Johannesburg could soon have one of South Africa's most respected struggle veterans at the helm. Reverend Frank Chikane, anti-apartheid activist, former Director-General in the Presidency
and church leader, is reportedly the African National Congress' preferred candidate to become the party's mayoral face in South Africa's economic capital ahead of this year's local government
elections. If confirmed, the move would be far more than a routine political appointment. It would signal the ANC's decision to place experience, credibility and moral authority at the centre of its
campaign in a city that has become synonymous with service delivery failures, ageing infrastructure, coalition instability and declining public confidence. But is this a masterstroke that could restore trust in Johannesburg's leadership, or does it raise uncomfortable questions about the ANC's ability to produce a new generation of leaders? Tonight, we unpack what Frank Chikane's reported candidacy could mean for Johannesburg, for the ANC, and for South Africa's political future.

Johannesburg could soon have one of South Africa's most&nbsp;respected struggle veterans at the helm. Reverend Frank Chikane,&nbsp;anti-apartheid activist, former Director-General in the Presidency and church leader, is reportedly the African National Congress'&nbsp;preferred candidate to become the party's mayoral face in South&nbsp;Africa's economic capital ahead of this year's local government elections.&nbsp;If confirmed, the move would be far more than a routine political&nbsp;appointment. It would signal the ANC's decision to place&nbsp;experience, credibility and moral authority at the centre of its campaign in a city that has become synonymous with service&nbsp;delivery failures, ageing infrastructure, coalition instability and&nbsp;declining public confidence. But is this a masterstroke that could&nbsp;restore trust in Johannesburg's leadership, or does it raise&nbsp;uncomfortable questions about the ANC's ability to produce a&nbsp;new generation of leaders? Tonight, we unpack what Frank&nbsp;Chikane's reported candidacy could mean for Johannesburg, for&nbsp;the ANC, and for South Africa's political future.

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

Can Frank Chikane Rescue Johannesburg? ( Political Analyst, Prof Boitumelo Senokoane )

For many South Africans, buying an affordable cooking pot from a roadside trader or informal market is simply a matter of survival. When you're feeding a family on a tight budget, spending hundreds or even thousands of rands on branded cookware isn't an option. But health experts are now warning that what seems like a bargain could come at a devastating cost. Many of these so-called artisan or three-legged cast pots are made from recycled scrap metal or coated with unsafe paints, and they may contain dangerous levels of lead, arsenic and other toxic heavy metals. Every time food is cooked in these pots, those toxins can leach into meals and accumulate in the body over time. The consequences can be severe, ranging from kidney damage and developmental delays in
children to reproductive problems and even lifelong neurological damage. So how widespread is this problem, how can consumers tell the difference between safe and unsafe cookware, and what should
government be doing to protect vulnerable communities? We're unpacking the issue tonight.

For many South Africans, buying an affordable cooking pot from a&nbsp;roadside trader or informal market is simply a matter of survival. When&nbsp;you're feeding a family on a tight budget, spending hundreds or even&nbsp;thousands of rands on branded cookware isn't an option. But health&nbsp;experts are now warning that what seems like a bargain could come at&nbsp;a devastating cost.&nbsp;Many of these so-called artisan or three-legged cast pots are made&nbsp;from recycled scrap metal or coated with unsafe paints, and they may&nbsp;contain dangerous levels of lead, arsenic and other toxic heavy metals.&nbsp;Every time food is cooked in these pots, those toxins can leach into&nbsp;meals and accumulate in the body over time. The consequences can&nbsp;be severe, ranging from kidney damage and developmental delays in children to reproductive problems and even lifelong neurological&nbsp;damage. So how widespread is this problem, how can consumers tell&nbsp;the difference between safe and unsafe cookware, and what should government be doing to protect vulnerable communities? We're&nbsp;unpacking the issue tonight.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Poison in the Pot: The Hidden Danger Lurking in Cheap Cookware

Over the past year, the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has been positioned as South Africa's answer to tackling high-level corruption and restoring public confidence in the justice
system. But instead of only pursuing corruption, the institution now finds itself at the centre of controversy. Today's proceedings at the Madlanga Commission have once again put IDAC under intense scrutiny. Its head, Advocate Andrea Johnson, revealed that she had recused herself from investigations involving senior Crime Intelligence officers because of a conflict of interest, while
also defending the unit against allegations that it has been used to pursue politically motivated cases. So, is IDAC facing the growing pains of a new institution taking on powerful interests, or are these controversies undermining its credibility before it has had the chance to establish itself? And what will it take for South Africa's newest anti-corruption body to win the public's trust while remaining independent, effective and free from political interference? Tonight, we unpack the challenges facing IDAC and what they mean for the country's fight against corruption.

Over the past year, the Independent Directorate Against Corruption&nbsp;(IDAC) has been positioned as South Africa's answer to tackling&nbsp;high-level corruption and restoring public confidence in the justice system. But instead of only pursuing corruption, the institution now&nbsp;finds itself at the centre of controversy.&nbsp;Today's proceedings at the Madlanga Commission have once again put&nbsp;IDAC under intense scrutiny. Its head, Advocate Andrea Johnson,&nbsp;revealed that she had recused herself from investigations involving&nbsp;senior Crime Intelligence officers because of a conflict of interest, while also defending the unit against allegations that it has been used to&nbsp;pursue politically motivated cases. So, is IDAC facing the growing pains of a new institution taking on&nbsp;powerful interests, or are these controversies undermining its credibility&nbsp;before it has had the chance to establish itself? And what will it take for&nbsp;South Africa's newest anti-corruption body to win the public's trust while&nbsp;remaining independent, effective and free from political interference?&nbsp;Tonight, we unpack the challenges facing IDAC and what they mean&nbsp;for the country's fight against corruption.

IDAC Under Pressure: Can South Africa's Anti-Corruption Watchdog Deliver? ( Dr Jean Redpath, Senior Researcher at the Dullah Omar Institute )

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.

Can Frank Chikane Rescue Johannesburg? ( Political Analyst, Prof Boitumelo Senokoane )

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