METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
When Mama’s Boys Turn Toxic: Unhealthy Mother-Son Bonds and Their Impact on Relationships
A mother’s love is one of the most powerful forces in the world — it nurtures, protects and shapes us. But when that love crosses certain boundaries, it can become controlling, suffocating, and damaging. Across many South African households, we hear the stories: grown men unable to make life decisions without their mother’s approval, partners who feel second place to a mother-in-law, or sons who carry anger and confusion because of an overbearing bond. These are not just family dramas — they point to deeper issues about parenting, identity, and even masculinity in our society. Tonight, we’re exploring the darker side of the ‘mama’s boy’ phenomenon: what causes these unhealthy attachments between mothers and sons, how they impact adult life and relationships, and why so many men do not trust therapy or other avenues of help to deal with the fallout. So the big question is — when does love become toxic, and how do we begin to heal from it?
What’s in a Name? Court Rules Husbands Can Take Wives’ Surnames in Historic Gender Equality Ruling
Should a husband be allowed to take his wife’s surname? Until now, the law said no. But South Africa’s Constitutional Court has struck down that barrier, ruling that Section 26(1) of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act is unconstitutional. The court found that barring men from taking their wives’ surnames unfairly entrenched patriarchal norms while denying men a choice that women have always had. The ruling comes after years of frustration for couples like Jana Jordaan and Henry van der Merwe, and Jess Donnelly-Bornman and Andreas Bornman, who argued that the current law was archaic, discriminatory, and out of step with constitutional values. In its judgment, the court reminded South Africans that in many African traditions, women historically retained their birth names and children often carried their mother’s clan names — practices that colonial systems erased. With this ruling, South Africa takes another step toward dismantling outdated gender stereotypes.
Private Prisons Under Fire: Parliament Demands End to G4S Contract After Inmate Deaths
It’s a bombshell development in South Africa’s prison system: Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services is demanding the immediate termination of the government’s contract with multinational security firm G4S, which runs the Mangaung Correctional Centre in the Free State. This comes after shocking revelations of cover-ups, dishonesty, and allegations of torture leading to the death of inmate Mpho Mkhumbeni earlier this year. The committee says G4S has been “a law unto themselves,” refusing to cooperate fully with investigations and even coaching officials to hide the truth. Tonight, we ask: should private companies be trusted to run South Africa’s prisons, or is this model failing the country?
EFF Pushes for Alcohol Ad Ban: Balancing Public Health, Economics, and Freedom of Choice
The battle over alcohol advertising has reached Parliament. The Economic Freedom Fighters have tabled a Private Member’s Bill that, if passed, would ban all liquor advertising, promotions, and sponsorships in South Africa. The party argues that alcohol is being glamorised and sold as a lifestyle, with slick adverts targeting even children, while the real costs — broken families, gender-based violence, road fatalities, and strain on the health system — are left for society to carry. The EFF says it’s time to put public health and social stability ahead of corporate profits.
Behind the Badge: Mental Health Crisis in South Africa’s Police Force
A hostage situation in Mamelodi has once again thrown the spotlight on the mental health crisis within our police force. A South African Police Service constable, armed and distressed, turned on his own family — holding them hostage in a house while negotiators and tactical teams scrambled to intervene. While the motives remain under investigation, this troubling incident raises deeper questions: how much strain are our officers under, and why do so many of them avoid seeking professional help within SAPS itself? Officers face trauma daily, from violent crime scenes to shootouts, yet reports suggest they often distrust the internal psychological support services provided to them. So, are we failing the very people tasked with protecting us? And what resources truly exist for police officers battling mental health challenges behind the badge?
Daveyton Shooting Puts Spotlight on Safety of Gauteng’s Crime Wardens
Violence erupted in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, when a group of Gauteng crime wardens — deployed to help bolster community safety — were ambushed by armed men during a routine patrol. Five wardens were shot in the attack, one of them now fighting for his life in hospital, while three others remain under medical care. A fifth has since been discharged. Speaking outside Alberton Netcare Hospital, Premier Panyaza Lesufi praised the wardens’ courage but admitted the attack points to a far deeper problem — the alarming spread of illegal guns across the province. But beyond the Premier’s words, this incident raises a hard truth: are these crime wardens, often described as the ‘extra eyes and ears’ of our safety strategy, really prepared, trained, and resourced to face heavily armed criminals? Or are they being put in harm’s way without the tools to protect themselves or the communities they serve?
Baby Savers vs Government: The Fight Over Abandoned Infants and the Children’s Act
A battle over how South Africa deals with baby abandonment is now heading to court. Baby Savers South Africa, an NGO, is challenging the Gauteng Department of Social Development, arguing that parts of the Children’s Act are unconstitutional. At the centre of this legal fight are ‘baby savers’ — devices used worldwide to safely relinquish unwanted infants. The department has banned them, insisting they strip parents of responsibility and amount to abandonment. But Baby Savers SA says the ban is costing lives, pointing to over 280 infants found dead in just the past five years. The question is — do baby saver boxes protect children, or do they undermine their rights?
South Africa’s New Labour Reforms:
South Africa has entered one of its biggest labour shake-ups since the 1990s. The government has gazetted sweeping reforms that promise to change how employers and workers interact, particularly in the small business sector. At the heart of these changes is an attempt to balance worker protection with business flexibility — giving smaller firms, who lack the HR muscle of big corporations, more space to manage underperforming employees. From extending rights to gig workers, to adjusting dismissal rules, to giving start-ups regulatory relief, the reforms aim to modernise our workplace laws. But will they truly help reduce unemployment, or will they weaken protections for workers who already feel vulnerable?
South Africa’s Economy Expands by 0.8% in Q2 2025
South Africa’s economy has shown signs of life, expanding by 0,8% in the second quarter of 2025. This comes after a sluggish start to the year, when GDP grew by just 0,1%. The latest data from Statistics South Africa points to manufacturing, mining, and trade as the biggest drivers of growth, with consumer spending also giving the economy a boost. But while eight industries recorded gains, challenges remain in construction and transport — reminding us that this recovery, though welcome, is still uneven.
Russia’s Cancer Vaccine: Breakthrough or Out of Reach for South Africa? ( PROFESSOR CAROL BENN RENOWNED SURGEON AND BREAST CANCER SPECIALIST )
In what could be one of the biggest breakthroughs in modern medicine, Russia has announced the development of a cancer vaccine called EnteroMix. Built on the same mRNA technology that powered Covid-19 vaccines, this new shot reportedly shrinks tumours, slows their growth, and avoids the devastating side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Early trials suggest a 100 per cent success rate against colorectal cancer, with more versions in the pipeline for brain and skin cancers. But as the world watches closely, the big question for us here in South Africa is this: will such a breakthrough be available and accessible to countries like ours, or will it remain out of reach?
The NSFAS Dilemma – Why Aren’t Students Paying Back, and What Does It Mean for the Next Generation?
Billions of rands in NSFAS loans remain unpaid — money that was meant to open doors for young South Africans, and money that could help the next generation get to university. Now, heated debates are erupting over whether students who benefited but haven’t paid back should be held accountable — even if it means blacklisting them. With youth unemployment at record highs, many argue repayment is simply impossible. But others say, if we don’t pay back, who funds the next student in line? Tonight, we ask: why aren’t students paying, and what does this mean for the future of higher education in South Africa?
Childhood Stolen: Eastern Cape Faces Alarming Surge in Underage Pregnancies ( SIYANDA MANANA - SPOKESPERSON - EASTERN CAPE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH )
Tonight, we shine a spotlight on a crisis that has left the Eastern Cape reeling. In just five months, 85 girls — children as young as 10 years old — have given birth in the province’s public hospitals. These shocking statistics, confirmed by the Department of Health, lay bare the scale of a problem that goes far beyond numbers. At the heart of this crisis are stories of abuse, neglect, poverty, and the failure of systems meant to protect our children.
Sell-Out or Survivor? Challenging the Township Mentality Trap
Imagine growing up in a community that pushes you to succeed — to “make it out.” But the moment you do, the cheers turn into whispers: “You’ve changed.” “You think you’re better.” Suddenly, your success feels like betrayal. This is the complex reality of township mentality — where personal growth can be seen as abandoning your roots. In communities shaped by struggle and solidarity, one person’s rise can feel like everyone else’s loss. This conversation isn’t about blaming the township. It’s about unpacking the trauma, the scarcity mindset, and the identity battles that make success feel so complicated. How do we grow without leaving people behind — or being made to feel like we have?
Brick by Brick: Lilian Ngoyi Street’s Costly Rebuild Sparks Political Showdown ( JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi )
After more than two years of detours and delays, Johannesburg’s Lilian Ngoyi Street is finally taking shape again. Mayor Dada Morero says the road, damaged by a gas explosion in 2023, has been rebuilt and resurfaced — not with traditional tar, but with paving bricks. The City insists the design will improve both the look and feel of the CBD, while also making the street friendlier for pedestrians. But not everyone is impressed — the Democratic Alliance is calling for a forensic audit into the R82-million already spent on the project.
Justice on Hold: The Battle Over KZN’s Political Killing Dockets ( SAPS NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON ATHLENDA MATHE )
Political killings in KwaZulu-Natal have haunted South Africa’s democracy for years, with councillors, traditional leaders and party members gunned down in a cycle of violence that shows no sign of slowing. Now, a tug-of-war over the investigation files has raised new questions about justice and accountability. SAPS has confirmed that copies of the 121 dockets — including more than a hundred murder cases — will be given to the Madlanga Commission, while the original files return to KZN investigators. But this move follows allegations of political interference, the disbanding of the specialist task team, and warnings from the Presidency itself. Tonight, we unpack what this means for the families of victims still waiting for answers.
The Right to Die: Should South Africa Legalise Assisted Dying?
It’s one of the most difficult questions any society can face: should terminally ill people have the legal right to choose the time and manner of their death? In South Africa, that right does not exist. But as more voices push for change, the pressure is mounting on lawmakers and the courts to re-examine what it means to die with dignity. Around the world, countries like Canada, the Netherlands, and several US states allow physician-assisted dying under strict conditions. Here at home, the debate is fierce, shaped by ethical, legal, and deeply personal arguments. Tonight, we unpack this ethical dilemma with Dignity South Africa, the organisation leading the charge to change our laws — and to give South Africans the right to die with dignity.
Boy Mamabolo on Breaking Away from the ANC
He was once a loud and unapologetic voice in Parliament under the ANC banner. Today, Boy Mamabolo is making headlines again — this time, for walking away from the ANC and preparing to launch his own political home. His new movement, now called Born To Win, is positioning itself as the party for ordinary South Africans — the so-called ‘ground forces’ overlooked by the elites. But can Mamabolo’s party really eat into the support of giants like the ANC and the EFF? Tonight, we speak to Boy Mamabolo about his resignation, his battles with the ANC, and whether Born To Win can live up to its name.
Vhembe’s Centenarians: South Africa’s Own Blue Zone
Picture this: you walk through a village in Limpopo’s Vhembe District, and it’s not unusual to meet someone who is 100 years old — still planting in their gardens, cooking for their families, or walking to greet their neighbours. In fact, more than 2 000 centenarians live here, with over 500 in the Thulamela Municipality alone. It’s a community where age doesn’t just mean survival — it means thriving. Today, we explore what Vhembe can teach the rest of South Africa, and even the world, about living longer, healthier lives.
Target or Scapegoat? The Lumka Oliphant Suspension Saga
South Africa’s Department of Social Development is facing heavy scrutiny after reports that it spent R3-million on a two-week trip to New York. In the middle of this storm is the department’s long-serving Chief Director of Communications, Lumka Oliphant — now suspended with full pay pending an investigation. Oliphant insists she is being unfairly targeted, accused of leaking information to the media because of her past as a journalist and her professional history with publications like City Press. Tonight, she joins us to respond to these allegations, to unpack the politics inside the department, and to ask an important question: when scandals break, do government spokespeople take the fall for their bosses and institutions?
Spring Cleaning South Africa: Sweeping Out the Old, Planting the New
Today marked Spring Day — a time many of us associate with blossoms, sunshine, and new beginnings. But what if we thought about Spring in a different way? Imagine taking the idea of ‘spring cleaning’ beyond our homes and into our society. In a country weighed down by corruption, unemployment, and crime, what would it mean to sweep out the systems, habits, and practices that no longer serve us? And just as importantly — what new seeds of hope could we plant for the future? This evening, we’re opening up that conversation with voices from politics, community, and everyday life. Together, we’ll explore what a real ‘fresh start’ for South Africa might look like.
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