listen to METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: WHEN SCHOOL GOES WRONG: WHAT RECOURSE DO PARENTS HAVE?
When parents drop their children at school, they do so believing that their children are going into a place where they will be protected, supervised and cared for. But when something goes terribly wrong, parents are often left asking a devastating question: who is responsible? Five-year-old Manqoba Mnisi died after an incident at Bernard Isaacs Primary School in Coronationville. His mother is still seeking answers about what happened to her child, while an independent investigation looks into the circumstances surrounding his death and whether there were failures in the duty of care owed to him. But Manqoba’s story raises questions that go far beyond one family. When a child is seriously injured or dies at a public school, what rights do parents have? Who can be held accountable, and what should happen when parents feel that the school or authorities have failed to give them answers?
TWO YEARS ON: MATRIC LEARNERS FINALLY CLEARED (Thato Gaffane from SECTION27)
Imagine writing your final matric exams, waiting for the results that could determine the next chapter of your life — only to be told that your results are being withheld because you are suspected of cheating. That is what happened to 50 former matric learners from Baphutheng Senior Secondary School in Limpopo, whose 2024 results were withheld after they were accused of “group copying” in Business Studies and Economics. For almost two years, these young people were left in limbo — unable to properly move forward with their studies and plans for the future. Now, the Limpopo High Court has cleared the learners and ordered that their results and National Senior Certificates be released without adverse endorsements. The case was brought by SECTION27, which argued that the learners had been subjected to an unfair and unlawful process. Tonight, we speak to Thato Gaffane from SECTION27 about what this judgment means — and whether the way South Africa deals with alleged examination cheating is fair to learners who are accused.
WHEN THE POLICE ARE THE PERPETRATORS: 116 RAPE CASES INVOLVING OFFICERS (IRS Forensic investigator Chad Thomas)
When you call the police, you’re supposed to believe that you’re calling people who are there to protect you — particularly when you’re a woman reporting violence or sexual assault. But what happens when the person accused of that violence is wearing the same uniform you’re turning to for help? New figures from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate are raising serious questions about police conduct and accountability. IPID recorded 116 rape cases involving police officers in the 2025/26 financial year, up from 95 the previous year. And perhaps even more disturbing is that 72 of those cases allegedly involved officers who were on duty at the time, while 44 involved officers who were off duty. These are allegations — they are not findings of guilt — but they raise a very difficult question about public trust. South Africa is already battling extraordinarily high levels of gender-based violence, so what does it mean when some of the people accused of committing these crimes are members of the institution victims are expected to turn to for protection? And if a woman is afraid that the person she's reporting may know the police station, the officers and the system she is relying on, how does that affect her willingness to report? Forensic investigator Chad Thomas joins us now to unpack these figures and what they say about policing, accountability and the fight against GBV.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: THE MISSING MIDDLE: CAN BETTER HEALTH INFORMATION BRIDGE THE GAP?
For millions of South Africans, accessing healthcare isn’t always as simple as making an appointment with a doctor. Private healthcare can be expensive, public facilities can be difficult to navigate, and for many people, the first place they turn to when they have a health concern is the internet — where reliable medical information can be buried beneath misinformation, complicated medical terminology and sometimes dangerous advice. So what happens to the person who needs answers, but doesn't know where to find trustworthy information? Medical doctors in the country are coming up with innovative ways of tackling this gap by either grouping the,selves into organisations and significantly cutting down their consultation fees - while others are creating platforms where patients can access information easily and reliably. Some are getting criticised by their very own colleagues for disrupting the industry. What is the solution to tackling the missing middle and should government jump on board.
New Asylum Rules: Will Home Affairs Be Overwhelmed?
South Africa’s asylum system is facing a major test. New rules mean that anyone who presents themselves at a refugee reception office and says they want to apply for asylum must be allowed to lodge that application — even if they entered the country illegally, have no visa, entered somewhere other than a port of entry, or failed to report to Home Affairs within five days of arriving. The change follows a Constitutional Court ruling that struck down parts of the Refugees Act that had restricted access to the asylum system. But while the ruling is aimed at ensuring that people who genuinely need international protection aren't shut out of the process, Home Affairs itself is warning of a serious consequence — the system could be overwhelmed by the numbers. Deputy Director-General for Operations Thulani Mavuso says refugee reception offices cannot simply turn people away or impose quotas, even when officials suspect someone may be an economic migrant rather than a genuine asylum seeker. So how will Home Affairs separate legitimate claims from abuse of the system — and does the department have the capacity to process potentially thousands more applications?
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: When Women Look Beyond Public Hospitals: Can They Trust the Midwife They Choose?
For many women, giving birth is supposed to be one of the most important and protected moments of their lives. But for some expectant mothers, the experience of dealing with overcrowded public hospitals, long waiting times, understaffing and the fear of not receiving the care they need has pushed them to look for alternatives — including independent midwives. But what happens when the person you have trusted with your life and the life of your unborn child is not who you thought they were? Our guest today is journalist and filmmaker Tarryn Crossman, who spent years investigating the case of a midwife accused of putting mothers and babies at risk. Her investigation became the book Undelivered. It raises a much bigger question: when women lose faith in the public healthcare system and seek alternatives, how do they know that the person offering them a different kind of care is qualified, legitimate and safe? And why can it be so difficult for families to get answers when something goes terribly wrong?
National Assembly Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation (Mr Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo)
SA–US Relations: Is Diplomatic Tension Reaching a Breaking Point? South Africa’s diplomatic relationship with the United States is facing another difficult moment. US Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III has now been formally reprimanded by DIRCO for the third time in just nine months, with the department describing his conduct as undiplomatic. The latest dispute comes after a series of increasingly public disagreements over issues including South Africa’s domestic policies, its foreign policy positions and the ambassador’s public criticism of the South African government. And now, Bozell himself is pushing back, arguing that he has been treated disrespectfully by International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola. At the same time, Parliament says it wants DIRCO to explain exactly what led to this latest démarche. So, are we looking at a normal diplomatic disagreement that can still be resolved through engagement, or are we seeing a deeper deterioration in relations between Pretoria and Washington? And importantly, what room does South Africa have to push back while still protecting a critical bilateral relationship?
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: WHERE IS YOUR UMBILICAL CORD BURIED? THE TRADITION, THE LAND AND THE MEANING OF HOME.
WHERE IS YOUR UMBILICAL CORD BURIED? And does that place still connect you to where you come from? For generations, in some African families and communities, the umbilical cord wasn’t simply something that was cut away and discarded after birth. It could be buried in or around the family homestead — returning a part of the newborn to the earth and symbolising a connection to family, ancestry, land and home. But as childbirth has moved increasingly into hospitals and clinics, that practice has changed. The cord is often treated as medical waste, and for many families, there is no longer a physical ritual connecting the newborn to a particular piece of land. So tonight, we’re asking whether something meaningful has been lost — or whether our understanding of home and belonging has simply evolved. Where is your umbilical cord buried? What does that place mean to you? And what happens to that connection when you are born in Johannesburg, raised in Durban, your parents come from Limpopo or Zimbabwe, and you may never even live on the land where your cord was buried?
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF WARFARE LOOK LIKE — AND IS AFRICA READY FOR IT?
The way countries prepare for conflict and security threats is changing rapidly. Drones, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and electronic warfare are no longer things we only associate with science fiction or distant wars. We are seeing relatively small and inexpensive unmanned technologies being used in real conflicts, changing how surveillance, intelligence and military operations are carried out. But what does this technological shift mean for Africa? Many countries on the continent already face serious security challenges, while also operating with limited defence budgets. Can African countries afford to fall behind technologically, and should we be investing more in developing our own defence technologies rather than relying heavily on equipment from other countries? We’re having that conversation today — looking at how technology is changing modern warfare, what South Africa’s role could be, and whether our defence industry can become part of both our security and economic future.
RECORD FUEL PRICES: HOW MUCH MORE CAN SOUTH AFRICANS AFFORD?
South African motorists are heading into October facing the prospect of the most expensive petrol prices in the country’s history — and the latest numbers suggest the pain at the pumps could be even greater than initially expected. Data from the Central Energy Fund at the end of September shows an under-recovery of R3.12 a litre for 95 petrol and R2.93 for 93 petrol. If those figures were carried through to the final adjustment, petrol could rise by around R3 a litre, potentially pushing the price of 95 petrol to around or above the R30-a-litre mark. Diesel is also facing significant increases, with under-recoveries ranging between R2.73 and R3.13 a litre. And this comes after motorists have already endured a succession of fuel-price shocks this year. Petrol 95 reached a record R28.06 a litre inland in June, before easing in July and August, only to climb again in September. So what does another R3 increase actually mean for the average South African household? How much more will it cost to fill a family car? What happens to people who have no choice but to drive to work every day? And with diesel prices also under pressure, could we see the impact spreading into the cost of taxis, buses, food deliveries and the goods sitting on supermarket shelves? Tonight, we unpack what is driving this latest fuel shock — and what South Africans should expect when they fill up in October.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: RAMAPHOSA’S FOUR-POINT GBVF PLAN: ACTION OR ANOTHER PROMISE?
The President has acknowledged what many women’s rights organisations and activists have been saying for years: the response to gender-based violence and femicide has not been enough. Following the discovery of 11 women’s bodies in and around Ekurhuleni since July, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced four immediate interventions — a national audit and recovery operation for stalled cases, a plan to tackle forensic backlogs, safety audits in every municipality, and stronger action around alcohol-related violence. But the question tonight is not simply what did the President announce? It is whether these measures address the failures that have allowed women to remain unsafe in the first place. The President has put government on deadlines — with measures requiring action within 60 and 90 days — but South Africans have heard commitments to fight GBV before. So what should we be looking for this time? Are these interventions targeting the right problems, and where are the gaps? We speak to analysts and women's rights organisations to unpack what was announced, what is missing, and what accountability should look like.
Funeral Cover: Know Your Rights Before You Sign ( Mr Lyndwill Clarke )
Funeral cover is one of the financial products that many South Africans have — sometimes more than one policy. But having funeral cover doesn't necessarily mean that consumers understand exactly what they're paying for, what they're entitled to, or what their responsibilities are. And there are some fairly common questions: Can I have multiple funeral policies? What happens if I miss a payment? Can I ask for cash instead of a funeral service? And what do I do if I discover that a funeral policy has been taken out in my name without my knowledge? Tonight, we're unpacking the rights and responsibilities of funeral policyholders — and what consumers should know before they take out a policy or when something goes wrong.
Firearms Control Amendment Bill: Is Government Targeting Law-Abiding Gun Owners?
South Africa is once again debating how the country should regulate civilian firearm ownership, at a time when gun violence remains a major concern. The proposed Firearms Control Amendment Bill seeks to tighten the rules around firearm ownership, including changes affecting the licensing of firearms for self-defence. But the South African Gunowners’ Association, or SAGA, argues that the proposed approach focuses too heavily on people who legally own and license their firearms, rather than on the illegal guns being used in violent crime. SAGA trustee Shaun Lyle says restricting lawful ownership will not address the weapons already circulating illegally. The organisation is instead calling for stronger enforcement against illicit firearms, specialised task teams to tackle illegal guns, and improvements to the Central Firearms Registry. So tonight, we want to unpack this debate: what exactly is the amendment bill proposing, why does SAGA believe it targets the wrong group, and what should be done about the illegal firearms driving violent crime?
Siyazenzela: Can Citizens Take Back Power? Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi’s Call for a New Batho Pele Convention
For almost three decades, South Africans have been told that democracy means having the right to vote, choosing political representatives and expecting those representatives to deliver on the promises made during election campaigns. But what happens when citizens lose faith that the system is actually working for them? What happens when a broken streetlight stays broken, when a pothole becomes part of the landscape, when communities struggle with water, crime, unemployment and failing public services — and the response from government feels like another promise to fix it tomorrow? It is from this frustration that Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has put forward what he calls “11 Theses on the Call for Batho Pele Convention: Siyazenzela.” At the heart of his argument is a fundamental challenge to the way South Africans understand power. He argues that citizens have been reduced to what he calls “professional petitioners” — people who continuously ask government to solve problems they already have the collective capacity to confront themselves. His proposal is the Batho Pele Convention: a permanent, non-partisan, membership-funded grassroots movement built around self-sufficiency, citizen agency and Ubuntu. The idea is not simply to protest when government fails, but to organise communities to act — to fix, build, produce and create systems that respond directly to the needs of the people, while simultaneously holding those in power accountable. But that raises some difficult questions. If citizens begin building their own schools, fixing their own roads, finding their own solutions to water and security — are we witnessing the birth of a more powerful form of citizen participation, or are we simply allowing the state to retreat from responsibilities it is supposed to fulfil? And if the ballot every five years is no longer enough, what does democracy look like between elections? Tonight, we take those questions to Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, as we unpack his 11 Theses, the idea of Siyazenzela, and his call for South Africans to move from waiting for change to becoming active agents of change.
Tseliso Mohlomi ( Senior Director, Office of the Vice-Chancellor & Principal Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW), Tshwane University of Technology )
There is a new reality confronting young South Africans entering the world of work: the jobs they are looking for are changing at the same time that they are struggling to find jobs in the first place. South Africa’s youth unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 34 has climbed to 47.4%, according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey, with 5 million young people unemployed in the second quarter of this year. And now, artificial intelligence is adding another layer to an already difficult labour market. AI can automate certain tasks, change the way businesses operate and alter the skills employers look for — but it can also create new opportunities in areas such as data, cybersecurity, cloud computing, software, digital services and AI itself. So what does this actually mean for a young person sitting at home with a degree, diploma or matric certificate and struggling to get that first opportunity? Are our universities and TVET colleges teaching young people the skills that the economy needs? Are employers doing enough to give young people workplace experience? And importantly, can AI become part of the solution to South Africa's youth unemployment crisis rather than another barrier to entering the economy? We’re asking these questions tonight as the Institute for the Future of Work prepares for its annual dialogue on how AI and technological change are reshaping the future of work. Joining us is Tseliso Mohlomi, Executive Director of the Institute for the Future of Work at Tshwane University of Technology.
Ekurhuleni’s Femicide Crisis: After Parliament’s Debate, What Changes on the Ground? ( DA MP LISA SCHICKELING )
Gender-based violence and femicide took centre stage in Parliament today, after the Democratic Alliance called for an urgent debate on the escalating killings of women in Ekurhuleni. The debate comes against the backdrop of a growing number of women found murdered across the region since July, with another woman killed in Tembisa on Monday bringing the reported number to 12. The issue has moved beyond the question of individual criminal cases to one of policing, accountability and the state’s response to GBV. The DA’s Lisa Schickerling argued that Parliament needed to confront what she described as an urgent failure to protect women, while government and police have pointed to interventions already underway, including additional police deployments and an oversight visit to Ekurhuleni police stations. And the debate comes at a particularly significant moment: a national inquiry into GBVF began in Johannesburg yesterday, examining how victims are supported, how cases are reported and investigated, and the challenges within the criminal justice system. So, after today’s parliamentary debate, the question for us tonight is: what happens beyond Parliament? What changes for women living in communities where they say they still do not feel safe?
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: When Women Write Their Own Stories: From Survival to Social Change
For generations, many of the stories about Black South Africans — our families, our struggles, our communities, our women and our history — have been told by someone else. Often, those stories have been written through the lens of politics, academia, journalism or history books. But what happens when the people who lived those experiences pick up the pen and tell the story themselves? Today, we bring together three women who have done exactly that. Zodwa Zwane, who spent years working alongside Winnie Mandela and has written My Boss, Mrs Mandela; Lulama Mali, author of Held: Portrait of the Black Family, which explores family, memory and the historical forces that have shaped Black families; and Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, whose own journey from difficult circumstances to becoming a Deputy Vice-Chancellor is documented in Greatness Undeniable. Their stories are personal, but they also speak to much bigger questions about inequality, opportunity, education, family, history and the socioeconomic realities that continue to shape people's lives. So today, we ask: what happens when women take ownership of their narratives? Can telling our own stories become a form of resistance, preservation and social change? And why does it matter who gets to write the first draft of our history?
When a Night Out Turns Into a Massacre: 27 Lives Lost in Two Separate Shootings
It was supposed to be an ordinary weekend in South Africa — people gathering at taverns, shisanyamas and entertainment venues, meeting friends, listening to music and simply trying to enjoy a Saturday night. But within hours, two separate shooting incidents in Gauteng and the Western Cape turned places of leisure into crime scenes. In Wedela, on the West Rand, gunmen opened fire at a tavern on Saturday night. Police say 17 people were killed and 15 others injured, with eight armed suspects reportedly involved. Then, in the early hours of Sunday morning, another shooting took place at a shisanyama and entertainment venue in Lwandle, near Strand. Ten people were killed and 11 others wounded. Police have established a multidisciplinary team to investigate, while initial reports have pointed to a possible business rivalry as one line of inquiry. Two provinces. Two different locations. Two separate investigations. But one deeply disturbing question: what is happening to the safety of the places where South Africans go to socialise? And why are heavily armed gunmen able to walk into or around entertainment spaces and unleash this level of violence? Today, we look beyond the shock and grief — at the gun violence, the criminal networks, the safety of taverns and entertainment venues, and what these repeated mass shootings tell us about the state of public safety in South Africa.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: FROM KRAALS TO CONCRETE: IS URBANISATION CHANGING HOW WE CONNECT WITH OUR HERITAGE?
For generations, the idea of “home” for many South African families has meant more than the house where you grew up. It could mean the rural homestead — the place where your grandparents lived, where family rituals were performed, where the umsamo was kept, where the kraal formed part of the homestead, and where children were taught customs and traditions by the elders around them. But South Africa has changed dramatically. Millions of us now live in cities, far away from those rural homes. We have moved for education, work and better opportunities, and many of our children are being raised in apartments, townhouses and suburban homes where some of the physical spaces associated with traditional practices simply don't exist. So what happens to our relationship with culture when we are physically separated from the places where that culture has traditionally been practised? Can you maintain a strong connection to your heritage when the ancestral home is hundreds of kilometres away? And what happens to practices like imbeleko, family rituals and the role of the umsamo when there is no longer a rural homestead at the centre of everyday family life? Today, we're asking whether modernisation and urbanisation are changing not only where we live, but how we understand, practise and pass on our heritage to the next generation.
Financial Sector Conduct Authority ( Ms. Alicia Moses - Designation: Manager: Consumer Education, FSCA )
For millions of South Africans, the Two-Pot Retirement System has changed the way we think about our retirement savings. Since 2024, members have been able to access a portion of their retirement savings when they need financial relief. And when you're dealing with debt, school fees, household expenses or simply trying to make it through the month, that money can be very tempting. But accessing your retirement savings isn't simply a case of taking money that is sitting there waiting for you. There are tax consequences, there may be fees, and every withdrawal potentially reduces what you will have available when you retire. And beyond withdrawals, consumers also need to know whether the money being deducted from their salaries is actually being paid into their retirement funds. So, how do you know when a withdrawal is worth considering, what are you actually giving up when you take that money now, and what should you do if the numbers on your payslip don't match your retirement fund records? Today, we're unpacking what every retirement fund member should know before making that decision.
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