For generations, the idea of “home” for many South African families has meant more than the house where you grew up. It could mean the rural homestead — the place where your grandparents lived,
where family rituals were performed, where the umsamo was kept, where the kraal formed part of the homestead, and where children were taught customs and traditions by the elders around them.
But South Africa has changed dramatically. Millions of us now live in cities, far away from those rural homes. We have moved for education, work and better opportunities, and many of our children
are being raised in apartments, townhouses and suburban homes where some of the physical spaces associated with traditional practices simply don't exist. So what happens to our relationship with culture when we are physically separated from the places where that culture has traditionally been practised? Can you maintain a strong connection to your heritage when the ancestral home is hundreds of kilometres away? And what happens to practices like imbeleko, family rituals and the role of the umsamo when there is no longer a rural homestead at the centre of everyday family life?
Today, we're asking whether modernisation and urbanisation are changing not only where we live, but how we understand, practise and pass on our heritage to the next generation.

For generations, the idea of &ldquo;home&rdquo; for many South African families&nbsp;has meant more than the house where you grew up. It could mean&nbsp;the rural homestead &mdash; the place where your grandparents lived, where family rituals were performed, where the umsamo was kept,&nbsp;where the kraal formed part of the homestead, and where children&nbsp;were taught customs and traditions by the elders around them. But South Africa has changed dramatically. Millions of us now live in&nbsp;cities, far away from those rural homes. We have moved for&nbsp;education, work and better opportunities, and many of our children are being raised in apartments, townhouses and suburban homes&nbsp;where some of the physical spaces associated with traditional&nbsp;practices simply don't exist.&nbsp;So what happens to our relationship with culture when we are&nbsp;physically separated from the places where that culture has&nbsp;traditionally been practised? Can you maintain a strong connection&nbsp;to your heritage when the ancestral home is hundreds of kilometres&nbsp;away? And what happens to practices like imbeleko, family rituals&nbsp;and the role of the umsamo when there is no longer a rural&nbsp;homestead at the centre of everyday family life? Today, we're asking whether modernisation and urbanisation are&nbsp;changing not only where we live, but how we understand, practise&nbsp;and pass on our heritage to the next generation.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: FROM KRAALS TO CONCRETE: IS URBANISATION CHANGING  HOW WE CONNECT WITH OUR HERITAGE?

For millions of South Africans, the Two-Pot Retirement System has changed the way we think about our retirement savings. Since 2024, members have been able to access a portion of their retirement
savings when they need financial relief. And when you're dealing with debt, school fees, household expenses or simply trying to make it through the month, that money can be very tempting. But accessing your retirement savings isn't simply a case of taking money that is sitting there waiting for you. There are tax consequences, there may be fees, and every withdrawal potentially reduces what you will have available when you retire. And beyond withdrawals, consumers also need to know
whether the money being deducted from their salaries is actually being paid into their retirement funds. So, how do you know when a withdrawal is worth considering, what are you actually giving up when you take that money now, and what should you do if the numbers on your payslip don't match your retirement fund records? Today, we're unpacking what every retirement fund member should know before making that decision.

For millions of South Africans, the Two-Pot Retirement System has&nbsp;changed the way we think about our retirement savings. Since 2024,&nbsp;members have been able to access a portion of their retirement savings when they need financial relief. And when you're dealing&nbsp;with debt, school fees, household expenses or simply trying to make&nbsp;it through the month, that money can be very tempting. But accessing your retirement savings isn't simply a case of taking&nbsp;money that is sitting there waiting for you. There are tax&nbsp;consequences, there may be fees, and every withdrawal&nbsp;potentially reduces what you will have available when you&nbsp;retire. And beyond withdrawals, consumers also need to know whether the money being deducted from their salaries is actually&nbsp;being paid into their retirement funds.&nbsp;So, how do you know when a withdrawal is worth considering, what&nbsp;are you actually giving up when you take that money now, and what&nbsp;should you do if the numbers on your payslip don't match your&nbsp;retirement fund records? Today, we're unpacking what every&nbsp;retirement fund member should know before making that decision.

Financial Sector Conduct Authority ( Ms. Alicia Moses - Designation: Manager: Consumer Education, FSCA )

Every time we see the South African flag flying, particularly during Heritage Month, we’re reminded of the country we became in 1994 — a country emerging from apartheid and attempting to build a new national identity. But how much do we actually know about the history behind the flag
itself? The official historical account credits the late State Herald Frederick Gordon Brownell with designing the flag that was unveiled in 1994. But an independent researcher, Bandile Magibili, has spent years investigating the process that led to the flag’s adoption, and he says there are still questions that deserve closer examination. Among them: what happened to the designs submitted by members of the public during the transition to democracy, how were those submissions assessed, and how exactly did the final design emerge? At the centre of his research is Eastern Cape artist Thembani Hastings Mqhayi, who maintains that he submitted five designs during that public process. Magibili is now taking the research into international academic spaces, including Mauritius, arguing that the documentary evidence should be subjected to independent scholarly scrutiny. So today, we're asking a fascinating question about one of the most recognisable symbols of our democracy:
what does the evidence actually tell us about the origins and authorship of South Africa's national flag?

Every time we see the South African flag flying, particularly during&nbsp;Heritage Month, we&rsquo;re reminded of the country we became in 1994&nbsp;&mdash; a country emerging from apartheid and attempting to build a new&nbsp;national identity.&nbsp;But how much do we actually know about the history behind the flag itself?&nbsp;The official historical account credits the late State Herald Frederick&nbsp;Gordon Brownell with designing the flag that was unveiled in 1994.&nbsp;But an independent researcher, Bandile Magibili, has spent years&nbsp;investigating the process that led to the flag&rsquo;s adoption, and he says&nbsp;there are still questions that deserve closer examination. Among&nbsp;them: what happened to the designs submitted by members of the&nbsp;public during the transition to democracy, how were those&nbsp;submissions assessed, and how exactly did the final design&nbsp;emerge?&nbsp;At the centre of his research is Eastern Cape artist Thembani&nbsp;Hastings Mqhayi, who maintains that he submitted five designs&nbsp;during that public process. Magibili is now taking the research into&nbsp;international academic spaces, including Mauritius, arguing that the&nbsp;documentary evidence should be subjected to independent&nbsp;scholarly scrutiny. So today, we're asking a fascinating question&nbsp;about one of the most recognisable symbols of our democracy: what does the evidence actually tell us about the origins and&nbsp;authorship of South Africa's national flag?

REVISITING THE FLAG DEBATE ON HERITAGE DAY ( Bandile Magibili )

South Africa is a country that has experienced a tremendous amount of loss. We lose people to illness, accidents, crime, suicide and violence — and for many families, one loss can come before
they have even had the opportunity to process the one that came before it. Yet life carries on. We go back to work, we raise our children, we pay the bills and somehow, we are expected to keep
functioning. So what does all of this loss do to us emotionally? Are we actually processing our grief, or have we become accustomed to simply carrying it? And is there such a thing as a country becoming
collectively exhausted from grief? Today, we want to look at how we are grieving as a nation — the
ways we deal with loss, the things we don't talk about, and whether some of us are carrying unresolved grief without even realising it. We're joined by psychologist, author and mental-health advocate Dr. Better, whose new book Reflections of a Grieving Therapist draws on her years of helping people navigate pain and loss, as well as her own experience of grief.

South Africa is a country that has experienced a tremendous&nbsp;amount of loss. We lose people to illness, accidents, crime, suicide&nbsp;and violence &mdash; and for many families, one loss can come before they have even had the opportunity to process the one that came&nbsp;before it. Yet life carries on. We go back to work, we raise our&nbsp;children, we pay the bills and somehow, we are expected to keep functioning.&nbsp;So what does all of this loss do to us emotionally? Are we actually&nbsp;processing our grief, or have we become accustomed to simply&nbsp;carrying it? And is there such a thing as a country becoming collectively exhausted from grief?&nbsp;Today, we want to look at how we are grieving as a nation &mdash; the ways we deal with loss, the things we don't talk about, and whether&nbsp;some of us are carrying unresolved grief without even realising it.&nbsp;We're joined by psychologist, author and mental-health advocate Dr.&nbsp;Better, whose new book Reflections of a Grieving Therapist draws&nbsp;on her years of helping people navigate pain and loss, as well as&nbsp;her own experience of grief.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: HOW ARE WE GRIEVING AS A COUNTRY?

South Africa’s confirmed Mpox cases have now risen from 18 to 22, with four new laboratory-confirmed infections recorded as of Tuesday. The majority of the cases are concentrated in the Western Cape, which accounts for 18 of the 22 cases, while Gauteng has recorded three and KwaZulu-Natal one. One of the newly confirmed cases is a 47-year-old man from Cape Town who had travelled to Spain earlier this month and was initially classified as a probable case while authorities waited for laboratory results. The other new infections include two imported cases involving a
German and a Norwegian citizen. The Department of Health says it is working with the NICD, the WHO and provincial health authorities on contact tracing and enhanced surveillance. So, while the
numbers remain relatively small, authorities are watching the situation closely, particularly because cases are being detected across more than one province. What does this increase mean for
the public, how does Mpox spread, what symptoms should people be looking out for, and at what point should someone seek medical attention?

South Africa&rsquo;s confirmed Mpox cases have now risen from 18 to 22,&nbsp;with four new laboratory-confirmed infections recorded as of&nbsp;Tuesday. The majority of the cases are concentrated in the Western&nbsp;Cape, which accounts for 18 of the 22 cases, while Gauteng has&nbsp;recorded three and KwaZulu-Natal one. One of the newly confirmed&nbsp;cases is a 47-year-old man from Cape Town who had travelled to&nbsp;Spain earlier this month and was initially classified as a probable&nbsp;case while authorities waited for laboratory results.&nbsp;The other new infections include two imported cases involving a German and a Norwegian citizen. The Department of Health says it&nbsp;is working with the NICD, the WHO and provincial health authorities on contact tracing and enhanced surveillance. So, while the numbers remain relatively small, authorities are watching the&nbsp;situation closely, particularly because cases are being detected&nbsp;across more than one province. What does this increase mean for the public, how does Mpox spread, what symptoms should&nbsp;people be looking out for, and at what point should someone&nbsp;seek medical attention?

Mpox Cases Rise to 22 in South Africa: What You Need to Know

With just 42 days to go before South Africans head to the polls for the local government elections, political parties and independent candidates have now put pen to paper, committing themselves to
the IEC’s Electoral Code of Conduct. On the face of it, signing a code may sound like a routine part of the election calendar — but this is essentially a commitment about how political parties conduct themselves between now and Election Day. The Code requires contestants to reject political violence,
intimidation and threats, respect voters and opponents, and campaign in a way that allows South Africans to make their choices freely. And this year, there is another major issue on the table:
disinformation. The IEC’s new provisions require parties and candidates to verify information before sharing it and to correct false or misleading information within 36 hours of becoming aware of it.
So, what does this commitment actually mean for political parties on the ground? What happens when a party or candidate crosses the line? And, importantly, in an election increasingly fought on social
media, how do we distinguish robust political debate from misinformation and deliberate attempts to mislead voters? Those are some of the questions we’re putting to our guest today.

With just 42 days to go before South Africans head to the polls for&nbsp;the local government elections, political parties and independent&nbsp;candidates have now put pen to paper, committing themselves to the IEC&rsquo;s Electoral Code of Conduct.&nbsp;On the face of it, signing a code may sound like a routine part of the&nbsp;election calendar &mdash; but this is essentially a commitment about how&nbsp;political parties conduct themselves between now and Election Day.&nbsp;The Code requires contestants to reject political violence, intimidation and threats, respect voters and opponents, and&nbsp;campaign in a way that allows South Africans to make their choices&nbsp;freely. And this year, there is another major issue on the table: disinformation. The IEC&rsquo;s new provisions require parties and&nbsp;candidates to verify information before sharing it and to correct false&nbsp;or misleading information within 36 hours of becoming aware of it. So, what does this commitment actually mean for political parties on&nbsp;the ground? What happens when a party or candidate crosses the&nbsp;line? And, importantly, in an election increasingly fought on social media, how do we distinguish robust political debate from&nbsp;misinformation and deliberate attempts to mislead voters? Those&nbsp;are some of the questions we&rsquo;re putting to our guest today.

Political Parties sign IEC’s Electoral Code of Conduct. Can it restore  trust?

We spend hours looking at screens — our phones, tablets, laptops and televisions. And for children, that screen time is increasingly happening from a very young age. But could the way we live —
spending more time indoors and focusing on things close to our faces — actually be changing the way our eyes develop? We’re talking about myopia, or short-sightedness, where people can see things close up but struggle to see clearly in the distance. It is becoming increasingly common around the world, particularly among children and young people. One widely cited global projection estimates that by 2050, almost half of the world’s population could be myopic — close to five billion people.
And this isn't simply about needing a stronger pair of glasses. Severe myopia can increase the risk of serious eye conditions, including retinal problems and retinal detachment. So, as we mark
Eye Care Awareness Month, we're asking: are we raising a generation that is becoming increasingly short-sighted — and what can parents and adults do about it?

We spend hours looking at screens &mdash; our phones, tablets, laptops&nbsp;and televisions. And for children, that screen time is increasingly&nbsp;happening from a very young age. But could the way we live &mdash; spending more time indoors and focusing on things close to our&nbsp;faces &mdash; actually be changing the way our eyes develop?&nbsp;We&rsquo;re talking about myopia, or short-sightedness, where people&nbsp;can see things close up but struggle to see clearly in the distance. It&nbsp;is becoming increasingly common around the world, particularly&nbsp;among children and young people. One widely cited global&nbsp;projection estimates that by 2050, almost half of the world&rsquo;s&nbsp;population could be myopic &mdash; close to five billion people. And this isn't simply about needing a stronger pair of glasses.&nbsp;Severe myopia can increase the risk of serious eye conditions,&nbsp;including retinal problems and retinal detachment. So, as we mark Eye Care Awareness Month, we're asking: are we raising a&nbsp;generation that is becoming increasingly short-sighted &mdash; and&nbsp;what can parents and adults do about it?

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Are Our Screens Changing Our Eyes? The Global Rise of  Myopia

What does it tell us about crime in Gauteng when one precinct records 76 kidnapping cases in a single quarter? And perhaps more importantly, what sits behind that number? The latest SAPS
statistics show that Kempton Park recorded 76 kidnappings between April and June 2026, compared with 48 in the same period last year. At provincial level, Gauteng recorded 2,367 cases — the highest provincial total in the country for that quarter. The Gauteng Legislature's Portfolio Committee on Community Safety says kidnapping cannot be viewed in isolation. Its
stakeholder engagement heard about cases involving hijacking-related kidnappings and ransom demands, including a reported R5-million demand in Bekkersdal and R3-million demand in
Roodepoort. That points to a broader criminal ecosystem involving organised crime and the exploitation of victims for financial gain. But for residents, statistics ultimately translate into a much more basic question: how safe are we, and what is being done differently now that these hotspots have been identified? The committee is calling for stronger intelligence gathering, better
coordination between law-enforcement agencies, targeted operations and greater engagement with communities. So, what does an effective response actually look like — and why has kidnapping become such a significant challenge in Gauteng? We're joined by Dr Bandile Masuku, Chairperson of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature's Portfolio Committee on Community Safety.

What does it tell us about crime in Gauteng when one precinct&nbsp;records 76 kidnapping cases in a single quarter? And perhaps&nbsp;more importantly, what sits behind that number? The latest SAPS statistics show that Kempton Park recorded 76 kidnappings between&nbsp;April and June 2026, compared with 48 in the same period last year. At provincial level, Gauteng recorded 2,367 cases &mdash; the highest&nbsp;provincial total in the country for that quarter.&nbsp;The Gauteng Legislature's Portfolio Committee on Community&nbsp;Safety says kidnapping cannot be viewed in isolation. Its stakeholder engagement heard about cases involving&nbsp;hijacking-related kidnappings and ransom demands, including a&nbsp;reported R5-million demand in Bekkersdal and R3-million demand in Roodepoort. That points to a broader criminal ecosystem involving&nbsp;organised crime and the exploitation of victims for financial gain.&nbsp;But for residents, statistics ultimately translate into a much more&nbsp;basic question: how safe are we, and what is being done&nbsp;differently now that these hotspots have been identified? The&nbsp;committee is calling for stronger intelligence gathering, better coordination between law-enforcement agencies, targeted&nbsp;operations and greater engagement with communities. So, what&nbsp;does an effective response actually look like &mdash; and why has&nbsp;kidnapping become such a significant challenge in Gauteng? We're&nbsp;joined by Dr Bandile Masuku, Chairperson of the Gauteng&nbsp;Provincial Legislature's Portfolio Committee on Community&nbsp;Safety.

Dr Bandile Masuku, Chairperson of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature's Portfolio Committee on Community Safety

The housing crisis in Cape Town is about more than simply building houses — it is also about where people can afford to live, how close they are to jobs and whether the city has enough
affordable rental stock to keep up with demand. Today, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the City wants to use its Township Development Fund to support small-scale developers who
are already building rental accommodation in informal settlements. The idea is to help these developments become safer, legal and properly connected to municipal services, including sewerage.
The announcement comes as the city grapples with rapid population growth and growing pressure on housing and infrastructure. The City says there is a pipeline of more than 14,000 affordable
housing units on land being released or packaged for development, while it estimates that around 70% of future housing demand will fall within the affordable bracket. So, can supporting township-based and micro-developers help address the housing shortage — and crucially, can it create
housing that working-class Capetonians can actually afford, in areas where they can access jobs and transport? And what happens to people already living in informal settlements while these
longer-term developments are being planned?

The housing crisis in Cape Town is about more than simply building&nbsp;houses &mdash; it is also about where people can afford to live, how&nbsp;close they are to jobs and whether the city has enough affordable rental stock to keep up with demand. Today, Cape&nbsp;Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the City wants to use its&nbsp;Township Development Fund to support small-scale developers who are already building rental accommodation in informal settlements.&nbsp;The idea is to help these developments become safer, legal and&nbsp;properly connected to municipal services, including sewerage. The announcement comes as the city grapples with rapid population&nbsp;growth and growing pressure on housing and infrastructure. The&nbsp;City says there is a pipeline of more than 14,000 affordable housing units on land being released or packaged for&nbsp;development, while it estimates that around 70% of future housing&nbsp;demand will fall within the affordable bracket.&nbsp;So, can supporting township-based and micro-developers help&nbsp;address the housing shortage &mdash; and crucially, can it create housing that working-class Capetonians can actually afford, in&nbsp;areas where they can access jobs and transport? And what&nbsp;happens to people already living in informal settlements while these longer-term developments are being planned?

CAN CAPE TOWN UNLOCK MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN  INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS? ( Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis )

For many South African teenagers, the matric dance is one of those moments they have been dreaming about for years. The dress, the suit, the photographs, arriving with your friends, celebrating the end of 12 years of schooling — it is supposed to be a night to remember. But should that celebration come with conditions? Should you have to earn your matric dance through good marks, good behaviour and discipline? That question has been thrust into the spotlight after a principal at
Milner High School in Klerksdorp cancelled this year’s matric farewell following poor academic performance and concerns about learner behaviour. Seventy-two out of 186 Grade 12 learners failed
their Term 2 examinations, while the principal also raised concerns about learners bunking classes and missing additional lessons, as well as disruptive behaviour during the so-called 40 Days
celebrations. So where do we draw the line? Is cancelling the dance a legitimate way of teaching accountability — that privileges come with responsibility — or are we punishing an entire group of young people for the actions and academic performance of some? And what about the learner who worked hard, attended every class and performed well? Tonight, we ask: should matric dances be scrapped altogether, or should they remain an important rite of passage — perhaps with a different approach to how they are earned and celebrated?

For many South African teenagers, the matric dance is one of those&nbsp;moments they have been dreaming about for years. The dress, the&nbsp;suit, the photographs, arriving with your friends, celebrating the end&nbsp;of 12 years of schooling &mdash; it is supposed to be a night to remember.&nbsp;But should that celebration come with conditions? Should you have&nbsp;to earn your matric dance through good marks, good behaviour and&nbsp;discipline?&nbsp;That question has been thrust into the spotlight after a principal at Milner High School in Klerksdorp cancelled this year&rsquo;s matric&nbsp;farewell following poor academic performance and concerns about&nbsp;learner behaviour. Seventy-two out of 186 Grade 12 learners failed their Term 2 examinations, while the principal also raised concerns&nbsp;about learners bunking classes and missing additional lessons, as&nbsp;well as disruptive behaviour during the so-called 40 Days celebrations. So where do we draw the line? Is cancelling the dance a legitimate&nbsp;way of teaching accountability &mdash; that privileges come with&nbsp;responsibility &mdash; or are we punishing an entire group of young&nbsp;people for the actions and academic performance of some? And&nbsp;what about the learner who worked hard, attended every class and&nbsp;performed well? Tonight, we ask: should matric dances be scrapped&nbsp;altogether, or should they remain an important rite of passage &mdash;&nbsp;perhaps with a different approach to how they are earned and&nbsp;celebrated?

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Should Matric Dances Be Scrapped — Or Should Learners  Have To Earn The Right To Celebrate?

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

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