Shows / Democracy Unplugged
Democracy Unplugged
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.
Episodes
Democracy UnpluggedSA’s Illicit Economy
Who's profiting from SA’s black market? Who's paying the price? And what will it take to stop the cycle of chaos? Following from our previous Democracy…
- Democracy Unplugged
Exclusive interview: Rosheda Muller of National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa (NITASA)
Have you ever thought how the gogo on the side of the road selling her vegetables or the flower trader at the station is affected by the decisions made in the…
- Democracy Unplugged
Who really holds accountability in state-owned entities? | Dr Simo Lushaba & Wayne Duvenage
Is political interference endemic in South Africa’s governance failures? Dr Simo Lushaba from the Institute of Directors SA and Wayne Duvenage from OUTA joins…
- Democracy Unplugged
Whistleblowers: Breaking the Silence | Tebogo Khaas and Martha Ngoye
What is the price of speaking out? Four years after the brutal murder of whistleblower Babita Deokaran the conversation about protection and support for…
- Democracy Unplugged
"South Africa has collapsed?" - Lucky Montana
Has South Africa collapsed? Embattled PRASA CEO and now Member of parliament for the MK, Lucky Montana seems to think so. He joins Phumi Mashigo for a…
- Democracy Unplugged
National Dialogue: Beyond the Headlines
Is it fair to judge the National Dialogue before it’s even finished? Phumi Mashigo digs deeper into South Africa’s much-debated, two-day gathering of…
- Democracy Unplugged
What Women Want - with Phumi Mashigo, Ayanda Allie & Mandisa Mashego
What does it mean to be a woman in today’s world, and how do we create a future where women are truly valued? Phumi Mashigo along with Ayanda Allie and Mandisa…
- Democracy Unplugged
Can corruption be beat? With OUTA's Wayne Duvenage, writer Siya Khumalo & Phumi Mashigo
Is transparency possible in South Africa's government? Phumi Mashigo dives deep into political accountability, corruption, and the role of citizens in…
- Democracy Unplugged
Crime, chaos & commissions: What’s really going on in South Africa?
What’s really going on with crime in South Africa? How did we get to this point? Phumi Mashigo gets investigative journalist and AmaBhungane’s Sam Sole to…
- Democracy Unplugged
What's next, South Africa? With Xavier Bapoo
A heated police expose, a judge in the midst of a sexual harassment saga and more have gripped the nation - where does South Africa go from here? Phumi Mashigo…
- Democracy Unplugged
Freedom, force and the Middle East's future | Level Up with Phumi Mashigo
Are we misunderstanding the roots of the Middle East conflict? Phumi Mashigo sits down with Brooke Goldstein, human rights attorney, filmmaker, and advocate…
- Democracy Unplugged
Promises and Pitfalls... GNU in Review with Action SA's Solly Moeng #LevelUp
Where is the GNU headed? Strategist, columnist, lecturer, and Action SA member Solly Moeng joins Phumi Mashigo on #LevelUp to take stock of South Africa's…
- Democracy Unplugged
Is this the countdown to chaos? Iran, Israel and US conflict explained
Is this the countdown to chaos? Phumi Mashigo asks this of activist Elaaheh Jamali as they unpack the rising tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United…
- Democracy Unplugged
Who really shapes South Africa’s policy? Level Up with Phumi Mashigo explores
Who really shapes South Africa’s policy? A growing influence of foreign-funded NGOs in shaping South Africa’s legislation leads Level Up with Phumi Mashigo to…
- Democracy Unplugged
What is AfriForum’s vision for South Africa? Ernst van Zyl answers
What is AfriForum’s vision for South Africa? Following their Democracy Unplugged panel discussion, Phumi Mashigo sits down with the organisation’s Ernst van…
- Democracy Unplugged
David McWilliams on exploring money, how elites use money to control, and how SA can change
What happens when trust in money breaks down? In these economic times, Phumi Mashigo explores money, economies and more with author of "Money: A Story of…
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Cheap cigarettes, costly secrets with Johnny Moloto
Is South Africa serious about fighting organised crime, or just blowing smoke? Phumi Mashigo takes a dive into the dark underbelly of our tobacco market with…
- Democracy Unplugged
Lebogang Ramafoko on foreign funding and the political tension between donors
What are the real-time funding crises in South Africa, and how are they affecting vital health and social services, especially in underserved communities? In…
- Democracy Unplugged
VAT, Budgets & Battles: Unpacking South Africa’s Fiscal Tug of War
With the court now pausing the VAT hike in South Africa, where will the money come from to plug the budget deficit? What happens to the two key bills the…
- Democracy Unplugged
Where is South Africa headed? Justice Malala gives his take, and more
Where is South Africa headed - and what should you be keeping your eye on? Journalist and political commentator Justice Malala reunites with Phumi Mashigo on…
- Democracy Unplugged
What went wrong with South Africa's budget process?
What went wrong with South Africa’s budget process and does the Democratic Alliance (DA) have a case in their court challenge of Finance Minister Enoch…
- Democracy Unplugged
What are the blockages holding SA back? | Level Up with Phumi Mashigo
What are the blockages holding SA back? TikTok sensation Darren Campher shares some of his thoughts, as someone who has kept a keen eye on South Africa’s…
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How does NEDLAC shape South Africa's future? | Level Up with Phumi Mashigo
With South Africa in dire need of faster economic growth - what role does the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) play in shaping South…
- Democracy Unplugged
Who's footing the bill for SA's healthcare woes?
What are the current priorities of South Africa’s health committee? From the NHI to tabled bills - there’s been a lot of talk, and a big spotlight, on the…
- Democracy Unplugged
Still Waters Run Deep at Stilfontein
What is really happening at the Stilfontein mines, weeks after the entire nation’s attention was first pulled to the unfolding tragedy as the police, the…
- Democracy Unplugged
Postponement, problems and public servants
How do the markets, investors and markets respond to market uncertainty in light of the Budget Speech being postponed on Wed 19 Feb 2025? How did we get to…
- Democracy Unplugged
Is South Africa addicted to aid?
Is Donald Trump bullying South Africa with his executive orders? Or does he just know how to use the soft power of aid money? Phumi Mashigo chats to renowned…
Democracy UnpluggedUnpacking SONA
State of the Nation Address with President Cyril Ramaphosa was delivered in just under 90 minutes, in 6773 words he set out his GNU’s blue print for the year…
Democracy UnpluggedLevel Up with Phumi Mashigo: What to expect in 2025
After a decade run as South Africa’s first and longest-running online current affairs show, The Burning Platform is levelling up – Level Up with Phumi Mashigo…
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2024's Political Progress
Where has the political world made the most progress in 2024? Gareth Cliff and Phumi Mashigo are joined by Burning Platform regular commentators, Jonathan Witt…
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Is there a woke agenda in schools?
Is there a woke agenda in schools? And if so, how is it undermining education in South Africa and why should you be worried? Attorney and essayist Richard…
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The Burning Platform : USA Rep. Thomas Massie
How much money is too much in foreign aid? First off catching up, Phumi and Gareth chat about some of the highlights that made news in recent times. Moving…
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Mind Your Mining with Leeto Nthoba
Are the solutions to South Africa's problems political? The year is winding down and South Africa's problems only seem to be ramping up. From water shortages…
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Trump Cards with Timothy Maurice
How do the US election results affect SA? Back to regularly scheduled programming, Gareth and Phumi are in the studio and joined by regular contributor Kanthan…
Democracy UnpluggedThe Burning Platform : 100 Days of GNU Part 2
Welcome to this special episode of Burning Platform - in the last two weeks we’ve held two events hosted by Justice Malala and Penuel the Black Pen, with…
- Democracy Unplugged
The Burning Platform Special : 100 Days of GNU Part 1
Welcome to this special episode of Burning Platform - in the last two weeks we’ve held two events hosted by Justice Malala and Penuel the Black Pen, with…
- Democracy Unplugged
South Africa Branded with Thebe Ikalafeng
How is South Africa viewed by the world? Countries typically have two powers, hard power and soft power. Gareth and Phumi are joined by advocate for a…
- Democracy Unplugged
Schools of Thought with Prof. William Gumede
Where are the buoys in the ocean of South African politics? With more than a 100 days into the GNU, it could be said that South Africa has more questions than…
- Democracy Unplugged
Power Struggles with Mike Sham
What should we make of the political movements? The removal of Cilliers Brink has caused quite a few ripples in the political landscape, Mike sham joins the…
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An Insider's view with Helen Zille
After 100 days of GNU, are we headed in the right direction? South African politics has been a hive of activity in recent times, from questionable hiring…
- Democracy Unplugged
Is the GNU the solution to SA's problems?
Classically-liberal South African YouTuber Sihle Ngobese AKA Big Daddy Liberty takes a hot seat on The Burning Platform to give his take on some of the week's…
- Democracy Unplugged
American Dream...Or Nightmare?
What does America look like after the elections? With Gareth in Bulgaria, Phumi is joined by Jack Motlanthe as co-host as we turn our attention to the…
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Future Prospects with Colleen Makhubele
What does the future hold for party members who change allegiances? After recently leaving the party she founded, Colleen Makhubele joins Gareth and Phumi, as…
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The Burning Platform : Solly Moeng
What exactly is a political commentator and what qualifies a person to be one? Gareth and Phumi are joined by a man who wears many hats, who considers himself…
- Democracy Unplugged
The Burning Platform : Minister Gayton McKenzie
What does it mean to be a minister in the GNU? With the olympics behind us and life settling back to normal, Gareth and Phumi are joined by firebrand minister…
- Democracy Unplugged
Power and Perspective with Alec Hogg
Has journalism gone off the rails? Phumi and Gareth mull over the recent political happenings in South Africa after a busy news week. They are then joined by…
- Democracy Unplugged
Navigating Conflict with Andre Vlok
What options do you have in conflict? Phumi is back after a two week hiatus and she joins Gareth as they jump into the contentious issues shaping our…
- Democracy Unplugged
Politics, Progress, and Priorities with Penuel The Black Pen
What should South Africans prioritise for genuine progress? Gareth Cliff is back in studio and is joined by Penuel Mlotshwa (The Black Pen) to explore the…
- Democracy Unplugged
Deconstructing the Complex World of Politics
How do we deepen our understanding of world politics? With all the news developments taking place in South African politics, Gareth is in studio and joined by…
- Democracy Unplugged
Political Currents, navigating South Africa with Mandy Wiener
Having a hard time making sense of SA's political landscape? In this episode, Mandy Wiener joins Gareth and Phumi to shed light on South Africa's political…
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America’s Election Antics & Assassinations
Where does America go from here after such tumultuous political happenings? A gunman opened fire on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler…
- Democracy Unplugged
Strategic Insights with Gareth van Onselen
So South Africa, what lies ahead? To help answer this question and more, Gareth and Phumi are joined by political strategist, pollster, and commentator, Gareth…
- Democracy Unplugged
A World View
It's been a big week in South African and international politics! Gareth and Phumi talk about the Cabinet announcements and the latest coming out of GNU with…
- Democracy Unplugged
Thinking Caps On
What does the future hold? Gareth and Phumi are joined by the ever insightful contributor Kanthan Pillay as they talk to futurist ,economist and business…
- Democracy Unplugged
The Start of Something New?
Is South Africa ready for a political remix? Phumi is back to join Gareth for another episode of the Burning Platform. They are joined by Gabriel Crouse from…
- Democracy Unplugged
Shaping South Africa's Future
With Phumi unfortunately out sick, Gareth is joined contributor Kanthan Pillay. They have a chat with South Africa's Shadow Minister of Justice, Glynnis…
- Democracy Unplugged
The Burning Platform - What Now?
With the official announcement of this year's election results having been made public, the country now faces the uncharted territory of the possibility of…
- Democracy Unplugged
The Burning Platform : The Day After Elections
Join Gareth Cliff and Phumi Mashigo a day after the elections for a 2- special edition of the Burning Platform. First - Phumi reports back on her fact-finding…
- Democracy Unplugged
The Burning Platform : Pre - Election Special with Wayne Sussman and Dawie Scholtz
A week away from this year's election, we bring you a special edition of the Burning Platform with two guests who can help to make the numbers make sense for…
- Democracy Unplugged
The Burning Platform : Independent Candidates
How serious should we take independent candidates? Do they even stand a real chance of making it into parliament? Gareth and Phumi dig into to the realities…