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.

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

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

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 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.

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

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