Stacey & J Sbu

Stacey Norman and J Sbu asked YOU what can you say or do today that you couldn't last year. We heard tons of inspiring stories.

From being a proud new homeowner to quitting smoking, the stories shared are nothing short of inspiring.

Sharon from the Bluff shared her triumph over a four-year smoking habit, while Stacey proudly mentions nurturing a healthy relationship with herself and buying a new house. Natasha from Durban North chimed in about completing a 10km run, marvelling at her body's capabilities and relishing the mental peace it brings.

Londi from Umhlanga, recounted the challenging journey of her premature baby girl, Alexandra, now thriving as a one-year-old.

We heard so many special and inspiring stories that will tug on your heartstrings. If you missed it live, tune in!

Have you heard of ROMO aka the Relief of Missing Out?

Stacey and J Sbu share personal stories and listener experiences that look at the joy of staying in and avoiding the chaos often associated with going out.

From unexpected savings to avoiding unpleasant encounters, listeners call in with their relief stories, bringing laughter and relatability to the conversation. J Sbu’s story about avoiding a costly night out and Stacey’s delight in simple home comforts are the perfect ROMO examples.

If you missed it live, tune in!

At just eight years old, Aleah Ramouthar isn't your typical primary school learner. With a spark for adventure and a love for Chinese culture, she's diving headfirst into the world of Mandarin. Guided by her enthusiastic teacher, Vivian Zeng, Ramouthar has already started making waves on the Mandarin language scene.

Ramouthar's journey began when she was introduced to Mandarin at her school's extramural course, led by Zeng. What makes Ramouthar stand out is her exceptional talent in picking up the language quickly. Zeng recalls, "Aleah is one of my star students. She memorised a Chinese song in just one week!" It's this eagerness to learn and excel that sets Ramouthar apart.

Despite having only started learning Mandarin in February, Ramouthar participated in the Chinese Bridge competition in Cape Town this June. With just three and a half months of preparation, she clinched second place. Sporting a traditional Chinese outfit, meeting new people and being celebrated for her efforts, Ramouthar found the entire experience exhilarating.

She’s not stopping there. Ramouthar is already gearing up for next year's competition, aiming for that coveted first-place spot. Zeng, equally excited, says, "If Aleah wins first place, she gets a chance to go to China with one of her parents and compete in the World Chinese Bridge competition for her age group."

Ramouthar's dedication and passion for learning Mandarin are truly inspirational. With Zeng's expert guidance and her own hard work, the sky is the limit for this young prodigy. Who knows? We might soon see Ramouthar shining on an even bigger stage, bridging cultures and bringing people together.

"I want to take my mom and dad to China, meet the pandas and eat Chinese food," she says.

Stacey Norman and J Sbu heard a listener's confession about insecurities when one's partner starts looking fitter and seemingly getting 'out of their league'.

You joined in and shared your perspectives on relationships and self-worth. As the conversation unfolds, Stacey and J Sbu shed light on how to navigate these emotional complexities within relationships, offering both humour and heartfelt advice.

If you missed it live, tune in!

Stacey Norman and J Sbu explored a lively conversation about renaming the Republic of South Africa to the Republic of Azania.

Along the way, they took a look at the fun side of renaming everyday items with their listeners. From calling vapes 'clouds of lies' to dubbing air fryers 'game changers,' Stacey and J Sbu's imaginative names will leave you laughing.

If you missed it live, tune in!

Stacey & J Sbu opened the Parents Hotline and asked YOU to share life hacks that make life easier and more enjoyable for both parents and kids.

From practical cleaning tips to timeless advice on saving money, this episode is packed with valuable stories and tips. KZN listeners call in to share their own experiences, offering a rich tapestry of advice passed down through generations.

Whether it's finding creative ways to get children to eat their veggies or clever hacks for household chores we found a treasure trove of practical wisdom.

Stacey and J took things a little bit deeper for this kiddies hotline. Instead of the fun, innocent questions, they wanted to know just how inspiring the parents of KZN are.

Which of these lessons have you taught your kid?

Stacey, J Sbu and Nick Tatham opened up the hotline for all the husbands in KZN! You know they need it.

Listen to the hilarious (and slightly painful) confessions the husbands of KZN had to share

East Coast Radio caught up with Monde Mkalipi, spokesperson for the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA), who addressed the growing concern surrounding fake news about the AARTO Act.

The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act aims to promote road safety by standardising traffic violations and implementing a demerit system for offenders.

"We are very concerned about the proliferation of fake news around the implementation date of AARTO," said Mkalipi. "We urge road users and the public to be cautious of this misinformation, as it is not authentic."

Mkalipi emphasised that the AARTO Act has not yet been proclaimed for national implementation. Currently, the AARTO website is only available in specific regions.

"The date for the national rollout has not been proclaimed. What's operational now is limited to certain areas," Mkalipi clarified.

Understanding the Demerit System

Mkalipi provided an in-depth explanation of the demerit system under the AARTO Act. Contrary to some beliefs, a single traffic fine will not immediately lead to a licence suspension.

"The point demerit system is not yet operational everywhere. When it does come into effect, it will serve as a deterrent," Mkalipi said.

Under the demerit system, points will be added to a driver's record for traffic infringements. The severity of the offence will determine the number of points. For example, driving without a license may result in three points, while driving under the influence could add six points.

"Once you exceed 15 points, your driving licence will be suspended, initially for three months," explained Mkalipi.

Suspensions escalate with repeated offences.

"On the third occasion of exceeding the 15-point threshold, the driving licence will be revoked," Mkalipi added.

Drivers with accumulated points may reduce them by participating in a voluntary rehabilitation programme.

Misinformation surrounding the AARTO Act

The spread of misinformation has caused public concern.

"There is a state of panic among drivers due to misperceptions about how the AARTO Act works," Mkalipi noted.

He shared that the RTIA is working diligently to dispel these myths and provide accurate information.

"The AARTO Act is designed to be a road safety intervention, aimed at changing driver behaviour. It's about voluntary compliance without needing to see traffic officers," said Mkalipi.

How to verify information about AARTO

The RTIA is informing the public through various platforms, including social media.

"We post regular updates on our official social media accounts. We urge drivers to visit these platforms for accurate information," Mkalipi advised.

He also encouraged the use of government statements and updates from provincial and municipal colleagues. "It's important for road users to stay informed through legitimate information dissemination platforms to avoid being swayed by fake news," Mkalipi concluded.

Stacey and J Sbu are joined by Jan Vermeulen, editor at MyBroadband, to break down the recent internet disruptions caused by a fault in the West Africa Cable System (WACS).

Jan explains how a damaged branching unit off the coast of Namibia led to emergency repairs, what this means for South African internet users, and why some service providers were hit harder than others.

From underwater diagnostics to redundancy planning and the role of major tech players like Google and Meta, this episode dives into the complex world of undersea internet infrastructure and why most of us barely noticed it was broken.