South Africa and Nigeria are trying to reset their relationship after growing tensions over crime, migration and public safety. This week, President Cyril Ramaphosa&#39;s Special Envoy, Minister Ronald Lamola, met with Nigerian officials in Abuja to discuss some difficult issues—among them organised crime, the controversial &quot;Igbo King&quot; saga in the Eastern Cape, and the role of law enforcement in tackling criminal syndicates. But the government is also drawing a clear line: while criminals must face justice, no nationality should be blamed for the actions of a few, and xenophobia can never be the answer. So what came out of these talks? Will they improve cooperation between the two countries, and what does it mean for South Africans? We unpack that with Chrispin Phiri from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

South Africa and Nigeria are trying to reset their relationship after&nbsp;growing tensions over crime, migration and public safety. This week,&nbsp;President Cyril Ramaphosa&amp;#39;s Special Envoy, Minister Ronald&nbsp;Lamola, met with Nigerian officials in Abuja to discuss some difficult&nbsp;issues&mdash;among them organised crime, the controversial &amp;quot;Igbo King&amp;quot;&nbsp;saga in the Eastern Cape, and the role of law enforcement in&nbsp;tackling criminal syndicates.&nbsp;But the government is also drawing a clear line: while criminals must&nbsp;face justice, no nationality should be blamed for the actions of a few,&nbsp;and xenophobia can never be the answer. So what came out of&nbsp;these talks? Will they improve cooperation between the two&nbsp;countries, and what does it mean for South Africans? We unpack&nbsp;that with Chrispin Phiri from the Department of International&nbsp;Relations and Cooperation.

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

South Africa and Nigeria: Can We Fight Crime Without Fueling Xenophobia?

Long before modern medicine, communities across Africa and around the world relied on herbs, roots and plants not just to treat illness, but to promote health and wellbeing. Today, science is increasingly examining what traditional healers have known for generations—that many everyday herbs contain powerful compounds with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and immune- supporting properties. From rosemary and thyme to ginger, garlic and turmeric, could the ingredients sitting in our kitchens be doing far more than adding flavour to our meals? And how can we harness their benefits safely and effectively? Joining us this evening is Dr Caren Hauptfleisch, a registered phytotherapist and herbalist at Spier Wines.

Long before modern medicine, communities across Africa and&nbsp;around the world relied on herbs, roots and plants not just to treat&nbsp;illness, but to promote health and wellbeing. Today, science is&nbsp;increasingly examining what traditional healers have known for&nbsp;generations&mdash;that many everyday herbs contain powerful&nbsp;compounds with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and immune-&nbsp;supporting properties. From rosemary and thyme to ginger, garlic&nbsp;and turmeric, could the ingredients sitting in our kitchens be doing far&nbsp;more than adding flavour to our meals? And how can we harness&nbsp;their benefits safely and effectively? Joining us this evening is Dr&nbsp;Caren Hauptfleisch, a registered phytotherapist and herbalist at&nbsp;Spier Wines.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Title: Is Food the New Medicine? The Healing  Power of Everyday Herbs

For generations, the township tuck shop was more than just a place to buy bread, milk or airtime. It was the heartbeat of many communities—a family business passed down through generations, a source of employment, and a symbol of local entrepreneurship. But over the years, many South
African-owned shops struggled to survive. Rising operating costs, crime, limited access to finance, shrinking profit margins and fierce competition forced many owners to close their doors or rent out their businesses. In their place, foreign nationals—particularly Somali traders—built highly organised supply chains and business models that allowed them to thrive where many locals could not. Fast forward to today, and the conversation has shifted once again. Following recent anti-immigration protests, some of these township shops now stand vacant after foreign operators
left certain communities. Rather than allowing those businesses to remain closed, the KwaZulu-Natal government, under the leadership of Premier Thami Ntuli, is launching an ambitious initiative to help South Africans reclaim their place in the township economy. Working alongside private-sector
partners, including Checkers, Uber Eats and other stakeholders, the programme aims to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the support they need to build sustainable township businesses. But can South Africans succeed where many previously struggled? Or does rebuilding township retail
require much more than simply handing back the keys?

For generations, the township tuck shop was more than just a&nbsp;place to buy bread, milk or airtime. It was the heartbeat of many&nbsp;communities&mdash;a family business passed down through&nbsp;generations, a source of employment, and a symbol of local entrepreneurship. But over the years, many South African-owned shops struggled to survive. Rising operating&nbsp;costs, crime, limited access to finance, shrinking profit margins&nbsp;and fierce competition forced many owners to close their doors&nbsp;or rent out their businesses. In their place, foreign&nbsp;nationals&mdash;particularly Somali traders&mdash;built highly organised&nbsp;supply chains and business models that allowed them to thrive&nbsp;where many locals could not. Fast forward to today, and the conversation has shifted once&nbsp;again. Following recent anti-immigration protests, some of&nbsp;these township shops now stand vacant after foreign operators left certain communities. Rather than allowing those&nbsp;businesses to remain closed, the KwaZulu-Natal government,&nbsp;under the leadership of Premier Thami Ntuli, is launching an&nbsp;ambitious initiative to help South Africans reclaim their place in&nbsp;the township economy. Working alongside private-sector partners, including Checkers, Uber Eats and other&nbsp;stakeholders, the programme aims to provide aspiring&nbsp;entrepreneurs with the support they need to build sustainable&nbsp;township businesses. But can South Africans succeed where&nbsp;many previously struggled? Or does rebuilding township retail require much more than simply handing back the keys?

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Reclaiming the Township Economy: Can South Africans Make Spaza Shops Thrive Again?

As South Africa edges closer to another round of local government elections, the familiar campaign promises are already beginning to dominate the political landscape. Parties will once again pledge to fix roads, restore basic services, create jobs and stimulate local economies. Yet despite these
commitments, many municipalities continue to battle financial distress, failing infrastructure, high unemployment and declining investor confidence. The question many South Africans are asking is whether the country needs a different kind of leadership—one that includes not only politicians, but
also the entrepreneurs and business leaders who create jobs and keep local economies alive.
The newly established South African Entrepreneurs Movement believes that for too long, those who build businesses have been excluded from the decisions that shape the economy. The movement argues that entrepreneurs—from township business owners and informal traders to industrialists and professionals—should have a direct voice in government policy and leadership. It is calling for qualified business leaders to occupy key positions in municipalities, state-owned entities
and government, while advocating for a permanent partnership between entrepreneurs and the state. As South Africa prepares to choose its next generation of local leaders, we ask whether
entrepreneurship could become one of the defining political forces in rebuilding municipalities and driving economic growth. Joining us this evening is Rali Mampeule, founder of the South African Entrepreneurs Movement.

As South Africa edges closer to another round of local&nbsp;government elections, the familiar campaign promises are&nbsp;already beginning to dominate the political landscape. Parties&nbsp;will once again pledge to fix roads, restore basic services,&nbsp;create jobs and stimulate local economies. Yet despite these commitments, many municipalities continue to battle financial&nbsp;distress, failing infrastructure, high unemployment and&nbsp;declining investor confidence. The question many South&nbsp;Africans are asking is whether the country needs a different&nbsp;kind of leadership&mdash;one that includes not only politicians, but also the entrepreneurs and business leaders who create jobs&nbsp;and keep local economies alive. The newly established South African Entrepreneurs Movement&nbsp;believes that for too long, those who build businesses have&nbsp;been excluded from the decisions that shape the economy. The&nbsp;movement argues that entrepreneurs&mdash;from township business&nbsp;owners and informal traders to industrialists and&nbsp;professionals&mdash;should have a direct voice in government policy&nbsp;and leadership. It is calling for qualified business leaders to&nbsp;occupy key positions in municipalities, state-owned entities and government, while advocating for a permanent partnership&nbsp;between entrepreneurs and the state. As South Africa prepares&nbsp;to choose its next generation of local leaders, we ask whether entrepreneurship could become one of the defining political&nbsp;forces in rebuilding municipalities and driving economic&nbsp;growth.&nbsp;Joining us this evening is Rali Mampeule, founder of the South&nbsp;African Entrepreneurs Movement.

South Africa and Nigeria: Can We Fight Crime Without Fueling Xenophobia?

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