Democracy Unplugged

What direction is the SA political train moving in?

Journalist Sam Mkokeli has written a piece titled "Who’s winning the battle of the bulls, Cyril or Ace? And will Busisiwe Mkhwebane survive?" His analysis in the article raises many pertinent points that Gareth and Phumi discuss, just ahead of the second State Of the Nation Address. Brought to you…

20 Jun 2019 54 min

SA's Parliament: The Most Active Old Age Home

Gareth, Phumi and Kanthan have Khaya Sithole join them for this week's edition of The Burning Platform. Khaya doesn’t shy away from voicing his political opinions, which makes him the perfect fit to the team. From questioning what deputy cabinet ministers do, to looking at what might happen to the…

13 Jun 2019 55 min

Cyril’s economy & Jacob's book

Kanthan Pillay makes a triumphant return! Together with Phumi, they discuss Cyril’s gormless economy; Ace Magashule’s insistence on making us all poorer; the real reason the ANC are so interested in the Reserve Bank; whether the Proteas are a threat to National Unity; which cabinet minister you’d want in the…

6 Jun 2019 58 min

A new dawn with old tendencies

Gareth and Phumi pick Ivo Vegter's brain as he gives his take on President Cyril Ramaphosa's new cabinet. Who's in? Who's out? Who are the surprising non-movers? Hear it all, with in-depth analysis here. They conclude with their comments on Helen Zille and Thuli Madonsela's high tea. Brought to you…

30 May 2019 49 min

John Vlismas on post-elections South Africa

It's been a heavy and hot political week, so the best solution is some comedy! Hear what John Vlismas thinks about post-elections SA, Helen Zille's tweets, a Gigaba-free parliament and lots more. Nando's · The Burning Platform

23 May 2019 58 min

OUTA's Wayne Duvenage: Why you should stay & fix SA

OUTA's Wayne Duvenage joins Gareth and Phumi on this week's Burning Platform. He discusses his recent article about how positive people can stay and fix South Africa, corruption, tax abuse and his thoughts on the recent election - COPE, Hlaudi Motsoeneng, and President Ramaphosa's daunting to-do list. Nando's · The…

16 May 2019 1 hour

Elections Are Over... Now What?

He is a liberal, a humanist and a published author but, most of all, a political animal with a deep love for ideas and argument. Gareth and Phumi hear Gareth van Onselen's dissection of the 2019 elections. Nando's · The Burning Platform

9 May 2019 28 min

Crunching The Political Numbers

The Institute of Race Relations has released its latest polling numbers, and to say the least, they have delivered a bombshell, with the think-tank's research showing the governing party could be in danger of losing its outright majority. Gareth and Phumi chat to News24's elections analyst, Dawie Scholtz, via Skype…

2 May 2019 32 min

Charlatans & Cathedrals

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba shares his views on the current political landscape in South Africa, not only from the perspective of a religious leader, but also as the chair of the Electoral Code of Conduct Observer Commission. He also sheds light on the comments he made during his Easter Vigil on…

25 Apr 2019 18 min

Be Vigilant about your Democracy

The courts and our legal system at large have become the battleground for political struggle. We don’t have to look far before seeing that, especially in the past few weeks with the state capture inquiry taking centre stage in the political landscape. One of South Africa’s finest legal minds, Advocate…

18 Apr 2019 1 hour

Elections & Empty Promises

Ramaphoria is well and truly over as Ivo Vegter joins the team for The Burning Platform. What can Cyril possibly say to convince people to vote ANC? Do the smaller parties actually have anything better to offer? Remembering Chris Hani and his legacy, plus a larger discussion around the thoughts…

11 Apr 2019 56 min

The IEC's Got Their Work Cut Out For Them

This week's edition of the Burning Platform kicks off with the thoughts of Sandile and Nono, two members of the youth who share their opinions of South Africa's political landscape. Gareth is then joined by Masego Sheburi, the IEC's Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, who explains the process the Commission is…

4 Apr 2019 1 hr 03 min

Extra Hot Capitalism!

Kanthan Pillay from the ZACP (South African Capitalist Party) joins us to explain their values, plans and people for the upcoming elections. Kanthan has been a contributor to the Burning Platform for a while, and just before he goes into the world of politics we thought we’d give him the…

28 Mar 2019 58 min

A lukewarm president?

In a conversation dissecting the preparation towards the 2019 elections, Siya, Phumi and Kanthan get into analysis around where some of the biggest political parties currently stand, and their take on some of their leaders. How do President Ramaphosa, Mmusi Maimane and Mangosuthu Buthelezi fair when pitted up against each…

14 Mar 2019 52 min

Who knew the name of an airport could be so highly contested?

In the midst of dissecting some of the week's hottest political stories, the team can't help but wonder why the naming of the Cape Town airport has become so highly contested. To add more to this, Advocate Anton Alberts (MP and FF Plus Premier candidate) discusses the FF Plus' perspective…

7 Mar 2019 55 min

SA's own celebrities: Our Politicians

Mayor Stevens Mokgalapa has had an eventful couple of weeks since taking up office in Tshwane recently. To get down to how he's been finding his new role, Gareth and Phumi chat to him about his plans for the city, and the much-publicised Glad Africa contract, before taking a look…

28 Feb 2019 44 min

Why Kanthan is a fan of e-tolls

Yesterday's Budget Speech has the team, including a special analysis from Anthea Gardner, fired up on this edition of The Burning Platform. Kanthan's more surprised that Minister Faith Muthambi has friends, as opposed to her reportedly appointing 27 of them into positions. He also shares his reasoning as to why…

21 Feb 2019 51 min

Is Sovereignty Overrated?

It's been another hot week in the South African political landscape, so naturally this means the team has much to discuss. From Eskom and the ANC's latest musings, to the Thabang Makwetla debacle and AfriForum's latest comments. Where is the line between lived experience vs objectivity? Kanthan chimes in on…

14 Feb 2019 51 min

Who will Bell the Cat?

Brace yourself, things are about to get heated as the country prepares itself for the upcoming State of the Nation. Gareth, Phumi and Kanthan discuss their thoughts around it. The SA Business Confidence Index has fallen in January, but what does this mean for the country? More change is coming…

7 Feb 2019 55 min

Zuma's Twitter account

With talks around a tax revolt, possibly nationalising the South African Reserve Bank, SA backing President Maduro, and keeping up with the BOSASA drama, this week's Burning Platform will leave you questioning the political landscape like never before. Gareth, Phumi and Kanthan interrogate who is truly behind some of the…

31 Jan 2019 49 min