Breakfast with Martin Bester

Anyone who regularly goes for manicures and gets their nails done will tell you about the confidence boost it gives them. But now there is actually evidence to suggest that getting your nails done is good for your mental health.

In this week’s Asking For A Friend on Breakfast with Martin Bester, Anonymous wrote to us to help her feel better. She said she and her partner often fight about small things and wanted to know what small things other couples fight about.

What if the mountains of ash produced by South Africa's coal-fired power stations could become a valuable ingredient in the buildings, roads and infrastructure we use every day? That's the opportunity Themba Nyembezi and Dirk Odendaal recognised when they founded Fly Ash Africa, a business transforming an industrial by-product into a commercially valuable material for cement manufacturers and mines. Themba came from a career in corporate investment, while Dirk brought decades of cement industry experience. Together, they saw potential in a material most people would simply regard as waste.

A good old South African braai remains one of the favourite ways for people to come together. For a typical household, it’s a good way to enjoy food and spend time together. However, the cost of a braai has also become a talking point among households. According to braai.co.za’s Braai Index, the average braai basket for 5 to 11 October costs about R713.37.

WhatsApp is introducing a long-awaited feature that will let users schedule messages to be sent at a chosen date and time. The tool is currently available to some Android beta testers, with a wider rollout expected in the coming weeks. The feature will work in both individual and group chats. Users will be able to schedule text messages, links, photos and videos, even if their phone is offline when the message is due to be sent. Scheduled messages will remain protected by WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption.

The man accused of terrorising motorists at an intersection in Fourways has been identified as Thabo and has reportedly been taken to a rehabilitation facility. Breakfast with Martin Bester spoke to Wright about the incident and the man who was allegedly terrorising women in the area. She has since shared an update, saying that Joburg mayoral candidate Curt van Heerden and his team had been searching for Thabo.

In this week’s Asking For A Friend, a listener wrote to Breakfast with Martin Bester to ask about braais. “It’s not my job to make the side dishes with the women at a braai. I want to kuier. Am I being unfair?” she asked.

Samantha Opperman and Coenie De Beer have helped build Neo Technologies into a business that has weathered 24 years of technological change. Their story offers a powerful lesson in adapting, growing and staying relevant. When Neo Technologies began 24 years ago, supplying printer cartridges to universities was a viable business. Today, the company provides technology solutions spanning security systems, networks, computers, software and ongoing support. Behind that evolution are Samantha Opperman and Coenie De Beer, two remarkable business builders who didn’t start the company but earned their way into owning it.

Tshwane residents and businesses affected by the extended power cuts following a fire at the Waltloo substation can submit formal claims to the City of Tshwane for assessment. The fire broke out on 29 September, leaving parts of Murrayfield, Silverton, Meyerspark, East Lynne and nearby areas without electricity for more than 12 days.

Karen Zoid has always been one of the best live performers in the country, with her seemingly effortless vocals captivating audiences. Zoid's musicality is almost unparalleled, but it's no surprise that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree with her son Ben Francis. The mother-son duo is the definition of "it runs in the family", so it was only a matter of time before they decided to work on a music production together.

With the recent historically high petrol price increase, most South Africans are definitely feeling the financial pinch of daily life. As fuel and food prices increase, many people are opting for only the daily essentials, but even these staples can come with a steep price. The South African recently compiled a list of regular grocery staples that are costing South Africans a lot. Product prices, of course, vary depending on the retailer, sales promotions and loyalty programmes. Looking at products at the higher end of the price scale, here are ten of the priciest staples South Africans buy regularly.

Martin Bester has been driving Mzansi to work and keeping us company, or in stitches, or in tears, every Monday to Friday from 06:00-09:00. The Breakfast family, or rather your morning family, takes an authentic approach to storytelling. Martin Bester's in-depth radio knowledge ensures that Breakfast with Martin Bester remains an annual award-winning show, but more importantly, he knows what his audience wants to hear. Martin Bester responds with beautifully crafted storytelling that genuinely builds anticipation and a community around that "What’s next?!" moment.

Following the viral story about how Roosevelt High School in Randburg’s matric dance was cut short due to incidents involving a parent threatening a staff member with a gun, attendees vomiting and the use of marijuana, Breakfast with Martin Bester discussed what feels like a decline in manners, discipline and respect for teachers.

South Africans are facing unprecedented fuel prices as of Wednesday, 7 October. Motorists who use petrol will have to fork out over R3 more for a litre of 93 or 95 octane petrol from Wednesday. The cost of diesel will also increase significantly, by R2.84 and R3.24 a litre.

Have you ever suspected that a colleague who does exactly the same work as you earns more? Well, Anonymous thinks we should all know what our colleagues earn.

What does it take to turn kelp growing in the cold Atlantic off the Cape coast into an agricultural product used by farmers around the world? For Afrikelp, the answer lies in everything it has built around that natural resource. Founded in 1971, Afrikelp produces a plant biostimulant that helps crops use water and nutrients more effectively and cope with environmental stresses such as heat and drought.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber joined Breakfast with Martin Bester to answer South Africans’ questions after announcing that the department plans to stop producing green barcoded ID books by 31 March 2027. From voting to queues and smart ID eligibility, he explained what the transition means for South Africans and how technology is changing access to Home Affairs services.

It's matric farewell season, and it got Breakfast with Martin Bester wondering how much a matric farewell actually costs.

You can win R50 000 on Breakfast with Martin Bester’s Secret Sound! Can you guess the sound?

Khutso Mphela from Limpopo won an incredible R50 000 on Breakfast with Martin Bester after he correctly guessed the Secret Sound.

A South African woman has gone viral after her small act of kindness warmed the hearts of many social media users. Vinisha Singh took to Facebook to share a picture of a Checkers Sixty60 driver standing in the rain at her home after delivering her Checkers order. The man, dressed in his Checkers raincoat and trousers, was visibly wet from the rain. The picture also shows him holding a cup of hot chocolate and a plate of biscuits, which Singh gave him as a small gesture of kindness.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a set of immediate government measures aimed at strengthening the fight against gender-based violence and femicide, following the recent killings of 12 women in Ekurhuleni.

According to Stats SA’s latest Quarterly Employment Survey for the second quarter of 2026, the average South African salary has increased by 4.1%. The average monthly earnings paid to employees increased from R29,402 in May 2025 to R30,611 in May 2026. BusinessTech also reports that average monthly earnings paid to employees increased by 2.6% quarter-on-quarter, from R29,825 in February 2026 to R30,611 in May 2026.

Founded by Vice Phiri and Andrew Mokoto, the Johannesburg-born business helps farmers, mines, security companies and other customers put drones to productive use. Customers can buy or hire drones, receive training, arrange finance and insurance, and access servicing, repairs and technical support. With more than 10,000 hours of drone flying behind it, the business has expanded beyond Johannesburg into the Western Cape and Zimbabwe.

In this week’s Asking For A Friend, a concerned mother wrote to Breakfast with Martin Bester. "My sister-in-law saw my son-in-law at a restaurant/pub with a blonde girl who is not my daughter. They were partying, drinking and having a good time," Anonymous wrote. "Then I was approached by a mutual female friend of my daughter, who told me that my son-in-law likes and reacts with heart and fire emojis to pictures of this friend on Instagram." "So, do I approach my son-in-law, or do I tell my daughter?"

Céline Dion kicked off Paris Fashion Week in style on Monday, 29 September, stepping onto the catwalk beneath the Eiffel Tower and singing ‘I’m Alive’ to a delighted crowd in a surprise performance. The Canadian superstar took to the runway at the end of L’Oréal’s annual show, emerging in a sleek black gown to rapturous applause at one of the fashion calendar’s most glamorous openings. Smiling with her hair loose, the singer performed her 2002 hit before being joined by a star-studded cast of L’Oréal ambassadors, including Viola Davis, Simone Ashley, Aja Naomi King and Eva Longoria. The Quebec-born star recently announced a much-publicised return to the stage with a 26-show run in the French capital. Sixteen shows are set for September and October, with a further 10 planned for May 2027. Paris Fashion Week, dedicated to women’s spring/summer collections, runs until 6 October. With Dior, Tom Ford, Schiaparelli and Givenchy still to unveil their latest creations, Dion could yet be spotted in the front row at…

Die aspirerende rugbykommentator, negejarige Keagan Croucamp, het op Breakfast with Martin Bester kom kuier en meer gedeel oor sy rugbydrome.

What happens when ‘Rick and Morty’ fans get to put their questions to the people behind their favourite characters? Martin Bester found out when he sat down with Ian Cardoni, Harry Belden and Spencer Grammer at Comic Con Africa in Johannesburg. Cardoni voices Rick Sanchez, Belden voices Morty Smith and Grammer voices Summer Smith. The three joined Breakfast with Martin Bester for a chat that moved from fan theories and unlikely destinations to what really happens inside a recording booth.

A Springbok player was caught butt naked when a camera inside the team’s changing room showed a little more than it was supposed to. The footage was filmed at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia, where the Springboks lost 42-38 to the Wallabies. During the match, Australian sports channel Stan Sport showed the Springboks talking in their changing room. Unfortunately, during the team’s talks, the camera also captured something it wasn’t supposed to. Reserve players were changing into their kits when one player was caught with his naked butt on display for the whole world to see.

From a factory in Paarl to projects across 36 countries, Fabrinox is proving that South African manufacturing skills can compete on an international stage. Led by Managing Director Wessel van Zyl, Fabrinox has grown its capabilities far beyond manufacturing individual metal components.

Francois Hougaard is used to taking on challenges, but his next one will look a little different from a rugby match. Speaking to Breakfast with Martin Bester, the former Springbok chatted about life after rugby, his years overseas and what he expects from ‘Tropika Island of Treasure’.

Squishy toys have long been popular among children, but recently, these toys have boomed in popularity like never before. But what seems like an innocent children’s toy has now raised safety concerns around the world.

The talented Kelly Khumalo joined Breakfast with Martin Bester to talk all things music, situationships and her new song ‘Merry Go Round’.

One of South Africa’s biggest exports to the global entertainment industry, Arnold Vosloo, has welcomed a baby at the age of 64. ‘The Mummy’ actor and his 32-year-old girlfriend, Anika du Toit, welcomed a baby boy, and the pair’s lives have already changed for the better.

Look around a supermarket and almost everything you see carries a label. Before the brand, barcode and product information are added, many of those labels begin as rolls of self-adhesive material. South African manufacturer Morgancoat makes enough of that material every year to cover Robben Island about 11 times. Its story began in 2007, when Richard Morgan and his father Mike developed machinery to apply recyclable barrier coatings to paper. The idea was ahead of its time, so they adapted the machinery and began manufacturing self-adhesive label material instead.

Speaking to Breakfast with Martin Bester this morning, national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the police service is concerned that more bodies could potentially be discovered as investigators work to establish whether the deaths of five women in Ekurhuleni are connected. “It's a big concern and we are hoping that we won't get more bodies. The team is on the ground. We've got a multidisciplinary team consisting of experts. We've got tracking teams on the ground, we've got our criminologists who form part of our investigative psychology unit. We also have psychologists on the ground trying to study the behaviour of each, you know, case.” This was moments before it was confirmed that a sixth woman’s body had been discovered in Kwa-Thema, Springs. It is the sixth woman’s body found in Ekurhuleni in the past two months, but there is not yet any confirmation that the latest discovery is connected to any of the other cases.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and Springbok captain Siya Kolisi are sporting new bald looks following the final match of the 2026 Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series. Both Erasmus and Kolisi took to social media to show off their new bald looks.

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…

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.