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
669 Episodes
1 – 20

Mike Sham wraps up 2025 - where do we go from here?

What can we learn from 2025 to anticipate where the world is going next year? In this year-end conversation, State of the Nation host Mike Sham joins Phumi Mashigo for an unfiltered assessment of our political reality. This conversation cuts through the spin to examine local and global happenings, asking…
18 Dec 52 min

Municipal Meltdown: Part 2

What will it take to turn South Africa’s municipal crisis around? Can local government still be rescued before the 2026 elections? In this follow-up episode of Democracy Unplugged, moderator Phumi Mashigo brings together panelists from multiple political parties to confront the question head-on. Featuring Afrika Mayibuye Movement’s Sydney Baloyi, PAC’s…
4 Dec 1 hr 10 min

The AI Reality Check - Are We Ready for 2026?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is re-writing the rules. Are we ready? In this episode of Democracy Unplugged Timothy Maurice Webster leads a dynamic conversation with AI experts George Nichas, Callan Abrahams and Mushambi Mutuma on how AI is reshaping work, creativity, governance, and daily life.
27 Nov 1 hr 15 min

Conviction or convenience - what drives Floyd Shivambu?

What does South Africa need now, according to Floyd Shivambu? And will he be the answer to our political problems? Phumi Mashigo unpacks the evolution behind the headlines with him - from the ANC Youth League to the EFF, a stint in MK, and now his role in shaping the…
20 Nov 1 hr 04 min

Can Helen Zille Really Save Johannesburg?

Johannesburg is falling apart - power cuts, potholes, broken pipes, waste piling up, and corruption choking the city that once symbolised South Africa’s promise. But one of the country’s most formidable political figures says she can fix it. Phumi Mashigo sits down with Helen Zille, the former Mayor of Cape…
13 Nov 40 min

Local Government – Down but not out

Local government is meant to be the heartbeat of democracy. But as cities crumble, services collapse, and trust erodes, South Africans are asking: can our municipalities still be saved? In this episode of Democracy Unplugged, host Phumi Mashigo leads an honest discussion with a panel of political leaders tackling the…
6 Nov 1 hr 18 min

How to break the corruption chain, with Xavier Bapoo, Stefan Grobler and Mike Bolhuis

What does it really take to root out corruption in South Africa? Stand-in host Xavier Bapoo speaks to former South African Police Service (SAPS) Anti-Corruption Unit head Stefan Grobler and specialist investigator Mike Bolhuis about the deep-seated culture of corruption exposed by the Madlanga Commission. This conversation lays bare the…
30 Oct 1 hr 06 min

South Africa's voice in the G20

What does South Africa’s G20 presidency mean for the country’s future? In this episode of LevelUp, Phumi speaks with Ercilia Mata Ubisse, Regional Head for the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) and a member of the Startup20 Foundations & Alliances Taskforce, to unpack how small business, collaboration, and policy…
23 Oct 49 min

Morals in Dirty Politics | With ATM's Vuyo Zungula

How does a values-based politics survive in a system built on power and pragmatism? And what drives a leader who still speaks of conviction in an age of calculation? In the noise of South Africa’s political landscape in flux, African Transformation Movement’s parliamentary leader Vuyo Zungula stands out for being…
16 Oct 51 min

Can business save South Africa?

South Africa is running out of time. Load shedding, unemployment, corruption, crumbling infrastructure - the challenges keep stacking up. But can business step in where government is failing and help put the country back on solid footing? Join us for this urgent conversation with moderator Justice Malala, political economist Moeletsi…
2 Oct 1 hr 22 min

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

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
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