How to Fix South Africa: Emigration, Economics & Urgent Reform

Loading player...
In this episode of How to Fix South Africa, journalist and strategist Kanthan Pillay joins us for a candid look at what’s driving South Africans to leave the country—and how we can fix it.

From the headline-grabbing exit of 49 Afrikaners to the broader crisis of systemic unemployment and policy failure, Kanthan unpacks what’s really behind the brain drain. He explores why race-based legislation and red tape are stalling South Africa’s growth—and what urgent reforms could reverse the decline.

We dive into the economic consequences of overregulation, the pitfalls of BEE in its current form, and the worrying gap between GDP and population growth. Plus, what does the upcoming meeting between Ramaphosa and Trump really mean for SA’s future?

📉 “74 people leave SA every day—focus on the why, not the who.”
📚 Don’t miss the call to action: fiscal transparency, meritocracy, and real accountability for SOEs.

Listen now to discover what it would actually take to fix South Africa.

🔎 Guest: Kanthan Pillay
📍 Book signing: Exclusive Books, Nickelway (Winnie Mandela Drive)
📘 Book: How to Fix South Africa
19 May English South Africa Business · Non-Profit

Other recent episodes

Grow Giraffe App Revolutionises South Africa’s Preschool Management

In this episode, Samm Marshall speaks to Tracey Chambers, CEO of Grow ECD, about how the Grow Giraffe App is transforming preschool management across South Africa. With over 4,900 early childhood centers now using the platform, Grow Giraffe is helping ECD owners streamline operations, manage finances, track learner progress, and…
1 Nov 21 min

Intro for the Triple P Bottom Line — Unplugged Interview

Today on The Triple P Bottom Line — Unplugged, Samm Marshall and Diane Naidoo sit down with Candice Knipe-Tlhotlhalemajoe, a powerhouse in corporate sustainability and Africa’s green-economy movement. Candice shares her journey of aligning profit, people, and planet, the challenges of embedding ESG in African organisations, and why she believes…
31 Oct 51 min

Champion Edition: Morgan Chen-Heyneke — Aim. Focus. Inspire.

This week, The Social Impact Show continues its celebration of young South African champions. Morgan Chen-Heyneke, an award-winning junior archer from Gauteng, joins Samm Marshall to share her journey — from discovering archery to competing at national level and learning what it really means to have a champion’s mindset. Morgan…
31 Oct 15 min

Little Ears, Big Potential — Changing How South Africa Listens

In this powerful episode of The Social Impact Show with Samm Marshall, we speak to Jessica McGuire, Director and Founder of Hope Hear and a leading voice in the Hold My Hand Community, about transforming how South Africa supports children with hearing loss. Every day, babies are born with hearing…
30 Oct 18 min

Redefining Creativity: Red & Yellow’s Big Wins at the 2025 Loeries

In this episode of The Social Impact Show with Samm Marshall, we celebrate a moment of creative triumph! Fresh from their incredible 13 wins at the 2025 Loerie Awards, we sit down with Verusha Maharaj, Managing Director of Red & Yellow Creative School of Business, to explore what fuels this…
30 Oct 13 min