Democracy Unplugged

Johannesburg needs a mayor. But what does each candidate believe is broken, what do they want the city to become, and who pays for their plans?

In this episode, Phumi Mashigo puts different candidates’ answers side by side, exploring their visions for Johannesburg, the cost of fixing the city, the realities of coalition politics and who stands to benefit from the economic future they imagine. Because before you decide who gets your vote, you need to understand what they’re asking you to trust them with. The Burning Platform

As South Africa marks Heritage Day, Phumi Mashigo is joined by Zulu Royal Historian and author Shalo Mbatha to ask: what kind of South Africa are we building for the next 30 years?

From King Shaka and the formation of the Zulu nation to apartheid, identity, inequality and belonging, they explore what our history can teach us about our future - and what it will take to build a stronger shared South African identity The Burning Platform

With local government elections less than 50 days away, the political temperature is rising.

Phumi Mashigo sits down with Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya to unpack the ANC’s candidate-list chaos, the DA’s missed opportunities, MK’s rise in KwaZulu-Natal and whether the EFF has lost its political edge. Plus: Ramaphosa’s leadership in Africa, Trump and the US midterms, Europe’s shift to the right — and what all of it tells us about the changing face of political leadership. The Burning Platform

With the local government elections less than 50 days away, South Africa's political landscape is heating up.

This week Phumi Mashigo speaks to Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya from the This Is Politics podcast about the ANC's candidate-list chaos, the DA's missed opportunities, MK's rise in KwaZulu-Natal and whether the EFF has lost its political edge.

They also discuss Africa, SADC and Cyril Ramaphosa's leadership on the African continent and look at Donald Trump and the 2026 US midterms, the rise of the political right across Europe, and the changing nature of political leadership. The Burning Platform

Can South Africa get tobacco policy right? What do these decisions mean for you? Phumi Mashigo speaks to Prof Lekan Ayo-Yusuf, Professor of Public Health with more than 20 years of experience across higher education, hospital management, university leadership and executive management. With specialist expertise in epidemiology, health promotion, research and tobacco control regulatory science, Prof Ayo-Yusuf explains the future of the tobacco industry, the role of the World Health Organisation, and the importance of bringing science, advocacy and political leadership together. The conversation also takes a closer look at South Africa’s Tobacco Bill and the policies that could shape the country’s public health future. The Burning Platform

Ten years after #FeesMustFall, does protest still have the power to

change South Africa? From the Wits campus to the streets, student

activism has shaped some of the country’s most important political

conversations. But has that activism translated into lasting change, and

where does a new generation of young leaders take the fight from here?

Siya Sangweni leads this conversation with Wits SRC member Sandile

Sibanda, student leader Angelic Mafadza and South African Youth

Council’s Jimmy Khosa. The Burning Platform

When basic services fail, corruption takes root and criminal networks become more powerful, what happens to the communities left behind? Phumi Mashigo speaks to Action SA’s Xolani Khumalo about his plans to bring a more aggressive approach to fixing local government as he runs for Ekurhuleni mayor; and whether South Africans should expect more from their leaders. The Burning Platform

Who do you trust to lead our cities? As we wrap Women’s Month, meet the

women vying to shape futures as host Phumi Mashigo profiles female

mayoral candidates on their leadership, vision, priorities and plans,

and what they believe our cities need next. Featuring Build One South

Africa’s Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster (Johannesburg), Action SA’s Gibsy Diale

(Mogale City) and Land Party’s Ntsiki Mazwai (Johannesburg). The Burning Platform

Is Johannesburg ready for a new kind of political leadership? Lukhona

Mnguni joins Phumi Mashigo to unpack his vision for the city, from

cleaner and safer communities to greater transparency, accountable

government and principled coalition politics. He also discusses his

political career, learnings from his experience and his journey within

RISE Mzansi. The Burning Platform

What has gone wrong in Durban, and what will it take to fix the city? Phumi Mashigo speaks to the Democratic Alliance’s Haniff Hoosen about the challenges facing eThekwini and why residents are increasingly demanding action. In this discussion, Hoosen shares his vision for an eThekwini where communities take action, leaders listen and residents have a stronger voice in shaping the city’s future. The Burning Platform