In a solo episode of The Readiness Report, Redi Tlhabi turns the microphone on her own industry — calling out how South African broadcasting has mishandled coverage of US–South Africa relations. From misplaced outrage to narratives driven by vested interests, Tlhabi unpacks the dangers of a media captured by factional agendas and reminds us what journalism is, and isn’t, meant to do. 

00:29 Media's Role in US-SA Relations 
01:19 The Influence of Vested Interests 
02:38 Understanding US Legislative Processes 
03:31 The First Proposed Bill 
08:07 The Second Proposed Bill 
10:21 The Importance of Background Checks 
15:09 Symbolism in Legislation 
16:16 Media's Role in Shaping Perception 
20:51 Opinion Pieces and Their Impact 
21:54 The Bigger Picture 
23:26 Call for Discernment 

Produced by Emilie Gambade, Bernard Kotze & Joel Seboa 

You can listen to the podcast everywhere, including Spotify! 

Support journalism that protects democracy. Become a Maverick Insider. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider/

UNAIDS head Winnie Byanyima joins Redi Tlhabi to unpack HIV funding, health justice, and democracy under threat. From South Africa to the UN, she reveals what it takes to lead—and why the world must act now. A bold, urgent conversation on rights, resistance, and real change. 

Read more about the report, "UNAids HIV/Aids report calls for ‘global solidarity’ in face of mass funding cuts": https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-10-unaids-hiv-aids-report-calls-for-global-solidarity-in-face-of-mass-funding-cuts/ 

"The UNAids Global Aids Update 2025, launched on 10 July, shows ‘remarkable achievements’ in the worldwide effort to combat HIV/Aids. However, because of the cut in USAid funding, there could be an additional six million HIV infections and an additional four million Aids-related deaths by 2029." 

01:21 State of Global HIV/AIDS Funding 
04:01 Impact of Funding Cuts 
05:42 Global Backlash Against Rights 
06:37 Positive Developments Amidst Challenges 
07:24 The Importance of Global Solidarity 
08:38 Success Stories in the HIV Response 
11:10 South Africa's Role in HIV Research 
14:05 Global Financial Imbalances 
14:42 Reforming Global Financial Institutions 
19:36 Personal and Political Struggles in Uganda 
23:28 The Fight for Equality and Democracy 

Produced by Emilie Gambade & Bernard Kotze 

You can listen to the podcast everywhere, including Spotify! 

Support journalism that protects democracy. Become a Maverick Insider. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider/

Senior journalist Rebecca Davis highlights a disturbing trend on South African social media: fake accounts, copy-paste tweets, and manufactured praise for politicians. From the ANC to ActionSA, online manipulation is simulating public support and it’s already impacting political discourse. With the 2026 elections around the corner, this could be a threat to democracy. 

Reporting by: Rebecca Davis 
Produced by: Emilie Gambade 
Edited by: Rufaro Chiswo 
Filmed by: Bernard Kotze & Joel Seboa 
Sub-edited by: Mike van Olst 

Support journalism that protects democracy. Become a Maverick Insider. 
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider/ 

Once a firebrand of the EFF, now a brief resident of Zuma’s MK party, Floyd Shivambu is re-emerging—this time with plans to launch his own political movement. But after being sidelined in yet another party power struggle, is this a comeback or just more political wandering? Marianne Thamm unpacks the theatrics, the ideology, and the irony. 

Reporting by: Marianne Thamm 
Filmed by: Bernard Kotze & Joel Seboa 
Edited by: Joel Seboa 
Produced by: Emilie Gambade
Sub-edited by: Kevin Flynn 

Marianne Thamm is a South African journalist, author and stand-up comedian. She is the assistant editor of the Daily Maverick and has written several books. In 2016, she released the memoir, Hitler, Verwoerd, Mandela and me.

Would you like to become a Maverick Insider and support our journalism? 
Click here for all the details: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider

In this episode, journalist and editor Tony Karon joins Redi Tlhabi on The Readiness Report to unpack the pressures facing newsrooms in the West, from censorship around Israel and Palestine, to the collapse of US foreign policy credibility on Iran. 

01:55 Tony's Work and Al Jazeera 
02:30 Challenges in Western Media 
03:55 Personal Experiences with Media Censorship 
05:17 The Role of Western Media in Politics 
09:09 Iran's Nuclear Program and Geopolitics 
15:19 Trump's Foreign Policy and Media Influence 
19:51 Trump's Coalition and US Military Presence 
22:36 New York Politics and South African Connection 
24:34 Zoran's Campaign and Progressive Politics 
28:54 Challenges for the Democratic Party 

Produced by Bernard Kotze & Emilie Gambade 

Support journalism that protects democracy. Become a Maverick Insider. 
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider/

Investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr joins Redi Tlhabi to expose how powerful tech platforms manipulate our data, fuel disinformation, and endanger democracy. From Cambridge Analytica to AI and surveillance capitalism, this urgent conversation asks: Are we sleepwalking into a future where truth itself is algorithmically controlled? And what can we still do to fight back? 

00:36 AI for Humanity and Its Dark Side 
01:38 Disinformation and Social Media 
02:13 Guest Introduction: Carole Cadwalladr
03:40 Digital Surveillance Explained 
04:49 Surveillance Capitalism 
06:03 The Danger of Data Harvesting 
14:50 The Cambridge Analytica Scandal 
15:22 The Role of Technology in Politics 
17:25 Challenges of Modern Journalism 
23:09 The Global Impact of Disinformation 
24:13 Protecting Personal Information 

Produced by Bernard Kotze & Emilie Gambade 

Support journalism that protects democracy. Become a Maverick Insider. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider/

In this episode of The Readiness Report, Redi Tlhabi and Philip Vank delve into the escalating tensions in the Middle East, following a significant Israeli attack on Iranian targets. They discuss Israel's motives, potential repercussions, and the United States' ambiguous role in these developments. The discussion also touches on domestic issues in the US, including Trump's controversial military parade on his birthday, the crackdown on immigrants in California, and increasing authoritarian tendencies under his administration. The conversation highlights the global and local implications of these events, painting a picture of a turbulent geopolitical landscape.  

00:40 Israel Strikes Iran
03:25 Impact on Peace Talks and Regional Stability
07:54 Iran's Potential Responses
08:26 US Involvement and Future Prospects
16:03 Military Parade Controversy
18:00 Domestic Issues in the US
18:15 Trump's Immigration Policies
23:52 Military Parade and Authoritarianism

Produced by Bernard Kotze & Emilie Gambade 

Support journalism that protects democracy. Become a Maverick Insider. 
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider/

In this hard-hitting episode of The Readiness Report, Redi Tlhabi sits down with influential broadcaster, journalist and and Zeteo founder Mehdi Hasan for an unflinching conversation on global politics. From the chaos brought by Trump’s administration to the genocide in Gaza, Elon Musk’s DOGE distractions, and President Ramaphosa’s punchlines, no topic is off-limits.

00:53 Drama in the United States
01:21 Elon Musk and Disinformation
02:30 Mehdi Hassan's Take on Trump
03:01 Trump's Impact on America and the World
04:00 Trump's End Game and Erratic Behavior
06:01 International Reactions to Trump
08:38 Trump's Relationship with Russia
12:05 Trump, Israel, and Middle East Politics
15:50 Escalating Crisis in Gaza
16:21 Ethnic Cleansing and Personal Reflections
17:35 Global Sentiment Shift
20:10 Media's Role and Responsibility
27:14 Free Speech and Political Hypocrisy

Produced by Bernard Kotze & Emilie Gambade 

Support journalism that protects democracy. Become a Maverick Insider. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider/

In this episode of the Readiness Report, Redi takes a hard look at Elon Musk’s comments about South Africa — and the controversy surrounding the government’s reported efforts to lure Starlink, Musk's very own telecommunications provider, into the country. She’s joined by outspoken activist, academic, and Daily Maverick columnist Khaya Sithole for a sharp, no-holds-barred conversation. 

1:18 Trump, Biden, and the Ukraine Conflict 
03:09 Starlink and South Africa: The Drama Unfolds 
03:41 South Africa's Legal Framework and BEE Codes 
04:41 The Role of ZA in Ending Apartheid 
05:33 Challenges in South Africa's Parliament 
06:52 Speculations on the Starlink Deal 
08:40 Khaya Sithole's Insights on the Starlink Controversy 
11:30 Government Communication Issues 
16:16 The Role of ICASA and Regulatory Processes 
18:32 Starlink's Market Impact and Competition 
20:47 Elon Musk's Relationship with South Africa 

Produced by Bernard Kotze & Emilie Gambade 

Support journalism that protects democracy. Become a Maverick Insider. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider/

In this episode of The Readiness Report, Redi Tlhabi discusses the tense political atmosphere in Washington and the recent visit of South African President Ramaphosa to the White House. The discussion dives into the ambush-like reception Ramaphosa faced, his handling of U.S. President Donald Trump's antics, and the broader implications for US-South Africa relations. Alongside guest Phillip Van Niekerk, Redi critiques the optics and outcomes of the meeting, including discussions on trade agreements, potential collaborations, and Trump's unpredictable behaviour. Insights are provided on the complex diplomatic dance and the symbolic victories amidst the chaos. 

00:32 President Ramaphosa's White House Visit 
00:54 Debate on South African Crime and Golfers' Role 
02:04 Secrecy and Program Details 
02:54 Unexpected Oval Office Drama 
03:25 Analysis of Trump's Behaviour 
04:55 Discussion with former editor of South Africa's Mail & Guardian, Phillip van Niekerk 
05:07 Reflections on the White House Meeting 
05:24 Trump's Performative Politics 
06:38 Trade Negotiations and Future Relations 
08:44 Middle East Policy and ICJ Discussion 
20:58 Tech and Economic Prospects in Africa 

Produced by Bernard Kotze & Emilie Gambade 

Support journalism that protects democracy. Become a Maverick Insider. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider/