It’s an appointment that’s already dividing opinion across the political spectrum. President Cyril Ramaphosa has named Roelf Meyer—a key figure from the final years of apartheid—as South
Africa’s new ambassador to the United States. The reaction has been mixed. Some see Meyer as a
seasoned negotiator with the experience needed to repair strained diplomatic ties. Others question
whether his political past—and shifting affiliations—make him the right person to represent a
democratic South Africa on the global stage. The appointment comes at a critical time. Relations
between Pretoria and Washington have been under pressure, particularly after the expulsion of former
ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, and amid tensions with US President Donald Trump. So tonight, we ask: is this a strategic move to stabilise relations—or a controversial gamble that raises more
questions than answers?

It&rsquo;s an appointment that&rsquo;s already dividing opinion&nbsp;across the political spectrum.&nbsp;President Cyril Ramaphosa has named Roelf Meyer&mdash;a&nbsp;key figure from the final years of apartheid&mdash;as South Africa&rsquo;s new ambassador to the United States.&nbsp;The reaction has been mixed. Some see Meyer as a seasoned negotiator with the experience needed to&nbsp;repair strained diplomatic ties. Others question whether his political past&mdash;and shifting&nbsp;affiliations&mdash;make him the right person to represent a democratic South Africa on the global stage. The appointment comes at a critical time. Relations between Pretoria and Washington have been under&nbsp;pressure, particularly after the expulsion of former ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, and amid tensions with&nbsp;US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;So tonight, we ask: is this a strategic move to stabilise&nbsp;relations&mdash;or a controversial gamble that raises more questions than answers?

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: A Controversial Appointment: Can Roelf Meyer Fix  SA–US Relations?

Failure… it’s the one thing we all try to avoid, yet somehow, it finds every single one of us. Whether it’s
a business that didn’t take off, a dream that fell apart, or a moment where life simply didn’t go according to plan… failure can feel like the end of the road. But what if it’s not? What if failure is not a full stop—but a comma… a pause before something greater? Tonight, we’re flipping the narrative. We’re talking about what it really means to fall—and more importantly, how to rise. Because behind every success story, there’s often a chapter we don’t talk about enough… the chapter of things going wrong. We’re joined by a motivational speaker and entrepreneur who knows this journey all too well.
Someone who has faced setbacks, learned the hard lessons, and found a way to turn failure into fuel.
So we want to hear from you too—how did you fail, and how did you turn things around?

Failure&hellip; it&rsquo;s the one thing we all try to avoid, yet&nbsp;somehow, it finds every single one of us. Whether it&rsquo;s a business that didn&rsquo;t take off, a dream that fell apart, or a moment where life simply didn&rsquo;t go according to plan&hellip; failure can feel like the end of the road. But what if it&rsquo;s not? What if failure is not a full stop&mdash;but a comma&hellip; a pause before something greater? Tonight, we&rsquo;re flipping the narrative. We&rsquo;re talking about what it really&nbsp;means to fall&mdash;and more importantly, how to rise.&nbsp;Because behind every success story, there&rsquo;s often a&nbsp;chapter we don&rsquo;t talk about enough&hellip; the chapter of&nbsp;things going wrong.&nbsp;We&rsquo;re joined by a motivational speaker and&nbsp;entrepreneur who knows this journey all too well. Someone who has faced setbacks, learned the hard&nbsp;lessons, and found a way to turn failure into fuel. So we want to hear from you too&mdash;how did you fail,&nbsp;and how did you turn things around?

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Falling Forward: Turning Failure into Fuel

Tonight, South Africa finds itself at a political crossroads. The leader of the Economic Freedom
Fighters, Julius Malema, has been sentenced to five years direct imprisonment by the East London
Magistrates Court — a ruling that not only shakes the foundations of his political career but could redraw the country’s political landscape entirely. This follows his conviction under the Firearms Control
Act after firing a rifle at a packed rally in Mdantsane back in 2018 — an incident that many will remember from the viral video that sparked national outrage. But this is no longer just about the law. With this sentence exceeding the 12-month threshold, Malema automatically loses his seat in Parliament — raising urgent questions about leadership within the EFF, the future of opposition politics, and whether this moment signals accountability… or political fallout. So tonight we ask: is this justice taking its course, or the beginning of a major political vacuum in South Africa?

Tonight, South Africa finds itself at a political&nbsp;crossroads. The leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, Julius Malema, has been sentenced to five&nbsp;years direct imprisonment by the East London Magistrates Court &mdash; a ruling that not only shakes the&nbsp;foundations of his political career but could redraw&nbsp;the country&rsquo;s political landscape entirely.&nbsp;This follows his conviction under the Firearms Control Act after firing a rifle at a packed rally in Mdantsane&nbsp;back in 2018 &mdash; an incident that many will remember&nbsp;from the viral video that sparked national outrage.&nbsp;But this is no longer just about the law. With this&nbsp;sentence exceeding the 12-month threshold, Malema&nbsp;automatically loses his seat in Parliament &mdash; raising&nbsp;urgent questions about leadership within the EFF, the&nbsp;future of opposition politics, and whether this moment&nbsp;signals accountability&hellip; or political fallout.&nbsp;So tonight we ask: is this justice taking its course, or&nbsp;the beginning of a major political vacuum in South&nbsp;Africa?

Malema Sentenced: Justice Served or Political  Shockwave?

Sexual abuse is often spoken about—but not always fully understood. When we talk about survivors, the focus is usually on women and children. But there’s another reality that remains largely hidden, uncomfortable, and often dismissed: men who have been sexually assaulted or abused by women.
For many of these men, the trauma is compounded by silence—by stigma, disbelief, and the pressure to conform to ideas of masculinity that say men cannot be victims. Some are laughed off, others are told they should have wanted it, and many never speak at all. Tonight, we open up a difficult but necessary conversation. What does abuse look like from a male perspective? Why is it so hard for men to come forward? And what happens when society refuses to see them as survivors?

Sexual abuse is often spoken about&mdash;but not always&nbsp;fully understood.&nbsp;When we talk about survivors, the focus is usually on&nbsp;women and children. But there&rsquo;s another reality that&nbsp;remains largely hidden, uncomfortable, and often&nbsp;dismissed: men who have been sexually assaulted or&nbsp;abused by women. For many of these men, the trauma is compounded by silence&mdash;by stigma, disbelief, and the pressure to conform to ideas of masculinity that say men cannot be victims. Some are laughed off, others are told they&nbsp;should have wanted it, and many never speak at all.&nbsp;Tonight, we open up a difficult but necessary&nbsp;conversation. What does abuse look like from a male&nbsp;perspective? Why is it so hard for men to come&nbsp;forward? And what happens when society refuses to&nbsp;see them as survivors?

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: A Controversial Appointment: Can Roelf Meyer Fix SA–US Relations?

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