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
182 Episodes
52 – 72

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

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

Is the ANC too big to fail or to broken not to?

In this week’s episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly we are talk about the state of the African National Congress – and how that impacts our national life. This off the back of the assertion by former president Thabo Mbeki that the collapse of the ANC would have dire…
25 Feb 2022 34 min

Continent unites against the West after Ramaphosa's West African tour

In this week’s episode of Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we look at President Cyril Ramaphosa's four-nation diplomatic excursion to West Africa. We discuss the significance of the visit, and whether it marks a change in SA’s relations with West Africa, as well as the rest of the continent and even…
9 Dec 2021 27 min
52 – 72