Podcast Party The Burning Platform - Level Up

The Burning Platform - Level Up

After a decade run as South Africa’s first and longest-running online current affairs show, The Burning Platform, launched alongside CliffCentral.com in 2014 with Gareth Cliff and Justice Malala, is levelling up – Level Up with Phumi Mashigo. Phumi a founder host of CliffCentral and current Burning Platform co-anchor, will continue to bring insightful perspectives and questioning with thought leaders, politicians and social commentators on the critical issues that affect our lives. Podcasts available on Podcast Party app, website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.
Weekly English South Africa Politics · News
657 Episodes
1 – 20

Media, Mayors & Missed Chances: A Joburg Dilemma

Is Helen Zille right for mayor of JHB? Has the mainstream media left us in the lurch when thinking about our choices? And has the ANC abandoned its post when choosing who to put forward for the positions of mayor? Phumi Mashigo asks these of her esteemed panel: Sabelo Skiti,…
25 Sep 49 min

SA’s Illicit Economy

Who's profiting from SA’s black market? Who's paying the price? And what will it take to stop the cycle of chaos? Following from our previous Democracy Unplugged panel on crime, host Penuel the Black Pen continues the discussion with Free Market Foundation CEO David Ansara, Business Unity South Africa CEO…
18 Sep 1 hr 06 min

Whistleblowers: Breaking the Silence | Tebogo Khaas and Martha Ngoye

What is the price of speaking out? Four years after the brutal murder of whistleblower Babita Deokaran the conversation about protection and support for whistleblowers. Phumi Mashigo is joined by social justice activist Tebogo Khaas and whistleblower Martha Ngoye to talk about changing the negative term “impimpi” to a valued…
5 Sep 49 min

"South Africa has collapsed?" - Lucky Montana

Has South Africa collapsed? Embattled PRASA CEO and now Member of parliament for the MK, Lucky Montana seems to think so. He joins Phumi Mashigo for a wide-ranging conversation about changing his allegiance from ANC to MK and what he believes a collapsed nation can gain from his new party…
28 Aug 33 min

National Dialogue: Beyond the Headlines

Is it fair to judge the National Dialogue before it’s even finished? Phumi Mashigo digs deeper into South Africa’s much-debated, two-day gathering of politicians, activists, academics, and community voices. While critics were quick to call it a failure, this episode asks: what did the headlines miss? Political analyst Matlala Setlhalogile;…
21 Aug 47 min

What Women Want - with Phumi Mashigo, Ayanda Allie & Mandisa Mashego

What does it mean to be a woman in today’s world, and how do we create a future where women are truly valued? Phumi Mashigo along with Ayanda Allie and Mandisa Mashego have an unfiltered conversation about womanhood, feminism, and the complex realities women face in South Africa today. In…
7 Aug 37 min

Can corruption be beat? With OUTA's Wayne Duvenage, writer Siya Khumalo & Phumi Mashigo

Is transparency possible in South Africa's government? Phumi Mashigo dives deep into political accountability, corruption, and the role of citizens in demanding better governance for our country. Together with writer Siya Khumalo and OUTA's Wayne Duvenage, they explore whether new political approaches could be the way forward, how money is…
31 Jul 47 min

Crime, chaos & commissions: What’s really going on in South Africa?

What’s really going on with crime in South Africa? How did we get to this point? Phumi Mashigo gets investigative journalist and AmaBhungane’s Sam Sole to unpack the alarming state of crime and policing in South Africa today. Following the theatrics of Police Commissioner Mkhwanazi and more recently, the implications…
17 Jul 37 min

What's next, South Africa? With Xavier Bapoo

A heated police expose, a judge in the midst of a sexual harassment saga and more have gripped the nation - where does South Africa go from here? Phumi Mashigo speaks to political commentator Xavier Bapoo about that.
10 Jul 44 min

Freedom, force and the Middle East's future | Level Up with Phumi Mashigo

Are we misunderstanding the roots of the Middle East conflict? Phumi Mashigo sits down with Brooke Goldstein, human rights attorney, filmmaker, and advocate, to unpack the complex realities of the Middle East conflict. Together, they explore the meaning of freedom, the role of force, and what’s truly at stake for…
8 Jul 27 min

Is this the countdown to chaos? Iran, Israel and US conflict explained

Is this the countdown to chaos? Phumi Mashigo asks this of activist Elaaheh Jamali as they unpack the rising tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States. What’s really driving the conflict? Is the region on the brink of a broader war - or is there still room for diplomacy?…
26 Jun 53 min

Who really shapes South Africa’s policy? Level Up with Phumi Mashigo explores

Who really shapes South Africa’s policy? A growing influence of foreign-funded NGOs in shaping South Africa’s legislation leads Level Up with Phumi Mashigo to interrogate this question. She is joined by Nhlanhla Ndlovu, CEO of NEDLAC Community Trust, a Community Constituency Structure, to explore whether international policy templates are drowning…
12 Jun 44 min

What is AfriForum’s vision for South Africa? Ernst van Zyl answers

What is AfriForum’s vision for South Africa? Following their Democracy Unplugged panel discussion, Phumi Mashigo sits down with the organisation’s Ernst van Zyl for a candid conversation on its roots, its role in defending minority rights, and its views on South Africa’s current challenges and its controversial engagement with U.S…
5 Jun 57 min

Cheap cigarettes, costly secrets with Johnny Moloto

Is South Africa serious about fighting organised crime, or just blowing smoke? Phumi Mashigo takes a dive into the dark underbelly of our tobacco market with industry expert Johnny Moloto. As the Area Head of Corporate & Regulatory Affairs at British American Tobacco (BAT) Sub-Saharan Africa, Johnny unpacks the deep…
15 May 51 min

Lebogang Ramafoko on foreign funding and the political tension between donors

What are the real-time funding crises in South Africa, and how are they affecting vital health and social services, especially in underserved communities? In this powerful episode of Level Up, Phumi Mashigo is joined by thought-leader and social justice veteran Lebogang Ramafoko for a fearless deep dive into the state…
8 May 1 hr 02 min
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