Stacey & J Sbu

This week on the Great Drive Debate, we’re stepping into a conversation that’s as sensitive as it is real: mothers and their sons, where do we draw the line?

Because for many, that bond is unbreakable. It’s built on love, sacrifice, and years of support. However, at some point, every son grows up, builds his own life, his own responsibilities, his own financial reality, and that’s where things can get complicated.

We asked you: is it justified for mothers to expect ongoing financial support from their sons, even when he’s building his own family? Here's what you had to say...

This past Sunday, a normal shopping day quickly turned into chaos at a local mall. Gunshots rang out inside one of the busiest malls in the province, as heavily armed suspects hit a jewellery store. Shoppers ran for cover, businesses shut their doors, and in the middle of it all, security guards were injured during an exchange of fire as the suspects tried to escape.

And here’s the uncomfortable truth: this isn’t the first time. Malls across the country, with tens of thousands of daily shoppers passing through, have seen multiple high-profile robberies over the years. From smash-and-grab style thefts to organised armed heists targeting electronics and jewellery stores, criminals aren’t merely opportunistic anymore; they’re coordinated, calculated, and increasingly bold.

Across South Africa, malls, spaces we associate with safety, family, and convenience, are becoming targets. Heavily armed gangs, quick getaways, inside knowledge, it’s a pattern we’re seeing more and more. So now the question becomes very real: if armed criminals are willing to walk into a busy mall, in broad daylight, is visible armed security the solution?

Here's what you had to say...

Every Wednesday the little ones of our province melt our airwaves with their cuteness. It’s a chance for the kids of KZN to share something with us. However, they are about to go on holiday, meaning when vacation mode has been activated it becomes really hard to reach them.

This gives us some “we time” with you, the parent.

This week, Stacey Norman asked you to share the real gems, the small things that make a big difference in the chaos of parenting. Every parent has that one trick, that one move, that just works. The thing that saves your sanity on the tough days, gets your child to listen (finally), or turns a meltdown into a manageable moment.

These hacks aren’t in parenting books, they’re learnt in real time, through trial, error, and a whole lot of patience.

Here's what you had to say...

On today’s Great Drive Debate, Stacey Norman called out a narrative you’ve definitely heard before, maybe you’ve even said it yourself: “You don’t have kids? Yoh, you must have time and money.” But is that actually true, or is it one of the biggest misconceptions out there? If you’ve ever felt misunderstood on this, whether you have kids or not, this is your conversation.

After the heavy storms that swept through parts of KwaZulu-Natal this past weekend, many residents are still dealing with the aftermath, from flooding and damaged roads to growing concerns around infrastructure and safety.

Stacey was joined by Senzelwe Mzila, a spokesperson from KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, to unpack what’s happening, what it means for you, and how to stay safe moving forward.

Every Thursday, Stacey and J Sbu detail some of the wildest confessions from the streets of Mzansi. We get YOU to weigh in on your unfiltered thoughts.

Anonymous said:

“My husband and I chose freedom over stability. We both work for ourselves, but now I’m terrified we’ve made a mistake. We’re living hand to mouth, home ownership feels out of reach, and retirement? Not even a conversation. I can’t help but wonder… did we chase the dream without understanding money well enough to sustain it?”

Here's what you had to say...

Today is World Autism Awareness Day, and here’s a reality that’s hard to ignore. In South Africa, it’s estimated that 1 in every 100 children is on the autism spectrum, yet thousands remain undiagnosed, unsupported, and misunderstood.

Autism isn’t always visible. It doesn’t always “look” the way people expect. For some families, it’s navigating sensory overload in public spaces, for others, it’s fighting to be heard in a system that doesn’t always understand their child. And for many, it’s the daily emotional weight of advocating for a world that can sometimes feel isolating.

This year’s global theme, "Autism and Humanity, Every Life Has Value". This theme emphasises the dignity, inherent worth, and equal rights of all autistic people, calling for increased inclusion and neurodiversity acceptance in health, education, and workplace settings worldwide. Because behind every diagnosis is a child who experiences the world differently, and a parent or caregiver doing everything they can to understand, protect, and empower them. And if you’re listening right now and this is your reality, you are seen. Your journey matters.

Paediatric Intensivist, Dr Sibekezelo Hlophe, helped us unpack how behavioural therapies like Applied Behaviour Analysis actually work and why they can be so effective, and also offered practical advice to parents and caregivers on raising children with autism, from building independence to supporting emotional well-being.

If you’re planning to hit the road this Easter, especially heading into Durban, here’s what you need to know before you even turn the key.

The N3 Toll Route is expected to get seriously busy, with traffic volumes picking up from as early as 4am on Good Friday and peaking throughout the day. We’re talking over a million visitors making their way into the city, so congestion, delays, and long travel times are all part of the reality this weekend.

Authorities are already preparing for it.

Expect a heavy law enforcement presence, roadblocks, and increased patrols targeting speeding, drunk driving, and unroadworthy vehicles. The message is clear: safety is being taken seriously. And while the roads fill up, Durban is set to come alive, with around 1.2 million tourists expected and a massive boost to the local economy. It’s a big weekend for the city, but also a high-risk time on the roads.

Almost every community was on gridlock on Tuesday afternoon until midnight with consumers trying to fill up before these increments were in effect.

From out-of-service fuel stations, having to wait for hours in queues, panic filling, to not being able to get home on time because of traffic jam,

Stacey and J Sbu wanted to hear your experience. They asked you to share how you were impacted by the panic buying. Here's what you had to say...

Every parent has that one lesson they hope their child carries for life, something deeper than “eat your veggies” or “do your homework.”

It’s the lesson shaped by your own experiences, the mistakes you’ve made, the values you were raised on, or a moment that changed how you see the world.

On Parent’s Hotline this week, Stacey and J Sbu asked you: what’s the one life lesson you’ve given your child, and what’s the story behind it? Because often, it’s not just about what you taught, it’s about why you felt it mattered so much.