Sunday Times Politics Weekly

Coalition chaos — why we must hold elected politicians accountable

The latest local authority elections have been hailed as an indicator of the rapidly waning influence of the ANC. But they also gave us a foretaste of what life might be like under a national coalition government. To date, that foretaste has at times been sweet, and at other times…

2 Feb 2023 30 min

We all know the solution: get the politicians out of Eskom

As power generation crumbles around our ears, experts are calling to have politicians ousted from Eskom's decision-making processes. South Africa in the throes of the worst power crisis in history and the government has again promised it has a plan to end load-shedding. But given previous empty promises, what is…

26 Jan 2023 29 min

Will forcing politicians to use public services solve service delivery woes?

One of the biggest problems in our country is the failure of the state to provide quality services to us, the citizens – such as public health services, transport and education. This week Sunday Times columnist Prof William Gumede wrote that the solution lies in forcing political leaders to use…

19 Jan 2023 30 min

Zweli Mkhize on ANC presidency, Digital Vibes and Cyril Ramaphosa

On Sunday Times Politics Weekly, Zweli Mkhize chats about what he will do if he is elected ANC president at the party's elective conference this weekend, Digital Vibes corruption allegations and the growing support he has received since being nominated. The former health minister received 916 nominations for the position,…

14 Dec 2022 37 min

A fish rots from the head & the ANC's NEC nominees are giving off a stink

The much-anticipated ANC national conference takes place next week at Nasrec in Johannesburg. Apart from providing policy direction for the organisation, one of the key tasks of the conference will be to choose a new party leadership. But unfortunately for the party, none of its nominated leaders join the fray…

8 Dec 2022 32 min

One on one with ANC treasurer-general contender Pule Mabe

Pule Mabe joins Sunday Times Politics Weekly to reflect on his tenure as ANC spokesperson, speaks about contesting for a top 6 position, competition, dubious cadres and party electoral decline. Mabe is running for the position of treasurer-general alongside presidency special adviser Benjamin Chauke, who received 552 nominations, and recently…

30 Nov 2022 38 min

Masualle on why Ramaphosa must go, ANC factions, NEC, Mkhize as president

Public enterprises deputy minister Phumulo Masualle, chatting to Sunday Times Politics Weekly, says some candidates for the ANC top six don’t deserve support. He motivates why President Cyril Ramaphosa's time in office has expired and rallies behind former health minister Zweli Mkhize. Ramaphosa and Mkhize are the only candidates running…

23 Nov 2022 36 min

Mdumiseni Ntuli diagnoses the ANC, chats Zuma incarceration fabrications

ANC “top six” contender Mdumiseni Ntuli spoke to Sunday Times Politics Weekly. He assesses the governing party and speaks about “lies” he found himself embroiled in with former KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala, including plotting to have former president Jacob Zuma incarcerated. Ntuli is running for the secretary-general position. He is…

21 Nov 2022 38 min

Mashatile talks positions, SOEs, Phala Phala, former presidents

Paul Mashatile hosted the Sunday Times Politics Weekly team at his home to chat, rolling up his sleeves to be “hands on deck” if elected ANC deputy president next month. He is ANC treasurer-general and speaks about his rise to the position. The governing party will elect its new leadership…

16 Nov 2022 31 min

Mokonyane alleges assassination attempts, talks contestation, weeps over Duarte

ANC deputy secretary-general hopeful Nomvula Mokonyane opens up to Sunday Times Politics weekly about dirty politics, why she is contesting and corruption-accused Bosasa. She is hoping to win an ANC secretary-general position when the party holds its elective conference next month. The former environmental affairs minister hosts Kgothatso Madisa at…

9 Nov 2022 31 min

We need to transition from generation that fought for freedom, says Lamola

ANC deputy president hopeful Ronald Lamola talks to Sunday Times Politics Weekly about his personal life and politics. In conversation with special edition host Kgothatso Madisa from his home, Lamola focuses on his life before politics and what he can offer should he pin down the position.  The ruling party…

3 Nov 2022 29 min

I need to put on my big girl panties and keep going: Phalatse

Recent political events in coalition-run municipalities have cast doubt on the viability of such governments. A prime example is Johannesburg, whose mayor Mpho Phalatse and speaker Vasco da Gama were removed last month after no-confidence motions. Phalatse was ousted by an ANC-led coalition that included the EFF and Patriotic Alliance…

27 Oct 2022 29 min

Debate - Ministers salaries may be market competitive, but have they earned it?

While many taxpayers struggle to make ends meet, ministers and their deputies — who earn a salary of between R2.5 and R2m a year — do not pay a cent for municipal services such as water and electricity at their official residences.  City Press reported that the ministerial handbook has been…

21 Oct 2022 32 min

Infighting in Gauteng’s coalition metro’s and the ANC’s leader ship race

In this episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we discuss what has been happening in Gauteng’s metros of Joburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, caught up by coalition government infighting. We also take a look at the latest in the ANC’s leadership race ahead of the parties national conference in December.  Our…

13 Oct 2022 39 min

Eskom’s new chair makes coal costs first target

Mpho Makwana, the new chair of Eskom, has backed incumbent CEO Andre de Ruyter and set his sights on bringing down the price of electricity by reducing the cost of coal supplied to its plants while also improving the quality of the fuel it receives. In an interview with Business…

8 Oct 2022 32 min

New board chairperson says he plans to restore Eskom to an award-winning utility

Today on the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we give you a sneak-peak into our discussion with veteran business leader Mpho Makwana, who is Eskom’s new chairperson.  Makwana gives us insight into his perspectives on Eskom and the seemingly insurmountable energy crisis the country faces. Having worked at the utility before,…

6 Oct 2022 6 min

Eskom - The 'dark side' of political power

In this episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we discuss the politics which has historically shaped, and which continues to shape SA's energy crisis. Our host, Mike Siluma is joined by Prof Mark Swilling chair of the Development Bank of Southern Africa and professor at Stellenbosch University and Prof…

29 Sep 2022 29 min

The ANC's new electoral rules and their continued shortfalls 

By all indications, the ANC’s leadership succession race well underway. This week on the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we assess the likely effectiveness of the party’s new campaign rules, which, on the surface, seek to improve the quality of its leadership. We will also look at the leadership candidates that…

22 Sep 2022 36 min

Is it possible to hold Zuma to account, despite the risk of unrest?

He left office more than four years ago but former president Jacob Zuma has remained a feature in SA's political and public life. This week the Pietermaritzburg high court gave VBS Mutual Bank permission to seize Zuma’s assets to repay a loan of nearly R7m relating to the refurbishment of…

1 Sep 2022 30 min

What will Kenya's recent election mean for SA?

Last week one of the more influential countries in East Africa, Kenya went to the polls to choose a new president. And, not for the first time, the outcome sparked controversy as current vice-president William Ruto narrowly defeated long-time campaigner Raila Odinga. Odinga, who lost the August 9 presidential elections…

18 Aug 2022 29 min