young Lives Lost: The Ongoing Crisis of Scholar Transport Safety in South Africa ( MATOME CHILOANE / MEC FOR EDUCATION )
South Africa is in mourning after yet another devastating road tragedy has claimed the lives of schoolchildren. Thirteen pupils were killed on Monday morning when the minibus they were travelling in collided with a lorry in Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg. Eleven children died at the scene, while two later succumbed to their injuries in hospital. Two other learners remain in critical condition. According to police, the crash occurred shortly after 7am when the minibus attempted to overtake other vehicles and collided with an oncoming truck. A case of culpable homicide is expected to be opened. While the minibus driver is reportedly receiving medical treatment, details surrounding the lorry driver remain unclear.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Building Wealth in 2026: Balancing Personal Goals and Family Obligations
A new year often comes with big intentions — to save more, spend smarter and finally get our finances in order. But for many South Africans, financial planning isn’t just about personal goals; it’s also shaped by family responsibilities, cultural expectations and economic realities. Today, we’re unpacking what it really takes to set yourself up for financial success in the new year. From budgeting and debt management to long-term wealth building, we’ll also take a closer look at black tax — how it affects financial decisions, and how to navigate it without sacrificing your own stability. Joining us is a financial expert to help us make sense of it all and offer practical advice that speaks to real life.
SECURITY STRATEGIST - AMBASSADOR ANDY MASHAILE
Madlanga Commission Resumes: Accountability, Power and the Fight for Justice. The Madlanga Commission resumes its public hearings on the 26th of January, returning to allegations that strike at the heart of South Africa’s criminal justice system. The inquiry, sparked by explosive claims from KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, is probing corruption, political interference and the alleged protection of criminal networks within law enforcement. With crime intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo having previously linked senior officers to alleged cartel figures, and several key witnesses still expected to testify, the commission is now racing against time after being granted a final extension until next month. The question is whether this process can still deliver meaningful accountability — or whether the clock will run out before the truth fully emerges.
POLITICAL ANALYST PROF BOITUMELO SENOKOANE
Cracks in the Blue: Inside the DA’s Deepening Power Struggle. The Democratic Alliance is facing one of its most public internal crises in recent years. Former Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has resigned as a DA member, stepping down from Parliament and senior party structures after being axed by party leader John Steenhuisen. What followed was an explosive exchange, allegations of financial misconduct, counter-allegations of political capture, and now an official inquiry into whether the fallout has damaged the party’s reputation. With Steenhuisen cleared by an internal probe and tensions spilling into the open, we ask tonight: what does this mean for the DA’s leadership, its role in the GNU, and its future as an opposition force in South Africa?
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: SANTACO SPOKESPERON - REBECCA PHALA
Roads Under Siege: Can Trust Be Rebuilt Between Taxi Associations, Motorists and Commuters? This evening, we’re opening a difficult but necessary conversation about safety, trust and the growing tension on our roads. Recent incidents, including a widely shared video from Vanderbijlpark, have reignited public outrage after taxi patrollers were seen assaulting a motorist accused of ‘piracy’. Police are investigating, and SANTACO has condemned the attack — but the incident has once again exposed a deepening rift between taxi operators, motorists and even commuters. SANTACO says these clashes are linked to a growing trend, especially around the holidays, of private motorists using their vehicles to transport people who would ordinarily use minibus taxis. But for many South Africans, that explanation raises more questions than answers — about where enforcement ends and vigilantism begins, about who has the right to police our roads, and about why ordinary people increasingly feel unsafe behind the wheel.
ZANDILE DABULA - OPERATION DUDULA LEADER - SAYS THE SAME ISSUE IS BREWING IN GAUTENG
At the School Gate: Education, Migration and the Battle Over Who Belongs This morning in Durban, scenes of tension and solidarity played out outside Addington Primary School, where a group of South African mothers arrived not to protest—but to protect. The women stood guard to ensure that children of foreign nationals were able to enter the school and attend classes, saying education should not be denied to any child, regardless of their documentation status. Their presence followed an attempt by members of the March and March Movement to block the children of foreign nationals from entering the school. The group argues that overcrowding at Addington Primary disadvantages South African pupils and says it will continue visiting schools where it claims foreign national enrolment is high. School gates were locked as a precaution, keeping protestors outside, while police monitored the situation.
MMEMME MOGOTSI - BMA DEPUTY ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING
Children on the Move: Alarm as 33 Undocumented Minors Intercepted at Beitbridge Authorities have once again raised the alarm over the safety of children at South Africa’s borders. Thirty-three undocumented minor children, aged between four and fifteen, were intercepted at the Beitbridge Port of Entry, after border officials stopped a minibus taxi transporting them from South Africa to Zimbabwe. Two adult men have been arrested for allegedly facilitating the illegal movement of the children, with criminal cases now opened under the Immigration Act. The children have since been handed over to the Department of Social Development, as investigations continue into how and why they were travelling undocumented across the border. Border Management Authority Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato has praised officials for their vigilance, while urging parents to stop sending undocumented children across ports of entry. This case once again raises serious questions about child protection, cross-border exploitation and the risks faced by vulnerable minors.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Back to School, Back to the Bill: Why Parents Are Paying More for Less
As the 2026 school year gets underway, South African parents are facing a familiar and deeply frustrating burden — paying premium prices for branded school uniforms and even basic pens and stationery, just to get their children ready for class. According to the Competition Commission, restrictive supply deals and price disparities have pushed up costs, turning simple items like branded shirts and basic pens into expensive necessities many families struggle to afford.
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