Wide Awake Podcast

Africa Podcast Network
  • 4.2 (5)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
Wide Awake Podcast

The podcast where we look behind the mask, and challenge our preconceived ideas and biases. Politicians, celebrities, gangsters, and murderers all have one thing in common: they're all human.

  1. Raised by Her Kidnapper for 17 Years: Zephany Nurse Story

    11/18/2024

    Raised by Her Kidnapper for 17 Years: Zephany Nurse Story

    In this episode of The Wide Awake Podcast, I interview Zephany Nurse, also known as Miché Solomon, whose extraordinary story will leave you speechless. Zephany was abducted from Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town when she was just two days old in 1997. For roughly 17 years, she was raised by a woman named Lavona Solomon, who kidnapped her, while her real parents searched tirelessly for her. As Zephany grew older, rumours started circulating at school about a younger girl who looked just like her. This led to an unexpected meeting between Zephany and the girl, who turned out to be her biological sister. This revelation set off a series of events, including an investigation, a court case, and a dramatic family reunion. In this conversation, Zephany opens up about her harrowing journey, the trauma of being raised by a kidnapper, the emotional rollercoaster of discovering her true identity, and the legal battle that followed. She also shares insights from her book, which chronicles her life story in incredible detail. Tune in for this gripping and emotional episode.

    1h 30m
  2. Former Satanic Leaders Convert to Christianity

    10/24/2024

    Former Satanic Leaders Convert to Christianity

    In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast, I spoke with Riaan Swiegelaar and Adri Norton, former leaders of the South African Satanic Church. They shared their journeys from Satanism to Christianity, highlighting profound encounters with Jesus that transformed their lives. Adri opened up about her struggle with identity and acceptance within Christianity, which led her to the Satanic Church and ultimately to becoming one of its leaders. Both Riaan and Adri discussed the dark moments that prompted them to question their paths and their decisions to leave the church.

    1h 52m
  3. Duduzane Zuma Speaks on Putin, Jacob Zuma, Gupta Scandal, and His Controversial Past

    09/19/2024

    Duduzane Zuma Speaks on Putin, Jacob Zuma, Gupta Scandal, and His Controversial Past

    In this episode of the Wide Awake podcast, I sat down with Duduzane Zuma, the son of former South African president Jacob Zuma. We had a deep and wide-ranging conversation that covered everything from his childhood in Mozambique and what it was like growing up with a father like Zuma in a family with six wives and 24 siblings, to his encounters with Vladimir Putin and Robert Mugabe. We also touched on some important topics, including South Africa’s current political climate, the town of Orania, and Duduzane’s own political journey as he launched his own party. In addition, we delved into his involvement in major controversies, including his links to the Gupta family, his role in the state capture scandal, and how his connections with the Guptas led to him being debanked. Finally, Duduzane shared the story of the best day of his life. Timecodes 00:00 - Intro 01:30 - Growing Up In Mozambique 04:00 - Zuma Family Dynamics 14:55 - Duduzane’s Mom 21:47 - Crazy Childhood Stories 29:47 - Meeting Vladimir Putin & Robert Mugabe 43:22 - South Africa & politics & Orania 1:13:33 - Duduzane’s Political Journey 1:19:02 - Controversies & Gupta Family 1:42:45 - The Best Day Of Dudu’s life

    1h 57m
  4. Mmusi Maimane On Leaving The DA, Julius Malema, Cyril Ramaphosa & 2024 Elections

    05/22/2024

    Mmusi Maimane On Leaving The DA, Julius Malema, Cyril Ramaphosa & 2024 Elections

    In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast, I spoke with Mmusi Maimane, the former leader of the Democratic Alliance and the current leader of Build One South Africa. We talked about the reasons behind Mmusi's departure from the DA, his predictions for the outcome of the 2024 elections in South Africa, and discussed major issues like Load Shedding, Crime & Corruption, Cyril Ramaphosa, the National Health Insurance Bill, ANC, EFF and the future of South Africa. Timecodes 0:00 - Intro 0:29 - 2024 Elections 17:23 - Julius Malema & EFF 23:05 - What Will SA Look Like In 20 Years 29:05 - Why Mmusi Left The DA 39:48 - South Africa’s Biggest Issues 45:59 - Corruption 47:27 - Load Shedding & ANC 54:36 - NHI Bill & Cyril Ramaphosa 58:36 - Mmusi & Josh Share Disturbing Stories

    1h 13m
  5. Former Leader Exposes The Satanic Church

    05/16/2024

    Former Leader Exposes The Satanic Church

    In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast, I had a conversation with Riaan Swiegelaar, the former leader of the South African Satanic Church. We explored his journey from being a Satanist to embracing Christianity after a profound encounter with Jesus during a satanic ritual. Riaan also shared the immense challenges he faced while leaving the church, including a lawsuit filed against him by other high-ranking members. This legal battle aimed to silence him and prevent him from exposing the shocking truths about Satanism and the activities that took place behind closed doors.

    1h 8m
  6. Gayton Mckenzie Exposes Joshlin Smith Case, Jacob Zuma, Orania & Elections

    05/16/2024

    Gayton Mckenzie Exposes Joshlin Smith Case, Jacob Zuma, Orania & Elections

    In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast, I spoke to Gayton McKenzie, who is the leader of one of South Africa’s largest political parties, the Patriotic Alliance. We discussed former President Jacob Zuma and his new political party called MK. Additionally, we delved into his visit to Orania and his efforts to combat illegal immigration. However, the main topic we discussed, and the reason I invited Gayton back onto my show, is because on the 19th of February 2024, a girl named Joshlin Smith went missing from her home in Saldana Bay in the Western Cape. Gayton has played a significant role in the investigation that followed her disappearance and he even met Joshlin's mother and her boyfriend, who are the main suspects in this case!

    1h 24m
  7. Wayde Van Niekerk On His Comeback, Olympics, Springboks & World Record

    01/17/2024

    Wayde Van Niekerk On His Comeback, Olympics, Springboks & World Record

    In this episode, I sat down with the most well-rounded sprinter of all time, Wayde Van Niekerk. We talked about his road to recovery after suffering from an injury. His unbelievable comeback and reclaiming the number 1 rank in the world. We explored his historic world record breaking run at the Rio Olympics, growing up alongside his cousin Cheslin Kolbe, the Springboks victory at the Rugby World Cup, Usain Bolt, competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics and much more!

    59 min
  8. Ex-Gangster Meets The Mayor Of Cape Town

    01/10/2024

    Ex-Gangster Meets The Mayor Of Cape Town

    In this episode, I sat down with the Mayor of Cape Town and Ex-Gangster Thando. We talked about some of the most significant issues facing South Africa, including the unfortunate reality of people living in Cape Town's most forgotten and dangerous areas, the rising crime rate, the South African military, the housing crisis in South Africa, corruption, education, gangsterism, the impact of load shedding on the country, the DA and their plans for the 2024 elections and the future of South Africa.

    51 min
See All (60)

4.2
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The podcast where we look behind the mask, and challenge our preconceived ideas and biases. Politicians, celebrities, gangsters, and murderers all have one thing in common: they're all human.

Information

  • Creator
    Africa Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2024
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Joshua Rubin
  • Show Website
    Wide Awake Podcast

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada