Democracy Unplugged

How do the descendants of South Africa’s most famous freedom fighters understand freedom in today's world? Phumi Mashigo speaks with Princesses Swati Mandela-Dlamini and Zaziwe Manaway, two of Nelson and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s granddaughters about the deeply personal stories behind their new Netflix documentary. Serving as co-producers of the Netflix documentary series “The Trials of Winnie M...

South Africa's informal economy is everywhere - from taxi ranks and pavement stalls to township salons and spaza shops. But is it simply a response to unemployment and inequality, or is it becoming the country's real engine of growth and innovation? Justice Malala leads an expert panel for a provocative conversation exploring who South Africa's economy is really built for - and what the rise of in...

What happens when one of the world’s most progressive constitutions collides with corruption, inequality and political dysfunction? In this week’s episode, Phumi Mashigo explores whether South Africa’s democracy is being protected, or slowly weakened, and why the Constitution still matters now more than ever. She is joined by human rights lawyer, policy advocate, and civil society leader, Nicole F...

Did South Africans buy into hope, only to end up confronting more political disappointment? Phumi Mashigo dives into President Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala fallout, the ANC’s growing credibility crisis, and the debate over whether Cyril Ramaphosa is a consensus builder - or simply too passive for the moment South Africa finds itself in. She is joined by Mametlwe Sebei, Lecturer, College of Law, Univers...

Following our previous education discussion, a clearer picture begins to emerge: one defined not just by underperformance, but by mounting pressure. Demand is rising faster than capacity, and while the state continues to expand its role, it’s increasingly doing so through partnerships that sit adjacent to the system itself. So what does this mean in practice? As the model of education begins to sh...

South Africa is a young democracy, yet its voters are ageing while optimism continues to fade. Every election cycle raises the same concerns about youth disengagement and low voter turnout, but the deeper issue may not be a lack of understanding—it may be a loss of belief in impact. For many young people, participation is no longer seen as a meaningful tool for change, especially in the face of co...

What has 30 years of education reform in South Africa actually produced? For more than three decades, James Urdang has worked at the intersection of education, civil society, and social change. As the founder of Education Africa, his work has been shaped by a clear belief that education remains one of the most powerful tools for breaking the cycle of poverty. What makes his perspective especially...

Who is responsible when service delivery stops working, and how do we fix it? Phumi Mashigo moderates this timely conversation with a panel of politicians on the state of infrastructure in South Africa’s urban centres, the barriers to delivery, and the solutions needed to rebuild confidence in our cities. Featuring Freedom Front Plus’ Jaco Mulder, political commentator and Youtuber June Hlongwane...

Nearly 30 years into democracy, why are housing rights still being fought for in court? Housing is a constitutional right in South Africa, yet for millions of people it remains out of reach. In this episode, Phumi Mashigo sits down with Nomzamo Zondo, Executive Director: Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) to unpack the reality behind evictions, informal settlements, and the widening gap betwee...

In this episode, Phumi sits down with a parliamentarian to unpack the real impact of the bill, from controversial definitions of “smoking” to the unintended consequences for informal traders and the economy. They discuss: Why smokers could technically be arrested in their own cars or homes The explosive growth of the illicit cigarette market How stricter regulations could hurt township economies W...

What do young South Africans really want from politics today? Recorded live at University of Johannesburg, Phumi Mashigo places students at the centre of the national conversation. Lehumo Dibakoane (UJ SRC President), Donald Mkhwanazi (Student leader), and Angelic Mafadza (Student leader) participate in this candid discussion about youth priorities, political participation, and the realities young...

A loaf of bread can feed a family for a day - but can it fix a broken political system? A video showing people wearing African National Congress (ANC) regalia distributing loaves of bread to residents with the phrase ‘one loaf, one family - there is life with the ANC’ has sparked a strong public reaction. Phumi Mashigo interviews Tsepo Mhlongo about this video, and to hear his argument that South...

What really drives South Africa’s illegal mining crisis, and how does this impact you? Phumi Mashigo investigates the complex world of so-called “zama zama” miners and the forces that keep the underground economy alive. She is joined by guests Sabelo Mnguni, National Coordinator at Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA); Kgothatso Nhlengetwa, Artisanal Mining Specialist and founding...

Is South Africa’s economy on the brink of renewal, or just surviving? Directly after Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered his 2026 Budget Speech, political commentator and author Justice Malala led a high-stakes discussion from Cape Town with politicians unpacking the country’s finances - featuring DA’s Dr Mark Burke, RISE Mzansi’s Makashule Gana, SACP’s Anthony Dietrich and Action SA’s Alan Beesle...

Is South Africa’s national budget really working for our households? Phumi Mashigo examines what a truly community-centred national budget would look like, from food affordability and social grants to VAT increases, austerity, and fiscal anchors. This conversation is joined by Mervyn Abrahams, Programme coordinator at the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group; Dr Siphesihle Qange, Pr...

What has been delivered since the last State of the Nation (SONA), and what does that mean for ordinary South Africans? In his address last year, the President signalled a renewed focus on healthcare - from advancing the National Health Insurance (NHI) roll-out, to infrastructure upgrades for hospitals and clinics, to responding to the loss of major foreign health funding from PEPFAR and USAID. Th...

What has changed since last year’s State of the Nation (SONA) promises? At last year’s SONA, water infrastructure was particularly framed as a national priority yet in parts of Johannesburg, the heart of South Africa’s economy, and in municipalities across the country, taps still run dry. Treatment plants fail. Maintenance collapses. Phumi Mashigo, along with Dr Ferrial Adam from WaterCAN, a civic...

Can South Africa defend human rights without the power to enforce them? South Africa speaks confidently about justice, peace, and human rights on the world stage. But holding that position requires real capacity, and that’s where things get complicated. Phumi Mashigo explores the consequences of a country that still wants to lead morally, but may no longer have the muscle to do so. How does this a...

This edition of Democracy Unplugged is a forward-looking conversation on where South Africa, and the world, is headed politically. Phumi Mashigo picks the brains of Ismael Steenkamp, ward 29 councillor from the Patriotic Alliance; Solly Msimanga, leader of the opposition in the Gauteng Legislature from the Democratic Alliance; and Lerato Madisha, grassroots activist and community leader within the...

Higher education in South Africa - are we future-proofing the country, or stuck in an old system? Just after the grade 12 results have been released, Phumi Mashigo hosts a conversation that cuts through the feel-good headlines and asks harder questions about the system. She’s joined by Hendrik Makaneta, education activist, former teacher and director of the Foundation for Education and Social Just...

How do South Africa’s laws and policies come to be, and what can you do to be part of the change? Phumi Mashigo dives into the stages and processes involved in making or changing a law, with RISE Mzansi’s Makashule Gana and The New South Institute’s Ivor Chipkin. This episode brings an understand of the nation’s policy making process, how the public can participate in the legislative process, and...

What should citizens be watching — not emotionally, but analytically — as we head into 2026? Kicking off the new political year, Phumi Mashigo speaks to Dr Levy Ndou (political analyst and politics lecturer at the Tshwane University of Technology) for a catch-up on Jan 8, the 114th birthday of the ANC - a liberation movement that became a governing party, and now governs in coalition after losing...

What can we learn from 2025 to anticipate where the world is going next year? In this year-end conversation, State of the Nation host Mike Sham joins Phumi Mashigo for an unfiltered assessment of our political reality. This conversation cuts through the spin to examine local and global happenings, asking what the year truly revealed about accountability and the political path going forward. The Bu...

What will it take to turn South Africa’s municipal crisis around? Can local government still be rescued before the 2026 elections? In this follow-up episode of Democracy Unplugged, moderator Phumi Mashigo brings together panelists from multiple political parties to confront the question head-on. Featuring Afrika Mayibuye Movement’s Sydney Baloyi, PAC’s Jaki Seroke, GOOD’s Sarah Mabotsa and Action...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is re-writing the rules. Are we ready? In this episode of Democracy Unplugged Timothy Maurice Webster leads a dynamic conversation with AI experts George Nichas, Callan Abrahams and Mushambi Mutuma on how AI is reshaping work, creativity, governance, and daily life. The Burning Platform