Sunday Times Politics Weekly

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

Contestation for the Zulu throne is set to intensify

In March this year President Cyril Ramaphosa legally recognised Prince Misuzulu ka Zwelithini as the king-elect of the Zulu people, following the death last year of long-reigning King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu. But subsequent events around the Zulu royal household suggest that the president’s decision does not enjoy universal support…

12 Aug 2022 33 min

Why SA lambasted Eswatini government spokesperson for his comments on crime

This week on Sunday Times Politics Weekly we look at the strained relationship between SA and its neighbours due to an influx of foreigners accused of crime. Recent cases include the gang rape of eight women in Krugersdorp, which has been blamed on illegal foreign miners, and Eswatini spokesperson Alpheous…

5 Aug 2022 23 min

Step-aside issue set to dominate policy conference and influence ANC leadership

Today on the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we look at one of most important events on this year’s political calendar – the ANC’s policy conference, which is in preparation for the organisation’s national conference in December. Hypothetically, if the proposals of the policy conference are adopted in December, they should…

28 Jul 2022 34 min

A province run by personal politics - what to expect from the ANC KZN conference

This weekend, the ANC in KwaZulu Natal holds its provincial conference, as part of the build up to the all-important ANC national Conference in December, which will, among other things choose a new leader for the organisation – and by extension, the new leader of the country. On the Politics…

21 Jul 2022 28 min

Gun control in SA: To arm or not to arm? 

As the nation mourns the deaths of 21 people in three separate shooting incidents at various taverns at the weekend, the silence around gun control in SA's political arena is coming to the fore. A report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime released late last year, found that…

14 Jul 2022 40 min

“The state remains captured,” says Madonsela while explaining the need for amnesty for state capture foot soldiers

With the work of the State Capture Commission finally concluded, this episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly is set aside for a one-on-one with the catalyst for the commission, former public protector who recommended the establishment of a commission into state capture Professor Thuli Madonsela. Madonsela opens up to…

7 Jul 2022 26 min

Farmgate - 'the ANC needs to step aside', says analyst

In today’s instalment of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we look at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s predicament, in the wake of the scandal over a burglary on his Phala Phala farm two years ago. The scandal was set off by the laying of charges including bribery, kidnapping and money laundering, among…

23 Jun 2022 28 min

Is SA ripe to be captured... again?

This week the country was abuzz with the news that the villains of the state capture story in SA, the Gupta brothers, had been arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), pending extradition to SA. In this weeks episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we ask how soon they…

9 Jun 2022 33 min

Ramaphosa vs Fraser - disinformation campaign or presidential scandal?

This week the former head of the State Security Agency Arthur Fraser dropped what looked like a political bombshell – laying criminal charges against President Cyril Ramaphosa.  According to a statement released by Fraser, he has pressed criminal charges against President Ramaphosa which include defeating the ends of justice, torture,…

2 Jun 2022 26 min

Zweli Mkhize’s dangerous tribalistic approach to winning the ANC presidency 

Embattled former health minister Zweli Mkhize used his son’s wedding, over the weekend, as a mini rally to launch his bid to unseat President Cyril Ramaphosa at the ANC’s national conference in December this year. A group of Zulu regiments, along with controversial former Ukhozi FM presenter Ngizwe Mchunu, took…

26 May 2022 33 min

The problem of whiteness and what SA should be doing about it

Despite the end of apartheid 28 years ago, racial incidents continue to be reported in SA's schools with increased regularity, according to South African Human Rights Commission's (SAHRC) Commissioner Andre Gaum. In this episode of the Politics Weekly, we ask what sustains racism in our society, and how we can…

19 May 2022 38 min

Now we know SA was captured, but will knowing change anything? 

Last week the Commission into State Capture, led by chief justice Raymond Zondo delivered its fourth report into state capture. So, in this episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly we reflect on the outcomes of the commission’s work, and whether SA is a better place after its revelations.

6 May 2022 26 min

SA's political shift to racial & ethnic tribalism 

Racial politics and the rise of ethnic pride, are on the agenda for the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, this week. Recently, a new organisation, purportedly standing for the rights of coloured people, or the 'brown people', as it put it, was announced. It was met with skepticism from many quarters…

14 Apr 2022 27 min

Ramaphosa's Catch-22 in dealing with 'ethically challenged' ANC members

President Cyril Ramaphosa has campaigned on a policy of clean governance, but when it comes to cleaning up the ANC he seems to be all bark and no bite.  This week on the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, our panel looks at the question of ethics in political and other leadership…

8 Apr 2022 26 min

The rise of vigilantism and the decay of formalised governance

Today on the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we consider the harm and the need for vigilantly groups, such as Operation Dudula, in modern SA society. Recently, we had a conversation about the challenges of managing immigration in our country, and touched on the activities of organisations such as Operation Dudula,…

31 Mar 2022 26 min

SA’s obligation to foreign allies - “Let’s solve our own problems”

This week on the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we are looking at the controversy surrounding our country’s R50m donation to the republic of Cuba, which has been interdicted by the courts. The panel discusses what our legal and ethical obligations are to allied foreign countries. Can South Africa afford to…

25 Mar 2022 25 min

Government's failures are to blame for tensions between locals and foreigners, say commentators

This week on the Sunday Times Politics Weekly we talk matters immigration, more specifically the activities of the group calling itself Operation Dudula and the Dulula Movement , which have been campaigning against what they calls 'illegal foreign traders' and the employment of undocumented foreign workers. This week our host…

17 Mar 2022 28 min

ANC National Conference: Who are the frontrunners, in a leaderless ANC?

This week on the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we thought we should catch up on the build up to arguably the major political event of the year – the ANC’s elective conference taking place in December. Among other things, we look at the state of play in the provinces, the…

10 Mar 2022 32 min

SA's foreign policy flip-flopping sends poor message to allies

SA’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine has divided public opinion. Some felt our response was too tepid, while others supported Pretoria’s call for a negotiated solution. In this week’s episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we explore the government’s rationale, as well options open to it. Our…

3 Mar 2022 31 min