Analysing Day 4 of the Madlanga Commission, we unpack Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola’s dramatic testimony. From his admission that he was unaware of General Mchunu’s decision before flagging concerns about Sibiya to the Minister, to his revealing exchange with President Cyril Ramaphosa, today’s session exposed the deep cracks and high-stakes tensions inside South Africa’s policing and politics.
SMWX Legend, Gogo Aubrey Matshiqi, returns for an overview of the Madlanga Commission testimonies this far. Gogo Matshiqi unpacks Lt Gen Mkhwanazi and General Masemola's testimonies and gives thoughts about who should be next to testify at the Commission and what are the key questions evidence leaders need to put to them.
In this episode, we unpack the Democratic Alliance's announcement of Helen Zille as their Joburg Mayor candidate for the Local Government Elections in 2026. We analyse polls in the last 4 Local Government Elections in South Africa too.
Acclaimed investigative journalist Caryn Dolley unpacks her book Clash of the Cartels. From the shadowy underworld of international drug syndicates to their deep connections in South Africa, Caryn reveals how global crime networks have infiltrated our borders, police, and politics. We also dive into the latest revelations at the Mkhwanazi Commission, connecting her reporting to the shocking claims of political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system. Don’t miss this eye-openin...
The Commission of Inquiry into political inteference in the criminal justice system is underway. Lt Gen Mkhwanazi was the first witness to take the stand and we unpack Day 1 of his testimony. We discuss president Ramaphosa's role in the establishment of the PKTT, and the inter-ministerial committee. We also preview what could happen next. Ayeye!
South Africa is on edge — and we’re unpacking why. Mightie Jamie joins SMWX to make sense of the Madlanga Commission, Lt Gen Mkhwanazi’s testimony, Phala Phala, and the growing claims about syndicates touching politics, policing, prosecutors and even the judiciary.
This week, Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi takes the stand at the Commission of Inquiry after his explosive July press conference shook South Africa. From allegations against senior politicians to claims of a powerful syndicate infiltrating the police, prosecutors, and even the judiciary — this is testimony that could change everything.
South Africa’s social grants are a lifeline—but they’re under pressure. Treasury is pushing cuts and tighter verification, while millions face hunger and unemployment. Is it time to go beyond targeted grants and implement a Universal Basic Income (UBI)? In today's episode of Economic Justice Matters in collaboration with the Institute for Economic Justice, we sit down with: Kelle Howson (Institute for Economic Justice), Thandi Henkeman (Black Sash) and Leandro Ferreira (Brazilian Expert).
Unlocking South Africa’s next wave of growth—through tech, policy, and bold execution. In this episode of In This Economy? (in collaboration with Standard Bank Private), Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh sits down with Melvyn Lubega—entrepreneur, investor, and public-sector advisor—best known as co-founder of Go1, the learning platform that scaled to unicorn status (including the Blinkist acquisition). From boarding school and Oxford to Y Combinator, Melvyn shares the mindset, systems, and failures behind bu...
What is the legacy of OR Tambo. In this panel discussion following the OR Tambo Lecture, some of South Africa's key intellectuals and journalists debate the state of the nation.
In this lecture, Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh reflects on the life and legacy of Oliver Reginald Tambo and what it demands of leaders today. Drawing from Tambo’s words and archives, Sizwe unpacks three pillars of Tambo’s example—radical critic, lawgiver, and statesman—and argues that true leadership must both tell hard truths and do the hard work of rebuilding.
SACP’s General Secretary, Solly Mapaila, joins us for a wide-ranging, hard-hitting conversation on South Africa’s shifting political landscape. We unpack the SACP’s decision to prepare for independent contestation in 2026, the removal of Gwede Mantashe from the party’s structures, the ANC–SACP alliance “reconfiguration” saga, and whether the so-called GNU has already failed. We also dig into Lt Gen Mkhwanazi's explosive allegations, docket interference, and what the coming commission and Parliam...
This week, China became the center of global politics. From hosting Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi, and Erdogan at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, to staging its largest-ever military parade, Beijing sent a powerful message about the future of world order.
In today's episode, we unpack the recent developments with the 121 dockets that were moved back to the KZN Politicial Killings Task Team. The moving of these dockets caused anger and frustration for both the Acting Police Minister and President Ramaphosa. The dockets have since been moved to the Madlanga Commission. Gen Sibiya also claimed that he was summoned to Parliament's Adhoc Committee, and Ian Cameron, David Sikhosana and others rubbished these claims. We unpack all of this and more!...
Lungelo KM, host and founder of Engineer Your Life podcast, joins us for a conversation on a wide-range of issues. From his journey as an electrical engineer to building one of South Africa’s fastest-growing shows.
In this conversation, Professor Zhang Weiwei — one of China’s most influential public intellectuals — sits down with us to unpack how China sees the world, and how the world sees China. From Donald Trump’s failed trade war to the rise of BRICS, from the Russia–Ukraine conflict to the future of Africa’s development, Zhang Weiwei offers unfiltered insights that global leaders and ordinary citizens can’t afford to ignore.
South Africa’s Equality Court found EFF leader Julius Malema guilty of hate speech for a 2022 political rally speech. We’ll unpack the Equality Act (PEPUDA), which underpins the ruling and draws a delicate line between free expression and incitement, and place this verdict within the broader history of South Africa’s struggle to balance dignity, equality, and speech rights.
Investigative journalist Jeff Wicks unpacks his new book, The Shadow State: Why Babita Deokaran Had to Die. From the harrowing details of Deokaran’s assassination, to the R850 million procurement scandal at Tembisa Hospital, to the catastrophic failures of the Hawks, Wicks traces the web of corruption.
South Africa’s political stage was rocked today as the long-awaited Mkhwanazi Commission was unexpectedly postponed before it even began. In this episode, we unpack the commission’s delay, Kubayi’s sharp reaction, and Pandor’s scathing critique of her own party.
Prof Busani Ngcaweni, former Policy and Research Head and Chief of Staff in The Presidency and Principal of the National School of Government, now Director for the Centre for Public Policy and African Studies at the University of Johannesburg joins us on SMWX. Prof Ngcaweni unpacks working in the highest office in the land, navigating politics vs bureaucracy, reflecting on the Presidents and Deputy Presidents that he has worked under and more! Busani also reflects on the Government of National U...
We unpack the story of three DA MPs who were attacked in Phillipi, Cape Town this week. Among them was Parliament's Police Portfolio Committee Chair, Ian Cameron, who suffered some injuries. What does this say about crime and lawlessness in South Africa - let's unpack.
The National Dialogue was even funnier than we imagined. From Uncle Cyril asking the nation why government is failing, to people storming the stage — it had it all. In this episode, we take you through the most absurd and hilarious moments of the National Dialogue, because at this point, satire is the only response.
Are Senzo Mchunu and Dr Malusi Gigaba right to speak out in the way that they have recently? Let's unpack both their statements and the ANC's reaction to the "counter-revolutionary" remarks by these two NEC members!
