TimesLIVE Podcasts Sunday Times Politics Weekly

Sunday Times Politics Weekly

The weekly political show by top journalists of the Sunday Times discussing the week's biggest stories, toughest topics in a tight and guided conversation.

An Arena Holdings Production.

Keywords: podcast, analysis, politics, social justice, news commentary, economy, opinions, accountability
Weekly English South Africa Politics · News Commentary
196 Episodes
1 – 20

Khama wants probe into public finances after Masisi’s ousting

Former Botswana leader Ian Khama has called on the country’s new president, Duma Boko, to launch an investigation into the ousted Mokgweetsi Masisi’s use of government finances during his period in power. Khama says he feels responsible for the 'dictatorship' that ensued after Masisi took power. The former president was in…
9 Nov 20 min

'It's a coalition – the ANC knew it would go with the DA'

Prof Susan Booysen says the government of national unity (GNU) is a coalition with the DA but the ANC invited other parties to avoid political trouble. The Wits emeritus professor and independent research consultant explored the survival prospects of the GNU and the changed terrain in which all political parties…
9 Nov 35 min

‘White racists need trauma healing’: Thuli Madonsela

Former public protector Thuli Madonsela believes white racists should be helped to heal so they don’t wound others. She joined Sunday Times deputy editor Mike Siluma in conversation after she set the cat among the pigeons with a post on her X account suggesting race supremacists need to be helped…
25 Oct 46 min

Zuko Godlimpi says his generation can revive dying ANC

At the age of just 32 and with a possibly illustrious political career ahead of him, acting ANC national spokesperson Zuko Godlimpi admits that the prospect of inheriting a dying party keeps him up at night. 
7 Sep 1 hr 10 min

How we saved Eskom from collapse: utility chair Mteto Nyati

A few months ago Eskom was the black sheep of public opinion, but last month we reported that the utility recorded its highest energy generation levels in six years. It’s not out of the woods yet — chairperson Mteto Nyati says they will execute remaining aspects of Eskom’s recovery plan. Nyati…
4 Sep 58 min

'This ship [ANC] is sinking': Panyaza Lesufi

Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi outlines promising economic plans that will “break the backbone of unemployment” like expanding the Gautrain for residents and plans the government of provincial unity has to make Gauteng a world-class province. Lesufi warns that the ANC is a “sinking ship” and speaks on the government of…
17 Aug 40 min

ANC bigwigs face the music over state capture

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has launched a disciplinary process against three senior party leaders implicated in the Zondo state capture report: Malusi Gigaba, David Mahlobo and Cedric Frolick.
10 Aug 48 min

GNU, DA, race, life and family: Interview with Helen Zille

After the formation of the government of national unity, the DA has emerged as an important player in the alliance. The party's federal chairperson Helen Zille opens up on the Sunday Times Politics Weekly podcast about the considerations of the architecture of the GNU and her relationship with some of…
3 Aug 1 hr 02 min

In conversation with Zingiswa Losi

In this episode TimesLIVE digital politics editor Lizeka Tandwa talks to COSATU president Zingiswa Losi about the formation and the SACP stance on the government of national unity, the ANC’s path of renewal, and the party’s drop in the election results.
24 Jul 1 hr 02 min

Helen Zille will collapse government of national unity, Mantashe tells Sunday Times

ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe tells Sunday Times politics editor Sibongakonke Shoba that DA federal chair Helen Zille will collapse the government of unity. “We are not going to have a parallel government run by Helen Zille. There’s one president here and that president is President Cyril Ramaphosa. Production by: Bulelani…
20 Jul 30 min

Maimane says SA is responsible for influx of Zimbabweans

South Africa allowed Zimbabwe to be run into the ground, says Mmusi Maimane on the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, blaming the government for the influx of Zimbabweans into SA. “If it wasn’t for the ANC’s policy on the government of national unity when [late former president of Zimbabwe Robert] Mugabe…
16 May 1 hour

DA should have burnt the ANC flag instead, says Herman Mashaba

The DA should have burnt the ANC flag instead of the national flag, says ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba says in a wide-ranging interview on the Sunday Times Politics Weekly podcast. The party stirred controversy earlier this week when it launched its election campaign advertisement showing the national flag in flames…
10 May 1 hr 02 min

 Why independent candidate Anele Mda is fearlessly taking on the 'big guns'

Anele Mda, an independent candidate vying for a seat in parliament, says political parties will be chasing after independents but she won’t work with any party. She is our guest on the Sunday Times Politics Weekly podcast with Sunday Times deputy editor Mike Siluma.  We kick-start the conversation by asking…
4 May 52 min

Zuma is out for revenge and has nothing to lose

One of the big election stories has been the Jacob Zuma factor and his uMkhonto weSizwe Party. According to polls and by-election results, the party has outshone parties such as the EFF and the IFP. In this episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly we explain and hopefully demystify the…
18 Apr 37 min

Understanding Elections with Ebrahim Fakir

Mike Siluma sits down with Election expert Ebrahim Fakir to discuss the upcoming South African elections and what you need to know from how they work, to how they are calculated and what you need to do!
28 Mar 34 min

Backing Zuma my worst mistake: Zwelinzima Vavi

Veteran trade union leader Zwelinzima Vavi has had his setbacks, but the “tragic mistake” he is still kicking himself for was to support Jacob Zuma in becoming president of the ANC and the republic. The only mistake, and the biggest mistake, is that I was convinced by some members of…
16 Mar 1 hr 41 min

Israel-Hamas war: the case for cutting ties with Israel

South Africa’s position in the Israel-Hamas war has further strained relations between Pretoria and the Israeli government, culminating this week in the withdrawal of our country’s diplomats from Israel. In this episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly we explore the issues at the heart of the disagreement between the…
9 Nov 2023 37 min
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