Podcast Party Democracy Unplugged

Democracy Unplugged

Democracy Unplugged brings together thought leaders, activists and influencers to untangle the threads of democratic principles, dissect current challenges, and envision what our future could look like. Join the conversation as our panels delve into current affairs, political dynamics and social issues.
Weekly English South Africa Politics · News
709 Episodes
1 – 20

50 Days to Go: SA Politics Heats Up

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…
17 Sep 1 hr 08 min

The ANC Is Falling Apart. Who Takes Its Place?

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…
16 Sep 1 hr 08 min

Is Tobacco Policy Going Up in Smoke?

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…
15 Sep 32 min

The Politics of Protest: 10 Years After #FeesMustFall

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…
10 Sep 1 hr 03 min

Who will take back our streets?

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…
3 Sep 46 min

The Big Debate - Who do you trust to lead our cities?

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…
27 Aug 1 hour

Lukhona Mnguni on the Fight to Fix Johannesburg

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…
20 Aug 53 min

Why is Durban in crisis?

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,…
12 Aug 43 min

Does the world understand Israel?

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…
6 Aug 35 min

Who Belongs? Who Decides?

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…
30 Jul 1 hr 08 min

A Nation Under Pressure

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,…
23 Jul 55 min

What Does America’s 250th Anniversary Really Mean?

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…
9 Jul 37 min

The Illegal Immigration Tipping Point with Rebone Tau

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…
2 Jul 52 min

Politics, Labour and Leadership with MK Party's Patrick Motubase

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…
25 Jun 21 min

Inherited freedom or unfinished business?

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…
25 Jun 1 hr 25 min

Youth Month, Broken Promises and the Fight for Change

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…
15 Jun 41 min

Did the Youth of 1976 Get the SA They Fought For?

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…
11 Jun 33 min

What Would Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Want Us to Remember Today?

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…
4 Jun 52 min

Survival or strategy? SA’s informal economy

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…
28 May 1 hr 11 min
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