Context with Sebenzile Nkambule

We often encounter people at the point where their work looks effortless. We hear the polished delivery, see the confidence and recognise the familiar face. What we rarely see is the preparation, discipline and judgement that make it possible. In this episode of Context , Sebenzile Nkambule sits down with South African broadcaster and news anchor Thembekile Mrototo to explore the art of broadcasti...

What can numbers tell us about who we are—and where we're going? Former Statistician-General Dr Pali Lehohla has spent much of his career trying to make South Africa visible to itself. In this episode of Context , he joins Sebenzile Nkambule for a fascinating conversation about the relationship between data, democracy and leadership. They begin with migration and the extraordinary claims being mad...

What happens when millions of people feel that there simply isn't enough to go around? Not enough jobs. Not enough houses. Not enough places in schools. Not enough functioning healthcare. Not enough opportunity. Eventually, somebody gets blamed. In this episode of Context , Sebenzile Nkambule sits down with lawyer, trade unionist and activist Mametlwe Sebei for a challenging conversation about Sou...

What makes someone ready to lead? According to Dr Lulu Gwagwa, it is not titles, promotions or years of experience. It is self-awareness. In this episode of Context , Sebenzile Nkambule sits down with one of South Africa's most respected executives to explore the inner work of leadership. From helping shape democratic South Africa to serving on corporate boards and mentoring young women across Afr...

In this episode of Context , Sebenzile Nkambule sits down with economist and strategist Xhanti Payi for a thoughtful conversation about purpose, leadership and the unfinished work of building a democratic society. Reflecting on his own journey from corporate economist to entrepreneur, Xhanti explores what it means to lose certainty, rediscover purpose and contribute beyond professional titles. The...

What if one of the greatest measures of a society is not how it treats its most powerful citizens, but how it sees its children? In this episode of Context , Sebenzile Nkambule reflects on childhood as more than a stage to be managed. It is a period in which identity, confidence, imagination and emotional security are quietly taking shape. The conversation explores how children are often expected...

What does it mean to live a life that is fully your own? In this episode of Context , Sebenzile Nkambule is joined by executive coach and psychology professional Khanyisa "Coach Khanyi" Mnyaka for a thoughtful conversation about identity, faith, healing, and the emotional work of becoming yourself. Drawing from her own journey and years of coaching queer individuals and couples across Africa, Coac...

In this episode of Context , Sebenzile Nkambule sits down with entrepreneur Tshepiso Malema for a conversation about possibility. Growing up in Ivory Park, Tshepiso's journey has taken him from gaming and educational technology to chicken farming, startup failure, international exposure, and ultimately the creation of Flockify—an AI-powered platform designed to help African farmers make better dec...

Dignity is one of the most important human needs, yet it is often discussed the least. In this episode of Context, Sebenzile Nkambule explores the hidden costs of poverty, unemployment, migration, and exclusion through the lens of dignity. What happens when people feel unseen? When opportunity feels permanently out of reach? When belonging becomes conditional? Drawing on the experiences of young A...

In this episode of Context , Sebenzile Nkambule sits down with content creator and satirist Ongeziwe 'Ongie' Gusha, whose character-driven skits about the Madlanga Commission have helped thousands of South Africans engage with one of the country's most important accountability processes. At a time when many people are switching off from traditional news, Ongie has found a different way to hold att...

What does it take to stay relevant for nearly 30 years — in one of the toughest industries in the country? From the early days of SAFM in the 1990s to Metro FM, SABC Sport, Classic FM and Power FM, Thabiso “TT” Tema has built something rare in South African broadcasting: Trust. Credibility. Longevity. In this episode of Context with Sebenzile Nkambule , veteran broadcaster TT reflects on a career...

What does international law actually mean for ordinary people? And when justice feels selective — who gets protected? In this episode of Context , Sebenzile Nkambule sits down with international human rights lawyer Wendy Isaack for a deeply personal and intellectually rich conversation on the politics of justice. Drawing on over 20 years of work across Africa, the United Nations, and Palestine, We...

In this episode of Context with Sebenzile Nkambule, financial journalist and communications professional Tehillah Niselow joins the conversation to unpack the state of South Africa’s economy — and what it means for ordinary people trying to build stable lives in uncertain times. From rising costs and economic anxiety to youth unemployment, debt, and shifting expectations about success, this conver...

What does leadership look like when there are no clear answers? In this episode of Context with Sebenzile Nkambule, executive coach and consultant Phetsile Dlamini joins the conversation to explore leadership in uncertain times — not as a theory, but as a lived practice. Volatility is constant and clarity is sometimes delayed. This conversation reframes uncertainty as an invitation to lead more co...

We often speak about African unity as if it is automatic. But beneath that idea are real tensions — between countries, communities, and people. In this episode of Context , Sebenzile Nkambule explores the ongoing friction between South Africans and Nigerians, using it as a lens to examine deeper questions about identity, migration, economic pressure, and belonging on the continent. This conversati...

In June 1986, ten young boys from Mamelodi left home—and never came back. They were later known as the Mamelodi 10 : victims of a brutal apartheid-era operation built on deception, informants, and the systematic targeting of youth. In this episode of Context with Sebenzile Nkambule, we sit down with Mxolisi Malinga, the last surviving member of that group. This is not just a retelling of history....

What does faith look like when everything feels uncertain? In this episode of Context , Sebenzile Nkambule sits down with Father Lawrence for a reflective conversation on faith, doubt, religion, and the evolving role of spirituality in modern life. This episode explores: Whether religion is losing influence Why young people are questioning institutions The rise of personal spirituality Faith, doub...

What do you do when life falls apart — and no one is coming to save you? In this episode of Context , Sebenzile Nkambule explores what it means to rebuild after personal and professional setbacks, and why some of life’s hardest moments become turning points. This episode explores: The emotional impact of setbacks and disappointment Why professional loss affects identity How to rebuild after failur...

Wars are often decided by a few — but lived by millions. In this episode of Context , Sebenzile Nkambule explores the human cost of “big man politics” and how concentrated power shapes war, conflict, and instability around the world. This episode unpacks: What “big man politics” means Why personalised power often leads to conflict Lessons from Iran and historic wars The long economic and social ta...

Is South Africa entering a real era of accountability — or repeating a familiar cycle? In this episode of Context , Sebenzile Nkambule examines the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and what it reveals about power, corruption, and the state of South Africa’s justice system. This episode explores: The allegations at the centre of the Commission How Commissions of Inquiry work in South Africa The risks...

Why are so many people switching off from the news? In a world of constant alerts, endless headlines, and information overload, many people are not becoming less informed — they are becoming overwhelmed. In this episode of Context , Sebenzile Nkambule unpacks the growing phenomenon of news fatigue and what it reveals about trust, media, and how people consume information today. This episode explor...

What happens when success starts costing too much? In this episode of Context , Sebenzile Nkambule explores the hidden emotional and psychological cost of ambition — from burnout and hustle culture to the silent pressure many high achievers carry behind visible success. This episode unpacks: Why ambition feels heavier than ever The emotional toll of constant striving Burnout among high performers...

Why does everything feel so uncertain right now? From economic anxiety and rising living costs to AI disruption, political instability, and constant information overload, many people are experiencing a deep sense of uncertainty — even when life appears stable on paper. In this opening episode of Context , Sebenzile Nkambule explores and reflects on why uncertainty has become a defining feature of...