Imagine a child who spends hours training, sacrifices weekends with friends, balances schoolwork with competitive sport and knows that a place in the first team could determine their future opportunities. Now imagine that same child making a mistake during an important match. Instead of simply being disappointed, they are terrified of going home because they know their parents will be angry, their coach may drop them, or their teammates may lose respect for them. For that child, sport is no longer just about playing, learning and enjoying the game. It has become a test of their worth. So, how do we get the balance right? How do we raise children who are ambitious and competitive but who also understand that losing is part of sport, resting is not weakness, and being dropped from a
team does not make them failures? How can parents recognise when their child needs support rather than another motivational speech? And what responsibility do schools and coaches have to
protect the wellbeing of the young people entrusted to them? Tonight, we're looking at the darker side of competitive youth sport and asking how we can equip parents to support their children's
ambitions without sacrificing their mental health. Joining us is Dr Bonginkosi Mafuze, head of the Sports and Exercise Psychiatry Special Interest Group at the South African Society of Psychiatrists.

Imagine a child who spends hours training, sacrifices weekends with&nbsp;friends, balances schoolwork with competitive sport and knows that&nbsp;a place in the first team could determine their future opportunities.&nbsp;Now imagine that same child making a mistake during an important&nbsp;match. Instead of simply being disappointed, they are terrified of&nbsp;going home because they know their parents will be angry, their&nbsp;coach may drop them, or their teammates may lose respect for them. For that child, sport is no longer just about playing, learning&nbsp;and enjoying the game. It has become a test of their worth. So, how do we get the balance right? How do we raise children who&nbsp;are ambitious and competitive but who also understand that losing is&nbsp;part of sport, resting is not weakness, and being dropped from a team does not make them failures? How can parents recognise&nbsp;when their child needs support rather than another motivational&nbsp;speech? And what responsibility do schools and coaches have to protect the wellbeing of the young people entrusted to them?&nbsp;Tonight, we're looking at the darker side of competitive youth sport&nbsp;and asking how we can equip parents to support their children's ambitions without sacrificing their mental health. Joining us is Dr&nbsp;Bonginkosi Mafuze, head of the Sports and Exercise Psychiatry&nbsp;Special Interest Group at the South African Society of Psychiatrists.

After 8 Is After 8: When winning becomes everything — the pressure on young  athletes

The African National Congress has won a major legal battle against the Electoral Commission of South Africa, with the Constitutional Court ruling in its favour in a dispute over 181 of its candidates who were excluded from contesting the upcoming local government elections. At the centre of this dispute was a crucial final step on the IEC’s online nomination system. The ANC had uploaded its candidates’ details and paid the required deposits, but failed to click the “submit as final” button before the deadline. The IEC rejected the nominations, and the Electoral Court initially upheld that decision.
The ANC then took the matter to the country’s highest court, arguing that a technical requirement on an online system should not prevent its candidates from contesting the elections. The Constitutional Court has now ordered the IEC to take the necessary steps to include the affected candidates on the ballot papers ahead of the November 4 elections. But what does this judgment mean for the enforcement of electoral deadlines, the independence of the IEC and the principle that all political parties must play by the same rules? And does this ruling resolve the controversy, or does it raise further questions about the ANC’s candidate nomination process? We discuss the implications of this
landmark decision.

The African National Congress has won a major legal battle against&nbsp;the Electoral Commission of South Africa, with the Constitutional&nbsp;Court ruling in its favour in a dispute over 181 of its candidates who&nbsp;were excluded from contesting the upcoming local government&nbsp;elections.&nbsp;At the centre of this dispute was a crucial final step on the IEC&rsquo;s&nbsp;online nomination system. The ANC had uploaded its candidates&rsquo;&nbsp;details and paid the required deposits, but failed to click the &ldquo;submit&nbsp;as final&rdquo; button before the deadline. The IEC rejected the&nbsp;nominations, and the Electoral Court initially upheld that decision. The ANC then took the matter to the country&rsquo;s highest court, arguing&nbsp;that a technical requirement on an online system should not prevent&nbsp;its candidates from contesting the elections.&nbsp;The Constitutional Court has now ordered the IEC to take the&nbsp;necessary steps to include the affected candidates on the ballot&nbsp;papers ahead of the November 4 elections. But what does this&nbsp;judgment mean for the enforcement of electoral deadlines, the&nbsp;independence of the IEC and the principle that all political parties&nbsp;must play by the same rules? And does this ruling resolve the&nbsp;controversy, or does it raise further questions about the ANC&rsquo;s&nbsp;candidate nomination process? We discuss the implications of this landmark decision.

ConCourt Rules in ANC’s Favour in Candidate List Dispute

Imagine looking back on your life ten years from now and realising
that some of the things you wanted most never happened — not
necessarily because you lacked the talent, the qualifications, the
resources or the opportunity, but because you were too afraid to try.
Afraid to fail. Afraid to be rejected. Afraid to disappoint your family.
Afraid of what people would say if you stepped outside the life they
expected you to live.
For many of us, fear influences decisions in ways we do not even
recognise. It can keep us in jobs where we are unhappy, prevent us
from speaking up when we are being mistreated, stop us from
pursuing relationships we want or make us abandon our dreams
before we have even started. We become so focused on everything
that could go wrong that we never consider what might go right. And
even when we have overcome challenges before, that confidence
does not always follow us into the next chapter of our lives.
But is fear always something we need to overcome, or are there
times when it is warning us to slow down and think carefully? And if
we are honest with ourselves, how much of what we call being
realistic is actually fear of the unknown? Tonight, we are talking
about the fears that hold us back, the opportunities we miss
because of self-doubt, and how we begin to move forward even
when we are not entirely confident. Joining us is Kim Vermaak,

whose reflections on fear and personal progress open up an

What Is Fear
Stopping You From
Doing?
Kim Vermaak -
Emotional Intelligence
Specialist

important question for all of us: Are you making decisions based
on what you truly want, or on what you are afraid might
happen?

Imagine looking back on your life ten years from now and realising that some of the things you wanted most never happened &mdash; not necessarily because you lacked the talent, the qualifications, the resources or the opportunity, but because you were too afraid to try. Afraid to fail. Afraid to be rejected. Afraid to disappoint your family. Afraid of what people would say if you stepped outside the life they expected you to live. For many of us, fear influences decisions in ways we do not even recognise. It can keep us in jobs where we are unhappy, prevent us from speaking up when we are being mistreated, stop us from pursuing relationships we want or make us abandon our dreams before we have even started. We become so focused on everything that could go wrong that we never consider what might go right. And even when we have overcome challenges before, that confidence does not always follow us into the next chapter of our lives. But is fear always something we need to overcome, or are there times when it is warning us to slow down and think carefully? And if we are honest with ourselves, how much of what we call being realistic is actually fear of the unknown? Tonight, we are talking about the fears that hold us back, the opportunities we miss because of self-doubt, and how we begin to move forward even when we are not entirely confident. Joining us is Kim Vermaak,
whose reflections on fear and personal progress open up an
What Is Fear Stopping You From Doing? Kim Vermaak - Emotional Intelligence Specialist
important question for all of us: Are you making decisions based on what you truly want, or on what you are afraid might happen?

After 8 is After 8: What Is Fear Stopping You From Doing?

South Africa is officially in the final stretch towards the 2026 Local
Government Elections, with just 21 days to go before voters head to
the polls on the 4th of November. The Electoral Commission says
preparations are gathering pace, with more than 66 percent of the
country's 79 million ballot papers already printed, thousands of
electoral officials recruited, and infrastructure being put in place at
nearly 24,000 voting stations.
But one of the most striking figures in the IEC's latest update is the

number of approved special vote applications. More than 2.65
million applications have been approved — an increase of 131
percent compared with the 2021 local government elections. What is
driving this dramatic increase, and does the Commission have the
capacity to accommodate every eligible voter who has been
approved for a special vote?
The IEC is also preparing its election results system, working with
political parties to test its integrity and reliability, and stepping up
efforts to combat disinformation. So, as the countdown begins, how
ready is the Commission, what safeguards are in place to protect the
credibility of the results, and what must voters do to ensure they are
able to cast their ballots? We speak to a representative of the
Electoral Commission.

 

South Africa is officially in the final stretch towards the 2026 Local Government Elections, with just 21 days to go before voters head to the polls on the 4th of November. The Electoral Commission says preparations are gathering pace, with more than 66 percent of the country's 79 million ballot papers already printed, thousands of electoral officials recruited, and infrastructure being put in place at nearly 24,000 voting stations. But one of the most striking figures in the IEC's latest update is the
number of approved special vote applications. More than 2.65 million applications have been approved &mdash; an increase of 131 percent compared with the 2021 local government elections. What is driving this dramatic increase, and does the Commission have the capacity to accommodate every eligible voter who has been approved for a special vote? The IEC is also preparing its election results system, working with political parties to test its integrity and reliability, and stepping up efforts to combat disinformation. So, as the countdown begins, how ready is the Commission, what safeguards are in place to protect the credibility of the results, and what must voters do to ensure they are able to cast their ballots? We speak to a representative of the Electoral Commission.
&nbsp;

THE COUNTDOWN TO THE POLLS — IS THE IEC READY?

South Africa’s social grant system is once again at the centre of a
heated debate, particularly as tensions around immigration and
access to public services continue to rise. There are growing
concerns among some South Africans about whether foreign
nationals are benefiting from social grants while millions of people in
this country continue to struggle with poverty, unemployment and the
rising cost of living.
But what is fact, and what is misinformation? The South African
Social Security Agency, SASSA, says it does not pay social grants
to undocumented foreign nationals. Its spokesperson, Paseka
Letsatsi, says only qualifying refugees receive grants, with 1,815
refugees currently benefiting from the system — a figure he says
contradicts the numbers circulating on social media.
This clarification comes after a Constitutional Court ruling that
changed how asylum seekers must be allowed to access South
Africa’s asylum determination process. But being allowed to apply
for asylum does not automatically grant someone refugee status or
citizenship. So, who actually qualifies for social assistance, what are
the rules governing foreign nationals, and how can the public
distinguish between legitimate concerns and misleading claims? We
speak to SASSA about what the law says and how the grant system
works.

South Africa&rsquo;s social grant system is once again at the centre of a heated debate, particularly as tensions around immigration and access to public services continue to rise. There are growing concerns among some South Africans about whether foreign nationals are benefiting from social grants while millions of people in this country continue to struggle with poverty, unemployment and the rising cost of living. But what is fact, and what is misinformation? The South African Social Security Agency, SASSA, says it does not pay social grants to undocumented foreign nationals. Its spokesperson, Paseka Letsatsi, says only qualifying refugees receive grants, with 1,815 refugees currently benefiting from the system &mdash; a figure he says contradicts the numbers circulating on social media. This clarification comes after a Constitutional Court ruling that changed how asylum seekers must be allowed to access South Africa&rsquo;s asylum determination process. But being allowed to apply for asylum does not automatically grant someone refugee status or citizenship. So, who actually qualifies for social assistance, what are the rules governing foreign nationals, and how can the public distinguish between legitimate concerns and misleading claims? We speak to SASSA about what the law says and how the grant system works.

SASSA Sets the Record Straight: Who Qualifies for Social Grants  in South Africa?

There is a reality many mothers live with but rarely talk about — going without so their children don’t have to. It’s a phenomenon known as maternal buffering, where mothers sacrifice their own
basic needs, including food and water, to ensure their children have something to eat and drink.
When there isn’t enough food on the table, a mother may tell her children she has already eaten, skip a meal or drink less water so that her children can have more. For many women, this isn’t a once-
off sacrifice; it’s a daily reality shaped by poverty, financial pressures and the responsibility of keeping a family going. But what does this kind of sacrifice do to a mother’s physical and emotional well-being? Why do so many women feel compelled to put their children’s needs ahead of their own, even when it means going hungry? And how do we begin to address a reality where mothers are forced to choose between feeding their children and feeding themselves? Tonight, we unpack maternal buffering, the hidden cost of maternal sacrifice, and what it tells us about hunger, motherhood and the
support available to women raising families.

There is a reality many mothers live with but rarely talk about &mdash;&nbsp;going without so their children don&rsquo;t have to. It&rsquo;s a phenomenon&nbsp;known as maternal buffering, where mothers sacrifice their own basic needs, including food and water, to ensure their children have&nbsp;something to eat and drink. When there isn&rsquo;t enough food on the table, a mother may tell her&nbsp;children she has already eaten, skip a meal or drink less water so&nbsp;that her children can have more. For many women, this isn&rsquo;t a once- off sacrifice; it&rsquo;s a daily reality shaped by poverty, financial pressures&nbsp;and the responsibility of keeping a family going.&nbsp;But what does this kind of sacrifice do to a mother&rsquo;s physical and&nbsp;emotional well-being? Why do so many women feel compelled to&nbsp;put their children&rsquo;s needs ahead of their own, even when it means&nbsp;going hungry? And how do we begin to address a reality where&nbsp;mothers are forced to choose between feeding their children and&nbsp;feeding themselves?&nbsp;Tonight, we unpack maternal buffering, the hidden cost of maternal&nbsp;sacrifice, and what it tells us about hunger, motherhood and the support available to women raising families.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: MATERNAL BUFFERING — WHEN MOTHERS GO WITHOUT SO  THEIR CHILDREN CAN EAT

The arrest of three suspects in connection with the smartwatch belonging to murdered Kempton Park runner Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo has brought a new development in a case that has left
a family grieving and a community demanding answers. The 38- year-old mother was last seen on 9 September when she left her home for her usual run. When she failed to return, her eight-year-old
daughter alerted relatives, and a search was launched. Her body was discovered three days later behind a hotel in Rhodesfield, Kempton Park. Now, more than a month after her death, three men have appeared in court over the alleged possession, acquisition and disposal of her Garmin smartwatch. But there is a crucial distinction: none of them has been charged with her murder. While the arrests may offer investigators important leads, the question of who killed Tsontso
remains unanswered. How does her family feel about these latest developments? Do they
see the arrests as progress, or are they still waiting for the answers and accountability they desperately need? And with several women murdered in Ekurhuleni in recent months, can the police reassure families that these investigations are moving closer to justice? We speak to the family of Elizabeth Moselakgomo about their reaction to the arrests, their expectations of investigators, and the long road ahead.

The arrest of three suspects in connection with the smartwatch&nbsp;belonging to murdered Kempton Park runner Elizabeth &ldquo;Tsontso&rdquo;&nbsp;Moselakgomo has brought a new development in a case that has left a family grieving and a community demanding answers. The 38-&nbsp;year-old mother was last seen on 9 September when she left her&nbsp;home for her usual run. When she failed to return, her eight-year-old daughter alerted relatives, and a search was launched. Her body&nbsp;was discovered three days later behind a hotel in Rhodesfield,&nbsp;Kempton Park.&nbsp;Now, more than a month after her death, three men have appeared&nbsp;in court over the alleged possession, acquisition and disposal of her&nbsp;Garmin smartwatch. But there is a crucial distinction: none of them has been charged with her murder. While the arrests may offer&nbsp;investigators important leads, the question of who killed Tsontso remains unanswered.&nbsp;How does her family feel about these latest developments? Do they see the arrests as progress, or are they still waiting for the answers&nbsp;and accountability they desperately need? And with several women&nbsp;murdered in Ekurhuleni in recent months, can the police reassure&nbsp;families that these investigations are moving closer to justice? We&nbsp;speak to the family of Elizabeth Moselakgomo about their reaction to&nbsp;the arrests, their expectations of investigators, and the long road&nbsp;ahead.

Ekurhuleni Women’s Murders: Does the Latest Arrest Bring  the Family Closer to Justice?

Teachers are entrusted with the responsibility of educating, guiding and protecting learners, particularly those who may be more vulnerable and require additional support. But what happens when the very person entrusted with that responsibility crosses the line? A Western Cape teacher has been dismissed with immediate effect after admitting to sexually harassing an 18-year-old learner at Axios School of Skills and Neurodiverse Center. According to an arbitration award by the Education Labour Relations Council, Xolile Duma repeatedly made romantic advances towards the learner, sent her WhatsApp messages and asked her to give him a chance. The learner attends a school catering for pupils with cognitive difficulties. The commissioner found the educator’s conduct improper,
disgraceful and unacceptable, ruling that he was unsuitable to work with children. The case raises serious questions about professional boundaries, the protection of learners with special needs, and the consequences when educators abuse the trust placed in them. What safeguards are in place to protect vulnerable learners, and how can schools ensure that children are safe in the very environments designed to help them thrive?

Teachers are entrusted with the responsibility of educating, guiding&nbsp;and protecting learners, particularly those who may be more&nbsp;vulnerable and require additional support. But what happens when&nbsp;the very person entrusted with that responsibility crosses the line?&nbsp;A Western Cape teacher has been dismissed with immediate effect&nbsp;after admitting to sexually harassing an 18-year-old learner at Axios&nbsp;School of Skills and Neurodiverse Center. According to an arbitration&nbsp;award by the Education Labour Relations Council, Xolile Duma&nbsp;repeatedly made romantic advances towards the learner, sent her&nbsp;WhatsApp messages and asked her to give him a chance. The&nbsp;learner attends a school catering for pupils with cognitive difficulties.&nbsp;The commissioner found the educator&rsquo;s conduct improper, disgraceful and unacceptable, ruling that he was unsuitable to work&nbsp;with children. The case raises serious questions about professional&nbsp;boundaries, the protection of learners with special needs, and the&nbsp;consequences when educators abuse the trust placed in them. What&nbsp;safeguards are in place to protect vulnerable learners, and how can&nbsp;schools ensure that children are safe in the very environments&nbsp;designed to help them thrive?

When a Teacher Becomes a Threat: Educator Dismissed for  Harassing Learner with Special Needs

For thousands of South African schoolchildren, the journey to
education begins with a long walk. Before the sun rises, children in
rural villages and under-resourced communities are already on the
road, walking kilometres to get to school. Some travel along isolated

roads, others navigate busy highways, exposing themselves to
safety risks just to access what should be a basic right. And by the
time they reach the classroom, some are already exhausted before
the school day has even begun.
South Africa’s Constitution guarantees every child the right to basic
education, but that right means little if a child cannot safely get to
school. Scholar transport is a critical intervention designed to help
eligible learners overcome geographical and financial barriers. Yet
questions remain about whether the system is adequately meeting
the needs of learners, particularly those in rural communities, and
what happens to children who fall outside the criteria or are left
without transport.
Tonight, we examine the realities facing learners who walk long
distances to school. How does this affect their safety, attendance
and academic performance? What responsibility do government
departments have to ensure that eligible learners receive transport?
And ultimately, can we claim to provide equal access to education
when the journey to the classroom is already an obstacle?

For thousands of South African schoolchildren, the journey to education begins with a long walk. Before the sun rises, children in rural villages and under-resourced communities are already on the road, walking kilometres to get to school. Some travel along isolated
roads, others navigate busy highways, exposing themselves to safety risks just to access what should be a basic right. And by the time they reach the classroom, some are already exhausted before the school day has even begun. South Africa&rsquo;s Constitution guarantees every child the right to basic education, but that right means little if a child cannot safely get to school. Scholar transport is a critical intervention designed to help eligible learners overcome geographical and financial barriers. Yet questions remain about whether the system is adequately meeting the needs of learners, particularly those in rural communities, and what happens to children who fall outside the criteria or are left without transport. Tonight, we examine the realities facing learners who walk long distances to school. How does this affect their safety, attendance and academic performance? What responsibility do government departments have to ensure that eligible learners receive transport? And ultimately, can we claim to provide equal access to education when the journey to the classroom is already an obstacle?

After 8 is After 8: The Long Walk to Learn — Is Scholar Transport Reaching the  Children Who Need It?

The race to govern Ekurhuleni is heating up ahead of South Africa’s
local government elections, with political parties putting forward
candidates who say they have what it takes to turn the city around.
Among them is Thulani Shongwe, a Member of Parliament
representing the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, who has been selected
as the party’s mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni. Shongwe has
positioned himself as an anti-corruption crusader, promising to hold
corrupt politicians and tenderpreneurs accountable. But leading a
metropolitan municipality requires more than identifying wrongdoing
and making political promises. It demands an understanding of
municipal finances, strong administrative oversight, sound
leadership and the ability to deliver basic services to millions of
residents.
Ekurhuleni is a major economic hub, yet residents continue to raise
concerns about service delivery, housing, water, electricity,
infrastructure and safety. As the city prepares for the next chapter of
local government, the question is whether Shongwe has the
experience, the policies and the practical plan required to address
these challenges. What would he prioritise in his first 100 days? How
would he fund his proposals? And what distinguishes his approach
from that of the political leaders who have governed the city before
him?
Tonight, we speak to Thulani Shongwe about his ambitions for
Ekurhuleni, the MK Party’s plans for the metro, and the evidence
behind his promises. We also examine the leadership question at
the heart of his candidacy: what makes him the right person for the
job, and how should residents judge whether he is ready to govern?

The race to govern Ekurhuleni is heating up ahead of South Africa&rsquo;s local government elections, with political parties putting forward candidates who say they have what it takes to turn the city around. Among them is Thulani Shongwe, a Member of Parliament representing the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, who has been selected as the party&rsquo;s mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni. Shongwe has positioned himself as an anti-corruption crusader, promising to hold corrupt politicians and tenderpreneurs accountable. But leading a metropolitan municipality requires more than identifying wrongdoing and making political promises. It demands an understanding of municipal finances, strong administrative oversight, sound leadership and the ability to deliver basic services to millions of residents. Ekurhuleni is a major economic hub, yet residents continue to raise concerns about service delivery, housing, water, electricity, infrastructure and safety. As the city prepares for the next chapter of local government, the question is whether Shongwe has the experience, the policies and the practical plan required to address these challenges. What would he prioritise in his first 100 days? How would he fund his proposals? And what distinguishes his approach from that of the political leaders who have governed the city before him? Tonight, we speak to Thulani Shongwe about his ambitions for Ekurhuleni, the MK Party&rsquo;s plans for the metro, and the evidence behind his promises. We also examine the leadership question at the heart of his candidacy: what makes him the right person for the job, and how should residents judge whether he is ready to govern?

Thulani Shongwe: Is He Ready to Govern Ekurhuleni?

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

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