Entrepreneurship is often sold as the great equaliser — have a good idea, work hard, build a strong business and the money will follow. But for many women entrepreneurs, getting the money to turn that idea into a viable business can be one of the biggest hurdles they face. From bank loans and venture capital to government funding and private investors, women continue to navigate a financial system where access to capital can be difficult. And the challenge isn't always about whether the
business is viable — sometimes it's about collateral, networks, credit history, the size of the business, or whether investors believe a woman-led company can scale. So, during Women’s Month, we're asking a difficult question: is the funding system genuinely gender-neutral, or are women still having to prove themselves more before someone is willing to put money behind their businesses? Are investors unconsciously more likely to see male entrepreneurs as ambitious, scalable and investment-ready? And what role do property ownership, access to wealth and existing financial networks play in determining which entrepreneurs get a seat at the table? Today, we're putting the entrepreneur and the funder across from each other — to ask where the gap really lies, and what needs to change to ensure that a woman's business idea isn't held back simply because she can't access the capital to grow it.

Entrepreneurship is often sold as the great equaliser &mdash; have a&nbsp;good idea, work hard, build a strong business and the money&nbsp;will follow. But for many women entrepreneurs, getting the&nbsp;money to turn that idea into a viable business can be one of the&nbsp;biggest hurdles they face. From bank loans and venture capital&nbsp;to government funding and private investors, women continue&nbsp;to navigate a financial system where access to capital can be&nbsp;difficult. And the challenge isn't always about whether the business is viable &mdash; sometimes it's about collateral, networks,&nbsp;credit history, the size of the business, or whether investors&nbsp;believe a woman-led company can scale.&nbsp;So, during Women&rsquo;s Month, we're asking a difficult question: is&nbsp;the funding system genuinely gender-neutral, or are women still&nbsp;having to prove themselves more before someone is willing to&nbsp;put money behind their businesses? Are investors&nbsp;unconsciously more likely to see male entrepreneurs as&nbsp;ambitious, scalable and investment-ready? And what role do&nbsp;property ownership, access to wealth and existing financial&nbsp;networks play in determining which entrepreneurs get a seat at&nbsp;the table?&nbsp;Today, we're putting the entrepreneur and the funder across&nbsp;from each other &mdash; to ask where the gap really lies, and what&nbsp;needs to change to ensure that a woman's business idea isn't&nbsp;held back simply because she can't access the capital to grow&nbsp;it.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: The Funding Gap: Why Is It Still So Hard for Women to Get  Money?

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has turned its attention to KwaZulu-Natal, and the evidence being presented is raising deeply troubling questions about the conduct of some police task teams. The commission has heard allegations of police hit squads targeting suspects linked to cash-in-transit robberies, drug syndicates and taxi violence — with claims that some suspects may have been deliberately killed rather than arrested and brought before the courts. IPID Deputy Director for Investigations Len John has told the commission that three KZN task teams, dealing with CIT
robberies, drugs and taxi violence, were particularly associated with these allegations. He says officers often failed to notify IPID promptly when suspects were killed in police shootings, and in
some cases could not even provide the identities of the deceased or evidence that they were responsible for the crimes they were allegedly being pursued for. The testimony raises a
fundamental question: were these genuine law-enforcement operations that went tragically wrong, or were some police officers effectively operating outside the law, deciding who should live and who should die?

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has turned its attention to&nbsp;KwaZulu-Natal, and the evidence being presented is raising&nbsp;deeply troubling questions about the conduct of some police&nbsp;task teams. The commission has heard allegations of police hit&nbsp;squads targeting suspects linked to cash-in-transit robberies,&nbsp;drug syndicates and taxi violence &mdash; with claims that some&nbsp;suspects may have been deliberately killed rather than arrested&nbsp;and brought before the courts.&nbsp;IPID Deputy Director for Investigations Len John has told the&nbsp;commission that three KZN task teams, dealing with CIT robberies, drugs and taxi violence, were particularly associated&nbsp;with these allegations. He says officers often failed to notify IPID&nbsp;promptly when suspects were killed in police shootings, and in some cases could not even provide the identities of the&nbsp;deceased or evidence that they were responsible for the crimes&nbsp;they were allegedly being pursued for. The testimony raises a fundamental question: were these genuine law-enforcement&nbsp;operations that went tragically wrong, or were some police&nbsp;officers effectively operating outside the law, deciding who&nbsp;should live and who should die?

ALLEGED KZN POLICE HIT SQUADS: COMMISSION HEARS CLAIMS OF TARGETED KILLINGS

Diabetes is no longer just a chronic condition that South Africans are being warned to manage — new mortality figures show that it has become the country’s leading underlying natural cause of death. Stats SA data shows that diabetes accounted for 27,692 deaths in 2023 — about 5.8% of all
recorded deaths — overtaking HIV and TB. But perhaps the most troubling part of this story is that experts say many of these deaths could be prevented. Late diagnosis, inadequate screening, poor diets and an unhealthy food environment are all contributing to a growing crisis. South Africa is estimated to have millions of people living with diabetes, many of whom may not even know they have it. So what has gone wrong? Why has diabetes become such a major killer — and are we treating it with the urgency it deserves? We’re unpacking the numbers, the causes and what can be done to reverse this trend.

Diabetes is no longer just a chronic condition that South&nbsp;Africans are being warned to manage &mdash; new mortality figures&nbsp;show that it has become the country&rsquo;s leading underlying&nbsp;natural cause of death. Stats SA data shows that diabetes&nbsp;accounted for 27,692 deaths in 2023 &mdash; about 5.8% of all recorded deaths &mdash; overtaking HIV and TB.&nbsp;But perhaps the most troubling part of this story is that experts&nbsp;say many of these deaths could be prevented. Late diagnosis,&nbsp;inadequate screening, poor diets and an unhealthy food&nbsp;environment are all contributing to a growing crisis. South&nbsp;Africa is estimated to have millions of people living with&nbsp;diabetes, many of whom may not even know they have it.&nbsp;So what has gone wrong? Why has diabetes become such a&nbsp;major killer &mdash; and are we treating it with the urgency it&nbsp;deserves? We&rsquo;re unpacking the numbers, the causes and what&nbsp;can be done to reverse this trend.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: DIABETES: SOUTH AFRICA’S SILENT KILLER

Emfuleni has been battling years of financial pressure, failing infrastructure and poor service delivery, from sewage and water problems to potholes and irregular refuse collection. But in his State of the Municipality Address last week, Executive Mayor Councillor Hassan Mako declared that the municipality is now moving from what he calls an era of excuses to decisive action. He points to the R7.6-billion water and sanitation intervention, the replacement of collapsed sewer lines, improvements to wastewater treatment works and a new municipal fleet aimed at strengthening service delivery. But Emfuleni still faces significant financial challenges, including billions in unauthorised, irregular and fruitless expenditure, while its current collection rate stands at just
70%. So, how much has actually changed — and can residents finally expect to see the turnaround on the ground?

Emfuleni has been battling years of financial pressure, failing&nbsp;infrastructure and poor service delivery, from sewage and&nbsp;water problems to potholes and irregular refuse collection.&nbsp;But in his State of the Municipality Address last week,&nbsp;Executive Mayor Councillor Hassan Mako declared that the&nbsp;municipality is now moving from what he calls an era of&nbsp;excuses to decisive action.&nbsp;He points to the R7.6-billion water and sanitation intervention,&nbsp;the replacement of collapsed sewer lines, improvements to&nbsp;wastewater treatment works and a new municipal fleet aimed&nbsp;at strengthening service delivery.&nbsp;But Emfuleni still faces significant financial challenges,&nbsp;including billions in unauthorised, irregular and fruitless&nbsp;expenditure, while its current collection rate stands at just 70%.&nbsp;So, how much has actually changed &mdash; and can residents&nbsp;finally expect to see the turnaround on the ground?

EMFULENI: FROM CRISIS TO RECOVERY?

South Africans are being urged to take part in shaping four pieces of legislation that could have significant implications for how the country deals with illegal mining, the legal profession, trusts and incitement to commit serious crimes. Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says the proposed laws are aimed at closing loopholes, strengthening accountability and bringing some legislation in line with the realities facing the country today. Among the most significant proposals are dramatically tougher penalties for certain illegal mining offences, including fines of up to R100 million and prison sentences of up to 30 years. There are also proposals to strengthen oversight of trusts and repeal the apartheid-era Riotous Assemblies Act. Three of the Bills are now open for public comment — so what exactly is being proposed, and how can South Africans have their say?

South Africans are being urged to take part in shaping four&nbsp;pieces of legislation that could have significant implications for&nbsp;how the country deals with illegal mining, the legal profession,&nbsp;trusts and incitement to commit serious crimes. Justice&nbsp;Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says the proposed laws are aimed&nbsp;at closing loopholes, strengthening accountability and bringing&nbsp;some legislation in line with the realities facing the country&nbsp;today. Among the most significant proposals are dramatically&nbsp;tougher penalties for certain illegal mining offences, including&nbsp;fines of up to R100 million and prison sentences of up to 30&nbsp;years. There are also proposals to strengthen oversight of&nbsp;trusts and repeal the apartheid-era Riotous Assemblies Act.&nbsp;Three of the Bills are now open for public comment &mdash; so what&nbsp;exactly is being proposed, and how can South Africans have&nbsp;their say?

Your Voice, Your Law: South Africans Invited to Comment on Major New Bills

JMPD has issued a warning to people urinating in public, saying those caught could face fines, arrest and even criminal prosecution. It’s a problem we see in many of our cities — on pavements, next to buildings, around transport hubs and in other public spaces. But beyond the embarrassment, the smell and the frustration of seeing someone relieve themselves in public, perhaps there’s a more uncomfortable conversation we need to have. What does our willingness to urinate in a public space say about our sense of right and wrong? Is it simply a practical decision by someone who needs a toilet and cannot find one? Is it a failure by municipalities to provide enough clean, accessible public facilities? Or, in some cases, is it a question of morality — of whether we still feel a responsibility to respect spaces that belong to all of us? Because perhaps the real issue isn't just whether someone
breaks a by-law. It's whether we have reached a point where we only do the right thing when we know someone is watching. And if the answer is yes, can a fine or a CCTV camera really change our behaviour — or does meaningful change have to come from something deeper? We’re reflecting on public urination, personal responsibility, dignity and the moral choices we make in shared spaces with
Dalu Cele, Founder and CEO of Clean City SA.

JMPD has issued a warning to people urinating in public,&nbsp;saying those caught could face fines, arrest and even criminal&nbsp;prosecution. It&rsquo;s a problem we see in many of our cities &mdash; on&nbsp;pavements, next to buildings, around transport hubs and in&nbsp;other public spaces.&nbsp;But beyond the embarrassment, the smell and the frustration of&nbsp;seeing someone relieve themselves in public, perhaps there&rsquo;s a&nbsp;more uncomfortable conversation we need to have.&nbsp;What does our willingness to urinate in a public space say&nbsp;about our sense of right and wrong?&nbsp;Is it simply a practical decision by someone who needs a toilet&nbsp;and cannot find one? Is it a failure by municipalities to provide&nbsp;enough clean, accessible public facilities? Or, in some cases, is&nbsp;it a question of morality &mdash; of whether we still feel a&nbsp;responsibility to respect spaces that belong to all of us?&nbsp;Because perhaps the real issue isn't just whether someone breaks a by-law. It's whether we have reached a point where we&nbsp;only do the right thing when we know someone is watching.&nbsp;And if the answer is yes, can a fine or a CCTV camera really change our behaviour &mdash; or does meaningful change have to&nbsp;come from something deeper? We&rsquo;re reflecting on public urination, personal responsibility,&nbsp;dignity and the moral choices we make in shared spaces with Dalu Cele, Founder and CEO of Clean City SA.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: PUBLIC URINATION: WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT US?

South Africa’s unemployment crisis is deepening, with the official unemployment rate climbing to 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026, up from 32.7% in the first quarter. That means another
345,000 people have joined the ranks of the unemployed, taking the total number of unemployed South Africans to about 8.5 million. And behind these numbers are people who are looking for work,
graduates struggling to get their first opportunity, parents trying to provide for their families and young people questioning whether the economy has a place for them. Employment actually declined
slightly during the quarter, while more people entered the labour market looking for opportunities.
So what is driving this persistent jobs crisis? Why are we struggling to create employment at the scale needed — and what needs to change if South Africa is to get millions of people into work?

South Africa&rsquo;s unemployment crisis is deepening, with the official&nbsp;unemployment rate climbing to 33.6% in the second quarter of&nbsp;2026, up from 32.7% in the first quarter. That means another 345,000 people have joined the ranks of the unemployed, taking&nbsp;the total number of unemployed South Africans to about 8.5 million.&nbsp;And behind these numbers are people who are looking for work, graduates struggling to get their first opportunity, parents trying to&nbsp;provide for their families and young people questioning whether the&nbsp;economy has a place for them. Employment actually declined slightly during the quarter, while more people entered the labour&nbsp;market looking for opportunities. So what is driving this persistent jobs crisis? Why are we struggling&nbsp;to create employment at the scale needed &mdash; and what needs to&nbsp;change if South Africa is to get millions of people into work?

SA Unemployment Crisis Deepens as Jobless Rate Climbs to 33.6%

GBVF doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Behind many cases are people who knew something was wrong but chose to remain silent; friends who looked the other way, men who refused to challenge other men, women who sometimes protect abusive partners, and institutions that fail victims when they need help most. We often ask why perpetrators continue to abuse — but perhaps we also need to ask what happens around them that allows that abuse to continue. If we all say we are against gender-based violence, why do we so often remain silent when we see it happening?

GBVF doesn&rsquo;t happen in a vacuum. Behind many cases are&nbsp;people who knew something was wrong but chose to remain&nbsp;silent; friends who looked the other way, men who refused to&nbsp;challenge other men, women who sometimes protect abusive&nbsp;partners, and institutions that fail victims when they need help&nbsp;most. We often ask why perpetrators continue to abuse &mdash; but&nbsp;perhaps we also need to ask what happens around them that&nbsp;allows that abuse to continue. If we all say we are against gender-based violence, why do we so often remain silent when&nbsp;we see it happening?

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: THE SILENT VOICES THAT FAIL WOMEN: WHY DO WE KEEP  LOOKING AWAY FROM GBVF?

The EFF has entered the race for Johannesburg with a candidate who comes from outside traditional party politics. Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng has been announced as the party’s mayoral candidate for the City of Gold, following the EFF’s manifesto launch in Thohoyandou over the weekend. Mofokeng is a medical doctor and prominent public-health advocate, who has worked extensively on HIV and AIDS,
neonatal health, gender equality and the right to health. She also recently completed her term as the first African to serve as the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health. Now she is making the move into active politics — and into one of the country’s biggest political battles. She will go up against candidates including Helen Zille of the DA and Herman Mashaba of ActionSA, while the ANC is yet to
announce its candidate. Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng joins us in studio to unpack her decision to enter politics, her vision for Johannesburg and why she believes she is the right person to lead the city.

The EFF has entered the race for Johannesburg with a&nbsp;candidate who comes from outside traditional party politics. Dr&nbsp;Tlaleng Mofokeng has been announced as the party&rsquo;s mayoral&nbsp;candidate for the City of Gold, following the EFF&rsquo;s manifesto&nbsp;launch in Thohoyandou over the weekend.&nbsp;Mofokeng is a medical doctor and prominent public-health&nbsp;advocate, who has worked extensively on HIV and AIDS, neonatal health, gender equality and the right to health. She&nbsp;also recently completed her term as the first African to serve as&nbsp;the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health.&nbsp;Now she is making the move into active politics &mdash; and into one&nbsp;of the country&rsquo;s biggest political battles.&nbsp;She will go up against candidates including Helen Zille of the&nbsp;DA and Herman Mashaba of ActionSA, while the ANC is yet to announce its candidate.&nbsp;Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng joins us in studio to unpack her decision&nbsp;to enter politics, her vision for Johannesburg and why she&nbsp;believes she is the right person to lead the city.

FROM HEALTH ADVOCATE TO CITY HALL: CAN TLALENG MOFOKENG LEAD JOHANNESBURG?

For generations, women in South Africa have fought for the right to be seen, heard and respected in spaces that were once considered the preserve of men. Few professions embody that
struggle more than policing. Every day, women in blue put on their uniforms and step into
some of the country's most difficult and dangerous situations. They comfort victims, investigate crimes, protect communities, lead specialised units and carry the enormous responsibility of upholding the law while often balancing the demands of motherhood, family life and public service. This Women's Month, we are taking time to honour the women who serve behind the badge. Beyond the uniform, beyond the rank and beyond the statistics, we want to hear the stories of resilience, sacrifice, courage and determination that have shaped their journeys. At a time when South Africans are demanding safer communities and stronger institutions, these women continue to stand on the front lines, often facing danger, criticism and immense pressure. Yet they remain committed to serving their
communities with dignity and pride. Tonight, we celebrate the women in blue who continue to prove
that strength and compassion can exist side by side.

For generations, women in South Africa have fought for the&nbsp;right to be seen, heard and respected in spaces that were once&nbsp;considered the preserve of men. Few professions embody that struggle more than policing.&nbsp;Every day, women in blue put on their uniforms and step into some of the country's most difficult and dangerous situations.&nbsp;They comfort victims, investigate crimes, protect communities,&nbsp;lead specialised units and carry the enormous responsibility of&nbsp;upholding the law while often balancing the demands of&nbsp;motherhood, family life and public service.&nbsp;This Women's Month, we are taking time to honour the women&nbsp;who serve behind the badge. Beyond the uniform, beyond the&nbsp;rank and beyond the statistics, we want to hear the stories of&nbsp;resilience, sacrifice, courage and determination that have&nbsp;shaped their journeys.&nbsp;At a time when South Africans are demanding safer&nbsp;communities and stronger institutions, these women continue&nbsp;to stand on the front lines, often facing danger, criticism and&nbsp;immense pressure. Yet they remain committed to serving their communities with dignity and pride.&nbsp;Tonight, we celebrate the women in blue who continue to prove that strength and compassion can exist side by side.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: WOMEN BEYOND IN BLUE, BEYOND THE BADGE

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

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