This episode unpacks the complexities and power dynamics surrounding the high-stakes meeting between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump. It examines Trump's unconventional diplomatic approach, the challenges faced by South Africa (including disinformation, US concerns over the ICJ case and Iran), and how personal relationships played a role in opening dialogue. The discussion also covers the meeting's structure, the composition of both delegations, strategic messaging for South Africa focusing on trade and regional importance, and the domestic regulatory context exemplified by the Starlink issue. Finally, it touches on the media narrative and the need for clear communication amidst political noise.
In this episode of Power Chat, Daily Maverick’s Ferial Haffajee talks with DIRCO’s Director-General Zane Dangor about South Africa’s role on the global stage. From the G20 summit to the ICJ case in The Hague, they explore the power of partnerships, South Africa’s position as a middle power, and what’s next for the country in international relations. 01:10 Activism and Family Legacy 03:32 International Court of Justice and Israel-Palestine Conflict 05:11 South Africa's Role in Global Justice 08:1...
The Prudential Authority of the SA Reserve Bank is seeking to liquidate KZN-based Ithala SOC due to serious concerns about the state-owned lender’s financial health. In this video, Daily Maverick's Pieter-Louis Myburgh unpacks for Scorpio the recent court application and investigates a questionable Ithala loan. Written & Narrated by Pieter-Louis Myburgh Produced by Bernard Kotze & Emilie Gambade Edited by Rufaro Chiswo Original Theme Music & Design by Bernard Kotze Support journalism that protec...
As negotiations between the ANC and DA over the national budget dragged into the early hours of April 1, 2025, no agreement was reached—deepening the ongoing deadlock within the Government of National Unity (GNU). Just days before, Ferial Haffajee sat down with Deputy Finance Minister Ashor Sarupen to unpack the key issues surrounding the Budget and the GNU. Here’s an excerpt from their conversation. 00:49 Challenges Facing the GNU 02:10 Economic Policy and Taxation Issues 04:04 Energy and Infra...
In this episode of Power Chat, Daily Maverick Associate Editor Ferial Haffajee sits down with South African-born American conservative political commentator, author and Breitbart News Senior Editor-at-Large Joel Pollak for a conversation on US democracy, the Trump presidency, South Africa’s foreign policy, and the future of US-SA relations. A sharp, high-stakes exchange on power, sovereignty, and ideology in a shifting global order. 01:06 Trump's First 100 Days and Executive Orders 02:59 Legal C...
Afrikaner activists have been in Washington, telling people about the plight of Afrikaans farmers and urging the US to lay sanctions against ANC politicians. Rebecca Davis unpacks who they met with and how impactful their visit was. Written & Narrated by Rebecca Davis Produced by Bernard Kotze & Emilie Gambade Original Theme Music & Design by Bernard Kotze Support journalism that protects democracy. Become a Maverick Insider. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider/...
In this episode of Power Chat, Daily Maverick Associate Editor Ferial Haffajee speaks with the Chairperson of the Federal Council of the Democratic Alliance, Helen Zille; they discuss the state of Johannesburg, the challenges of fixing a broken city, and the role of voters in driving change. Zille highlights the impact of cadre deployment, the importance of skilled councillors, and the Democratic Alliance’s strategy for the 2026/2027 elections. Zille contrasts DA-led governance with Johannesburg...
Since at least 2018, a claim doing the rounds on social media alleges that white people own only around 22% of South Africa’s land. This claim has been circulating again now in the light of the recent tensions around the Expropriation Act. But is it true? Daily Maverick's Rebecca Davis explains. Written & Narrated by Rebacca Davis Produced by Bernard Kotze & Emilie Gambade Edited by Rufaro Chiswo Music & Design by Bernard Kotze Support journalism that protects democracy. Become a Maverick Inside...
From business moguls like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, to political insiders like Joel Pollak, several South African men have found their way into Donald Trump’s orbit. Rebecca Davis unpacks who they are, how they got there, and what role they play in the US president’s world. Written & Narrated by Rebecca Davis Produced by Bernard Kotze & Emilie Gambade Edited by Rufaro Chiswo Original Music & Design by Bernard Kotze Support journalism that protects democracy. Become a Maverick Insider. https://w...
Queeny Madikizela-Malema, an alleged ‘informant’ with a murky past, has been murdered. Her story is tangled in claims of rogue state activity, a reported 'jailbreak' linked to Jacob Zuma, and alleged smear campaigns tied to Western Cape policing and politics. What really happened? Watch as we unpack the intrigue surrounding her life and murder. Written & Narrated by Caryn Dolley Produced by Bernard Kotze & Emilie Gambade Edited by Malibongwe Tyilo Original Theme Music & Design by Bernard Kotze R...
In this episode of Power Chat, author and Daily Maverick Associate Editor Ferial Haffajee sits down with Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis to unpack the city’s record-breaking tourism season, the impact of global politics—like Donald Trump’s statements—on local affairs, and the challenges of attracting international investment amid policy uncertainty. Hill-Lewis addresses issues of inequality and public infrastructure and shares insights on maintaining affordable living in rapidly developing ur...
Daily Maverick's Caryn Dolley previously uncovered possible links between fugitive ‘Cryptoqueen’ Ruja Ignatova and South Africa, particularly Cape Town. Now, new clues sparked speculation that Ignatova, wanted globally for her OneCoin cryptocurrency scam, may have been hiding in South Africa, challenging rumours of her murder at sea. Could the elusive mastermind behind one of the world’s biggest scams be closer than we think? Dolley explains. Written & Narrated by Caryn Dolley Produced by Bernar...
Polokwane's mayor, Justice Minister Thembi Simelane's lavish lifestyle raised serious questions. With designer shopping sprees and cash property purchases, her expenses far exceeded her official salary. Follow our three-part investigation as we trace every cent of Simelane's money trail from 2016 to 2020, revealing the gap between her income and her luxury spending. Written & Narrated by Pauli Van Wyk Produced by Emilie Gambade & Bernard Kotze Edited by Malibongwe Tyilo Original Theme Music & De...
Extortion is a massive problem in South Africa. It affects many industries, areas and individuals – and crimes in this arena can prove fatal, people have before been murdered. Railway tracks and construction sites have been disrupted and extortionists even go after pensioners. Restaurants and entertainment venues are also targeted. Written & Narrated by Caryn Dolley Produced by Emilie Gambade & Bernard Kotze Edited by Rufaro Chiswo Theme Music & Design by Bernard Kotze...
A sensational R2-billion drug bust in Limpopo has resulted in five suspects, some of them Mexican citizens, being arrested. Three months ago, cocaine shipped from Colombia was intercepted in KwaZulu-Natal, and cases in Brazil and Australia have also highlighted drug-smuggling links to SA. Written & Narrated by Caryn Dolley Produced by Emilie Gambade & Bernard Kotze Edited by Malibongwe Tyilo Music & Design by Bernard Kotze...
In murky organised crime arenas, the irrefutable facts take the form of a murder toll. A dead body equates to cold, hard fact. The stories spun around it, some which may be intentionally planted to divert from truth and those guilty of crime, need to be carefully unravelled. Organised crime suspect Mark Lifman consistently denied accusations that he was linked to lawbreaking. The businessman was assassinated in the Western Cape town of George on 3 November 2024 while facing accusations, and on t...
This is the scandal that has lacerated the South African Police Service and implicated some of the country’s top cops and politicians. A story of Mandela’s top cop, steeped in apartheid-era sabotage across local and global criminal investigations spanning decades. Add in nefarious individuals, from an informant once close to Colombia’s Pablo Escobar, to several suspected Cape Town crime kingpins, the stakes only get higher. Dolley provides unprecedented insight into how apartheid-era policing st...
Nov 11, 2024•16 min•Ep. 1
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