Podcast
Democracy Unplugged
Hosted by Podcast Party · EN
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.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Youth Month, Broken Promises and the Fight for Change
1w ago00:42:27Tap to summarizeWhat happens when a student activist enters the political establishment? Naledi Chirwa-Mpungose joins Phumi Mashigo for a wide-ranging discussion on power, protest, Parliament and the issues that matter most to young South Africans. From jobs and education to the GNU, youth participation and protecting women and children, this episode examines whether South Africa is creating opportunities for its youth, or failing them. The Burning Platform
Transcribe →Did the Youth of 1976 Get the SA They Fought For?
2w ago00:33:53Tap to summarize50 years later - has South Africa kept its promise to the youth? As South Africa marks Youth Month, Phumi Mashigo sits down with Seth Mazibuko, one of the surviving leaders of the Soweto Uprising. Together they explore the promises of democracy, the challenges facing young people today and whether the aspirations of the 1976 generation have truly been realised. The Burning Platform
Transcribe →What Would Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Want Us to Remember Today?
3w ago00:52:50Tap to summarizeHow do the descendants of South Africa’s most famous freedom fighters understand freedom in today's world? Phumi Mashigo speaks with Princesses Swati Mandela-Dlamini and Zaziwe Manaway, two of Nelson and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s granddaughters about the deeply personal stories behind their new Netflix documentary. Serving as co-producers of the Netflix documentary series “The Trials of Winnie Mandela”, Phumi speaks to the pair about growing up within a family that played a central role in South Africa’s liberation struggle, the lasting impact of apartheid on their lives, and the responsibility that comes with preserving an important chapter of the country's history. Through their candid reflections, they offer a unique perspective on legacy, identity and the continuing relevance of the struggle for freedom. The Burning Platform
Transcribe →Survival or strategy? SA’s informal economy
4w ago01:11:12Tap to summarizeSouth Africa's informal economy is everywhere - from taxi ranks and pavement stalls to township salons and spaza shops. But is it simply a response to unemployment and inequality, or is it becoming the country's real engine of growth and innovation? Justice Malala leads an expert panel for a provocative conversation exploring who South Africa's economy is really built for - and what the rise of informal trade says about the future of work, opportunity, and survival in South Africa. Panel: Kefilwe Ndaba - National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa (NITASA) Botsang Moiloa - Action SA Lubabalo Magwentshu - African Transformation Movement Tags: South Africa, Democracy Unplugged, Podcast Party SA, Justice Malala, politics, current affairs, informal trade, economy, news, Action SA, African Transformation Movement The Burning Platform
Transcribe →Can the Constitution Still Save South Africa?
May 2100:27:07Tap to summarizeWhat happens when one of the world’s most progressive constitutions collides with corruption, inequality and political dysfunction? In this week’s episode, Phumi Mashigo explores whether South Africa’s democracy is being protected, or slowly weakened, and why the Constitution still matters now more than ever. She is joined by human rights lawyer, policy advocate, and civil society leader, Nicole Fritz. The Burning Platform
Transcribe →From "New Dawn” to Political Crossroads
May 1400:48:27Tap to summarizeDid South Africans buy into hope, only to end up confronting more political disappointment? Phumi Mashigo dives into President Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala fallout, the ANC’s growing credibility crisis, and the debate over whether Cyril Ramaphosa is a consensus builder - or simply too passive for the moment South Africa finds itself in. She is joined by Mametlwe Sebei, Lecturer, College of Law, University of South Africa. The Burning Platform
Transcribe →Can the gap between education policy and delivery finally be closed?
May 700:40:46Tap to summarizeFollowing our previous education discussion, a clearer picture begins to emerge: one defined not just by underperformance, but by mounting pressure. Demand is rising faster than capacity, and while the state continues to expand its role, it’s increasingly doing so through partnerships that sit adjacent to the system itself. So what does this mean in practice? As the model of education begins to shift toward more specialised pathways, the tension between ambition and delivery becomes harder to ignore. In this episode, Phumi Mashigo explores that gap, and brings in Onwabile Lubhelwana, spokesperson to the Gauteng MEC for Basic Education Lebogang Maile, to understand how this evolving system is being carried forward today. The Burning Platform
Transcribe →Democracy vs Reality: Why South Africans Are Losing Faith in Voting
Apr 2300:33:50Tap to summarizeSouth Africa is a young democracy, yet its voters are ageing while optimism continues to fade. Every election cycle raises the same concerns about youth disengagement and low voter turnout, but the deeper issue may not be a lack of understanding—it may be a loss of belief in impact. For many young people, participation is no longer seen as a meaningful tool for change, especially in the face of corruption, unemployment, and poor service delivery. This conversation explores whether democracy is still showing up in people’s daily lives in a way they can recognise, and challenges the idea that disengagement is harmless. Instead, it argues that stepping away from the process may actually weaken the very system capable of driving change, making active participation more important than ever for shaping South Africa’s future. The Burning Platform
Transcribe →Has education transformation worked?
Apr 2200:40:59Tap to summarizeWhat has 30 years of education reform in South Africa actually produced? For more than three decades, James Urdang has worked at the intersection of education, civil society, and social change. As the founder of Education Africa, his work has been shaped by a clear belief that education remains one of the most powerful tools for breaking the cycle of poverty. What makes his perspective especially valuable is not only what he has built, but what he has witnessed over time. From the early years of democratic transformation to the realities facing schools today, his journey offers a rare long view of how the system has evolved. This conversation with Phumi Mashigo asks a difficult but necessary question. After three decades of effort, investment, and ambition, what progress can we truly see, and what still remains unfinished? The Burning Platform
Transcribe →Broken basics: who’s responsible?
Apr 1600:55:04Tap to summarizeWho is responsible when service delivery stops working, and how do we fix it? Phumi Mashigo moderates this timely conversation with a panel of politicians on the state of infrastructure in South Africa’s urban centres, the barriers to delivery, and the solutions needed to rebuild confidence in our cities. Featuring Freedom Front Plus’ Jaco Mulder, political commentator and Youtuber June Hlongwane and DA's Kingsol Chabalala. The Burning Platform
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