Menstruation and reproductive health affect millions
of women and girls in South Africa — yet for many,
they remain daily struggles with far-reaching
consequences. Period poverty leaves girls missing
school and women unable to live with dignity, while
endometriosis, a chronic and often invisible condition,
can go undiagnosed for years, affecting education,
work, and quality of life.
Tonight, we examine these issues through a human
rights lens: how access to menstrual products,
healthcare, and awareness isn’t just a health matter —
it’s a question of equality, dignity, and justice. We’ll
explore what’s being done, where gaps remain, and
what needs to change to ensure that women and girls
can live fully without barriers imposed by their
biology.

Menstruation and reproductive health affect millions of women and girls in South Africa &mdash; yet for many, they remain daily struggles with far-reaching consequences. Period poverty leaves girls missing school and women unable to live with dignity, while endometriosis, a chronic and often invisible condition, can go undiagnosed for years, affecting education, work, and quality of life. Tonight, we examine these issues through a human rights lens: how access to menstrual products, healthcare, and awareness isn&rsquo;t just a health matter &mdash; it&rsquo;s a question of equality, dignity, and justice. We&rsquo;ll explore what&rsquo;s being done, where gaps remain, and what needs to change to ensure that women and girls can live fully without barriers imposed by their biology.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Rights, Health, and Dignity

Water is a fundamental human right in South Africa, guaranteed by our Constitution of South Africa. Yet, as supply pressures mount and restrictions hit some areas, a difficult question arises: are we, the public, doing enough to protect it? Tonight, we explore the tension between rights and
responsibility. While some communities still struggle for clean, reliable water, others are accused of
overuse, waste and illegal connections. How do we balance access with accountability — and can South Africa sustain its water future without a major shift in
behaviour?

Water is a fundamental human right in South Africa,&nbsp;guaranteed by our Constitution of South Africa. Yet, as&nbsp;supply pressures mount and restrictions hit some&nbsp;areas, a difficult question arises: are we, the public,&nbsp;doing enough to protect it?&nbsp;Tonight, we explore the tension between rights and responsibility. While some communities still struggle&nbsp;for clean, reliable water, others are accused of overuse, waste and illegal connections. How do we&nbsp;balance access with accountability &mdash; and can South Africa sustain its water future without a major shift in behaviour?

Water Rights vs Responsibility ( Vanessa Stippel (Water Management Lecturer) - Emeris )

There’s growing concern at the pumps, with reports of
fuel shortages emerging in parts of the country — but
government is urging calm.
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources
says fuel supply remains stable in the short term,
despite several petrol stations across provinces
including Gauteng and the Western Cape running out
of certain grades of diesel.
Behind this is a bigger global story. Rising geopolitical
tensions in the Middle East have pushed oil prices
above 100 dollars a barrel, creating uncertainty in
international markets and raising concerns about
supply chains worldwide.
Government says it has secured fuel shipments and
has plans in place to manage potential risks — but at
the same time, it is warning that South Africans could
soon feel the impact through higher fuel prices.
So tonight we ask:
Should South Africans be worried about fuel supply —
or is the real pressure still to come at the pump?

There&rsquo;s growing concern at the pumps, with reports of fuel shortages emerging in parts of the country &mdash; but government is urging calm. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources says fuel supply remains stable in the short term, despite several petrol stations across provinces including Gauteng and the Western Cape running out of certain grades of diesel. Behind this is a bigger global story. Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have pushed oil prices above 100 dollars a barrel, creating uncertainty in international markets and raising concerns about supply chains worldwide. Government says it has secured fuel shipments and has plans in place to manage potential risks &mdash; but at the same time, it is warning that South Africans could soon feel the impact through higher fuel prices. So tonight we ask: Should South Africans be worried about fuel supply &mdash; or is the real pressure still to come at the pump?

PROF ISAAC KHAMBULE - PROF OF POLITICAL ECONOMY - UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG

It’s been some time since devastating floods tore through parts of Limpopo, but for many residents, the disaster is far from over. While the floodwaters may have receded, the damage they left behind continues to shape daily life. Homes were swept away, belongings destroyed, and entire communities displaced. Today, some families are still living in temporary shelters — including community
halls — with little certainty about when they will be able to return home, or what they will return to.
For many, everything they built over years is gone. As attention shifts away from the immediate crisis,
questions remain about recovery, support and rebuilding. What assistance has reached affected
communities? Is it enough? And how do people begin again after losing so much?

It&rsquo;s been some time since devastating floods tore&nbsp;through parts of Limpopo, but for many residents, the&nbsp;disaster is far from over.&nbsp;While the floodwaters may have receded, the damage&nbsp;they left behind continues to shape daily life. Homes&nbsp;were swept away, belongings destroyed, and entire&nbsp;communities displaced. Today, some families are still&nbsp;living in temporary shelters &mdash; including community halls &mdash; with little certainty about when they will be&nbsp;able to return home, or what they will return to. For many, everything they built over years is gone.&nbsp;As attention shifts away from the immediate crisis, questions remain about recovery, support and&nbsp;rebuilding. What assistance has reached affected communities? Is it enough? And how do people begin&nbsp;again after losing so much?

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: We Check in on The Aftermath of The Floods — and ask: What does Recovery Really look like when the Cameras are Gone?

Over-insurance can lead to delayed claims, disputes over payouts, or even policies being cancelled
because someone had multiple funeral covers or didn’t disclose all their existing cover. Families often discover too late that what seemed like protection has become confusion, frustration and loss of trust.
This is why the FSCA has embarked on this funeral insurance campaign to educate consumers about
their rights and responsibilities when buying funeral insurance. To talk about this interesting topic, we are going to be joined by Mr Lyndwill Clarke from the FSCA.

Over-insurance can lead to delayed claims,&nbsp;disputes&nbsp;over payouts, or even policies being cancelled because someone had multiple funeral covers or didn&rsquo;t disclose all their existing cover. Families often discover too&nbsp;late&nbsp;that what seemed like protection has become&nbsp;confusion, frustration and loss of trust. This is why the FSCA has embarked on this&nbsp;funeral&nbsp;insurance campaign to educate consumers about their&nbsp;rights and responsibilities when buying funeral&nbsp;insurance.&nbsp;To talk about this interesting topic, we are going&nbsp;to be joined by Mr Lyndwill Clarke from the FSCA.

Lyndwill Clarke Designation: Head of Consumer Education Department

South Africa’s long-awaited tobacco control laws are back in the spotlight, as the Department of Health
signals it is willing to make key adjustments following public feedback. At the centre of the conversation is the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, a piece of legislation that has been years in the making and aims to tighten regulations around tobacco and nicotine products — including cigarettes, vapes and other electronic delivery systems.
Now, after the latest round of consultations, government is proposing changes, including clearer
distinctions between combustible and non-combustible products, with the possibility that
some could be exempt from certain restrictions. But while some aspects of the Bill — like banning smoking in indoor public spaces and restricting sales to minors — have found support, others remain highly contested.

South Africa&rsquo;s long-awaited tobacco control laws are&nbsp;back in the spotlight, as the Department of Health signals it is willing to make key adjustments following public feedback. At the centre of the conversation is the Tobacco&nbsp;Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill,&nbsp;a piece of legislation that has been years in the&nbsp;making and aims to tighten regulations around&nbsp;tobacco and nicotine products &mdash; including cigarettes,&nbsp;vapes and other electronic delivery systems. Now, after the latest round of consultations,&nbsp;government is proposing changes, including clearer distinctions between combustible and&nbsp;non-combustible products, with the possibility that some could be exempt from certain restrictions. But&nbsp;while some aspects of the Bill &mdash; like banning smoking&nbsp;in indoor public spaces and restricting sales to minors&nbsp;&mdash; have found support, others remain highly&nbsp;contested.

Public Health vs Personal Choice ( THABANG BHEBE - FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR - CLEAN THE AIR CAMPAIGN )

New developments emerging from the Madlanga
Commission of Inquiry are raising important questions
about the intersection of law, politics and justice in
South Africa.
At the centre of the discussion is Musa Khawula, who
is currently in custody facing a range of charges,
including alleged bail violations, failure to appear in
court and more serious offences linked to a 2021
incident.
While these charges are before the courts, recent
testimony at the Commission has introduced another
layer to the story — allegations that there may have
been political or executive influence in the manner of
his arrest and continued detention. Those implicated
in these claims have not yet had an opportunity to
respond.
At the same time, there are also questions being
raised about the nature of some of the charges
Khawula faces, particularly those considered to be
speech-related, and whether the legal processes
followed have been proportionate and consistent.
So tonight, we take a step back and ask:
What do we know so far, what remains unclear, and
how should the system respond when such serious
allegations are raised?
And ultimately, how do we ensure that both
accountability and fairness are upheld within South
Africa’s justice system?

New developments emerging from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry are raising important questions about the intersection of law, politics and justice in South Africa. At the centre of the discussion is Musa Khawula, who is currently in custody facing a range of charges, including alleged bail violations, failure to appear in court and more serious offences linked to a 2021 incident. While these charges are before the courts, recent testimony at the Commission has introduced another layer to the story &mdash; allegations that there may have been political or executive influence in the manner of his arrest and continued detention. Those implicated in these claims have not yet had an opportunity to respond. At the same time, there are also questions being raised about the nature of some of the charges Khawula faces, particularly those considered to be speech-related, and whether the legal processes followed have been proportionate and consistent. So tonight, we take a step back and ask: What do we know so far, what remains unclear, and how should the system respond when such serious allegations are raised? And ultimately, how do we ensure that both accountability and fairness are upheld within South Africa&rsquo;s justice system?

TEBOGO KHAAS - PUBLIC INTEREST SOUTH AFRICA

It’s one of South Africa’s fastest-growing health threats, but it rarely gets the urgency of other crises.
Diabetes is quietly affecting millions of people across the country, many of whom don’t even know they have it. By the time it’s diagnosed, complications like blindness, amputations, and kidney failure have
already set in. In a healthcare system already under pressure, the real question is—are we taking this
crisis seriously enough, or are we only reacting when it’s too late? 

It&rsquo;s one of South Africa&rsquo;s fastest-growing health&nbsp;threats, but it rarely gets the urgency of other crises. Diabetes is quietly affecting millions of people across&nbsp;the country, many of whom don&rsquo;t even know they have&nbsp;it. By the time it&rsquo;s diagnosed, complications like&nbsp;blindness, amputations, and kidney failure have already set in. In a healthcare system already under&nbsp;pressure, the real question is&mdash;are we taking this crisis seriously enough, or are we only reacting when&nbsp;it&rsquo;s too late?&nbsp;

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Diabetes: South Africa’s Silent Health Crisis

Growing anger is spilling onto social media as clients of Standard Bank claim they’ve lost life-changing
sums of money in suspicious transactions—some allegedly happening without their knowledge and in
locations they were never present. While customers describe drained pension payouts and rapid
withdrawals into multiple accounts, the bank insists the most widely shared case dates back over a decade and was thoroughly investigated, with regulators finding no evidence of fraud.

Growing anger is spilling onto social media as clients&nbsp;of Standard Bank claim they&rsquo;ve lost life-changing sums of money in suspicious transactions&mdash;some&nbsp;allegedly happening without their knowledge and in locations they were never present. While customers&nbsp;describe drained pension payouts and rapid withdrawals into multiple accounts, the bank insists&nbsp;the most widely shared case dates back over a decade&nbsp;and was thoroughly investigated, with regulators&nbsp;finding no evidence of fraud.

Standard Bank “Missing Money” Claims ( Johan Brouwer Manager Adjudication National Financial ombud Scheme South Africa )

The fight against corruption in South Africa has once again taken centre stage, this time in the Randburg Magistrates Court, where bail has been denied to a suspect linked to the assassination of whistleblower Marumo Phenya. Phenya was gunned down in 2022 after exposing an alleged multi-million rand tender fraud within the Department of Home Affairs. Today’s court decision marks a significant moment in a case that has come to symbolise both the dangers faced by whistleblowers and the long road to justice for those who dare to speak out.

The fight against corruption in South Africa has once&nbsp;again taken centre stage, this time in the Randburg&nbsp;Magistrates Court, where bail has been denied to a&nbsp;suspect linked to the assassination of whistleblower&nbsp;Marumo Phenya. Phenya was gunned down in 2022&nbsp;after exposing an alleged multi-million rand tender&nbsp;fraud within the Department of Home Affairs. Today&rsquo;s&nbsp;court decision marks a significant moment in a case&nbsp;that has come to symbolise both the dangers faced by&nbsp;whistleblowers and the long road to justice for those&nbsp;who dare to speak out.

Norman Kgosiyagofa Montjane ( Attorney for the Phenya Family )

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

Social links:

1,797 clip(s)