Democracy Unplugged

The Burning Platform - Hot off the EFF press(er)

The EFF brought quite a lot of heat this week, hot off their press conference. Their Commander in Chief, Julius Malema, didn't shy away from topics like Zimbabwe and Bosasa. Gareth and Phumi discuss that, along with other burning issues, like President Ramaphosa saying investments into South Africa have increased…

24 Jan 2019 50 min

The Reason Why We're Being Loadshed

Gareth and Kanthan Pillay get stuck into some of the week's hottest political stories including the High Court dismissing axed commissioner Tom Moyane's bid to have his dismissal overturned, Malema's latest case, the ANC stating members should trust the party to deal with the Pule Mabe matter, and the BLF…

13 Dec 2018 47 min

Social Justice Is Not Justice

If you're looking for a unique, spicy take on this week's biggest current affairs stories, then this is for you. Comedians John Vlismas and Simmi Areff join Gareth in recapping what has gone down in the world of politics recently. They cover heated topics like the SABC retrenchments, the State…

6 Dec 2018 59 min

A Man You Can Trust

This is a bumper edition of The Burning Platform as Kanthan Pillay heats things up by breaking down the week’s biggest current affairs topics joined by Phumi Mashigo. Discussing Parliament’s Public Enterprises committee, Zuma saying he resigned to save the ANC, and EFF's charges against Pravin Gordhan opens to healthy…

29 Nov 2018 55 min

Gordhan takes the stand!

This past week has had so much heat that the team just had to chat to journalist Katharine Child to break down some of the biggest news stories. She summarises Pravin Gordhan's time in the State Capture inquiry witness stand, the EFF striking outside the Tiso BlackStar offices, and how…

22 Nov 2018 21 min

The Power of a Vote

Following a heated week in the world of politics, Gareth relies on journalist Ivo Vegter to break down some of the biggest stories that grabbed headlines. Amongst other topics, they touch on Barbara Hogan's testimony and Malusi Gigaba's resignation. Imagine if voters had the right to recall ward councillors? And…

15 Nov 2018 36 min

The latest on the SAA saga

The week that was has been nothing short of hot and spicy - that's why it's necessary to have editor of Business Day, Tim Cohen, to discuss some of the biggest political stories. Listen in as he breaks down the latest on the SAA saga, Dan Plato, the new Cape…

8 Nov 2018 18 min

The Brian Hlongwa Corruption Saga & more

Katharine Child is your political expert on the Burning Platform this week - brought to you by Nando's. The Brian Hlongwa corruption saga is a hot topic that reminds us of the unsavoury people within the ANC ranks. The clouds continue to gather over Patricia de Lille as she continues…

1 Nov 2018 12 min

The Estina Dairy saga & Tito's budget speech

Michael Appel returns for the latest edition of the Burning Platform brought to you by Nando's. The Estina Dairy saga could see more deaths as whistleblowers fear for their lives. South Africa's rising debt and Tito Mboweni's plans around it, plus the fate of Tom Moyane and other hot topics…

26 Oct 2018 26 min

The VBS debacle

The VBS Bank debacle is the fiery issue on today's Burning Platform brought to you by Nando's. Ivo Vegter lays all the facts on the table for you to digest, and what this all means for the EFF who have been linked to it all via Floyd Shivambu's brother. Plus…

18 Oct 2018 26 min

Lie in Court, Stay in Power

Taking a look at some of the week's hottest current affairs topics, journalist Katharine Child joins Gareth and the team to comment on Finance Minister Tito Mboweni, the ConCourt's ruling against Malusi Gigaba and Bathabile Dlamini, the Wellington farm attack, and a march by ANC supporters for better service delivery…

11 Oct 2018 24 min

Spy software & Melania in Africa

Stepping up to the hot mic on this week's Burning Platform, Simon Allison opens up about the somewhat worrying Pegasus spyware software. The potential of a rapper-led revolt in Uganda, Liberians take to the streets to demand the return of state funds, plus an interesting discussion around Melania Trump's Africa…

4 Oct 2018 30 min

SABC retrenchments, Trump at the UN & Zuma's secret Qatar trip

Kanthan Pillay presents this week's Burning Platform, brought to you by Nando's. Is the SABC really going to follow the law to the letter with retrenchments? President Trump got the usual attention at the United Nations, but is it all as controversial as it seems? Meanwhile, President Ramaphosa had a…

28 Sep 2018 15 min

Technical Recessions & Opposition Parties' abilities

Mmusi Maimane and the DA show a little panic around the leadership of the Western Cape, which again highlights how the party lacks the necessary leadership to make a big difference in South Africa. Didi Mabuza doesn't seem too bothered about the recession, Enoch Godongwana and the State Capture Inquiry,…

20 Sep 2018 24 min

Lifestyle audits & Government hypocrisy

Michael Appel from eNCA returns with SA's hottest topics on the Burning Platform - brought to you by Nando's. Lifestyle audits, amnesty for #FeesMustFall activists, and Jacob Zuma still making R3 million a year. All of this and more as nothing is spared in bringing you the truth. Nando's ·…

13 Sep 2018 50 min

State Capture Inquiry heats up

With the past week at the State Capture Inquiry heating things up, the #GCS team have legal journalist and writer Karyn Maughn break down the story behind the hot headlines. Former President Zuma’s son Duduzane Zuma, Rajesh and Ajay Gupta have all applied for the right to cross-examine former Deputy…

6 Sep 2018 22 min

The State Capture Inquiry

The State Capture Inquiry is the hottest topic in SA right now, with eNCA reporter Michael Appel getting into the hot seat to discuss it on The Burning Platform presented by Nando's. From the credibility of the witnesses to the levels of power the Guptas held over cabinet, this is…

30 Aug 2018 21 min

The sorry story of SARS

SARS are struggling to regain the control they once proudly held prior to Tom Moyane came to power. Pauli van Wyk brings this hot topic to you on this edition of the Burning Platform brought to you by Nando's. The State Capture enquiry also gets reviewed, the crippling effect of…

23 Aug 2018 33 min

A different take on 'The Land'

Ivo Vegter went along to some of the Constitutional Amendment hearings tabling the great land debate, and with that has some interesting feedback on this week's Burning Platform, brought to you by Nando's. Historical claims versus emotional claims to people just getting bussed into an area to make some noise,…

16 Aug 2018 43 min

Land Reform & the NPA gets some heat

Justice returns to studio for the last time on the Burning Platform brought to you by Nando's. He leaves on a fiery footing as he delves deep into Cyril Ramaphosa's strange sudden announcement around changing the constitution on land reform. Justice and Gareth assess all the elements at play here,…

2 Aug 2018 39 min