Thabo Bester's urgent application for access to a laptop and the internet seems set to fail after the Pretoria high court agreed to give him access to physical legal resources, but not “electronic material”.

Thabo Bester's urgent application for access to a laptop and the internet seems set to fail after the Pretoria high court agreed to give him access to physical legal resources, but not “electronic material”.

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

Thabo Bester Case

For decades, alcohol has been woven into South Africa’s social fabric — from celebrations and braais
to weekend nights out with friends. But a quiet shift appears to be happening among younger people. More and more are choosing to go sober, and they’re documenting the journey using apps that track every alcohol-free day, every rand saved and every health improvement along the way. It’s part of a growing global movement often called the “sober curious” lifestyle. But what’s driving it here at home? Is it about protecting mental health, escaping the pressures of hangover culture, or simply the reality that nights out have become too expensive? In a country often described as a drinking nation, the rise of sober young people could signal a deeper cultural shift in how the next generation socialises, spends money and takes care of their wellbeing.

For decades, alcohol has been woven into South&nbsp;Africa&rsquo;s social fabric &mdash; from celebrations and braais to weekend nights out with friends. But a quiet shift&nbsp;appears to be happening among younger people. More&nbsp;and more are choosing to go sober, and they&rsquo;re&nbsp;documenting the journey using apps that track every&nbsp;alcohol-free day, every rand saved and every health&nbsp;improvement along the way. It&rsquo;s part of a growing&nbsp;global movement often called the &ldquo;sober curious&rdquo;&nbsp;lifestyle. But what&rsquo;s driving it here at home? Is it about&nbsp;protecting mental health, escaping the pressures of&nbsp;hangover culture, or simply the reality that nights out&nbsp;have become too expensive? In a country often&nbsp;described as a drinking nation, the rise of sober young&nbsp;people could signal a deeper cultural shift in how the&nbsp;next generation socialises, spends money and takes&nbsp;care of their wellbeing.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Young People, Alcohol and The Rise of The Sober-Curious Generation

It’s a case that shocked the country — and one that many felt had gone quiet for far too long. Today, there has finally been movement in the murder of businessman and whistleblower Marumo Eric Phenya, who was gunned down in 2022 after exposing alleged irregularities in a multi-million rand Home Affairs tender. Earlier today, a 30-year-old man, Minenhle Mthembu, appeared before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court facing a charge of conspiracy to commit murder. You may remember that last year, we brought you an exclusive interview with Phenya’s widow, who spoke about the threats they received before his assassination and the painful wait for justice. Now, with this arrest, some might say the wheels of justice are finally turning — but this is only the beginning. The Phenya case has once again shone a harsh light on the dangers faced by whistleblowers in South Africa and across the continent. If it took years for even one arrest in such a high-profile case, the question we must ask tonight is: are we truly protecting those who risk everything to expose corruption?

It&rsquo;s a case that shocked the country &mdash; and one that&nbsp;many felt had gone quiet for far too long. Today, there&nbsp;has finally been movement in the murder of&nbsp;businessman and whistleblower Marumo Eric Phenya,&nbsp;who was gunned down in 2022 after exposing alleged&nbsp;irregularities in a multi-million rand Home Affairs&nbsp;tender. Earlier today, a 30-year-old man, Minenhle&nbsp;Mthembu, appeared before the Randburg Magistrate&rsquo;s&nbsp;Court facing a charge of conspiracy to commit&nbsp;murder.&nbsp;You may remember that last year, we brought you an&nbsp;exclusive interview with Phenya&rsquo;s widow, who spoke&nbsp;about the threats they received before his&nbsp;assassination and the painful wait for justice. Now,&nbsp;with this arrest, some might say the wheels of justice&nbsp;are finally turning &mdash; but this is only the beginning.&nbsp;The Phenya case has once again shone a harsh light&nbsp;on the dangers faced by whistleblowers in South&nbsp;Africa and across the continent. If it took years for&nbsp;even one arrest in such a high-profile case, the&nbsp;question we must ask tonight is: are we truly&nbsp;protecting those who risk everything to expose&nbsp;corruption?

Supporting Whistleblowers

Well… it seems the flight has landed and the apology has arrived. Controversial forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan made a return to Parliament this morning after last week’s rather dramatic exit — the kind where he stood up mid-questioning, grabbed his bag and headed for the door because, according to him, there was a flight to catch. The problem? The committee hadn’t dismissed him yet. Cue a tense standoff with MPs, including EFF leader Julius Malema telling him to sit down, while others warned a case could be opened. Fast-forward to today and O’Sullivan is back before
the ad hoc committee, apologising in a letter sent overnight and ready to finish his testimony. The
question now is whether this return will bring closure to the drama — or simply the next act.

Well&hellip; it seems the flight has landed and the apology&nbsp;has arrived. Controversial forensic investigator Paul&nbsp;O&rsquo;Sullivan made a return to Parliament this morning&nbsp;after last week&rsquo;s rather dramatic exit &mdash; the kind where&nbsp;he stood up mid-questioning, grabbed his bag and&nbsp;headed for the door because, according to him, there&nbsp;was a flight to catch. The problem? The committee&nbsp;hadn&rsquo;t dismissed him yet. Cue a tense standoff with&nbsp;MPs, including EFF leader Julius Malema telling him to&nbsp;sit down, while others warned a case could be opened.&nbsp;Fast-forward to today and O&rsquo;Sullivan is back before the ad hoc committee, apologising in a letter sent&nbsp;overnight and ready to finish his testimony. The question now is whether this return will bring closure&nbsp;to the drama &mdash; or simply the next act.

Thabo Bester Case

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