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.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Survival or strategy? SA’s informal economy
6d 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?
2w ago00:27:07Tap 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
3w ago00:48:27Tap 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?
4w ago00:40:46Tap 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
Transcribe →The Constitution Promises Housing… So Why Are South Africans Still Fighting Evictions?
Apr 100:32:32Tap to summarizeNearly 30 years into democracy, why are housing rights still being fought for in court? Housing is a constitutional right in South Africa, yet for millions of people it remains out of reach. In this episode, Phumi Mashigo sits down with Nomzamo Zondo, Executive Director: Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) to unpack the reality behind evictions, informal settlements, and the widening gap between what the Constitution promises and what people actually experience. From court battles that prevent families from losing their homes to the slow pace of government delivery, the conversation explores why housing rights are still being fought for in court, the tension between law, policy and real-life implementation, and how informal settlements continue to shape the country’s cities. At its core, it asks a critical question: if the Constitution is clear, why are so many South Africans still without secure housing? The Burning Platform
Transcribe →Tobacco Bill Chaos: You Could Be Arrested for Smoking in Your Own Car
Mar 2600:18:53Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Phumi sits down with a parliamentarian to unpack the real impact of the bill, from controversial definitions of “smoking” to the unintended consequences for informal traders and the economy. They discuss: Why smokers could technically be arrested in their own cars or homes The explosive growth of the illicit cigarette market How stricter regulations could hurt township economies Whether the government even has the capacity to enforce the law Is this smart public health policy or a law that misses the mark entirely? The Burning Platform
Transcribe →What matters to South Africa’s youth?
Mar 1900:46:33Tap to summarizeWhat do young South Africans really want from politics today? Recorded live at University of Johannesburg, Phumi Mashigo places students at the centre of the national conversation. Lehumo Dibakoane (UJ SRC President), Donald Mkhwanazi (Student leader), and Angelic Mafadza (Student leader) participate in this candid discussion about youth priorities, political participation, and the realities young South Africans are navigating today. The Burning Platform
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