More and more South Africans are turning to artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT for advice on anxiety, depression, relationship problems, grief and even major life decisions. It's free, available 24 hours a day, and unlike therapy, there's no waiting list. But mental health professionals are raising serious concerns, warning that AI can give misleading advice, reinforce harmful thinking and completely miss the warning signs when someone is in crisis. Some overseas cases have
even linked chatbot interactions to tragic outcomes, prompting lawsuits against AI developers. So tonight we're asking: Has AI become your therapist? Have you ever turned to ChatGPT or another AI chatbot for advice about your personal life or mental health? What happened? Did it genuinely help you, or did it make things worse?

More and more South Africans are turning to artificial intelligence tools&nbsp;like ChatGPT for advice on anxiety, depression, relationship problems,&nbsp;grief and even major life decisions. It's free, available 24 hours a day,&nbsp;and unlike therapy, there's no waiting list. But mental health&nbsp;professionals are raising serious concerns, warning that AI can give&nbsp;misleading advice, reinforce harmful thinking and completely miss the&nbsp;warning signs when someone is in crisis. Some overseas cases have even linked chatbot interactions to tragic outcomes, prompting lawsuits&nbsp;against AI developers. So tonight we're asking: Has AI become your&nbsp;therapist? Have you ever turned to ChatGPT or another AI chatbot&nbsp;for advice about your personal life or mental health? What&nbsp;happened? Did it genuinely help you, or did it make things worse?

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Are We Replacing Therapists with AI? Has ChatGPT Become South Africa's New Counsellor?

Today we explore the inspiring topic, “Mind–Body Connection: The Power Through Thought.” Joining us is Pratiba Daya, National Coordinator of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. She will share insights on how our thoughts shape our emotions, health, and overall well-being, and how positive, peaceful thinking can help us lead happier, more balanced lives. We invite you, our listeners, to be part of the conversation by sending in your questions, reflections, and experiences
as we discover together the remarkable power of the mind–body connection.

Today we explore the inspiring topic, &ldquo;Mind&ndash;Body&nbsp;Connection: The Power Through Thought.&rdquo; Joining us is&nbsp;Pratiba Daya, National Coordinator of the Brahma&nbsp;Kumaris World Spiritual University. She will share insights&nbsp;on how our thoughts shape our emotions, health, and&nbsp;overall well-being, and how positive, peaceful thinking can&nbsp;help us lead happier, more balanced lives.&nbsp;We invite you, our listeners, to be part of the conversation&nbsp;by sending in your questions, reflections, and experiences as we discover together the remarkable power of the&nbsp;mind&ndash;body connection.

“Mind–Body Connection: The Power Through Thought.”

The winter initiation season is meant to mark the journey from boyhood to manhood, but for dozens of South African families, it has instead become a season of mourning. The Department of Cooperative
Governance and Traditional Affairs has confirmed that 43 initiates have died during this year's winter initiation season, with Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape recording the highest number of fatalities.
Authorities say illegal initiation schools, negligence and poor oversight continue to fuel these preventable deaths, despite years of promises to improve safety. Tonight we ask: How many more young lives must be lost before meaningful action is taken? Is government failing to shut down
illegal initiation schools, or is this a problem that requires stronger accountability from traditional leaders, parents and communities?

The winter initiation season is meant to mark the journey from boyhood&nbsp;to manhood, but for dozens of South African families, it has instead&nbsp;become a season of mourning. The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has confirmed that 43 initiates&nbsp;have died during this year's winter initiation season, with Mpumalanga&nbsp;and the Eastern Cape recording the highest number of fatalities. Authorities say illegal initiation schools, negligence and poor oversight&nbsp;continue to fuel these preventable deaths, despite years of promises to&nbsp;improve safety.&nbsp;Tonight we ask: How many more young lives must be lost before&nbsp;meaningful action is taken? Is government failing to shut down illegal initiation schools, or is this a problem that requires&nbsp;stronger accountability from traditional leaders, parents and&nbsp;communities?

Another Deadly Initiation Season: Why Are Young Men Still Dying? ( Dr. Tshimangadzo Edward Mafadza is the Chief Executive Officer )

Imagine owing more than three times the amount of money you have in your bank account. That's the reality facing the City of Ekurhuleni, which reportedly owes R7.3 billion while holding just R2 billion in
available cash. Critics warn that the city's financial position threatens essential services, while others argue municipalities across the country are under growing pressure from rising costs, poor revenue collection and ageing infrastructure. So, who's to blame for Ekurhuleni's financial crisis, and more importantly, who will pay the price if the city can't turn things around? Tonight, we unpack what this means for residents, businesses and the future of local government in South Africa.

Imagine owing more than three times the amount of money you have in&nbsp;your bank account. That's the reality facing the City of Ekurhuleni,&nbsp;which reportedly owes R7.3 billion while holding just R2 billion in available cash. Critics warn that the city's financial position threatens&nbsp;essential services, while others argue municipalities across the country&nbsp;are under growing pressure from rising costs, poor revenue collection&nbsp;and ageing infrastructure. So, who's to blame for Ekurhuleni's financial&nbsp;crisis, and more importantly, who will pay the price if the city can't turn&nbsp;things around? Tonight, we unpack what this means for residents,&nbsp;businesses and the future of local government in South Africa.

R7.3 Billion in Debt, Just R2 Billion in the Bank: Is Ekurhuleni Running Out of Money? ( INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST MODIBE MODIBA HAS BEEN TRACKING THIS STORY )

For years, many South Africans have simply walked away from money owed to them because taking someone to court often costs more than the claim itself. Whether it's an unpaid debt, a landlord refusing to return a deposit, a contractor who took your money and disappeared, or a business that breached a contract, the legal system has often felt too expensive and too intimidating for ordinary people. The Small Claims Court was created to change that by allowing people to represent themselves without paying legal fees. Now, government has expanded its reach even further by increasing the maximum amount that can be claimed from R20,000 to R30,000. On paper, this sounds like a major victory for access to justice, opening the doors to thousands more South Africans who previously fell outside the court's limits. But does simply raising the threshold solve the real problems?
What about long waiting times, a lack of public awareness, limited court resources, and the fact that winning a case doesn't always mean you'll actually get paid? Tonight we ask: Has government
made justice more accessible, or is this just a bigger promise inside the same struggling system?

For years, many South Africans have simply walked away from&nbsp;money owed to them because taking someone to court often&nbsp;costs more than the claim itself. Whether it's an unpaid debt, a&nbsp;landlord refusing to return a deposit, a contractor who took your&nbsp;money and disappeared, or a business that breached a contract,&nbsp;the legal system has often felt too expensive and too intimidating&nbsp;for ordinary people. The Small Claims Court was created to&nbsp;change that by allowing people to represent themselves without&nbsp;paying legal fees. Now, government has expanded its reach even&nbsp;further by increasing the maximum amount that can be claimed&nbsp;from R20,000 to R30,000. On paper, this sounds like a major&nbsp;victory for access to justice, opening the doors to thousands&nbsp;more South Africans who previously fell outside the court's limits.&nbsp;But does simply raising the threshold solve the real problems? What about long waiting times, a lack of public awareness, limited&nbsp;court resources, and the fact that winning a case doesn't always mean you'll actually get paid? Tonight we ask: Has government made justice more accessible, or is this just a bigger promise&nbsp;inside the same struggling system?

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: A Bigger Claims Limit, But Will It Deliver Real Justice?

For years, she's been one of South Africa's loudest and most unapologetic voices. Whether she's taking on politicians, challenging social norms, or sparking fierce debates on social media, Ntsiki Mazwai has never been afraid to tell those in power exactly where they're getting it wrong. But now, she's making a bold move. Instead of criticising from the sidelines, she's stepping into the political arena herself, announcing that she wants to become Johannesburg's next mayor under the Land
Party banner. She says she's done being an "armchair critic" and is ready to lead one of Africa's most troubled cities—a city battling failing infrastructure, water shortages, crime, decaying roads, and collapsing service delivery. The question is: does speaking truth to power prepare you to become power? Can someone with no experience in government bring fresh thinking to a city that's been through one coalition after another? Or is this simply another celebrity entering politics without a clear plan? Well, she's joining us in studio this evening to answer those questions herself. Ntsiki Mazwai, welcome to Metro Talk.

For years, she's been one of South Africa's loudest and most&nbsp;unapologetic voices. Whether she's taking on politicians,&nbsp;challenging social norms, or sparking fierce debates on social&nbsp;media, Ntsiki Mazwai has never been afraid to tell those in power&nbsp;exactly where they're getting it wrong. But now, she's making a&nbsp;bold move. Instead of criticising from the sidelines, she's&nbsp;stepping into the political arena herself, announcing that she&nbsp;wants to become Johannesburg's next mayor under the Land Party banner. She says she's done being an "armchair critic" and&nbsp;is ready to lead one of Africa's most troubled cities&mdash;a city&nbsp;battling failing infrastructure, water shortages, crime, decaying&nbsp;roads, and collapsing service delivery.&nbsp;The question is: does speaking truth to power prepare you to&nbsp;become power? Can someone with no experience in government&nbsp;bring fresh thinking to a city that's been through one coalition&nbsp;after another? Or is this simply another celebrity entering politics&nbsp;without a clear plan? Well, she's joining us in studio this evening&nbsp;to answer those questions herself. Ntsiki Mazwai, welcome to&nbsp;Metro Talk.

Poet, Activist... Mayor? Ntsiki Mazwai's Political Leap 

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 )

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.

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

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

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

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