Democracy Unplugged

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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.

  1. HACE 1 DÍA

    South Africa’s illegal mining crisis, and why you should care about this

    What really drives South Africa’s illegal mining crisis, and how does this impact you? Phumi Mashigo investigates the complex world of so-called “zama zama” miners and the forces that keep the underground economy alive. She is joined by guests Sabelo Mnguni, National Coordinator at Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA); Kgothatso Nhlengetwa, Artisanal Mining Specialist and founding Director at Imbokodo Mining Services; and African Transformation Movement’s Vuyo Zungula. Together they explore why illegal mining has become such a deeply entrenched challenge in South Africa, and why policing alone may never solve it. The Burning Platform

    1 h y 8 min

  2. 26 FEB

    SA’s budget: Fragile or fixable?

    Is South Africa’s economy on the brink of renewal, or just surviving? Directly after Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered his 2026 Budget Speech, political commentator and author Justice Malala led a high-stakes discussion from Cape Town with politicians unpacking the country’s finances - featuring DA’s Dr Mark Burke, RISE Mzansi’s Makashule Gana, SACP’s Anthony Dietrich and Action SA’s Alan Beesley. The Burning Platform

    1 h y 5 min

  3. 19 FEB

    Inside SA's budget choices

    Is South Africa’s national budget really working for our households? Phumi Mashigo examines what a truly community-centred national budget would look like, from food affordability and social grants to VAT increases, austerity, and fiscal anchors. This conversation is joined by Mervyn Abrahams, Programme coordinator at the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group; Dr Siphesihle Qange, Programme Manager at Seriti Institute; and Liso Mdutyana from Institute for Economic Justice. The Burning Platform

    44 min

  4. 12 FEB

    What has changed since SONA 2025?

    What has been delivered since the last State of the Nation (SONA), and what does that mean for ordinary South Africans? In his address last year, the President signalled a renewed focus on healthcare - from advancing the National Health Insurance (NHI) roll-out, to infrastructure upgrades for hospitals and clinics, to responding to the loss of major foreign health funding from PEPFAR and USAID. This episode helps you assess whether those promises moved beyond rhetoric into real change. Phumi Mashigo is joined by Matshidiso Lencoasa, budget expert with Section 27, the public interest law centre that tracks government policy and spending on essential services. The Burning Platform

    31 min

  5. 12 FEB

    SA’s Water Emergency, with Phumi Mashigo and WaterCAN's Dr Ferrial Adam

    What has changed since last year’s State of the Nation (SONA) promises? At last year’s SONA, water infrastructure was particularly framed as a national priority yet in parts of Johannesburg, the heart of South Africa’s economy, and in municipalities across the country, taps still run dry. Treatment plants fail. Maintenance collapses. Phumi Mashigo, along with Dr Ferrial Adam from WaterCAN, a civic organisation focused on water accountability, look at how this all came to be and whether we can have hope that the dire situation will actually improve. The Burning Platform

    14 min

  6. 5 FEB

    The state of SA’s defence force, with Frank Ntwali & Ricardo Teixeira

    Can South Africa defend human rights without the power to enforce them? South Africa speaks confidently about justice, peace, and human rights on the world stage. But holding that position requires real capacity, and that’s where things get complicated. Phumi Mashigo explores the consequences of a country that still wants to lead morally, but may no longer have the muscle to do so. How does this affect South Africa’s standing - and the lives of its people? Human rights activist and Chairman of the Rwanda National Congress (RNC), Frank Ntwali, and defence analyst and associate editor of The Daily Friend, Ricardo Teixeira, join the conversation to unpack what’s changing, what’s being lost, and what it all means. The Burning Platform

    42 min

  7. 29 ENE

    If democracy is changing, are we changing with it?

    This edition of Democracy Unplugged is a forward-looking conversation on where South Africa, and the world, is headed politically. Phumi Mashigo picks the brains of Ismael Steenkamp, ward 29 councillor from the Patriotic Alliance; Solly Msimanga, leader of the opposition in the Gauteng Legislature from the Democratic Alliance; and Lerato Madisha, grassroots activist and community leader within the Gauteng government from Build One South Africa. This is an insightful look at the impact and the future of democracy. Want to be part of the live audience? Democracy Unplugged records once a month from our Sandton studios. Email contact@podcastparty.co.za to request free tickets. The Burning Platform

    1 h y 9 min

  8. 22 ENE

    Is SA’s education system broken? With Hendrick Makaneta and Dr Linda Meyer

    Higher education in South Africa - are we future-proofing the country, or stuck in an old system? Just after the grade 12 results have been released, Phumi Mashigo hosts a conversation that cuts through the feel-good headlines and asks harder questions about the system. She’s joined by Hendrik Makaneta, education activist, former teacher and director of the Foundation for Education and Social Justice, as well as Dr Linda Meyer; the managing director of ADvTECH, Africa's leading private education provider. The Burning Platform

    31 min
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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.

Información

  • Creador
    Podcast Party
  • Años de actividad
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodios
    150
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Copyright
    © Podcast Party
  • Mostrar sitio web
    Democracy Unplugged

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