Democracy Unplugged

The votes have been cast, the results are coming in. But what do they actually mean for your everyday life? Beyond the political wins, losses and negotiations, the outcome of South Africa’s 2026 Local Government Elections could have implications for everything from the water that comes out of your tap, education and the future of your community. In this special episode, we gather experts from acro...

What really happens behind the scenes in South African politics? And how much of what we see is politics as usual, and how much is political performance? Phumi Mashigo sits down with TJ Masilela, host of Palatable Politics, to unpack the inner workings of political parties, democracy and the responsibility that comes with political membership. TJ also tackles a difficult question: if the ANC is fa...

As South Africa heads towards the 2026 local government elections, Siya Sangweni brings political parties in Cape Town together for one last, important conversation before voters head to the polls. What are they promising voters, and what will those promises mean for your everyday life? Featuring Afrika Mayibuye Movement’s Apostle Musa Joshua Mohlala, Build One South Africa’s Kerryn Rehse, the Afr...

What do the numbers tell us about Johannesburg’s local elections? Political and economic analyst Paul Berkowitz joins Phumi Mashigo to unpack the data behind the upcoming local elections. Together they explore what the numbers could mean for Johannesburg, and beyond, and whether they tell the full story of what voters can expect. With so many parties competing for power, what should voters be look...

How do you decide who gets your vote? With South Africa’s political landscape offering more choices than ever, understanding what political parties actually believe has never been more important. In this episode, Phumi brings together highlights from conversations with politicians across the political spectrum, exploring what their parties stand for, the kind of South Africa they want to build, an...

Johannesburg needs a mayor. But what does each candidate believe is broken, what do they want the city to become, and who pays for their plans? In this episode, Phumi Mashigo puts different candidates’ answers side by side, exploring their visions for Johannesburg, the cost of fixing the city, the realities of coalition politics and who stands to benefit from the economic future they imagine. Beca...

As South Africa marks Heritage Day, Phumi Mashigo is joined by Zulu Royal Historian and author Shalo Mbatha to ask: what kind of South Africa are we building for the next 30 years? From King Shaka and the formation of the Zulu nation to apartheid, identity, inequality and belonging, they explore what our history can teach us about our future - and what it will take to build a stronger shared South...

With local government elections less than 50 days away, the political temperature is rising. Phumi Mashigo sits down with Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya to unpack the ANC’s candidate-list chaos, the DA’s missed opportunities, MK’s rise in KwaZulu-Natal and whether the EFF has lost its political edge. Plus: Ramaphosa’s leadership in Africa, Trump and the US midterms, Europe’s shift to the right...

With the local government elections less than 50 days away, South Africa's political landscape is heating up. This week Phumi Mashigo speaks to Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya from the This Is Politics podcast about the ANC's candidate-list chaos, the DA's missed opportunities, MK's rise in KwaZulu-Natal and whether the EFF has lost its political edge. They also discuss Africa, SADC and Cyril R...

Can South Africa get tobacco policy right? What do these decisions mean for you? Phumi Mashigo speaks to Prof Lekan Ayo-Yusuf, Professor of Public Health with more than 20 years of experience across higher education, hospital management, university leadership and executive management. With specialist expertise in epidemiology, health promotion, research and tobacco control regulatory science, Prof...

Ten years after #FeesMustFall, does protest still have the power to change South Africa? From the Wits campus to the streets, student activism has shaped some of the country’s most important political conversations. But has that activism translated into lasting change, and where does a new generation of young leaders take the fight from here? Siya Sangweni leads this conversation with Wits SRC mem...

When basic services fail, corruption takes root and criminal networks become more powerful, what happens to the communities left behind? Phumi Mashigo speaks to Action SA’s Xolani Khumalo about his plans to bring a more aggressive approach to fixing local government as he runs for Ekurhuleni mayor; and whether South Africans should expect more from their leaders. The Burning Platform

Who do you trust to lead our cities? As we wrap Women’s Month, meet the women vying to shape futures as host Phumi Mashigo profiles female mayoral candidates on their leadership, vision, priorities and plans, and what they believe our cities need next. Featuring Build One South Africa’s Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster (Johannesburg), Action SA’s Gibsy Diale (Mogale City) and Land Party’s Ntsiki Mazwai (Joha...

Is Johannesburg ready for a new kind of political leadership? Lukhona Mnguni joins Phumi Mashigo to unpack his vision for the city, from cleaner and safer communities to greater transparency, accountable government and principled coalition politics. He also discusses his political career, learnings from his experience and his journey within RISE Mzansi. The Burning Platform

What has gone wrong in Durban, and what will it take to fix the city? Phumi Mashigo speaks to the Democratic Alliance’s Haniff Hoosen about the challenges facing eThekwini and why residents are increasingly demanding action. In this discussion, Hoosen shares his vision for an eThekwini where communities take action, leaders listen and residents have a stronger voice in shaping the city’s future. T...

Why does Israel believe the world misunderstands its actions? Phumi Mashigo gets into a conversation about this with Ambassador Mark Regev, one of Israel's most experienced diplomats and communicators. Having served as the country's international spokesman, ambassador, and senior adviser to the Prime Minister, Regev has spent decades explaining Israel's decisions to the world. They unpack the real...

In this episode we bring together political leaders and commentators for an unfiltered discussion on one of South Africa's most pressing and divisive issues; illegal immigration and its ripple effect on governance, crime, economic growth, and the future of the country. Following the events surrounding the March and March protests on the 30th of June, the panel examines what really happened, whethe...

Are we paying enough attention to the warning signs? With crime, protest, poverty, and public trust being increasingly intertwined, Phumi Mashigo speaks to two experts to unpack what's driving tensions, political and otherwise, and what can be done to build a more stable future. She is joined by David Bruce, researcher, writer, and analyst; as well as Thato Masiangoako, researcher at the Socio-Eco...

What does Johannesburg need most right now? Better management, bold ideas, or both? Phumi Mashigo speaks with Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster about her journey into politics, her plans to restore confidence in city governance, and what a Build One South Africa-led Johannesburg could look like. The Burning Platform

Can a nation built on freedom still be grappling with who truly belongs? As the United States marks 250 years of independence, Phumi Mashigo unpacks the promises and contradictions that have shaped the American story. She is joined by Charles Belk, founder of "Fitting The Description", a nonprofit focused on addressing wrongful arrests and mistaken identity cases. Charles gained international atte...

What sparked the illegal immigration protests? Recent protests across the country have exposed growing frustrations around illegal immigration, service delivery, unemployment, crime, and the perceived failure of the state to respond effectively. Yet beneath the headlines lies a far more complex conversation about policy, accountability, human rights, and national identity. Phumi Mashigo speaks wit...

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. The Burning Platform

As South Africa reflects on five decades since the Soweto Uprising, a critical question remains: have young people inherited freedom, or unfinished business? Host Siya Sangweni brings together youth leaders to discuss opportunity, inequality, leadership, and the future of democracy in South Africa. Featuring ANC’s Onwabile Lubhelwana, uMkhonto weSizwe’s Sthembile Nkosi, Defend Our Democracy’s Wade...

What happens when a student activist enters the political establishment? Naledi Chirwa-Mpungose joins Phumi Mashigo for a wide-ranging discussion on power, protest, Parliament and the issues that matter most to young South Africans. From jobs and education to the GNU, youth participation and protecting women and children, this episode examines whether South Africa is creating opportunities for its...

50 years later - has South Africa kept its promise to the youth? As South Africa marks Youth Month, Phumi Mashigo sits down with Seth Mazibuko, one of the surviving leaders of the Soweto Uprising. Together they explore the promises of democracy, the challenges facing young people today and whether the aspirations of the 1976 generation have truly been realised. The Burning Platform