The Burning Platform - Level Up

Empathy & iPhones

The team is joined by Unathi Kwaza this week. Is the very notion of a lockdown classist, or is it broadly applicable and helpful to all South African citizens? Can the formal sector learn anything from the informal sector about navigating a pandemic-ravaged economic climate? Should all laws be equal…

7 May 2020 59 min

We just don't know!

What is the purpose of a lockdown during Covid-19? Is acting reasonably something which can be encouraged, and if so, which countries have done this? Are South African politicians capable of governing the laws they make? Will the death count be the correct metric to gauge the success of measures…

30 Apr 2020 55 min

Ramaphoria is over

Special guest Russell Lamberti joins us this week and asks whether the lockdown in South Africa failed from day one? Is it immoral to prevent people from working? Can we trust the ANC to administer the R500 billion relief fund without being corrupt? The economy of South Africa is now…

23 Apr 2020 55 min

Cyril, Consistency & China

The notion that big business is the backbone of an economy might need some re-examining. Surely some sectors of the economy could be opened up? How and why does short-sighted decision making at Eskom cripple small business? Consistency in the messages being communicated by the government is vital for national…

16 Apr 2020 1 hour

Oligarchs & Lockdown

The lockdown can sometimes feel like a daunting period, especially if you don't understand why it has to happen... yes to save lives, but are there any other tangible reasons for it? From the revelation of oligarchs who may have South Africa's economy at their beck and call, to ensuring…

9 Apr 2020 56 min

Let them eat cake... in isolation

The best way to predict the future is to look at the past. Is there any chance of rebellion from the poor in South Africa if they are forced to comply with lockdown laws? What would this violent outbreak look like? We only have 3 ways of dealing with Covid-19,…

2 Apr 2020 57 min

A Maverick in Knysna

Ivo Vegter tells us why he left the Daily Maverick. As we move into Day 1 of #Lockdown2020 in South Africa, where should we be looking for threats of violence to pop up? The sharp end of capitalism will have brutal effects on the economy at macro and micro levels,…

26 Mar 2020 1 hr 03 min

The ANC Spy Bible

When you leave the intelligence services, can you just go back to a normal life? Public interest and national interest are always in a delicate relationship, but who manages it? South Africa is filled with racial tension - both now and historically. What happened during apartheid if you loved a…

19 Mar 2020 1 hr 02 min

The Public Protector needs protection

The Covid-19 epidemic is now in South Africa and has spread beyond the “Italy 10”. What does this mean for the health structures that already exist in SA, are we prepared to contain it? OPEC and their indecisive nature means Russia and Saudi Arabia are now the kings of the…

12 Mar 2020 49 min

Cosatu ‘declares war’ on Tito's budget

South Africa is officially in a double dip recession, strap yourself in! Does Cyril have the backbone to prevent 'triple dip’ by making the necessary pragmatic calls immediately? The unions have ‘declared war’ on Tito and government's plans to cut jobs and save R150 billion in the medium term. The…

5 Mar 2020 58 min

Tito in a tight spot

Tito takes a hard line at long last. The much-anticipated Budget Speech felt like Tito Mboweni has at last acted as an economist would by cutting state salaries, which although fiscally responsible, will come with a sting in the tail politically. The thorn in the side though is the R16b…

27 Feb 2020 1 hr 02 min

Bloomberg embarrasses Bernie

Mhlanganisi Madlongolwana joins us for a sizzling episode of The Burning Platform, and he unpacks the highlights and lowlights of Cyril’s 2020 SONA. Is the field of politics in South Africa too emotive to allow for constructive intellectual engagement? As SA finds itself leaving 'Ramaphoria' and that honeymoon period of…

20 Feb 2020 1 hr 04 min

SONA 2020 watch

The State Capture inquiry is moving forward slowly... why is it taking so long? If any prosecutions were to be made in the case, would that affect South Africa's outlook short term for citizens? Mandy Wiener details what she would like to hear from Cyril Rhamaposa at SONA. Along with…

13 Feb 2020 53 min

De Klerk & the Dems

Has the Iowa caucus proven that the democrats are a complete shambles? Kanthan Pillay details his lunch with FW de Klerk and the old National Party top brass. Donald Trump's impeachment has been dismissed, even after Romney crossed the floor. America’s foreign policy is clear - pro Saudi. Did the…

6 Feb 2020 40 min

SANEF in retrograde?

Following SANEF backing Daniel Friedman after his suspension, we look at whether they are fit for purpose in their current form? What does free speech mean, can we just say what we want to say or should we be regulated by laws? How do journalists help shape a society, what…

30 Jan 2020 1 hr 02 min

Saint Tito

Is South Africa putting its best foot forward in Davos? Is Tito Mboweni beyond the point of being a corruptible man? What will the effect of The Land Bank being downgraded by Moody’s be? There are guns in the hands of criminals, where do they come from? Should guns be…

23 Jan 2020 53 min

Not so Mutual Manuel

Dmitry Medvedev has resigned, what happens to Russia's government now? Is a lifetime president a democratic notion? Vladimir Putin... political mastermind or monster? Peter Moyo and Trevor Manuel's Old Mutual saga rolls on. Is Bernie Sanders sexist? How is Norway getting the past, present and future so right, while we're…

16 Jan 2020 49 min

ISIS Management

Kanthan Pillay is back for the first Burning Platform of 2020. Is America’s approach in Iran a disaster for the Middle East at large? Is ISIS manageable without Iran’s intervention? Is the DA imploding, or has it already imploded? Helen Zille seem to be at last chance saloon. Will the…

9 Jan 2020 53 min

Boris is your Uncle

Is our president dead in the water? Are open borders a viable option for Africa? Is David Mabuza a loser? Reactions to Boris becoming the UK PM... Twitter hype and election results are polls part. Nando's · The Burning Platform

19 Dec 2019 55 min

Donald & Boris

Kanthan Pillay is joined by Dumo Denga on the Burning Platform and they’re zooming in on the affairs of our eventful country, from the SAA business rescue to Eskom's load shedding rearing its ugly head again. Dumo thinks we could implement better methods of collecting tax where everyone benefits. Then,…

12 Dec 2019 51 min