listen to METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: South Africans Are Running on Empty – But Can’t Afford to Stop
We often talk about burnout as though it’s simply a matter of working too hard — take a holiday, switch off your phone, get some sleep and come back refreshed. But what happens when the reason you can’t switch off is bigger than your workload? What happens when your salary is paying the rent, the bond, groceries, petrol, electricity, school fees and debt — and the idea of leaving an unhealthy workplace is simply not financially possible? A recent report highlighted just how trapped many South Africans feel. A SADAG employee survey of 963 people found that 75% struggled to stop thinking about work when they were off duty, while 61% said they wanted to leave their jobs but couldn’t afford to. Four in ten were also worried about losing their jobs. So, are we looking at a burnout crisis that is no longer just about the workplace, but about the cost of surviving in South Africa? Are people working longer hours, answering WhatsApps after hours and checking emails on weekends simply because they are terrified of what happens if that income disappears? And at what point does being financially secure come at the expense of your mental and physical wellbeing? Today, we want to ask: Are South Africans running on empty because our workplaces demand too much — or because the cost of living leaves us with no choice but to keep going?
The ANC says: “Clock it” — but will voters? ( ANC NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON - MAHLENGI BHENGU-MOTSIRI )
The ANC has put its 2026 local government election manifesto on the table, and on paper, it appears to acknowledge something South Africans have been saying for years: too many municipalities simply aren’t working. The party itself concedes that communities are dealing with unreliable water, ageing infrastructure, sewage spills, financial distress, corruption and weak leadership. But that admission raises a much bigger question: if the ANC knows exactly what is broken, why should voters believe that it can now fix it? The manifesto promises a turnaround, including a 100-day programme targeting potholes, streetlights, water leaks, sewage spills and illegal dumping, as well as measurable targets and deadlines for municipalities. And that is where the political debate begins. Critics have described the manifesto as full of familiar promises that are difficult to believe given the ANC's record in local government. The Daily Maverick's Manifesto Test, for example, questions whether the party can realistically fix problems that have developed under its own watch. So, is this genuinely a new approach to local government — or are South Africans being asked to believe the same promises one more time? We're putting that directly to ANC spokesperson Mahlengi.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: BUY IT, THINK ABOUT IT OR RUN! — Is That Car Really Worth Your Money?
We all have that moment when we see a car we absolutely love and immediately start imagining ourselves behind the wheel. But sometimes, the car that looks amazing on the outside can become a financial nightmare once you own it. From questionable second-hand deals to expensive maintenance, poor fuel consumption or parts that cost a fortune, the price on the windscreen doesn't always tell the full story. So today, we're putting some of those cars to the test. Is it worth your money? Should you think about it a little longer? Or should you RUN before you make an expensive mistake? And helping us make those calls is Bonabay Universe, a popular South African automotive content creator and journalist, and a nominee for Automotive Influencer of the Year at the SASMA Awards. We'll be putting YOUR potential car purchases on trial — so tell us what you're looking at, how much you're paying, and Bonabay will tell you: Buy it, think about it, or RUN!
Is Your Customary Marriage Registered? Home Affairs Deadline Looms
A marriage can be deeply recognised by a family, a community and by tradition — but if it isn’t formally registered, proving that marriage can become incredibly difficult when legal or financial disputes arise. That is the concern behind a final call from the Department of Home Affairs to couples in unregistered customary marriages. The department is giving qualifying couples until 31 August 2026 to register their customary marriages under a special registration period that opened in September 2024. This applies not only to marriages entered into after the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act came into effect in November 2000, but also to older customary marriages that were never registered. Registration is important because it provides official proof of the marriage and can have serious implications when it comes to property, inheritance, maintenance and other legal rights. And with only days left before the deadline, the question is: how many couples are still living in marriages that are recognised within their families and communities, but not properly documented by the state? Today, we want to unpack exactly who qualifies, what couples need to do before the deadline, and what could happen to those who fail to register.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Free Data, Real Access: Are Mobile Networks Ready to Zero-Rate South Africa?
Imagine needing information about a social grant, looking for a job, trying to access healthcare advice or simply trying to educate yourself online — but you cannot afford the data required to get there. For millions of South Africans, the cost of mobile data remains a barrier to accessing information and services that many of us take for granted. Now, mobile network operators are facing a deadline that could make a significant difference to that reality. By 15 January 2027, South Africa’s major mobile network operators are required to zero-rate the digital content of eligible public benefit organisations — meaning users should be able to access that content without it eating into their mobile data. This obligation forms part of the conditions attached to the multibillion-rand spectrum auction in 2022. But with the deadline now just months away, concerns are being raised about whether the operators — and the regulator, ICASA — are doing enough to ensure this actually happens at scale. According to the DG Murray Trust, only around 15 organisations have been zero-rated out of the thousands that could potentially qualify, and there are questions about how the process will be monitored and enforced. So what exactly does zero-rating mean for ordinary South Africans? Which organisations and services should qualify? And why, despite this being a legal obligation, does it appear that implementation is still lagging? Today, we unpack whether zero-rating can genuinely help close South Africa’s digital divide — or whether another important deadline is approaching with too little urgency.
101 COMPANIES BLACKLISTED: The Other Side of the Blacklist
Eskom says it is taking a tough stance against fraud, corruption and misconduct in its supply chain, announcing that 101 suppliers have been restricted from doing business with the power utility for periods of up to 10 years. But behind that headline are companies who say they have been unfairly blacklisted — and who are now questioning the process that led to their exclusion. The Association of Private Security Owners, TAPSOSA, has raised particular concerns about 26 black-owned companies, alleging that they were referred for restriction without proper due process. Eskom rejects that claim, saying its disciplinary processes were followed, that suppliers were given an opportunity to respond, and that the referrals were based on evidence of serious misconduct. So today, we're hearing directly from some of the companies at the centre of this controversy. What were they accused of? Were they given a fair opportunity to defend themselves? And what does being blacklisted by a state-owned company mean for a business, its employees and its ability to survive? Because while consequence management is essential, so too is ensuring that the process itself is fair.
NATHI MTHETHWA — ONE YEAR ON, THE QUESTIONS THAT REMAIN
It’s almost a year to the time when South Africa woke to the devastating news that its ambassador to France, former police minister Nathi Mthethwa, had died in Paris. On 30 September 2025, the 58-year-old was found dead after falling from the 22nd floor of a hotel. His death immediately raised questions about the circumstances surrounding it. French authorities have now concluded their investigation and classified his death as suicide. But South African officials say they have yet to receive the final report. So, as we approach the first anniversary of his death, what do we actually know? What did the French investigation establish, and why are questions still lingering nearly a year later? Tonight, we revisit Nathi Mthethwa's death and ask: do we finally have the answers his family and the South African public deserve?
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Climate Justice vs Mineral Autonomy — who gets to decide how South Africa uses its natural resources?
South Africa is rich in minerals — resources that can drive economic growth, create jobs and strengthen our energy security. But increasingly, the country is also under pressure to rethink how it extracts and uses those resources in the face of climate change. A landmark Constitutional Court judgment involving proposed oil and gas exploration along the Wild Coast has now raised important questions about where we draw that line. The court has made it clear that economic development cannot simply happen at the expense of communities, the environment and future generations. But there is another side to this conversation: how much influence should international organisations and environmental groups have over South Africa’s ability to develop its own natural resources? Is environmental protection about climate justice — or could international pressure sometimes undermine a country's mineral and energy sovereignty?
CAN BOSA’S NOBUNTU HLAZO-WEBSTER FIX JOHANNESBURG? ( Nobuntu Hlazo- Webster )
Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, BOSA’s co-founder and deputy leader, has been named the party’s candidate for Johannesburg mayor. She is no newcomer to national politics. She currently serves in Parliament and previously stood as BOSA’s candidate for Gauteng premier. But this campaign is about more than winning City Hall. Hlazo-Webster is presenting herself as part of a different political project — one centred on competence, accountable government and economic growth rather than what she describes as the politics of managing decline. Her promise is ambitious: to build a skills-led city government, stimulate township enterprise, make Johannesburg a major African logistics hub, restore the city’s financial integrity, tackle corruption and make Johannesburg safer. She has also argued that the city needs to be fundamentally reorganised, particularly by addressing the fragmentation between entities such as City Power, Joburg Water and the Johannesburg Roads Agency. But the big question is whether voters are ready to give a relatively smaller political party a chance to run one of Africa’s most important cities. And perhaps even more importantly: what would a BOSA-led Johannesburg say about the changing political landscape of South Africa?
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: THE BIG FAMILY MEETING: CAN WE REBUILD THE FAMILY?
The family as we once knew it is changing — and perhaps changing faster than we are prepared to acknowledge. More relationships are ending, more children are growing up between two households, single-parent families are becoming increasingly common, and blended families are creating new and sometimes complicated dynamics. We have parents trying to co-parent with former partners, step-parents trying to find their place, grandparents stepping in to raise grandchildren, and children often caught in the middle of adult conflict. But rather than simply asking what went wrong with the family, today we want to ask a more difficult and perhaps more important question: Can we rebuild the family? What does a healthy family look like in 2026? And how do we create family structures where children feel loved, supported and secure, even when relationships between adults have broken down? Today, we’re calling a Big Family Meeting — an honest conversation about what is happening to the modern family and, more importantly, what we can do to change the trajectory.
The Sacred Power of Womanhood ( Pratiba Daya National co-ordinator of the brahma kumaris Gauteng )
Today we explore a deeply inspiring theme, “The Sacred Power of Womanhood.” Womanhood carries within it a unique spiritual strength — qualities such as compassion, intuition, resilience, gentleness, emotional wisdom, and the ability to nurture and uplift. These qualities are not only powerful; they are sacred. They shape families, communities, and the emotional fabric of society. Joining us today is [NAME] from the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. She will share profound insights on how feminine qualities influence our emotional wellbeing, our relationships, and our inner world — and how embracing these qualities can help us live more peaceful, balanced, and meaningful lives. And we’d love for you, our listeners, to be part of this conversation. Send us your questions, reflections, or personal experiences as we explore the sacred power of womanhood together. You can WhatsApp us — text or voice note — on [INSERT NUMBER] and share your thoughts with us. The Brahma Kumaris is a worldwide spiritual organization founded in 1937. With centers in more than 110 countries, it focuses on meditation, self-transformation, and promoting peace.
THE PHALA PHALA POLICE FILES ( ACTION SA CHAIRPERSON Michael Beaumont )
The Phala Phala saga is back in the spotlight — this time with questions being raised about the police officers tasked with investigating the controversial farm burglary. ActionSA is taking on the South African Police Service, challenging what it describes as a flawed disciplinary process that cleared Major General Wally Rhoode and Brigadier Hennie Rekhoto of wrongdoing linked to their handling of the investigation. The party says the SAPS findings contradict conclusions previously reached by independent oversight bodies, including IPID and the Public Protector. ActionSA says it has obtained records of the disciplinary process and believes there are serious unanswered questions about how evidence was considered — including why some allegations raised by oversight bodies were not properly addressed. So, what exactly happened inside this disciplinary process? Was due process followed, or does this raise fresh questions about accountability within the police service? Tonight, we unpack ActionSA’s legal challenge, the allegations surrounding the SAPS findings, and what this could mean for the long-running Phala Phala saga.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: WOMEN IN AVIATION: BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING OR FIGHTING THE BOYS’ CLUB?
Aviation is an industry built around precision, discipline and some of the most highly trained professionals in the world. But behind the polished uniforms, aircraft, airports and flight decks is an industry that has historically been dominated by men. Today, more women are entering aviation as pilots, engineers, air-traffic controllers, executives, mechanics and other professionals. But getting through the door is only one part of the journey. For some women, the bigger challenge is navigating an environment where they may still be one of very few women in the room. And that raises difficult questions about the culture of the industry. What happens when women challenge the old ways of doing things? Are women given the same opportunities to rise through the ranks? What role does sexism, sexual harassment, discrimination and the abuse of power play? And when women do speak out, are they genuinely protected — or do they risk damaging their careers in an industry where networks and reputations matter? Recent controversies and scandals have once again brought questions about conduct, accountability and workplace culture in aviation into the spotlight. So tonight, we're looking beyond the cockpit and asking a much bigger question: What does it really take for a woman not just to enter aviation, but to survive, succeed and reach the top in an industry where men have traditionally held most of the power?
Nelson Mandela Bay 2026: Can the EFF’s Sinawo Thambo Win the Metro?
As South Africa heads towards the November 2026 local government elections, the battle for Nelson Mandela Bay is likely to be one of the closely watched contests. The metro is strategically important, not just to the Eastern Cape, but to South Africa’s broader economy. It is home to a major automotive manufacturing industry, the Coega Special Economic Zone and two important commercial ports, making it a critical hub for investment, manufacturing, logistics and international trade. But alongside that economic potential are serious challenges. Many residents continue to grapple with unemployment, poverty, infrastructure problems and concerns about the delivery of basic municipal services. The big question is how the metro can translate its economic assets into real opportunities and better living conditions for the people who call Nelson Mandela Bay home. The Economic Freedom Fighters have put forward Sinawo Thambo as their mayoral candidate, and the party will be hoping to persuade voters that it can offer a different approach to governing the metro. So, what is his assessment of the state of Nelson Mandela Bay? What would an EFF administration prioritise, and how would it use the metro’s enormous economic potential to create jobs and improve the lives of residents? We’re joined now by Sinawo Thambo, the EFF’s mayoral candidate for Nelson Mandela Bay.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: We Unpack the Evidence and ask whether South Africa needs to rethink how and where Alcohol is Sold
Could the number of taverns and liquor outlets in a community — and how late they’re allowed to trade — have an impact on gender-based violence? New research across Southern Africa is examining the link between alcohol outlet density, trading hours and incidents of GBV. The study raises an uncomfortable question: are we looking at GBV only as a problem of violent individuals, when the environments in which people drink could also be contributing to the problem?
LIEUTENANT COLONEL AMANDA VAN WYK - SAPS SPOKESPERSON
A major international investigation into the sexual exploitation of children has reached South Africa, with a 16-year-old from Malmesbury facing 11 serious criminal charges. The teenager was arrested following an operation involving the South African Police Service, the FBI and US Homeland Security, after allegedly being linked to an international child exploitation network known as “764”. The case raises serious questions about the dangers facing young people online, how international criminal networks recruit or influence minors, and what parents need to know to protect their children. We’re joined by the South African Police Service to unpack the investigation and, importantly, what South Africans should be looking out for.
VERONICA PILLAY - EXECUTIVE MANAGER: INVESTIGATIONS AT THE PUBLIC PROTECTOR OFFICE
The Public Protector has raised serious concerns about systemic failures within South Africa’s student financial aid system, following an investigation into NSFAS, the Department of Higher Education and Training and institutions of higher learning. The investigation found recurring problems including delays in funding and allowances, difficulties with appeals, poor communication and governance instability — failures which have left some students struggling with food insecurity, accommodation and even accessing their qualifications. According to information reported by the SIU to Parliament, investigations identified more than 40,000 students across 76 higher education institutions who had been improperly funded. The estimated value was approximately: R5.1 BILLION.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: WHEN THE PERSON YOU KNOW BECOMES YOUR KILLER
We tend to think of murder as something that happens in the shadows — a stranger, a random encounter, a criminal targeting an unsuspecting victim. But sometimes, the person who takes a life is not a stranger at all. For the Mngomezulu family, Linamandla Mngomezulu was a son, a loved one and a young man with a life ahead of him. That life was cut short, allegedly at the hands of someone he knew. And now his family is left asking a question that is difficult to comprehend: how does someone you know, someone who is part of your world, become the person accused of taking your life? South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, but behind those numbers are relationships — friendships, neighbourhoods, families, acquaintances and conflicts that sometimes turn deadly. Today, we look beyond the statistics and ask: how prevalent is murder by someone known to the victim, why do these relationships become violent, and are there warning signs we can recognise before it is too late?
ANC Calls for DA MP Mark Burke’s Removal Amid Reserve Bank Allegations
The ANC Parliamentary Caucus is calling for the immediate removal of DA MP and Federal Finance Chair Mark Burke from Parliament’s finance-related committees. It follows serious allegations contained in a South African Reserve Bank affidavit involving Kastelo, the fintech company founded by Burke. The Reserve Bank says its investigators have identified a reasonable suspicion of exchange-control contraventions involving around four-billion rand. The allegations include the alleged use of third parties’ foreign investment allowances to move funds out of the country, transactions allegedly conducted without clients’ knowledge, and concerns about information submitted to the Reserve Bank. Burke and Kastelo are entitled to defend themselves, and the investigation is still ongoing. But the ANC says it is untenable for an MP facing allegations of this nature to remain involved in parliamentary oversight of the very financial institutions investigating the matter.
The diplomatic dilemma - Can South Africa expect other countries to reimburse the costs of repatriating their citizens?
South Africa is facing an increasingly expensive immigration problem — and taxpayers are picking up the bill. Government says it has spent around R185 million repatriating foreign nationals to their countries of origin. That includes the costs involved in getting people who are in the country unlawfully out of South Africa and back home. But now comes the difficult part: government wants to recover that money. The question is — from whom? Can South Africa expect other countries to reimburse the costs of repatriating their citizens? And if those governments refuse to pay, what diplomatic or legal options does South Africa have? Beyond the money, this also raises bigger questions about how South Africa manages undocumented migration, how it works with neighbouring countries, and whether our current repatriation system is financially sustainable. We’re looking at the diplomatic battle behind South Africa’s R185 million repatriation bill, and what it could mean for the country’s foreign relations.
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