As the 2026 school year gets underway, South African parents are facing a familiar and deeply frustrating burden — paying premium prices for branded school uniforms and even basic pens and stationery, just to get their children ready for class. According to the Competition Commission, restrictive supply deals and price disparities have pushed up costs, turning simple items like branded shirts and basic pens into expensive necessities many families struggle to afford.

As the 2026 school year gets underway, South African parents are facing a familiar and deeply frustrating burden &mdash; paying premium prices for branded school uniforms and even basic pens and stationery, just to get their children ready for class. According to the&nbsp;Competition Commission, restrictive supply deals and&nbsp;price disparities have pushed up costs, turning simple&nbsp;items like branded shirts and basic pens into&nbsp;expensive necessities many families struggle to&nbsp;afford.

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Back to School, Back to the Bill: Why Parents Are Paying More for Less

As South Africa marks Human Rights Day this week, many are reflecting on the rights guaranteed in our Constitution — among them, the right to access sufficient water. Yet for many residents in Gauteng, the reality tells a very different story. Communities are dealing with dry taps, water shedding, and aging infrastructure that is struggling to keep up with demand. So tonight we ask: if water is a basic human right, why are so many South Africans struggling to access it? Is this simply an infrastructure crisis, or are we witnessing a failure to uphold one of the most fundamental rights tied to dignity, health, and survival? 

As South Africa marks Human Rights Day this week, many are reflecting on the rights guaranteed in our Constitution &mdash; among them, the right to access sufficient water. Yet for many residents in Gauteng, the reality tells a very different story. Communities are dealing with dry taps, water shedding, and aging infrastructure that is struggling to keep up with&nbsp;demand.&nbsp;So tonight we ask: if water is a basic human right, why&nbsp;are so many South Africans struggling to access it? Is&nbsp;this simply an infrastructure crisis, or are we&nbsp;witnessing a failure to uphold one of the most&nbsp;fundamental rights tied to dignity, health, and&nbsp;survival?&nbsp;

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: If Water is a Basic Human Right, why are so many South Africans struggling to access it?

Tensions are escalating within the African National Congress in Johannesburg, as the party moves to
recall Mayor Dada Morero. The decision follows a contentious regional conference in December,
disputes over internal elections, and allegations that the mayor may have been behind a court challenge to the conference results. Regional ANC leaders say Morero’s continued presence undermines party unity and threatens effective governance. With similar political shake-ups happening across Gauteng municipalities, questions are mounting over thestability of local leadership and the impact on service delivery.

Tensions are escalating within the African National&nbsp;Congress in Johannesburg, as the party moves to recall Mayor Dada Morero. The decision follows a&nbsp;contentious regional conference in December, disputes over internal elections, and allegations that&nbsp;the mayor may have been behind a court challenge to&nbsp;the conference results. Regional ANC leaders say&nbsp;Morero&rsquo;s continued presence undermines party unity&nbsp;and threatens effective governance. With similar&nbsp;political shake-ups happening across Gauteng&nbsp;municipalities, questions are mounting over thestability of local leadership and the impact on service&nbsp;delivery.

PROFESSOR DIRK KOTSE - UNISA

South Africa is facing a crisis of accountability in its municipalities. Recent reports reveal that over R62
billion in irregular expenditure has accumulated over the past five years, with almost 99% of it written off or condoned without proper investigation. At a time when communities are grappling with failing
infrastructure, water insecurity, and collapsing service delivery, this rampant financial recklessness is
nothing short of a betrayal of public trust. Tonight, we ask: how did South Africa get here, and what needs to be done to restore financial discipline and ensure that public money serves the people, not disappears into bureaucratic loopholes?

South Africa is facing a crisis of accountability in its&nbsp;municipalities. Recent reports reveal that over R62 billion in irregular expenditure has accumulated over&nbsp;the past five years, with almost 99% of it written off or&nbsp;condoned without proper investigation. At a time&nbsp;when communities are grappling with failing infrastructure, water insecurity, and collapsing service&nbsp;delivery, this rampant financial recklessness is nothing short of a betrayal of public trust. Tonight, we&nbsp;ask: how did South Africa get here, and what needs to&nbsp;be done to restore financial discipline and ensure that&nbsp;public money serves the people, not disappears into&nbsp;bureaucratic loopholes?

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Back to School, Back to the Bill: Why Parents Are Paying More for Less

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

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