Podcast Party Democracy Unplugged

Potential Gangsters

Loading player...
In the beginning of South Africa’s democracy era, a world of vigilantism and dark organised crime was a real problem in the Western Cape. Mark Shaw - Director of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime - tells his story about being part of this team in the early 2000s, as well as the state of policing in South Africa... particularly in the Western Cape. Ian Cameron, Director of Community Safety at Action Society, stops by to report back on his apology from Bheki Cele, as well as sharing his experience working with organised crime units and police in the Western Cape. The Burning Platform The Burning Platform
12 Oct 2023 English South Africa Politics · News

Other recent episodes

Inside SA's budget choices

Is South Africa’s national budget really working for our households? Phumi Mashigo examines what a truly community-centred national budget would look like, from food affordability and social grants to VAT increases, austerity, and fiscal anchors. This conversation is joined by Mervyn Abrahams, Programme coordinator at the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and…
19 Feb 44 min

SA’s Water Emergency, with Phumi Mashigo and WaterCAN's Dr Ferrial Adam

What has changed since last year’s State of the Nation (SONA) promises? At last year’s SONA, water infrastructure was particularly framed as a national priority yet in parts of Johannesburg, the heart of South Africa’s economy, and in municipalities across the country, taps still run dry. Treatment plants fail. Maintenance…
12 Feb 14 min

What has changed since SONA 2025?

What has been delivered since the last State of the Nation (SONA), and what does that mean for ordinary South Africans? In his address last year, the President signalled a renewed focus on healthcare - from advancing the National Health Insurance (NHI) roll-out, to infrastructure upgrades for hospitals and clinics,…
12 Feb 30 min

The state of SA’s defence force, with Frank Ntwali & Ricardo Teixeira

Can South Africa defend human rights without the power to enforce them? South Africa speaks confidently about justice, peace, and human rights on the world stage. But holding that position requires real capacity, and that’s where things get complicated. Phumi Mashigo explores the consequences of a country that still wants…
5 Feb 41 min

If democracy is changing, are we changing with it?

This edition of Democracy Unplugged is a forward-looking conversation on where South Africa, and the world, is headed politically. Phumi Mashigo picks the brains of Ismael Steenkamp, ward 29 councillor from the Patriotic Alliance; Solly Msimanga, leader of the opposition in the Gauteng Legislature from the Democratic Alliance; and Lerato…
29 Jan 1 hr 08 min
All episodes