The Political Desk

Ray White reviews the year that was for political parties with Political Analyst, Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast. They also preview the same, ahead of municipal elections next year. 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio station. Bongani makes sense of the news, interviews the key newsmakers of the day, and holds those in power to account on your beh...

Bongani Bingwa speaks with legal expert Melusi Xulu on this week’s political desk, discussing the interviews to find a successor for Shamila Batohi, whose term as National Director of Public Prosecutions ends in January 2026, as well as how the Nkabinde Inquiry is revealing major shortcomings in decision-making in some of the past decade’s most contentious cases.   702 Breakfast w...

Ray White speaks to EWN Reporter Thabiso Goba about the ANC in Johannesburg finally convening its long-delayed 16th Regional Conference, with Morero vs Masuku at the centre of the contest. He also gives an update on former President Jacob Zuma and French arms company Thales, who are back in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.     702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa is broadcast on 702, a...

Bongani Bingwa speaks with Institute for Global Dialogue senior research fellow,  Sanusha Naidu, to provide a round out of the biggest politics stories this week. These covered SAPS commissioner confirming 121 KZN political killing dockets sat idle in Pretoria; MPs brushing off activist Mary de Haas’ details of KZN PKTT ‘abuse and torture’ as hearsay; Ramaphosa pushes back a...

Bongani Bingwa speaks to Sandile Swana, Political analyst to discuss the week that was in South Africa. They focus on South Africa’s accountability systems face mounting pressure as Parliament hears warnings from NPA head Shamila Batohi about organised crime infiltrating law-enforcement, while the Madlanga Commission exposes severe misconduct and political interference within the Ekurhuleni...

Bongani Bingwa speaks to award-winning journalist Mandy Wiener about former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi’s guilty plea to corruption and money laundering linked to over R1.8 billion in tenders and kickbacks , a plea deal that lets him avoid jail in exchange for cooperation with the NPA. Wiener says the case reflects a strategic shift in state corruption probes but raises a key question: Should...

Bongani Bingwa speaks with columnist and essayist Ismail Lagardien, who provides analysis on the week’s key political developments including the DA’s motion of no confidence against Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi amid pushback from the ANC, EFF, and MK Party; Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale’s appearance before Parliament’s ad hoc committee; and revelations from the Ma...

Stephan Grootes speaks to Mark Haywood, social justice activist about the amaPhanyaza and his insights on Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s decision to disband the amaPanyaza, following the controversy over their legal status, on this week’s Political Desk.    702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio station. Bongani makes sense of...

Bongani Bingwa speaks to political analyst and academic Asanda Ngoasheng about a whirlwind week in South African politics. From the Director-General of Social Development facing dismissal over alleged dishonesty, to the ANC in a scramble to unfreeze its bank accounts following a dramatic court order, the headlines have been nothing short of explosive. Tensions are also rising within the police ser...

Bongani Bingwa speaks with Stephen Grootes, host of The Money Show on 702 and CapeTalk, on this week’s political desk. Grootes reacts to several major developments the merger of Rise Mzansi, BOSA, and the GOOD Party to form a new political movement called Unite for Change; KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s testimony before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Commit...

Clement Manyathela speaks to Sanusha Naidu, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Global Dialogue, about this week’s political wrap-up.    702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio station.  Bongani makes sense of the news, interviews the key newsmakers of the day, and holds those in power to account on your behalf. The team b...

Bongani Bingwa speaks to political analyst Prince Mashele about Floyd Shivambu launching his new political party named Afrika Mayibuye.    702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio station. Bongani makes sense of the news, interviews the key newsmakers of the day, and holds those in power to account on your behalf. The team bring you all you n...

Bongani Bingwa speaks to Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi about his call for Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and SANDF chief Rudzani Maphwanya to be removed. This comes after the minister defended the army chief following his controversial comments during a recent trip to Iran.    702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio station. Bongani make...

Bongani speaks to Dr Ntsikelelo Breakfast, Political Analyst, about a whirlwind week in South African politics that felt more like a drama series but with consequences that shape the nation’s future. New research suggests the ANC may retain control of only Limpopo and the Eastern Cape by 2029, with Mpumalanga and the Free State potentially slipping into coalition territory. Malusi Gigaba say...

Bongani Bingwa speaks with Eyewitness News (EWN) Associate Political Editor about two key developments: the South African Communist Party's (SACP) announcement to run independently in the 2029 general elections, and Loyiso Masuku's appointment as the new MMC for Finance in the City of Johannesburg.   702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio statio...

Bongani Bingwa speaks to Tshidi Madia, Associate Political Editor at EWN, about the Constitutional Court’s rejection of the MK Party and Jacob Zuma’s bid to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to appoint Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister. She also discusses Malcolm X’s admission that he called former Hawks boss Godfrey Lebeya during KT Molefe’s arres...

Bongani Bingwa speaks to Tshidi Madia, Associate Political Editor, as she brings sharp insight and political depth to another turbulent week in South African politics on The Political Desk . She unpacks the investigation into Kenny Kunene, found at the home of a murder accused, and questions whether this could damage his standing in Johannesburg or be another scandal he survives. They then examine...

Bongani Bingwa speaks to Tshidi Madia, EWN political editor on some of the events  in South African politics this week. They touch on the uMkhonto weSizwe party having issued an ultimatum to president Cyril Ramaphosa so that he resigns by 9am today or face mass action or a legal challenge.    702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio stat...

Bongani Bingwa speak to senior Political journalist, Tshidi Madia unpacking another dramatic week in SA politics. Minister Nobuhle Nkabane’s claim of misogyny after her budget was rejected has sparked debate over whether it was a genuine critique or a deflection from poor performance, raising fresh questions about gender and power dynamics in Cabinet. In Ekurhuleni, the murder of a city audi...

Bongani Bingwa speaks to Tshidi Madia. Bongani makes sense of the news, interviews the key newsmakers of the day, and holds those in power to account on your behalf. The team bring you all you need to know to start your day  Thank you for listening to a podcast from 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa  Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Breakfast with Bonga...

Ray White speaks to Associate Political Editor Tshidi Madia about the growing backlash over Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s travel expenses, which have climbed to nearly R8 million since July 2024. The latest flashpoint is a four-night trip to Japan that cost taxpayers close to R2 million. While Mashatile defends the trip as “strategic,” critics argue it’s an example of u...

Bongani Bingwa speaks to EWN’s associate political editor Tshidi Madia about the week’s biggest political headlines, from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s parliamentary Q&A, the ousting of Mzwanele Manyi as MK Party Chief Whip, to Minister Solly Malatsi’s latest policy directive and Kenny Kunene’s colourful take on politicking.    702 Breakfast with Bongani B...

Bongani Bingwa speaks to Tshidi Madia, Associate Political Editor at EWN, about key political stories making headlines. They reflect on the passing of former DA chief whip and ambassador Douglas Gibson, remembered for his sharp political insight and recent Politricking interview on leadership and party dynamics. Tshidi also unpacks President Cyril Ramaphosa’s upcoming meeting with Donald Tru...

Bongani Bingwa speaks with Tshidi Madia, Associate Political Editor at EWN for the Political Desk as the week’s political drama unfolds across the country. First, the EFF’s Julius Malema finds himself stuck on home soil after a visa snag—blamed on UK bank holidays—derails his planned speech at Cambridge University. The British High Commissioner has issued an apology, but su...

Ray White speaks to Associate political editor at EWN Tshidi Madia about the tension in the GNU and the postponement of a cabinet meeting in this weeks edition of the political desk.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.