Democracy Unplugged

What lessons can be drawn from decades spent in activism, labour movements, government, and politics? Patrick Motubase joins Phumi Mashigo for a wide-ranging discussion about his path through South Africa's democratic journey, the work of the MK Party, and the opportunities and obstacles that lie ahead for the country's next generation.

What will it take to keep women safe in South Africa? What's being done? Is it enough? And what real action is needed now? Siv Ngesi unpacks this with DA’s Eleanore Spies, ANC’s Pat Lekker, entrepreneur and activist Rachel Kolisi and MOSAIC’s Ronel E Stevens as they confront one of the country's most urgent crises: gender-based violence.

Is South Africa losing the battle against crime? Are we addressing it or just reacting to it? Hosted by Penuel the Black Pen and prominent voices, including DJ Warras, Kanthan Pillay and Bobby Petkov, Democracy Unplugged unpacks the root causes of one of the country's most pressing crises and what real solutions to our crime crisis could look like.

Is education empowering young people the way it should and are we equipping the youth for a future they can believe in? In this important episode, we unpack what's really failing South Africa's youth - and it's not just the school system. This conversation dives into the real meaning of a "dropout" in a system designed to exclude, why access and opportunity are as important as academic content, th...

Can a nation truly thrive without nurturing its artists from the ground up? Brent Lindeque moderates this powerful conversation, 702 and CapeTalk’s Nothemba Madumo, music legend Sipho ‘HotStix’ Mabuse and Redhill School’s Joseph Gerassi reflect on how creative education shapes identity and preserves our diverse national heritage. This is more than just a discussion - it’s a celebration of creativi...

GNU - One Year On! Coalition or Collision? Democracy Unplugged explores this... Moderated by Phumi Mashigo featuring the ANC's Khalid Sayed, DA's Karabo Khakhau, IFP's Mkhuleko Hlengwa and GOOD's Brett Herron.

South Africa and the USA - friends, foes, or just tangled in a complicated dance? At this incredibly tenuous moment in time when the relationship between South Africa and the USA is under the spotlight, this Democracy Unplugged conversation moderated by Phumi Mashigo, dives into this important conversation. From Afrikaans farmers being offered refuge status in America, to dramatic budget cuts and...

What can we expect in 2025? From President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation address in Parliament on 6 February to President Donald Trump's South Africa "intervention, comedian and social commentator Eugene Khoza unpacks some of the political, business, social and media shifts we can anticipate this year with our esteemed panelists Jacob Maroga, former Eskom CEO; journalist/TV presenter Loure...

National Health Insurance - Yes or No? That’s the topic of this special edition of Democracy Unplugged moderated by Penuel The Black Pen. Free Market Foundation’s Mike Settas, Democratic Alliance’s Michéle Clarke and Dr Confidence Moloko, who has worked within the ANC, dive into this topic to look at the goals and principles of NHI, its implementation and challenges, public perception and its futu...

100 days of GNU… and counting! Is it working? Podcaster, author and YouTuber Penuel The Black Pen is joined by Karabo Khakhau, National Spokesperson for the Democratic Alliance (DA), Ramarumo Mfulwane, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) Deputy Secretary General, and Vuyo Zungula, President of the African Transformation Movement (ATM), plus a live audience to discuss how far we’ve come after 1...

To GNU or not to GNU? That is the question! Renowned political commentator, best-selling author and host Justice Malala is joined by Co-founder and Deputy Leader of Build One South Africa Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, and ActionSA National Chairperson Michael Beaumont together with an interactive audience to explore how far we’ve come after 100 Days of GNU and where we’re going. What are the most signifi...

Less than a week before South Africans head to polls for this pivotal election, thought leaders and commentators Kanthan Pillay, Katlego Moagi, Xavier Bapoo and Roman Cabanac delve into key issues around all the political parties and thestrategic choices facing voters. With pertinent questions from th audience, this is a last deep dive into the current political landscape to try and fathom what is...

Democracy Unplugged – Party Lines on the Crime Crisis As #Election2024 approaches, how are political parties dealing with the crisis of crime that faces South Africa? The problem of crime is something where there is general agreement but what is to be done about it? Free Market Foundation (FMF) partnered with Podcast Party for this special episode of Democracy Unplugged representatives from DA, Ac...

In this special episode of Democracy Unplugged, internationally acclaimed podcaster Eric Weinstein joins Timothy Maurice Webster and Gareth Cliff for this dynamic panel discussion. With Eric as a leading voice in contemporary discourse, renowned for his thought-provoking insights on a wide range of topics; Timothy - best-selling author and speaker known for his expertise in human behaviour - and m...

What is the status of women in politics? Democracy Unplugged this week is an insightful and powerful exploration of the role of not only women, but also the part men have to play in building functional communities. Join moderator Lebang Kgosana and panellists Tessa Dooms, Anele Mda and Craig Wilkinson for this vibrant and constructive engagement. PANELISTS Tessa Dooms is a Director at the Rivonia...

What are first time voters thinking about the upcoming election? In this episode of Democracy Unplugged we delve into the perspectives of first-time voters. Shumikazi Radebe, Tayla Barret and Nkanyezi Ndlovu engage in a lively discussion and answer some tough questions from the audience, moderated by Phumi Mashego. The panelists bring diverse backgrounds, opinions and aspirations to the table, off...

In the latest edition of Democracy Unplugged, three arch-capitalists get together to discuss the South African economy, social class, global influences, politics and job creation. Dr. Jonathan Witt, who is outspoken on social media about many issues; media man Kanthan Pillay, founder of The Capitalist Party and Phumlani Majozi, social commentator and author of Lessons From Past Heroes agree and di...

The very different worlds of Douglas Murray, Professor Ongopotse JJ Tabane and Gareth Cliff come together for this conversation to find common ground on important matters like corruption, international credibility and leadership. The conversation also led to disagreement on some issues with overall respect for open dialogue and critical thinking we would all like to see more of. Douglas Murray is...

Jack Motlanthe opens up the floor for the in studio question and answer session. The audience asked the esteemed panelists their thoughts on, including but not limited to, the upcoming elections and the future of the country.

What is democracy? Is it time for a political remix? Join our esteemed inaugural panel - recorded in front of a live studio audience - with prominent social commentators and podcasters: Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh; Penuel the Black Pen and Mighti Jamie - hosted by Podcast Party’s Jack Motlanthe. Unplugged truth being shared here on the state of the country, and what the future could possibly look like. Join...