In this podcast with Sithembile Mbete we discuss race and gender politics in South Africa, 24 years since the onset of democracy. Sithembile Mbete is a social commentator, a public speaker and foreign policy observer. At the time of this podcast she was completing her PhD on South Africa and the United Nations. Here we take a look at some of the underlying factors that contribute to social tensions over identity and culture shifts. We also grapple with gender struggles, and assess strengths and weaknesses of projects to maximise freedom for human. We situate gender politics as about struggles for better humanity. We reflect on the importance of placing gender questions at the center of public discourse, policy discussions, and popular struggles. This is Part 1 of a series on identity politics. [email protected]