POWER Perspective

Drones are a remarkable invention that have transformed how we perceive our cities, communities, and landscapes by granting us a bird’s-eye view once reserved exclusively for aircraft and helicopters. Yet lately, the images they capture from South Africa’s townships have left me with deeply mixed feelings. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Dr Msizi Myeza, CEO at Council for the Built Environment, Kearabetswe Moopelo, Cultural & Social Anthropologist and Thapelo Mohapi, General Secretary of Abahlali baseMjondolo.

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China's shift toward placing scientists and engineers on massive city billboards—replacing pop icons, actors, and commercial influencers—reflects a broader effort to reshape public values and promote self-reliance in science and technology. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Frans Mashao, Brand / Marketing Specialist, Nokuthula Khwela, Editor-In-Chief, Timeless Trends Magazine and Letlhogonolo Mosuwe - Social Commentator.

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Colleen Makhubele conversation with Imvemnyama an artistic persona of South African singer, songwriter, and live performer Sive Mqikela. Born and raised in Ezibeleni, Komani (formerly Queenstown) in the Eastern Cape, he is currently based in Johannesburg.

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A Sunday Times investigation has revealed that South African government departments and state-owned entities channelled nearly R70 billion to service providers through contract expansions and extensions between October 2023 and March 2026. These variations frequently bypassed fresh competitive tender processes. Eskom accounted for the vast majority of this expenditure, responsible for approximately R41 billion—nearly 60% of the total amount—across roughly 3,000 identified contract changes. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Zama Titi, Procurement Expert, Wayne Duvenhage, CEO Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse – OUT and Barren Bergman DA MP and Spokesperson on Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation.

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When South Africa embarked on its post-apartheid democratic journey, it struck a foundational compromise etched into the national memory: full, public truth in exchange for amnesty. Yet for hundreds of families who surrendered their right to immediate criminal justice, that promise transformed into a multi-decade silence. The TRC Cases Inquiry—the Khampepe Commission—confronts this enduring shadow, probing why approximately 300 priority dockets referred for prosecution lay dormant for over twenty years while state institutions defaulted on their constitutional duties. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Dr. Marjorie Jobson, National Director at Khulumani Support Group, Adv. Mayenzeke Chiya and Tiego Khoza, Political Analyst.

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The Educators’ Union of South Africa has rejected a ruling by the South African Council of Educators (SACE) that seeks to police the behaviour of teachers outside of school hours. In contrast, the National Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) supports SACE’s code of professional ethics, which expects educators to adhere to standards of good conduct both on and off duty. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Sandile Ntshalintshali Assistant Manager for Legal and Ethics South African Council for Educators (SACE) and Andrew Goldberg, Labour Lawyer.

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As public universities and TVET colleges prepare for the upcoming academic cycle, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme finds itself at a historic crossroads. On one hand, demand has never been higher: hundreds of thousands of prospective students have flooded the portal, driven by the urgent aspiration for a tertiary qualification. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Ishmael Mnisi – NSFAS Spokesperson and Thato Masekoa - National Spokesperson South African Union of Students' (SAUS).

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As South Africa approaches the local government elections, political parties are issuing sweeping manifestos filled with high-level promises. Yet, behind the official rhetoric lies a distinct gap: the systematic neglect of South Africa's micro-economies and frontline social safety nets. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Mandla Nkosi – chairperson for Real Reform for ECD, Brian Phaaloh South African Informal Traders Forum and Melithemba Mmnguni – Secretary General for E-hailing Partners Council.

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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has lodged an urgent complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission regarding critical security threats, asbestos hazards, and deteriorating infrastructure at Eersterust Secondary School in Tshwane. Impacting 915 students, these severe conditions—compounded by a recent classroom robbery—highlight the Gauteng Department of Education's (GDE) continued failure to ensure a safe learning environment. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Michael Waters MPL - DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Education, Itumeleng Mothlabane Equal Education, Matakanye Matakanya National Association Of School Governing Body and Bongani Ndlovu - Gauteng Regional chairperson for National Teachers Union.

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The revised White Paper on Local Government will introduce a differentiated funding approach and strengthen merit-based appointments to enhance municipal performance and service delivery, according to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa. Colleen Makubele spoke to Dr. Zweli Mkhize - Chairperson for Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Lance Joel - SALGA Chief Officer for Intergovernmental Relations and Municipal Resilience, Dr Sarah Meny-Gibert - Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI), Miyelani Holeni - Group Chief Advisor at Ntiyiso Consulting, and Cecil Morerwa - Advisor to Forum4SA President.

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