Questions around political influence, lobbying and access to power are once again taking centre stage following allegations involving government ministers, a prominent public affairs firm and one of the world's most talked-about technology companies. Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies chairperson, Khusela Sangoni-Diko, is now
demanding answers from communications minister Solly Malatsi over claims that representatives linked to Starlink sought access to government through politically connected channels. The
controversy emerged after former DA leader John Steenhuisen alleged that a public affairs firm linked to former DA leader Tony Leon attempted to facilitate meetings between ministers and private clients, including Starlink representatives. While the claims have been strongly denied, the allegations have reignited concerns around transparency, accountability and whether private interests may be exerting influence over public decision-making. Tonight, we unpack the allegations, the denials and whether this represents routine lobbying or raises deeper questions about how business gains access to political power.

Questions around political influence, lobbying and access to&nbsp;power are once again taking centre stage following allegations&nbsp;involving government ministers, a prominent public affairs firm&nbsp;and one of the world's most talked-about technology companies.&nbsp;Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital&nbsp;Technologies chairperson, Khusela Sangoni-Diko, is now demanding answers from communications minister Solly Malatsi&nbsp;over claims that representatives linked to Starlink sought access&nbsp;to government through politically connected channels. The controversy emerged after former DA leader John Steenhuisen&nbsp;alleged that a public affairs firm linked to former DA leader Tony&nbsp;Leon attempted to facilitate meetings between ministers and&nbsp;private clients, including Starlink representatives. While the claims&nbsp;have been strongly denied, the allegations have reignited&nbsp;concerns around transparency, accountability and whether private&nbsp;interests may be exerting influence over public decision-making.&nbsp;Tonight, we unpack the allegations, the denials and whether this&nbsp;represents routine lobbying or raises deeper questions about how&nbsp;business gains access to political power.

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

Starlink, Lobbying and Questions of Influence: Is South Africa  Facing Another Transparency Test?

For many believers around the world, baptism is far more than a religious ceremony. It is seen as a sacred crossing point — a moment of cleansing, surrender and spiritual rebirth. Across generations, rivers, streams, dams and open waters have become places where people gather to publicly affirm their faith and begin what they believe is a new journey with God. These ceremonies often bring together entire families and communities to witness deeply personal moments of transformation and hope. But while these waters carry profound spiritual meaning, they have also become associated with a growing number of tragedies that leave families shattered and communities searching for answers. Over the years, South Africa and several other countries have seen repeated incidents where worshippers have drowned or lost their lives during baptism ceremonies. In some cases, dangerous currents, rising water levels and flash floods have turned moments of celebration into scenes of devastation. In others, questions have emerged around planning, safety measures and
whether enough awareness exists about the risks associated with natural water environments. Tonight, we broaden the conversation beyond a single tragedy and ask difficult questions around faith,
responsibility and prevention. Can these sacred practices continue in the way they always have? Should there be stronger safety measures in place? And perhaps most importantly, can faith and safety coexist without one undermining the other?

For many believers around the world, baptism is far more than a&nbsp;religious ceremony. It is seen as a sacred crossing point &mdash; a&nbsp;moment of cleansing, surrender and spiritual rebirth. Across&nbsp;generations, rivers, streams, dams and open waters have become&nbsp;places where people gather to publicly affirm their faith and begin&nbsp;what they believe is a new journey with God. These ceremonies&nbsp;often bring together entire families and communities to witness&nbsp;deeply personal moments of transformation and hope. But while&nbsp;these waters carry profound spiritual meaning, they have also&nbsp;become associated with a growing number of tragedies that leave&nbsp;families shattered and communities searching for answers. Over the years, South Africa and several other countries have&nbsp;seen repeated incidents where worshippers have drowned or lost&nbsp;their lives during baptism ceremonies. In some cases, dangerous&nbsp;currents, rising water levels and flash floods have turned&nbsp;moments of celebration into scenes of devastation. In others,&nbsp;questions have emerged around planning, safety measures and whether enough awareness exists about the risks associated with&nbsp;natural water environments. Tonight, we broaden the conversation&nbsp;beyond a single tragedy and ask difficult questions around faith, responsibility and prevention. Can these sacred practices&nbsp;continue in the way they always have? Should there be stronger&nbsp;safety measures in place? And perhaps most importantly, can&nbsp;faith and safety coexist without one undermining the other?

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Sacred Waters, Silent Tragedies

For decades after the end of apartheid, South Africa’s cities have continued to carry the scars of spatial inequality — where where you live often determines the opportunities you can access, the
schools your children attend, and even the cost and time of getting to work. Now, in what has become one of the country’s most significant housing rights battles, the Constitutional Court has delivered a landmark judgment on the controversial sale of the former Tafelberg school site in Sea Point. The court has ruled that the sale was unlawful, finding that both the Western Cape government and the City of Cape Town failed to adequately consider affordable housing in well-located areas. Although the
property sale itself was cancelled years ago, the broader questions remain: who gets to live in South Africa’s cities, and who continues to be pushed further away from economic opportunities? Tonight, we unpack the significance of this ruling, its impact on future housing policy, and whether this could reshape the ongoing struggle against apartheid-era spatial planning.

For decades after the end of apartheid, South Africa&rsquo;s cities have&nbsp;continued to carry the scars of spatial inequality &mdash; where where&nbsp;you live often determines the opportunities you can access, the schools your children attend, and even the cost and time of&nbsp;getting to work. Now, in what has become one of the country&rsquo;s&nbsp;most significant housing rights battles, the Constitutional Court&nbsp;has delivered a landmark judgment on the controversial sale of&nbsp;the former Tafelberg school site in Sea Point. The court has ruled&nbsp;that the sale was unlawful, finding that both the Western Cape&nbsp;government and the City of Cape Town failed to adequately&nbsp;consider affordable housing in well-located areas. Although the property sale itself was cancelled years ago, the broader&nbsp;questions remain: who gets to live in South Africa&rsquo;s cities, and&nbsp;who continues to be pushed further away from economic&nbsp;opportunities? Tonight, we unpack the significance of this ruling,&nbsp;its impact on future housing policy, and whether this could reshape the ongoing struggle against apartheid-era spatial&nbsp;planning.

Tafelberg Judgment: A Turning Point for Housing Justice in Cape Town

Every parent hopes to leave something meaningful behind for their children, whether it’s a home, savings, investments or simply financial security. But what happens if someone passes away with outstanding debt? How does that affect the estate and the inheritance their loved ones were expecting? And perhaps more importantly, how can you start planning now to make sure
you’re leaving behind a legacy rather than financial complications? From managing debt to building wealth and planning your estate properly, what does it take to get it right? Today we’re joined by a financial planner and a debt expert to help us understand how to protect your loved ones and leave
behind the best possible financial legacy.

Every parent hopes to leave something meaningful behind for their children,&nbsp;whether it&rsquo;s a home, savings, investments or&nbsp;simply financial security. But what happens if someone passes&nbsp;away with outstanding debt? How does that affect the estate and&nbsp;the inheritance their loved ones were expecting? And perhaps&nbsp;more importantly, how can you start planning now to make sure you&rsquo;re leaving behind a legacy rather than financial&nbsp;complications? From managing debt to building wealth and&nbsp;planning your estate properly, what does it take to get it right?&nbsp;Today we&rsquo;re joined by a financial planner and a debt expert to&nbsp;help us understand how to protect your loved ones and leave behind the best possible financial legacy.

Starlink, Lobbying and Questions of Influence: Is South Africa Facing Another Transparency Test?

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