The best of POWER Talk

Grammy award winner and National Order of Ikhamanga recipient, Wouter Basson speaks to Mondli Makhanya on Music, Identity and Taking South African Sound to the world.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beyond the glamour of the Miss South Africa competition is a finalist whose life has been dedicated to changing lives. Cwenga Koyana Kotu-Rammopo is not simply competing for a crown—she is using one of the country’s biggest platforms to spotlight the often-overlooked realities of adolescent parents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prof Daniel Meyer Professor in the College of Business and Economics (CBE) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) speaks to POWER Talk host Mondli Makhanya on how Broad-Based BEE At A Crossroad: Time For Reform, With A Focus On The Youth See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why South Africans can trust the Constitutional Court’s NHI ruling — whichever way it goes. POWER Talk host Mondli Makhanya speaks to Mark Heywood, health, human rights and social justice activist. In early May this year South Africa’s Constitutional Court became the battleground for one of the most consequential disputes over health legislation since democracy.  See omnystu...

Political influence is increasingly being viewed as a commodity, with access to decision-makers, lobbying, and patronage networks shaping policy and public procurement. Political analyst Tebogo Khaas unpacks how influence is bought, sold and leveraged, and what this means for governance, accountability and democracy in South Africa. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The South African Federation of Trade Unions General Secretary Zweli Nzima Vavi argues that migrants are being unfairly blamed for South Africa’s deepening economic and social challenges. Instead, he says the country should confront corruption, unemployment, deindustrialisation, weak governance and employers who exploit undocumented workers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

American attorney and Director of Impact Litigation at Mississippi Center for Justice ,Rob McDuff who is advocating for Black American farmers joins us to discuss allegations that Black farmers in the United States receive less government support than White South African farmers. The conversation examines the legal claims, agricultural funding policies and the broader debate around equity and repa...

With persistent reports of sexual offences involving minors, Litha Labantu examines whether communities have become desensitised to statutory rape. The discussion explores cultural attitudes, legal protections, reporting challenges and what more needs to be done to safeguard children. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled another Cabinet reshuffle, bringing back former minister Dina Pule to the national executive while promoting several senior members of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in a move that reflects the evolving balance of power within South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU). POLITICAL Analyst Goodenough Mashego unpacks the story. See omnystudio.com/list...

Within days, the country has witnessed the resignation of KwaZulu-Natal Hawks boss Major-General Lesetja Senona, the dismissal of senior SAPS official Rachel Matjeng, and explosive allegations by an uMkhonto weSizwe Party Member of Parliament that Major-General Shadrack Sibiya Khan offered him R10 million in an alleged bribery attempt. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A high delegation of Anti Xenophopic NGO’s Met with President Ramaphosa and Justice Minister on Friday. They are concerned about June 30 and want government to be proactive beyond the 30th of June. Evan Abrahams joins Mondli in studio to unpack Siyafana Sonke's concerns.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sebang Motlhabi, SALGA Chairperson of Public Transport and Roads say municipalities are not ready to execute phase 2 of Aarto. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Families and survivors of Apartheid crimes oppose former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki's appeal bid against TRC cases inquiry. Jessie Waldman gives us an update on the matter.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Power Talk's Mondli Makhanya speaks to Nokulunga Dube about her journey into engineering, the future of electrification and sustainability, and why creating more opportunities for women in technical fields is essential for the industry’s growth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Africa has moved up 4 spots to 60th out of 70 economies in the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook. The report credits gains in government efficiency, energy infrastructure, and anti-corruption efforts.  Chief Economist at Productivity SA Dr says the climb shows reform is working - but long-term competitiveness depends on fixing jobs, education, and infrastructure.  See omnystu...

  Legal expert in Technology Social Media Lerato Ntwampe says South Africans must learn to be more   Cautious and assertive on social media., See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Rebecca Hanlin, Professor of Innovation and Sustainable development at the SARChI Chair in Transformative Innovation at the University of Johannesburg. Talks to Mondli about her work. She oversees their PhD and master's programmes on Innovation and development and is a science, technology and innovation policy researcher specializing in healthcare and renewable energy innovation.  S...

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Blade Nzimande says the dialogue takes place against the backdrop of significant economic, social and technological changes that are reshaping South Africa's development landscape. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kenya is attempting to implement a Shirika plan, a national strategy that seeks to transform refugee management from a humanitarian challenge into a developmental opportunity. POWER Talk host Mondli Makhanya speaks to Edwin Muteenyoka, migration scholar and post doctoral researcher at the Arnold Bergstraesser institute in Germany.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Africa has institutions built “for youth”. But 32.7% unemployment says otherwise. Mondli asks the hard question: are these bodies serving young people, or just serving themselves? We take your calls. What has a youth institution actually done for you? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil, trade, global prices — it all runs through the Strait of Hormuz. Reports say Iran and the US have an initial deal to end hostilities and reopen the waterway. But can it hold?  Dr Kingsley Makhubela joins Mondli to unpack what a deal means for SA’s fuel price, inflation, and global risk. The ceasefire might be step one… the hard part comes next. See omnystudio.com/liste...

History in your change. From today, 16 June 2026, SARB puts 4 new commemorative coins into circulation. The R2 “Youth of 1976” coin leads the series under the theme Education. It marks 50 years since Soweto, 125 years of Charlotte Maxeke, and 30 years of our Constitution. Legal tender at face value — so you’ll see them in tills, taxis, ATMs. A legacy you can spend. See omny...

Mondli Makhanya speaks to young parliamentarians Karabo Khakhau, DA MP & Ndumiso Mvula, ATM MP Youth Day, but are youth actually in the room where decisions are made? Mondli Makhanya sits down with two of parliament’s youngest voices — DA’s Karabo Khakhau and ATM’s Ndumiso Mvula. We ask: does having young MPs change the laws, the debates, the budget? Or is it just windo...

Ibrahim’s friend and former Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan pays tribute to the SA Icon. He tells Mondli Makhanya that Abdulah was many things to many people . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Ramatsemela Masango is one of South Africa’s leading nuclear engineers and business executives. From starting her career at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station to earning a PhD in Nuclear Engineering in the United States, she has built an impressive career spanning energy, science, technology, nuclear regulation and business leadership. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.