The best of POWER Talk

The role of music during the South African apartheid era was so profound that it was frequently described as a "weapon of struggle." Music served as a primary vehicle for communication, a psychological tool for endurance, and a global megaphone that turned international sentiment against the regime. Mondli Makhanya spoke to Sipho Hotstix Mabuse – Singer, song writer. See omnystudio.com/liste...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially placed National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola on precautionary suspension. This decision follows Masemola’s appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court, where he faces charges for allegedly contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). In a televised address to the nation on Thursday, the President emphasized that the gravity of the a...

Mondli Makhanya spoke to the Deputy President Paul Mashatile on his plans to fix the "water-shedding" crisis and empower township entrepreneurs through reformed B-BBEE, to fight unemployment and to scrutinize the GNU’s stability and youth skill initiatives while exploring the ANC’s radical decision to allow non-member candidate nominations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

Thousands of former gold mineworkers—many of whom are elderly, critically ill, or have already passed away—now face the devastating prospect of being denied the compensation they were promised. This crisis emerged after the trustees of the Tshiamiso Trust quietly moved to strip legal standing from a vital category of medical certificates. Mondli Makhanya spoke to Ziyanda Manjati Justic...

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has publicly slammed City Power’s newly implemented six-step approval process for rooftop solar installations. The civil action group argues that the framework introduces unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, leading to avoidable financial costs, significant project delays, and an increased administrative burden on residents and businesses alike. Mondli...

In a unanimous landmark decision delivered on Wednesday, the Constitutional Court confirmed that the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) lacks the legal authority to issue binding directives. The apex court clarified that while the Commission plays a vital role in investigating human rights violations, its findings do not carry the same weight as court orders. Consequently, if the SAHRC&...

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has officially touched down in KwaZulu-Natal to begin critical groundwork ahead of the 2026 local government elections. Addressing Parliament’s Home Affairs Committee, the commission highlighted that the road to the polls is paved with significant logistical and administrative hurdles that must be addressed well in advance to ensure a smooth dem...

Reflecting on her recent appointment, MEC Vuyisile Ramokgopa expressed profound gratitude for what she described as a "full circle moment" in her career. She reminisced about her humble beginnings as a 22-year-old shop owner in Braamfontein, contrasting those early days with her current responsibility of steering the growth of South Africa’s largest provincial economy. Embracing the challeng...

The debate over Ownership vs. Jobs is one of the most polarizing topics in South African economic policy, especially as the country faces a prolonged period of "stagflation"—low growth combined with high unemployment and rising costs. On your BEE Series, the core of this discussion revolves around whether B-BBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) should prioritize the transfer of wealt...

Today, we are joined in the studio by a key architect of South Africa’s economic future: Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Zuko Godlimpi. As we navigate the complexities of 2026, our economy stands at a critical crossroads. On one hand, we are looking outward, eyeing the massive potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Mondli Makhanya spoke to Deputy M...

Following the submission of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Final Report to President Nelson Mandela in 2003, a significant mandate was established for legal accountability. The Commission referred several hundred cases to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further investigation and criminal prosecution. These specific matters involved severe human rights atrocities...

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has introduced the Prevention of Illegal Eviction (PIE) from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Amendment Bill, a legislative move specifically aimed at safeguarding South Africans who depend on rental income. Speaking in Pretoria following the bill's release for public comment on April 16, Simelane highlighted that the amendment is designed to validate and...

The Dignity in Every Home campaign is a national initiative dedicated to promoting awareness of domestic workers' rights while empowering employers to foster fair, safe, and lawful home environments. This collaborative effort is spearheaded by the Izwi Domestic Workers Alliance and the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI). Mondli Makhanya spoke to Amy Tekie, the co-founder of Izw...

For many road users, minibuses are viewed as nothing more than speeding death traps, piloted by individuals who operate with a blatant disregard for the law. Because of this pervasive reputation, any public statement regarding road safety coming from a taxi organisation official is usually met with extreme scepticism, if not outright derision. Mondli Makhaya spoke to Theo Malele, National Taxi All...

The suspension of public servants in South Africa reveals a landscape currently defined by a crackdown on misconduct, balanced against significant systemic challenges regarding the cost and duration of these suspensions. The conversation has shifted from mere policy discussion to active enforcement, particularly under the Building of a Capable, Ethical and Developmental State priority of the Mediu...

In a significant diplomatic shift, President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially appointed veteran politician and trained lawyer Roelf Meyer as South Africa’s new ambassador to the United States. The Presidency confirmed the decision on Tuesday night, noting that the move comes nearly a month after Meyer held an initial meeting with the current U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, Brent Bozell. Mondl...

Music tourism has undergone a radical transformation, migrating from the fringes of travel to the heart of global economic strategy. What was once viewed as a niche hobby for dedicated fans is now a primary catalyst for international travel, fundamentally altering consumer behavior. Mondli Makhanya spoke to Barba Gaoganediwe - Chief Destination Marketing Evangelist Gauteng Tourism Author...

In a significant shift in government policy, Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders have been granted the opportunity to apply for permanent residency in South Africa. Deputy Home Affairs Minister Njabulo Nzuza confirmed this development, marking a major reversal from previous regulations which explicitly prohibited permit holders from transitioning to permanent status. Mondli Makhanya spoke to...

A high-stakes meeting intended to resolve the chronic water crisis in Hammanskraal dissolved into turmoil this Monday as residents staged a defiant protest against City of Tshwane leadership. Community members, who have endured years of substandard service and broken promises, gathered in significant numbers at a local community hall with the expectation of a direct dialogue with Mayor Nasiphi Moy...

The collapse of public trust in Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) in South Africa is no longer just a boardroom debate; it has become a central point of friction in the national psyche. Research suggests a perfect storm; of economic stagnation, perceived elite capture, and a shift in focus toward meritocracy has led many South Africans—across racial lines—to view the poli...

The Whistleblower House (TWBH) has officially welcomed the publication of the Protected Disclosures Bill of 2026, hailing it as a pivotal advancement in the mission to fortify legal safeguards for whistleblowers across South Africa. By providing a more robust legal foundation, the Bill represents a necessary evolution in the country’s approach to transparency and accountability. Mondli Makha...

President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing intensifying scrutiny over allegations that he and Major General Wally Rhoode, the former head of the Presidential Protection Unit (PPU), breached the Criminal Procedure Act. The controversy centers on their failure to report a significant theft at the Presidents. Phala Phala farms to local law enforcement, bypassing standard legal protocols required for such in...

The lifestyle audit process targeting members of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Cabinet is steadily progressing, with recent findings highlighting potential discrepancies in financial disclosures. To date, 24 officials within the Presidency have been flagged for further investigation due to suspicions of undeclared income or the concealment of assets. Mondli Makhanya spoke to Stephen Sadie, CEO...

ActionSA has strongly criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa’s failure to disclose the performance agreements signed by his cabinet members. Through a formal written parliamentary inquiry, the party demanded that these documents be made available to the public immediately, arguing that transparency is necessary regardless of whether specific ministers have met their assigned targets. Mondli Ma...

DA Federal Congress: DA’s Road to 2029 In a significant shift for South African politics, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis was elected leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) this Sunday. His victory places him at the helm of the nation’s second-largest party during a high-stakes era, as the organisation balances its current role in the Government of National Unity with its ambitions...