Breakfast with Martin Bester

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.

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

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.

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.