School bullying in South Africa is no longer a whisper behind the scenes—it has become a systemic crisis. Already this year, the Department of Basic Education has recorded over 500 cases of bullying in just the first few months, with provinces such as Limpopo leading with the highest numbers. From physical violence in classrooms to relentless cyber-harassment, children are facing threats to
their safety, learning and mental health. Tonight, we unpack why this surge is happening—and what must change.

School bullying in South Africa is no longer a whisper&nbsp;behind the scenes&mdash;it has become a systemic crisis.&nbsp;Already this year, the Department of Basic Education has&nbsp;recorded over 500 cases of bullying in just the first few&nbsp;months, with provinces such as Limpopo leading with the&nbsp;highest numbers. From physical violence in classrooms to&nbsp;relentless cyber-harassment, children are facing threats to their safety, learning and mental health. Tonight, we unpack&nbsp;why this surge is happening&mdash;and what must change.

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: School bullying in South Africa - where are we falling short as a country?

South Africans were promised that after last year's devastating food poisoning tragedy that claimed the lives of dozens of children, every possible step would be taken to protect learners. Yet today, the Public Protector has laid bare a picture of neglect that is nothing short of alarming. Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka says the investigation found that only 262 of Gauteng's 1,675 schools participating in the National School Nutrition Programme have valid Certificates of Acceptability. Hundreds of schools reportedly don't even have proper kitchens or safe food preparation areas. These are the very places where children receive the meals many depend on to survive. How can government continue serving food in facilities that fail basic health and safety standards? Who takes responsibility when the systems designed to protect our children are found wanting? Tonight, we unpack the Public Protector's
explosive findings and ask whether enough is being done to prevent another tragedy.

South Africans were promised that after last year's devastating&nbsp;food poisoning tragedy that claimed the lives of dozens of&nbsp;children, every possible step would be taken to protect learners.&nbsp;Yet today, the Public Protector has laid bare a picture of neglect&nbsp;that is nothing short of alarming. Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka says&nbsp;the investigation found that only 262 of Gauteng's 1,675 schools&nbsp;participating in the National School Nutrition Programme have&nbsp;valid Certificates of Acceptability. Hundreds of schools reportedly&nbsp;don't even have proper kitchens or safe food preparation areas.&nbsp;These are the very places where children receive the meals many&nbsp;depend on to survive. How can government continue serving food&nbsp;in facilities that fail basic health and safety standards? Who takes&nbsp;responsibility when the systems designed to protect our children&nbsp;are found wanting? Tonight, we unpack the Public Protector's explosive findings and ask whether enough is being done to&nbsp;prevent another tragedy.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Unsafe to Serve? Public Protector Exposes Deep Failures in School Feeding Programme

Last week on the programme, we spoke about the growing legal battle over the implementation of AARTO after the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse, OUTA, launched an urgent High Court application to stop the second phase of the rollout. OUTA argues that government is enforcing the new system without first putting in place key legal safeguards, including an Independent Appeals Tribunal for motorists. It says this is about protecting the rule of law, while government insists AARTO is
essential to improving road safety and driver accountability. Today, we're giving the other side an opportunity to respond. Joining us now is the Road Traffic Infringement Authority to answer the concerns raised by OUTA and explain why it believes the rollout should continue.

Last week on the programme, we spoke about the growing legal battle&nbsp;over the implementation of AARTO after the Organisation Undoing Tax&nbsp;Abuse, OUTA, launched an urgent High Court application to stop the&nbsp;second phase of the rollout. OUTA argues that government is enforcing&nbsp;the new system without first putting in place key legal safeguards,&nbsp;including an Independent Appeals Tribunal for motorists. It says this is&nbsp;about protecting the rule of law, while government insists AARTO is essential to improving road safety and driver accountability. Today,&nbsp;we're giving the other side an opportunity to respond. Joining us now is&nbsp;the Road Traffic Infringement Authority to answer the concerns raised&nbsp;by OUTA and explain why it believes the rollout should continue.

Monde Mkalipi - Spokesperson - Road Traffic Infringement Authority

Some of humanity's greatest achievements have been inspired by faith. Some of our greatest acts of compassion have come from people who believe deeply in God, while others have come from
those who don't believe at all. Across the world, billions of people pray, worship and draw strength from their spiritual beliefs, saying their faith gives them purpose, hope and a moral compass.
But millions of others argue that meaning isn't something handed down from heaven—it's something we create ourselves through love, family, kindness, science, philosophy, service and the relationships we build. So, can someone live a deeply meaningful, fulfilling and ethical life without believing in God? Does spirituality offer something unique that cannot be replaced, or are purpose and happiness ultimately human qualities that exist regardless of faith? Tonight, we ask one of life's oldest and most
profound questions: does believing in something beyond ourselves really change the way we live?

Some of humanity's greatest achievements have been inspired by&nbsp;faith. Some of our greatest acts of compassion have come from&nbsp;people who believe deeply in God, while others have come from those who don't believe at all. Across the world, billions of people&nbsp;pray, worship and draw strength from their spiritual beliefs,&nbsp;saying their faith gives them purpose, hope and a moral compass. But millions of others argue that meaning isn't something handed&nbsp;down from heaven&mdash;it's something we create ourselves through&nbsp;love, family, kindness, science, philosophy, service and the&nbsp;relationships we build. So, can someone live a deeply meaningful,&nbsp;fulfilling and ethical life without believing in God? Does&nbsp;spirituality offer something unique that cannot be replaced, or are&nbsp;purpose and happiness ultimately human qualities that exist&nbsp;regardless of faith? Tonight, we ask one of life's oldest and most profound questions: does believing in something beyond&nbsp;ourselves really change the way we live?

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: School bullying in South Africa - where are we falling short as a country?

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