Breakfast with Martin Bester

In a hospital operating theatre, having the right medical instrument at the right time can make the difference between life and death. It’s a responsibility Ashley and Tania Mulligan take seriously. Their business, Kushesh Express, delivers essential medical supplies to hospitals across South Africa, guided by a simple but powerful promise: We save lives with every delivery. What started with two bakkies and a handful of customers has grown into a national logistics business employing more than 150 people, earning Kushesh Express a place among South Africa’s Future 50 businesses.

Breakfast with Martin Bester has a brand-new Secret Sound worth R50 000. Can you guess the sound?

Springbok Cheslin Kolbe tells Breakfast with Martin Bester how growing up in Kraaifontein, overcoming doubts and the support of Layla shaped his journey and inspired his new book, 'Sidestepping the Odds'.

Breakfast with Martin Bester gave away another R50 000 in the latest Secret Sound.

Sidney Hill was driving out of his Pinetown driveway for a quick trip to the shops with his children when he noticed a car behaving suspiciously. It moved closer, stopped and crept forward again. Then, as his family came under attack, Hill had to act fast to protect them. The attempted hijacking happened on 9 October. Dashcam footage of the incident later spread online. Hill, a single father who works in private security, described the ordeal when he spoke to Martin Bester, Philicity Reeken and Xola Nthsinga on Breakfast with Martin Bester.

Social media can expose children to serious harm, while posts, messages and even shares can carry legal consequences. Speaking to Breakfast with Martin Bester, digital law expert Emma Sadleir urged parents to understand the risks and make sure their children know they can ask for help.

Breakfast with Martin Bester caught up with two-time Rugby World Cup winner Kwagga Smith after he joined the Vodacom Bulls. He also explained how he got his name and spoke about his road to recovery after an injury.

If you've spent even a few minutes on the internet in 2026, you’ve probably come across the word “maxxing”. It has become so popular, in fact, that the term has earned Dictionary.com’s 2026 Word of the Year title. The term comes from "maximising" and describes taking something as far as possible.

An anonymous listener is asking for advice after becoming uncomfortable with one of her boyfriend’s friendships. She wrote to Breakfast with Martin Bester to share her concern. Speaking to the team on air, she explained that the friend would not let her and her boyfriend leave when they visited, and tended to drink too much.

Poppy’s Cresta, a restaurant in Randburg, Johannesburg, is calling out customers who allegedly left without paying their R3,000 bill. The restaurant called on the patrons to “do the right thing” and settle their outstanding bill. “If you are reading this, you know who you are. We are giving you the opportunity to do the right thing and settle your outstanding bill,” the restaurant said in a Facebook post.

After a three-month land restoration project grew into a 27-year journey, Deon van Eeden's Vula Environmental Services is helping rehabilitate South Africa's landscapes while creating jobs and building a thriving business.

Breakfast with Martin Bester caught up with Grammy Award-winning superstar Brian McKnight! They chatted about the timeless love songs that have moved generations, his incredible career and his love for South African fans. Brian also shared what we can expect when he joins All-4-One and SWV live at SunBet Arena, Time Square, on 30 and 31 October.

Anyone who regularly goes for manicures and gets their nails done will tell you about the confidence boost it gives them. But now there is actually evidence to suggest that getting your nails done is good for your mental health.

In this week’s Asking For A Friend on Breakfast with Martin Bester, Anonymous wrote to us to help her feel better. She said she and her partner often fight about small things and wanted to know what small things other couples fight about.

What if the mountains of ash produced by South Africa's coal-fired power stations could become a valuable ingredient in the buildings, roads and infrastructure we use every day? That's the opportunity Themba Nyembezi and Dirk Odendaal recognised when they founded Fly Ash Africa, a business transforming an industrial by-product into a commercially valuable material for cement manufacturers and mines. Themba came from a career in corporate investment, while Dirk brought decades of cement industry experience. Together, they saw potential in a material most people would simply regard as waste.

A good old South African braai remains one of the favourite ways for people to come together. For a typical household, it’s a good way to enjoy food and spend time together. However, the cost of a braai has also become a talking point among households. According to braai.co.za’s Braai Index, the average braai basket for 5 to 11 October costs about R713.37.

WhatsApp is introducing a long-awaited feature that will let users schedule messages to be sent at a chosen date and time. The tool is currently available to some Android beta testers, with a wider rollout expected in the coming weeks. The feature will work in both individual and group chats. Users will be able to schedule text messages, links, photos and videos, even if their phone is offline when the message is due to be sent. Scheduled messages will remain protected by WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption.

The man accused of terrorising motorists at an intersection in Fourways has been identified as Thabo and has reportedly been taken to a rehabilitation facility. Breakfast with Martin Bester spoke to Wright about the incident and the man who was allegedly terrorising women in the area. She has since shared an update, saying that Joburg mayoral candidate Curt van Heerden and his team had been searching for Thabo.

In this week’s Asking For A Friend, a listener wrote to Breakfast with Martin Bester to ask about braais. “It’s not my job to make the side dishes with the women at a braai. I want to kuier. Am I being unfair?” she asked.

Samantha Opperman and Coenie De Beer have helped build Neo Technologies into a business that has weathered 24 years of technological change. Their story offers a powerful lesson in adapting, growing and staying relevant. When Neo Technologies began 24 years ago, supplying printer cartridges to universities was a viable business. Today, the company provides technology solutions spanning security systems, networks, computers, software and ongoing support. Behind that evolution are Samantha Opperman and Coenie De Beer, two remarkable business builders who didn’t start the company but earned their way into owning it.

Tshwane residents and businesses affected by the extended power cuts following a fire at the Waltloo substation can submit formal claims to the City of Tshwane for assessment. The fire broke out on 29 September, leaving parts of Murrayfield, Silverton, Meyerspark, East Lynne and nearby areas without electricity for more than 12 days.

Karen Zoid has always been one of the best live performers in the country, with her seemingly effortless vocals captivating audiences. Zoid's musicality is almost unparalleled, but it's no surprise that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree with her son Ben Francis. The mother-son duo is the definition of "it runs in the family", so it was only a matter of time before they decided to work on a music production together.

With the recent historically high petrol price increase, most South Africans are definitely feeling the financial pinch of daily life. As fuel and food prices increase, many people are opting for only the daily essentials, but even these staples can come with a steep price. The South African recently compiled a list of regular grocery staples that are costing South Africans a lot. Product prices, of course, vary depending on the retailer, sales promotions and loyalty programmes. Looking at products at the higher end of the price scale, here are ten of the priciest staples South Africans buy regularly.

Martin Bester has been driving Mzansi to work and keeping us company, or in stitches, or in tears, every Monday to Friday from 06:00-09:00. The Breakfast family, or rather your morning family, takes an authentic approach to storytelling. Martin Bester's in-depth radio knowledge ensures that Breakfast with Martin Bester remains an annual award-winning show, but more importantly, he knows what his audience wants to hear. Martin Bester responds with beautifully crafted storytelling that genuinely builds anticipation and a community around that "What’s next?!" moment.

Following the viral story about how Roosevelt High School in Randburg’s matric dance was cut short due to incidents involving a parent threatening a staff member with a gun, attendees vomiting and the use of marijuana, Breakfast with Martin Bester discussed what feels like a decline in manners, discipline and respect for teachers.

South Africans are facing unprecedented fuel prices as of Wednesday, 7 October. Motorists who use petrol will have to fork out over R3 more for a litre of 93 or 95 octane petrol from Wednesday. The cost of diesel will also increase significantly, by R2.84 and R3.24 a litre.

Have you ever suspected that a colleague who does exactly the same work as you earns more? Well, Anonymous thinks we should all know what our colleagues earn.

What does it take to turn kelp growing in the cold Atlantic off the Cape coast into an agricultural product used by farmers around the world? For Afrikelp, the answer lies in everything it has built around that natural resource. Founded in 1971, Afrikelp produces a plant biostimulant that helps crops use water and nutrients more effectively and cope with environmental stresses such as heat and drought.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber joined Breakfast with Martin Bester to answer South Africans’ questions after announcing that the department plans to stop producing green barcoded ID books by 31 March 2027. From voting to queues and smart ID eligibility, he explained what the transition means for South Africans and how technology is changing access to Home Affairs services.

It's matric farewell season, and it got Breakfast with Martin Bester wondering how much a matric farewell actually costs.

You can win R50 000 on Breakfast with Martin Bester’s Secret Sound! Can you guess the sound?

Khutso Mphela from Limpopo won an incredible R50 000 on Breakfast with Martin Bester after he correctly guessed the Secret Sound.

A South African woman has gone viral after her small act of kindness warmed the hearts of many social media users. Vinisha Singh took to Facebook to share a picture of a Checkers Sixty60 driver standing in the rain at her home after delivering her Checkers order. The man, dressed in his Checkers raincoat and trousers, was visibly wet from the rain. The picture also shows him holding a cup of hot chocolate and a plate of biscuits, which Singh gave him as a small gesture of kindness.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a set of immediate government measures aimed at strengthening the fight against gender-based violence and femicide, following the recent killings of 12 women in Ekurhuleni.

According to Stats SA’s latest Quarterly Employment Survey for the second quarter of 2026, the average South African salary has increased by 4.1%. The average monthly earnings paid to employees increased from R29,402 in May 2025 to R30,611 in May 2026. BusinessTech also reports that average monthly earnings paid to employees increased by 2.6% quarter-on-quarter, from R29,825 in February 2026 to R30,611 in May 2026.

Founded by Vice Phiri and Andrew Mokoto, the Johannesburg-born business helps farmers, mines, security companies and other customers put drones to productive use. Customers can buy or hire drones, receive training, arrange finance and insurance, and access servicing, repairs and technical support. With more than 10,000 hours of drone flying behind it, the business has expanded beyond Johannesburg into the Western Cape and Zimbabwe.

In this week’s Asking For A Friend, a concerned mother wrote to Breakfast with Martin Bester. "My sister-in-law saw my son-in-law at a restaurant/pub with a blonde girl who is not my daughter. They were partying, drinking and having a good time," Anonymous wrote. "Then I was approached by a mutual female friend of my daughter, who told me that my son-in-law likes and reacts with heart and fire emojis to pictures of this friend on Instagram." "So, do I approach my son-in-law, or do I tell my daughter?"

Céline Dion kicked off Paris Fashion Week in style on Monday, 29 September, stepping onto the catwalk beneath the Eiffel Tower and singing ‘I’m Alive’ to a delighted crowd in a surprise performance. The Canadian superstar took to the runway at the end of L’Oréal’s annual show, emerging in a sleek black gown to rapturous applause at one of the fashion calendar’s most glamorous openings. Smiling with her hair loose, the singer performed her 2002 hit before being joined by a star-studded cast of L’Oréal ambassadors, including Viola Davis, Simone Ashley, Aja Naomi King and Eva Longoria. The Quebec-born star recently announced a much-publicised return to the stage with a 26-show run in the French capital. Sixteen shows are set for September and October, with a further 10 planned for May 2027. Paris Fashion Week, dedicated to women’s spring/summer collections, runs until 6 October. With Dior, Tom Ford, Schiaparelli and Givenchy still to unveil their latest creations, Dion could yet be spotted in the front row at some of the season’s biggest shows.

Die aspirerende rugbykommentator, negejarige Keagan Croucamp, het op Breakfast with Martin Bester kom kuier en meer gedeel oor sy rugbydrome.

What happens when ‘Rick and Morty’ fans get to put their questions to the people behind their favourite characters? Martin Bester found out when he sat down with Ian Cardoni, Harry Belden and Spencer Grammer at Comic Con Africa in Johannesburg. Cardoni voices Rick Sanchez, Belden voices Morty Smith and Grammer voices Summer Smith. The three joined Breakfast with Martin Bester for a chat that moved from fan theories and unlikely destinations to what really happens inside a recording booth.

A Springbok player was caught butt naked when a camera inside the team’s changing room showed a little more than it was supposed to. The footage was filmed at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia, where the Springboks lost 42-38 to the Wallabies. During the match, Australian sports channel Stan Sport showed the Springboks talking in their changing room. Unfortunately, during the team’s talks, the camera also captured something it wasn’t supposed to. Reserve players were changing into their kits when one player was caught with his naked butt on display for the whole world to see.

From a factory in Paarl to projects across 36 countries, Fabrinox is proving that South African manufacturing skills can compete on an international stage. Led by Managing Director Wessel van Zyl, Fabrinox has grown its capabilities far beyond manufacturing individual metal components.

Francois Hougaard is used to taking on challenges, but his next one will look a little different from a rugby match. Speaking to Breakfast with Martin Bester, the former Springbok chatted about life after rugby, his years overseas and what he expects from ‘Tropika Island of Treasure’.

Squishy toys have long been popular among children, but recently, these toys have boomed in popularity like never before. But what seems like an innocent children’s toy has now raised safety concerns around the world.

The talented Kelly Khumalo joined Breakfast with Martin Bester to talk all things music, situationships and her new song ‘Merry Go Round’.

One of South Africa’s biggest exports to the global entertainment industry, Arnold Vosloo, has welcomed a baby at the age of 64. ‘The Mummy’ actor and his 32-year-old girlfriend, Anika du Toit, welcomed a baby boy, and the pair’s lives have already changed for the better.

Look around a supermarket and almost everything you see carries a label. Before the brand, barcode and product information are added, many of those labels begin as rolls of self-adhesive material. South African manufacturer Morgancoat makes enough of that material every year to cover Robben Island about 11 times. Its story began in 2007, when Richard Morgan and his father Mike developed machinery to apply recyclable barrier coatings to paper. The idea was ahead of its time, so they adapted the machinery and began manufacturing self-adhesive label material instead.

Speaking to Breakfast with Martin Bester this morning, national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the police service is concerned that more bodies could potentially be discovered as investigators work to establish whether the deaths of five women in Ekurhuleni are connected. “It's a big concern and we are hoping that we won't get more bodies. The team is on the ground. We've got a multidisciplinary team consisting of experts. We've got tracking teams on the ground, we've got our criminologists who form part of our investigative psychology unit. We also have psychologists on the ground trying to study the behaviour of each, you know, case.” This was moments before it was confirmed that a sixth woman’s body had been discovered in Kwa-Thema, Springs. It is the sixth woman’s body found in Ekurhuleni in the past two months, but there is not yet any confirmation that the latest discovery is connected to any of the other cases.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and Springbok captain Siya Kolisi are sporting new bald looks following the final match of the 2026 Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series. Both Erasmus and Kolisi took to social media to show off their new bald looks.

Is there really anything wrong with dating a colleague? That is what Anonymous wants to know in this week’s Asking For A Friend on Breakfast with Martin Bester. Anonymous wrote to Breakfast with Martin Bester, asking: “Why am I not allowed to date my colleague? What’s so wrong with that?” This is what the team and listeners had to say.

South Africa's future isn't only found beneath our soil. Some of it is being designed in Stellenbosch and sent into space. Dragonfly Aerospace, founded by Bryan Dean and his colleagues in 2020, designs and builds sophisticated Earth-observation cameras and the satellites that carry them. It is an extraordinary South African business story, one built on decades of hard-won experience. South Africa developed valuable satellite engineering expertise around Stellenbosch University, but as projects ended and companies closed, that knowledge risked being lost to other industries. Bryan and his team saw an opportunity to keep the capability together and turn it into a sustainable product business.

Justice prevailed for a Johannesburg woman after her two-and-a-half-year battle over a municipal water bill ended in her favour. Following an investigation by the Public Protector, it was revealed that a faulty water meter had been behind the billing dispute. According to eNCA, more than R2.6 million has now been credited to Bot’s municipal account.

Can you guess the latest Secret Sound on Breakfast with Martin Bester? Breakfast with Martin Bester has launched a brand-new R50 000 Secret Sound. Can you guess the sound?

A Durban chef has been hailed as a hero after repeatedly running into a burning building to rescue a 74-year-old woman trapped upstairs.

North West school principal Sam Lupuwana recently informed students and parents about his decision to cancel his school’s matric farewell dance this year. Lupuwana’s decision comes after matric students performed poorly academically at Milner High School in Klerksdorp. Lupuwana described the pupils’ performance as “critically concerning” and called them “arguably the most disappointing group of Grade 12s” after 72 of the 186 matric pupils failed the Term 2 exams.

Breakfast with Martin Bester discovered young Anaya Sounds during the Jacaranda FM Feel Good Tour and has held her hand as she takes South Africa by storm. Recently, it all came full circle when Anaya performed the national anthem during the Lions vs All Blacks match. We can't wait to continue on this journey with her and see what she does next.

For most of us, salt is one of the simplest ingredients on the table. For Samantha Skyring, it became the foundation of Oryx Desert Salt, a South African brand that is increasingly finding its way onto international shelves. Oryx Desert Salt founder Samantha Skyring turned pure Kalahari salt into a growing South African brand by finding the right customers, embracing sustainability and taking action despite self-doubt.

On Friday, 28 August, Breakfast with Martin Bester made another listener richer after they correctly guessed the R50 000 Secret Sound.

Martin Bester dropped a brand-new clue for the latest Secret Sound clue!

US country music legend Dolly Parton, who grew up in Tennessee and became a household name with hits like 'Jolene,' has died at the age of 80, her family said Tuesday.

Founded by Anton van Heerden, DNA EOR enables overseas companies to employ South Africans without first having to establish their own company in the country. DNA EOR acts as the local legal employer, managing employment contracts, payroll, tax and labour compliance, while the international company manages the employee’s day-to-day work. More than 500 South Africans are already employed by DNA on behalf of foreign businesses, giving them the opportunity to gain international experience while continuing to live, spend, pay tax and build their lives in South Africa. For Anton, the business represents the latest chapter in a career that has revolved around people, payroll and technology. Despite spending much of his career in technology, Anton believes strongly that technology should enable human relationships rather than replace them. His lesson for other business owners is to automate what should be automated while protecting the trust, judgement and personal connection that make customers and employees want to stay. Business growth specialist Pavlo Phitidis believes this raises an important question for every business adopting AI and automation: don't simply ask whether something can be automated. Ask what will become better as a result and what human value must remain.

Anonymous wrote to Breakfast with Martin Bester saying they have a friend who they always invite over to their house, whether it’s for cake and tea, a braai or a meal. However, they never get invited over to their friend’s house. “Whenever they come to my house, I welcome them inside, but whenever I visit them, I’m left standing at the gate,” they wrote. “I have actually never been inside their house.” Anonymous wants to know why the effort always seems to come from one side. They’ve heard excuses like, “I don’t invite you over because your house is too neat,” or, “You make much better food than I do.” But they can’t help wondering why they’re always the one doing the inviting. This is what the team and our listeners had to say.

As part of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry 2026 tour, the Vodacom Bulls and the All Blacks went head-to-head on Saturday, 15 August. Ahead of this highly anticipated match, rugby content creator Jordan Buhrs was so confident that the Pretoria team would win that he had a proposition for the internet. Buhrs posted a video on social media claiming that he was so confident the Bulls would win that he was willing to do whatever the top comment on his video said. This is where the All Blacks got involved and dared him to get a tattoo of their logo if they won the game. “Get our logo tattooed on your arm before the first Test (minimum 5cm),” the New Zealand national team commented. As expected, this ended up being the top comment, and Buhrs had to stick to his word. Breakfast with Martin Bester caught up with the social media content creator after he got his tattoo, and Martin Bester challenged him to yet another dare.

Breakfast with Martin Bester spoke to the main voice behind Eggchasers Rugby, a popular digital rugby union community, audio podcast and YouTube channel.

Breyton Paulse, the celebrated Springbok legend, joined Breakfast with Martin Bester to share his excitement and thoughts ahead of the much-anticipated Springboks vs All Blacks Test at Ellis Park on Saturday, 22 August. This iconic match-up forms part of what is widely regarded as rugby’s greatest rivalry, and Paulse’s insights offered a captivating glimpse into the anticipation surrounding this colossal sporting event.

Road rage is a growing issue on South African roads, with everyone accusing the next person of being a bad driver. Very often, people in big cars blame people in small cars for being bad drivers, and vice versa. In this week’s Asking For A Friend, Anonymous feels that people who drive big cars are the worst on the road. Their question to Breakfast with Martin Bester this week is simple: Why do people in big cars drive so badly? Listen here to hear what the team and our listeners had to say.

Despite her rise to global stardom, South African singer Tyla has not forgotten her roots. After accepting her second AfriPure International Achievement Award at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs), the global star treated fans to an official takeover of the famous Gold Reef City. The ‘Water’ hitmaker took over the theme park to celebrate the release of her ‘A*Pop’ album. Gold Reef City was turned into an ‘A*Pop’-themed park, with pink merchandise, photo booths and even pink burgers and pizza on the menu. Of course, Tyla also treated her fans to a live performance. “I’m so happy that you guys came through. You guys look beautiful. We’re gonna have fun. I want you guys to enjoy, have a good time. It’s crazy. I did not think it would be this crazy,” she said on stage, in awe of the turnout. Social media was also flooded with videos of the singer enjoying some of the theme park rides at Gold Reef City.

Ahead of his address at the MANCOSA Jacaranda FM Business Breakfast, Springbok legend Bryan Habana joined Martin Bester and the Breakfast team live from VodaWorld to talk leadership lessons from professional sport, the five non-negotiables he believes drive success, and what leading a mostly-female fintech team taught him about unlearning old habits. He also shares his hilarious tale of teeing off in front of 4,500 spectators alongside Scottie Scheffler and Justin Rose, and gives his take on this weekend's Springboks vs All Blacks clash at Ellis Park.

Join us for a delightful dive into Jigo Jordan's Afrikaans adventure! With just five months on the clock, this Zimbabwean Uber driver has everyone smiling as he learns Afrikaans through children's books. Listen in for laughs, cultural insights, and the heartwarming tale of a man on a mission to connect in a new language.

Media mogul and businesswoman Basetsana Khumalo opens up about pursuing her doctorate in her 50s, building a fertilizer plant from coal gasification, and three decades of reinventing herself in business, in a candid chat with Martin Bester ahead of her Legacy Speaks address at the MANCOSA Jacaranda FM Business Breakfast. She talks about the stigma women face moving from beauty pageants to boardrooms - and why she'd rather "fail spectacularly" than never try at all. Khumalo shares the stage with Bryan Habana, Pavlo Phitidis and Kimberly Taylor at this year's event, held at the Vodacom Dome on 17 August.

Join the Breakfast crew as they dive into Cyril Ramaphosa's viral “clock it” moment that got everyone talking. With their trademark humour and down-to-earth vibe, Martin and the gang chat about whether there’s an age limit for trendy phrases. Tune in for a lively discussion that mixes laughs with real talk about how the president might be winning over the youth in unexpected ways. #ClockIt

Their comeback single, 'Ohema', an Afro-infused pop track from their EP, was released on 24 July 2026. 'Ohema' is derived from the Akan word for "queen" (or Ohemaa) in Ghana. The project marks both a return and a reinvention, staying true to the emotional storytelling and soaring vocal performances that made fans fall in love with them, while embracing fresh sonic influences such as Afrobeats and 3-step. The result is a mature, confident and beautifully evolved sound that reflects the women they are today. More than just a comeback, 'Full Circle' is a celebration of legacy, sisterhood and growth. On Friday, 14 August, Jacky, Mariechan and Liesl joined Breakfast with Martin Bester to celebrate the new music.

For many celebrity men, and even the average guy on the street, the idea that handbags are only for women is long gone. There is a growing trend, particularly among male celebrities, of carrying handbags of all sizes and colours as the latest luxury fashion statement. Celebrities, athletes and designers are all proving that men can wear handbags too. Jacob Elordi, Pharrell Williams, Harry Styles, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, A$AP Rocky and Travis Scott have all been spotted rocking handbags, making them somewhat of pioneers in the handbag’s comeback.

American star Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is showing the world that he is his own kind of triple threat. From being a professional wrestler to having an illustrious acting career and now potentially moving into the world of music, The Rock is proving there is very little he can’t do. The 54-year-old star is entering the world of music with the release of his new song, ‘Your Dad’. ‘Your Dad’ is a father-daughter ballad co-written with 2023 American Idol winner Iam Tongi. It appears on the brand-new 'Moana: Voices Across the Ocean' album, which was released in conjunction with the live-action ‘Moana’ reboot.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi joined Breakfast with Martin Bester for his first-ever live interview on Jacaranda FM, where the team made sure the province’s most pressing issues were put directly to him. From crime and potholes to water, electricity, rates and taxes, Breakfast with Martin Bester gave listeners the opportunity to ask Lesufi the questions that matter most to Gauteng residents. The Premier joined Martin Bester, Philicity Reeken and Xola Ntshinga for a wide-ranging interview about his life, career and plans for the province, but the difficult questions were not avoided.

Global superstar Beyoncé is being dragged to court over an alleged unauthorised sample in her 2022 hit ‘Alien Superstar’ from her ‘Renaissance’ album. A company called Hirose Enterprise and a producer named Shuji Hirose are suing Queen B for alleged copyright infringement. According to TMZ, Hirose claims to own the rights to a song called ‘Moonraker’ by Foremost Poets (aka jOHNNYDANGEROUs), the same song Beyoncé sampled in her 2022 hit. The company specifically refers to the intro to the song ‘Alien Superstar’, which features a striking spoken-word section.

The self-described "intergalactic space warrior" from the fictional planet Sigma IX takes on hardline anti-immigration politician Nigel Farage on Thursday in the Clacton by-election, triggered when the Reform UK leader resigned in a shock move. With Farage running again for his seat, none of the UK's mainstream political parties are fielding candidates, having dismissed the move as a stunt designed to stall a parliamentary inquiry into his finances. That has left the door open to Count Binface and a host of other independent and parody candidates.

A preventable case of blindness inspired Dr William Mapham to build a platform connecting frontline health workers with specialists when their patients need them most. As a young doctor working at a rural hospital in the Eastern Cape, Dr William Mapham encountered a patient with an eye condition he could not identify. With limited specialist support available, Mapham wrote a referral letter and sent the patient to a distant eye clinic. Seven years later, Mapham returned to the area as a trained eye specialist. The same patient appeared, still carrying the same referral letter. By then, he was blind in that eye. The tragedy was that the condition had been relatively simple to treat. The hospital had even stocked the medicine required. What had been missing was access to the right specialist knowledge at the right moment. That experience led Mapham to create Vula Medical.

Most of us have been in situations where we’ve experienced bad customer service. In recent times, complaining about bad service or asking to speak to the manager has become synonymous with “Karen” behaviour. Granted, there are many instances where customers are in the wrong and still complain about bad service. But shying away from standing up for what is right out of fear of being ridiculed should also not be the norm. This week, Breakfast with Martin Bester asked a very valid question on Asking For A Friend: When is it okay to ask to speak to the manager?

The moment a New Zealand councilwoman joined an online council meeting from her bathroom has gone viral, leaving internet users in stitches. To make matters worse, City Councillor Jo Galer’s washing was also on full display as it dried behind her. While some people would have died of embarrassment, it was Galer’s nonchalant response to the situation that really grabbed people’s attention. According to the ‘New York Post’, Mayor Sophie Barker immediately addressed the situation and let Galer know that her washing was on full display for the entire livestream.

As the inventor of the automobile, Mercedes-Benz is celebrating 140 years of innovation in 2026, and Jacaranda FM and Breakfast with Martin Bester are celebrating with them. We spoke to Mercedes-Benz South Africa's Head of Customer Connection, Mayur Bhana, about the new Mercedes-Benz CLA. It is the most technologically advanced Mercedes-Benz yet, featuring AI integration and the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System, enhanced by Gemini. It combines innovation, luxury, intelligent features and impressive driving performance.

A new bill aimed at addressing absent fatherhood and mental health issues affecting men has been proposed. According to The Citizen, Nikita Harris from Legacy Nation said that when men step up, “households stabilise and communities heal”. This is exactly what she hopes to achieve with her MENPOWERED campaign and the proposed Responsible Parenthood Bill. The new bill argues that having an official day dedicated to men could help address issues unique to men, as well as those affecting children and families. The Responsible Parenthood Bill aims to establish an official Men’s Day on 26 June, aligning it with the anniversary of the 1952 Defiance Campaign.

To say South Africans are gatvol of corruption is an understatement, but we often feel our hands are tied when it comes to fighting it. One resident, however, has decided to take the allegedly corrupt system at a Home Affairs office head-on. In a video that has surfaced online, the woman can be seen calling out officials at an alleged Home Affairs branch for accepting bribes to assist those who pay first. The woman alleged that she was approached outside the branch and asked to pay R150 to receive her card, reportedly an ID card, within 10 minutes.

Breakfast with Martin Bester has a new Secret Sound! Listeners stand the chance to win R50,000 if they correctly guess the Secret Sound. Listen to Breakfast with Martin Bester every weekday from 06:00 to 09:00 to see if you can guess the next sound. To enter, all you need to do is WhatsApp "SECRET" to 084 850 0942 and follow the prompts.

Most people have experienced the frustration of driving behind an oversized truck moving slowly along the road. What many do not realise is that these extraordinary loads often carry the equipment that keeps South Africa’s economy moving. For nearly 60 years, Transvaal Heavy Transport (THT) has specialised in transporting abnormal and high-value loads across South Africa and neighbouring countries. From mining equipment and transformers to industrial machinery and infrastructure components, the company helps deliver the assets that power construction, mining, energy and water projects.

Child support is often a contentious issue in separated families. More often than not, the issue involves one of the parties paying too little or nothing at all in maintenance. This week, we are looking at how much is too much when paying child support. Anonymous wrote to Breakfast with Martin Bester, saying that he pays R10 000 a month in child support and feels that it is too much.

Across the world, including in our beloved country, there have been national anthem performances that have left audiences in shock, and not for the right reasons. The latest performance to have audiences struggling to hold back their laughter took place at the Women's Pro Baseball League (WPBL) debut on Saturday, 1 August, with some dubbing it the worst ever. Legendary Motown singer Martha Reeves took to the field to perform the United States national anthem before the inaugural game. Unfortunately for Reeves, it was not the performance she had hoped for. The performance did not go very well from the start, and things did not improve as it continued. Her backup singers also did little to help make the performance any better.

One lucky listener walked away with R50 000 on Friday, 31 July, after correctly guessing the Secret Sound on Breakfast with Martin Bester.

Human Nebula, a local metal band, performed at the international Wacken Metal Battle Finals in Germany on Wednesday, 29 July. Human Nebula went up against national winners from 31 countries at the international Wacken Metal Battle Finals, which is often referred to as the Metal World Cup.

The school rugby community has been left embarrassed after a massive brawl broke out at a match over the weekend. During Saturday’s Noordvaal Cup match between Die Hoërskool Menlopark and Hoërskool Dr E.G. Jansen, a brawl involving players, parents and spectators erupted. The altercation occurred during the first-team clash between the two schools. Breakfast with Martin Bester sports presenter Xola Ntshinga reported that the match was abandoned a few minutes into the second half, with the score at 36–5 in favour of the hosts, Menlopark. Numerous videos of the fight were shared on social media and quickly went viral. Breakfast with Martin Bester spoke to Rigardt Dey, an Afrikaans teacher at Die Hoërskool Menlopark, about the incident. Dey condemned what took place, clearly stating that such behaviour was completely unacceptable.

South African musician Lee Cole stopped by Breakfast with Martin Bester to talk about his new single, ‘Fool’, and perform his version of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ on Friday Live. A Jacaranda FM listener recently wrote to us to share her thoughts on Lee’s looks. “Lee Cole. The sexy Portuguese, with his tight white jeans,” she wrote. The ‘Palace of Dreams’ singer had a simple reaction to the compliment: “I’m adding that to my bio,” he said.

Katy Perry has gone viral after a stunt at one of her recent shows nearly went wrong. While crowd-surfing on a giant inflatable water bottle at the Isle of MTV Malta festival on 22 July, the ‘I Kissed a Girl’ singer seemingly became stuck above the crowd after drifting too far away from the stage.

Video footage of a reckless delivery driver nearly striking two fighting elephant bulls in the Kruger National Park has left visitors and authorities angered. According to Lowvelder, the incident occurred on the H1-2 near Skukuza on 28 July. In the video, taken by Pretoria resident Azille Engelbrecht, two elephants can be seen facing off against each other while several park visitors watch the interaction from their vehicles. While most of the vehicles remained stationary, allowing the natural interaction to play out without interference, one delivery driver decided to push past the other guests.

A Cape Town woman’s simple plan to organise a games night took an unexpected turn after her search for male participants went viral. Speaking to Breakfast with Martin Bester, Leslie Paterson recalled how a simple social media video promoting her games night sparked something much bigger.

Most people do not think twice about the fruit they buy. An apple, a bunch of grapes or a punnet of blueberries appears on a supermarket shelf looking fresh and perfect. Few of us stop to think about the journey behind it or how much of a farmer's harvest never reaches its full value. That is the challenge Uzair Essack set out to solve.

Listeners stand a chance to win R50 000 if they correctly guess the Secret Sound. Listen to Breakfast with Martin Bester every weekday from 06:00 to 09:00 to see if you can guess the next sound. Martin Bester left listeners with the ultimate clue, which almost guarantees that someone will win R50 000.

How soon is too soon to start looking for someone new after a separation? That is Anonymous’s question on Breakfast with Martin Bester’s Asking For A Friend this week. Anonymous asked listeners and the Breakfast team for their opinions. “While we are still going through the divorce process, with a court date scheduled, my soon-to-be ex has already started dating,” he said. “I think it is incredibly brave, but someone close to us feels it is disrespectful towards me. “I do not agree with this sentiment, but I would like to know what listeners think.” This is what people had to say.

New AI tools are allowing readers to interact with books through chatbots, while raising concerns about copyright, permissions and how authors and publishers should be paid. Gerda de Sousa brought this story to Breakfast with Martin Bester during her news bulletin, sparking a debate about the use of AI.

Grammy-winning South African singer Tyla faced intense online backlash primarily from international, mostly American, audiences after identifying as a " coloured" woman.