METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8 - STARTING AFRESH
Starting afresh is one of the hardest things to do. It asks for courage when confidence has been shaken, and consistency when momentum has been lost. It means choosing to begin again sometimes quietly, sometimes uncertainly without the excitement of a first start, but with the depth that only experience can give. This evening we’ll look at what it takes to start again, whether it's a failed business, a failed marriage or starting over in your career?
Sandile Swana - Political Analyst
African National Congress (ANC) Treasurer-General Dr Gwen Ramokgopa says the party is using its 114th anniversary celebrations to reflect on its achievements and shortfalls. She accompanied the party’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, to a fundraising golf game in Sun City in Rustenburg in the North West. Since the beginning of the week, ANC national and provincial leaders have been engaged in a number of activities in the North West, ahead of the celebrations on Saturday. Ramokgopa says it’s important to introspect. “We have reflected as the NEC and we are ready to share with the nation what our reflections are, the successes which are many, and the challenges which we are decisively dealing with… also some of the external challenges in the political environment that we live in,” adds Ramokgopa.
INANDA SHOOTOUT - Andy Mashaile, Security Strategist
Five suspected criminals were killed in a shoot-out with KwaZulu-Natal police in Inanda, north of Durban, in the early hours of Thursday. Police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda said the men were wanted in connection with cases of murder, attempted murder that included police officers, and house robberies. “The suspects have been wreaking havoc in Inanda and surrounding areas. At the end of November, the suspects attempted to kill police officers by shooting at them and they have been elusive ever since,” he said. On Thursday morning police received information about their whereabouts in Bester area 10.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: What happens when you enlist the services of a travel agency
What happens when you enlist the services of a travel agency, receive a travel package quote from them, make payments for the trip, over many months, but at the last minute you’re told that the trip won’t be happening as the agency is going under liquidation? Well, that’s what well-known actress Lerato Mvelase alleges happened to her recently, when she was told by Blacktrotters Afrika that an international trip she had booked as a surprise for her mom vanished into thin air. This evening we’ll look at her story and those of others who’ve engaged with the company and we also want to get your experiences with travel agencies, where trips either didn’t happen, things were not booked appropriately and how you dealt with the situation.
LAWSON NAIDOO - EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTITUTION (CASAC)
‘Unexpected but welcome’ is how some experts have described the appointment of Adv. Andy Mothibi, by President Cyril Ramaphosa, as the next National Director of Public Prosecutions. Mothibi is the current head of the Special Investigating Unit - SIU. Last month, the Advisory Panel interviewed six candidates for the position; however, in the report it submitted to Ramaphosa it indicated that none was suitable. Questions are now being raised about the process followed in making the appointment. Mothibi’s appointment will take effect on February 1st, 2026, as the tenure of the current head, Shamila Batohi - who’s come under fire in recent months, comes to an end.
RICARDO TEIXEIRA - DEFENCE ANALYST AND NATIONAL SECURITY ADVOCATE
More than 300 undocumented migrants have been deported at the Maseru and Ficksburg Border posts between the Free State and Lesotho. At least 100 people were arrested for trying to re-enter the country illegally while some were apprehended with illicit goods. Meanwhile thousands of travellers continue to enter into South Africa are being processed by the Border Management Authority (BMA) at the various border posts including the populous Beitbridge. The BMA is currently in its return leg campaign and is expecting the number of people returning to the country to be around 400,000, which is similar to the amount that left during the holiday period.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: - “I identify as traumatised” - Trauma based identity
Trauma can have a dramatic impact on our personal development leading to us developing a trauma based identity, where the painful things we’ve gone through become who we are and how we live. Identity for adults with unresolved developmental trauma is often organized around being a victim or survivor and maintaining basic safety in relation to others, leading to re-traumatizing and disheartening repetitions, preventing growth-oriented experiences.
Business Profile: TERRY MAVUNDLA - FOUNDER AND CEO OF WISOLVE
Established in 2015, Wisolve (Pty) Ltd is a South African mobile apps development and software programming company that is based in Durban .We are a software development company that is set to compete in the highly competitive ICT industry.
THEMBA MANGANE, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ENGINEER AT ATANA
44% of road fatalities registered between 1 to the 16th of December 2025 were pedestrians, a number that remains disproportionately high. The mid-term review of the 2025 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign indicated a 20.9% reduction in fatal crashes and a 20.8% decrease in fatalities compared with the same period last year. Experts warn that much needs to be done to build roads that are safe for use by pedestrians, while also highlighting the need for pedestrian road safety education.
After 8 is After 8: South Africa spending on alcohol has nearly tripled for the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
South Africa spending on alcohol has nearly tripled for the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day - that’s according to consultancy firm Eighty20. The data also showed that just under half of South African adults consumed some form of alcohol in the past month. Non-alcoholic options showed considerable growth - however South Africa’s ranked highest in the world when it comes to consumption of alcohol among regular drinkers. Experts and activists are ringing the alarm on South Africa’s non-chalant and casual view of heavy drinking and the need to change this culture urgently.
The Water Quality & Security Concerns Across the Country
Civil society group WaterCan has again called on municipalities in Gauteng to come up with a sustainable plan to keep the province's water clean. This follows residents’ complaint that tap water in the Johannesburg CBD and Bezuidenhout Valley has a strong, unusual odour. Johannesburg Water has launched precautionary water quality testing in response. But, water experts have warned that the solution will not be simple as the water issues stem from failing infrastructure. As we kick off the year we look at water quality & security concerns across the country.
The United Nations has called an urgent meeting of its Security Council to discuss America’s action
International Relations Minister, Ronald Lamola, says multilateralism is under threat with the abduction of Venezuelan President, Nicholas Maduro by US forces. The elite US Delta Force led a raid into Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife in Caracas at the weekend. Washington accuses Maduro of racketeering and drug dealing. The United Nations has called an urgent meeting of its Security Council to discuss America’s action.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: MENTAL WELLNESS
In South Africa there are 23 suicides a day recorded and 230 serious attempts. More than 1 billion people are living with mental health disorders, according to new data released by the World Health Organization (WHO), with conditions such as anxiety and depression inflicting immense human and economic tolls. As we move into 2026, mental wellness is more critical than ever. The landscape is rapidly changing, with a complex mix of new difficulties and groundbreaking solutions. In essence, 2026 will see mental health becoming deeply embedded in daily life and organizational culture, driven by personalization, technology, and a broader understanding of well-being.
SIBAHLE MOTHA - POLITICS JOURNALIST AT SABC NEWS SANDILE SWANA – POLITICAL ANALYST
We’re wrapping for 2025 here on METRO FM Talk and we’ll be doing that by taking a look at what we can expect in 2026! From politics and the upcoming local government elections to mental health trends and careers in tech, we’re gearing up for 2026! First we look at Polictics in 2026! We’re heading into an election year so the different politicians and political parties will be on our doorsteps and timelines trying to get our attention. The 2024 General Elections were very significant in our democratic history, will the downward trend continue for the ANC or will they course correct in time for the 2026 Local Government elections? Which parties will make their mark by gaining a metro? We discuss all this and more.
TEBOHO TWALA - FOUNDER AND CEO OF ZAKHAA
ZAKHAA is a pioneering South African fintech start-up focused on enabling digital access within the informal economy, and has been recognised as the “Most Disruptive Fintech in Shaping the Informal Economy” at the Absa Commercial Payments Awards in association with Visa.
NICOLAAS VAN DER WATH - SENIOR ECONOMIST AT THE BUREAU FOR ECONOMIC RESEARCH
SA Economy 2026 South Africa experienced economic growth averaging at 0.5% in the first three quarters of 2025 with projections predicting that economy will grow below 1% by the ned of the year. Experts say that the country the country needs the economy to grow at 3% at least in order for us to start seeing significant changes in the economy. The current economic growth rate amoungst the best performing emerging economies is at around 4%, can South Africa start making moves in this direction in 2026 ad what needs to change in order to realise significant growth?
MMA 2026 Media Launch
“A two-hour live special from the MMA 2026 Media Launch"
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Racial Inequality and Redistribution in Post- Apartheid South Africa
Following the abolishment of all discriminatory laws, South Africa’s first universal democratic election took place in 1994 and marked the end of centuries of institutions that legally favored White settlers and their descendants at the expense of other racially identified groups. We will also cross reference the ANC NGC that is underway. What is their stance on addressing inequality in the country.
MR ZINCEDILE TIYA - SECRETARY GENERAL LAWYER NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DEMOCRATIC LAWYERS HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE LEGAL PRACTICE COUNCIL (NATIONAL COUNCIL)
Corrupt prosecutors and lawyers are paid ridiculous retainer fees by dangerous criminals to secure bail for these lawbreakers, who afterwards return to communities and recommit crime. This is contained in a classified report penned by suspended Inspector-General of Intelligence (IGI) Imtiaz Fazel following oversight engagements with head honchos of the South African Police Service Crime Intelligence (SAPS-CI).
YOLISA PILISO/ EQUAL EDUCATION RESEARCHER
The Western Cape High Court finds the Western Cape Education Department's Learner Admissions’ system unfairly discriminates against Black and marginalised learners | Equal Education Law Centre.
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