Stacey & J Sbu

Sharks rugby fullback Aphelele Fassi joined Stacey and J Sbu in studio ahead of what promises to be a humdinger clash against the DHL Stormers this weekend! Sports lead Nick Tatham started things off with a quick Q & A with Fassi before the team surprised him with a call from a loved one. Here's how it all went down...

Every Wednesday, the little ones of our province take over our airwaves with their cuteness. It’s a chance for the kids of KZN to share something with us. This week we asked the kids of KZN: What's the one thing girls your age should stop apologising for? Here's what your little ones had to say...

Stacey and J Sbu unpacked one of South Africa’s biggest post-school questions: is university still worth the cost, or are degrees being oversold? The debate touched on rising tuition fees, limited access, student debt and the pressure facing young people today. The YES side argued that degrees still open doors, offering valuable skills, stronger employment prospects and long-term career flexibility. The NO side pushed back, highlighting graduate unemployment, underemployment and deep inequality, backed by real-life experiences from KZN and beyond. Listener calls and voice notes shaped the conversation and brought the debate to life.

If you’re sitting with a matric certificate right now and wondering whether there’s space for you in the system, this one matters. Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela says South Africa’s post-school education system is not in crisis, but it is under serious pressure. Around 650,000 learners passed matric, but post-school institutions can only absorb just over 80% of them. Speaking in Pretoria, Manamela has challenged what he calls a “university-only mindset”, saying universities were never meant to be the sole pathway after school. If you missed it live, tune in!

There’s a moment that sneaks up on all of us, when you hear a song and think, “This still feels new.” And then you realise, it’s not. It’s ten years old, a full decade. Somewhere between loading playlists and saying “just one more song”, time quietly sprinted past us. We've created a montage of the songs that turn 10 years in 2026, the kind you still sing like they came out last summer, but in reality, they’ve been around long enough to have their own anniversary candles. These are the tracks that make you question time itself, the ones that don’t feel old enough to be nostalgic, yet somehow are.

Every Wednesday, Aunty Stacey and Uncle J Sbu let the kiddos of KZN take over. They pose a question and allow your little ones to share their thoughts. This week they asked your kiddos: "How much do you think it cost for all your school supplies?" Here's what the kiddos of KZN had to say...

Every Thursday around this time, we detail some of the wildest confessions from the streets of Mzansi. We get YOU to weigh in on your unfiltered thoughts. This week's confession went like this: "I fear that my boyfriend of six years has no intention of marrying me, not because he doesn’t love me, but because I refuse to replace his mother. I won’t manage his life, cushion his consequences, or pretend that adulthood is optional. I love him deeply, but love alone cannot compete with the comfort of a home where his meals are prepared, his laundry is done, and his responsibilities are postponed indefinitely. I want partnership, commitment, and the discipline that comes with choosing someone every day. He, on the other hand, seems content remaining a son before becoming a husband. And the more I push for growth, the more I am made to feel unreasonable, demanding, or impatient. What troubles me most is the quiet realisation that I may not be waiting on a proposal, but on a man to outgrow the safety net he has no incentive to leave. And I am left asking myself a difficult question: am I asking too much, or simply asking the wrong person?” Here's what you had to say...

South Africa’s highest court has just delivered a landmark ruling on how marriage law works when traditional customs meet modern civil law, and it could affect thousands of couples, especially here in KwaZulu-Natal, where customary marriages are common. The Constitutional Court has clarified that a civil marriage does not erase or override an existing customary marriage. Instead, the two forms of marriage combine into one continuous legal union, and that has big implications, particularly for property rights, asset division and how matrimonial property is governed when spouses decide to enter into a civil marriage after being married under customary law. To help us understand what this ruling actually means, especially for families and couples here in KZN, and how it might affect things like property, inheritance and asset protection, we turned to our Legal Expert on Family Law, Chulumanco Ncapai, from Shepstone and Wylie Attorneys for deeper insight.

There is something that’s been sitting with me for a while (add context on what it is), and I didn’t realise how heavy it was until I tried to put words to it. We talk about honesty like it’s a straight line, like you either tell the truth or you don’t, but real life doesn’t work like that. Sometimes the truth feels like it’s going to cost you peace, relationships, or stability. And that’s where the lie creeps in. Not because you’re trying to deceive, but because you’re trying to survive a moment you’re not ready for. This is where I want to pause us for a second, because what you’re saying is something a lot of people are quietly living with. You’re not talking about lying to hurt someone; you’re talking about lying to manage a situation. So let me ask you this: when you chose not to tell the truth, was it fear that drove it, or was it the belief that the truth would cause more damage than the lie? You shared why you lied, and this is how it went down...

South Africa is once again in the spotlight after President Cyril Ramaphosa approved a 3.8 percent salary increase for ministers and members of Parliament, as well as 4.1 percent for provincial office‑bearers, a move that adds tens of thousands of rand a year to already hefty salaries. Ministers will now take home around R2.8 million annually, while many MPs cross well over R1 million per year, even before benefits and allowances are included. We asked you if this is deserved or out of touch and this is what you had to say...

Every January, millions of us show up like new people. We’re gym-goers, early risers, budget masters, detox devotees, only for that energy to fade fast. Turns out there’s real psychology behind this yearly personality shift. Researchers call the start of the year a “fresh start” moment: a temporal landmark that makes us feel like we can leave past habits behind and become a new version of ourselves. That sense of a clean slate gives January a motivational pump that most other days don’t have. But here’s the catch: most of that motivation isn’t backed by habit or structure. Studies show that up to 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions are dropped within the first month, largely because we set ambitious goals without the systems to support them. And another trend in psychology suggests it’s not just about willpower, it’s about readiness, planning and the way habits are formed over time. Jumping straight into big change on January 1st often means we’re not truly prepared for the effort required. No wonder so many of us are a different person in January, enthusiastic, hopeful, even a little extreme, only to see that version fade by March. It’s not just about losing steam; it’s about how we approach change and why the calendar alone isn’t enough to sustain it. We asked you: Who are you in January that disappears by March? Here's what you had to say...

There’s growing concern across KwaZulu-Natal’s agricultural sector as the province deals with a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that’s putting pressure on farmers, supply chains and biosecurity controls. While authorities have moved to contain the spread, questions remain around the scale of the outbreak, the effectiveness of current measures, and what this means for both commercial and emerging farmers on the ground. To unpack the latest developments, including government’s response, containment efforts, and what farmers are actually experiencing, we turned to ECR Newswatch’s Dineo Mphahlele.

Every Thursday around this time, we detail some of the wildest confessions from the streets of Mzansi. We get YOU to weigh in on your unfiltered thoughts. I am at the edge of my seat for the confession this week. This week's confession went something like this: "I’m going to say something that sounds terrible, but I know I’m not the only one thinking it: sometimes co-parenting feels harder than the relationship ever did. Not because we don’t love the child, but because we’re constantly negotiating with someone we no longer chose. Every decision feels like a compromise, every win feels temporary, and sometimes peace only exists when one person stays quiet. The guilt is heavy, the communication is exhausting, and on some days it feels like you’re parenting with one hand tied behind your back, smiling in front of your child while quietly resenting the system behind the scenes. In all honesty, this has made me RESENT, yes RESENT, the child. I just hope it is a phase that is going to fade.”

As children return to classrooms across South Africa, parents are facing a tough financial reality. The back-to-school period has become one of the most demanding times for household budgets, often rivalling or even exceeding December holiday spending. Recent research confirms what many families already feel: education-related costs are increasing at a rate well above general inflation. Uniforms dominate the expense list School uniforms have become the biggest financial burden for parents preparing for the academic year. A basic uniform set, including items such as blazers, jerseys, shirts, and trousers or skirts, now costs upwards of R2,700. Once shoes, school bags, and additional accessories are added, the total climbs to around R5,000 per child. The pressure does not stop at buying the basics. Many parents deliberately purchase uniforms several sizes too big, hoping they will last for more than one year as children grow. This strategy highlights just how stretched household finances have become when it comes to these annual expenses. Stationery requirements add complexity Stationery lists have also grown more detailed and restrictive. Schools often insist on specific brands or types of supplies, leaving parents with little flexibility to shop around for cheaper alternatives. What once included only pencils and notebooks now extends to geometry sets, calculators, dictionaries, and other specialised items. These requirements can add roughly R1,000 to the total bill, pushing overall back-to-school costs to around R6,000 per child, before transport, lunch money, or after-school care are even considered. Multiple children multiply the burden For families with more than one school-going child, the financial strain increases dramatically. Each child needs their own full set of uniforms, stationery, and fees. In these households, total back-to-school costs can easily run into tens of thousands of rands, placing immense pressure on budgets, particularly after the festive season. School fees create additional pressure School fees remain another major source of stress. Some schools require significant upfront payments before learners can start classes. Parents have also reported unexpected increases at enrolment, with fees rising at the last minute, leaving families scrambling to find extra funds with little warning. Practical strategies for managing costs Despite these challenges, many parents have adopted creative ways to cope. One common approach is buying stationery throughout the year when items are on special, spreading the cost instead of absorbing it all in January. Others choose to deposit small amounts into uniform shop accounts during the year. This creates a dedicated fund that cannot be used elsewhere, helping parents feel more prepared and reducing the financial shock when the school year begins. The broader economic impact The rising cost of education reflects wider economic pressures facing South African households. When essential expenses such as school uniforms and supplies grow faster than inflation, families are forced to make difficult financial trade-offs. This has broader implications for access to education and long-term equality. Each back-to-school season now serves as a reminder of how costly education has become. As prices continue to climb, parents are required to be more resourceful than ever, balancing tight budgets while still ensuring their children are equipped for learning and success.

Every Wednesday, the little ones of our province take our airwaves over with their cuteness. It’s a chance for the kids of KZN to share something with us. This week, we asked the kiddos to share some of their back-to-school highlights. Here's what your little ones had to say...

The first day of a new school year is always a mix of nerves, excitement and “did we pack everything?” energy. To mark the moment, J Sbu did what he does best – he turned it into a conversation. Sitting down with his son Zanda, who turns nine this year and has officially entered grade three, J Sbu asked a few simple questions. The answers? Honest, hilarious and unexpectedly deep. Listen to the full conversation here...

Ethan Naicker has achieved what thousands of pupils across the province work towards each year: becoming KwaZulu-Natal’s number one matric student for 2025. Yet, despite the accolades and certificates surrounding him as he spoke to Stacey and J Sbu interview, the young high achiever admits the moment still feels unreal. “I still haven’t processed all of this yet, if I’m being honest with you,” Naicker the Drive Show hosts. “Everything has just been such a surreal experience from the time I got the call.” His rise to the top was not driven by constant pressure or early academic obsession. In fact, Naicker says his motivation developed later than many might expect. The turning point came in Grade Four, when he experienced his first real academic win. “I got a taste of it once and then I never let go,” he explained. That single moment of success sparked a drive that would shape his attitude towards learning and eventually see him outperform every other matriculant in the province. Listen to the full conversation here.

January usually arrives with empty bank accounts, long emails and the emotional hangover of December. Romance? Not so much. For Stacey Norman, this year’s first month flipped the script completely, delivering a moment so magical it left colleagues, friends and listeners misty-eyed. Even J Sbu couldn’t believe the timing. “Who has the audacity in January to go down on one knee?” he joked. Yet, while most of us are still recovering financially and emotionally, Stacey’s now fiancé, Dylan MacDonald, decided this was exactly the right moment to change their lives forever. A date night with suspicious hints It all started with what sounded like a simple plan: a fancy dinner to mark the end of the holidays before work kicked off again. However, there were hints. Nails. Hair. Dressing up properly. For someone who proudly calls herself the “Nancy Drew of KZN”, Stacey noticed everything. “Men can lie, but they can’t keep a secret,” she laughed, explaining how Dylan and her best friend Filipe were both unusually invested in her grooming. Still, after years of heartbreak and what she openly calls “questionable choices”, Stacey chose not to overthink it. The moment everything changed Dinner was at the Oyster Box, the same place where their love story began on their very first date. Already emotional, Stacey returned from a quick break to find a singer performing “Endless Love”. Her internal alarm bells went wild. Dylan’s calm response to her panic? “Do you trust me?” Instead of heading to a familiar bar, they were guided through a hidden garden, past a pool Stacey didn’t even know existed. Then she saw it: a candlelit gazebo, rose petals underfoot and a moment that felt completely unreal. Tears, nerves and the easiest yes Both of them were crying when Dylan dropped to one knee, steady and certain. Whatever speech he had planned melted away, replaced by words that landed straight in Stacey’s heart. He asked her to marry him. Her first response, perfectly Stacey? “What did you say?” She wanted to hear it again. And then she said yes. Close friends were quietly watching, capturing a moment Stacey never thought would come. After years of waiting, doubting and healing, she finally got her forever.

A Durban mother is transforming lives with a digital village that uplifts and connects mothers nationwide. Rochelle Rae spoke to East Coast Radio about her self-funded project feeding families and providing much-needed grocery vouchers. Listen to the full conversation here...

South African singer Lloyiso joined J Sbu in studio today talking all things music and his Elephant in the Room tour. The Eastern Cape native even spent time trying to teach J Sbu how to do a musical run. If you missed it live, listen to the full conversation here...