Stacey & J Sbu

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...