The South African government is betting big on its borders, with a R12.5 billion plan to overhaul six of the country’s busiest land ports of entry — from Beitbridge Border Post to Lebombo Border Post — in
what Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber calls a “game-changer” for trade, security, and efficiency.
These crossings handle more than 80% of South Africa’s cross-border movement, yet they’ve long
been plagued by congestion, outdated infrastructure, and vulnerabilities to crime. The question, however, is whether this massive investment will truly fix the problem — or simply modernise a system that has historically struggled with corruption, inefficiency, and coordination failures. Can infrastructure alone tighten border control and boost economic performance, or are deeper systemic issues being overlooked?

The South African government is betting big on its&nbsp;borders, with a R12.5 billion plan to overhaul six of the&nbsp;country&rsquo;s busiest land ports of entry &mdash; from&nbsp;Beitbridge Border Post to Lebombo Border Post &mdash; in what Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber calls a&nbsp;&ldquo;game-changer&rdquo; for trade, security, and efficiency. These crossings handle more than 80% of South&nbsp;Africa&rsquo;s cross-border movement, yet they&rsquo;ve long been plagued by congestion, outdated infrastructure, and vulnerabilities to crime. The question, however, is whether this massive investment will truly fix the&nbsp;problem &mdash; or simply modernise a system that has&nbsp;historically struggled with corruption, inefficiency, and&nbsp;coordination failures. Can infrastructure alone tighten&nbsp;border control and boost economic performance, or&nbsp;are deeper systemic issues being overlooked?

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

R12 Billion Border Overhaul: Real Reform or Another  Costly Fix? ( Border Management Authority Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato )

A growing number of young white South Africans are starting to interrogate their identity and role in a
post-apartheid society, sparking difficult but necessary conversations about history and responsibility. For some, this reflection has led to a firm view that white South Africans should openly acknowledge and apologise for the enduring legacy of apartheid. The debate is gaining momentum across social media and public platforms, reopening questions about accountability, reconciliation, and inherited guilt. We speak to Pieter Kriel, who is part of this emerging voice, to explore why he believes apology is important, what it means for younger generations, and how these views are being received in a country still shaped by its past.

A growing number of young white South Africans are&nbsp;starting to interrogate their identity and role in a post-apartheid society, sparking difficult but&nbsp;necessary conversations about history and&nbsp;responsibility. For some, this reflection has led to a&nbsp;firm view that white South Africans should openly&nbsp;acknowledge and apologise for the enduring legacy of&nbsp;apartheid. The debate is gaining momentum across&nbsp;social media and public platforms, reopening&nbsp;questions about accountability, reconciliation, and&nbsp;inherited guilt. We speak to Pieter Kriel, who is part of&nbsp;this emerging voice, to explore why he believes&nbsp;apology is important, what it means for younger&nbsp;generations, and how these views are being received&nbsp;in a country still shaped by its past.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Young, White, and Reckoning with Apartheid: Does Apology Still Matter?

South Africa’s education system is once again under the spotlight tonight, as questions mount over a multi-billion rand textbook procurement process. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has now requested that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana initiate an urgent investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding a R1.6 billion tender aimed at supplying foundation phase textbooks for Grades 1 to 3. The tender forms part of the department’s broader “foundations for learning” campaign, introduced to strengthen literacy and numeracy in early education. At the centre of the controversy is Lighthouse Publishers (Pty) Ltd, which was awarded a significant portion of the contract — reportedly 26% of all approved titles — despite claims that the company was only registered shortly before the tender briefing. Out of more than 6 000 approved textbook titles submitted by 19 publishers, concerns have now been raised about how the procurement process was conducted and whether proper procedures were followed. While the company has denied any wrongdoing, the matter has sparked calls for greater transparency in how public education funds are allocated.

South Africa&rsquo;s education system is once again under&nbsp;the spotlight tonight, as questions mount over a&nbsp;multi-billion rand textbook procurement process.&nbsp;Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has now&nbsp;requested that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana&nbsp;initiate an urgent investigation into alleged&nbsp;irregularities surrounding a R1.6 billion tender aimed&nbsp;at supplying foundation phase textbooks for Grades 1&nbsp;to 3. The tender forms part of the department&rsquo;s&nbsp;broader &ldquo;foundations for learning&rdquo; campaign,&nbsp;introduced to strengthen literacy and numeracy in&nbsp;early education.&nbsp;At the centre of the controversy is Lighthouse&nbsp;Publishers (Pty) Ltd, which was awarded a significant&nbsp;portion of the contract &mdash; reportedly 26% of all&nbsp;approved titles &mdash; despite claims that the company&nbsp;was only registered shortly before the tender briefing.&nbsp;Out of more than 6 000 approved textbook titles&nbsp;submitted by 19 publishers, concerns have now been&nbsp;raised about how the procurement process was&nbsp;conducted and whether proper procedures were&nbsp;followed. While the company has denied any&nbsp;wrongdoing, the matter has sparked calls for greater&nbsp;transparency in how public education funds are&nbsp;allocated.

R1.6 Billion Textbook Tender Under Scrutiny ( LUKHANYO VANGQA - DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON )

We take on one of the most dangerous misconceptions in missing persons cases in South
Africa — the so-called “24-hour rule.” Many still believe you have to wait a full day before reporting
someone missing. But the truth is: there is no waiting period. Police are legally required to open a case immediately — and those first hours can mean the difference between life and death.
Yet for many families, that urgency simply doesn’t exist in practice. We’ll be speaking to families who say they were let down in those critical early hours — told to wait, dismissed, or not taken seriously when they tried to report their loved ones missing. One of the cases we’ll reflect on is that of Nonkululeko Gabriella Ndaba, known as Gaby, who went missing in Boksburg in May 2023. Her family says there was no urgency from police when they reported her disappearance — no immediate tracing of her cellphone, no proper securing of a potential crime scene, and critical investigative steps were either delayed or ignored. Six days later, she was found dead. This conversation isn’t just about myth versus fact — it’s about accountability, trust in law enforcement, and the devastating consequences when systems fail at the very moment families need them most. Why does this myth persist? And more importantly, what happens when it shapes the response of those meant to protect us?

We take on one of the most dangerous&nbsp;misconceptions in missing persons cases in South Africa &mdash; the so-called &ldquo;24-hour rule.&rdquo; Many still&nbsp;believe you have to wait a full day before reporting someone missing. But the truth is: there is no waiting&nbsp;period. Police are legally required to open a case&nbsp;immediately &mdash; and those first hours can mean the&nbsp;difference between life and death. Yet for many families, that urgency simply doesn&rsquo;t exist in practice. We&rsquo;ll be speaking to families who say they were let down in those critical early hours &mdash; told to wait, dismissed, or not taken seriously when they tried to report their loved ones missing. One of the cases we&rsquo;ll reflect on is that of Nonkululeko Gabriella Ndaba, known as Gaby, who went missing in Boksburg in May 2023. Her family says there was no&nbsp;urgency from police when they reported her&nbsp;disappearance &mdash; no immediate tracing of her&nbsp;cellphone, no proper securing of a potential crime&nbsp;scene, and critical investigative steps were either&nbsp;delayed or ignored. Six days later, she was found&nbsp;dead.&nbsp;This conversation isn&rsquo;t just about myth versus fact &mdash;&nbsp;it&rsquo;s about accountability, trust in law enforcement, and&nbsp;the devastating consequences when systems fail at&nbsp;the very moment families need them most. Why does&nbsp;this myth persist? And more importantly, what&nbsp;happens when it shapes the response of those meant&nbsp;to protect us?

R12 Billion Border Overhaul: Real Reform or Another Costly Fix? ( Border Management Authority Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato )

In 1 playlist(s)

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

Social links

Recent clips