The Debrief Network's founding editor, Qaanitah Hunter, joins us to preview what to watch out for in the South African political landscape in 2026. From the DA's national congress where a new leader will be elected, to the Madlanga Commission, the appointment of the NPA's National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), the Local Government Elections coming up and more!

In 2026, the Local Government Elections will be taking place in South Africa and in this episode we highlight the 5 important municipalities that will be hotly contested in this election. Who will emerge?

Global politics have been shaken in the last few days as US President Donald Trump has bombed Venezuela and captured its President Maduro. In this first analysis episode of 2026, Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh unpacks what is happening and what it means for the global political landscape.

DA's Retief Odendaal is running for Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Mayor and he joins us on SMWX for a wide-ranging conversation on his background, law interest, experience as a councillor in the metro, DA internal dynamics and more.

Academic and author, Prof Bongani Ngqulunga, joins us on SMWX to explore his new book: Under Smuts' rule - a deep dive into Jan Smuts and his legacy as Prime Minister. Prof Ngqulunga has also authored: The Man Who Founded The ANC, a book about Pixley ka Isaka Seme.

After an eventful political year in 2025, we explore what to watch out for in 2026. The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee will resume and continue to hear witness testimonies, but also the DA is having its congress and will elect its new leadership. The Local Government Elections could be taking place between the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027. Could we see a repeat of the budget drama like last year? We explore all of this and more, and what the consequences for South Africa are.

We asked you to submit your questions and in this episode, Sizwe answers them all! From football, to whether he'd consider running for political office; Sizwe unpacks some of the details you might not know!

In this episode, we take you behind the scenes and into the funniest moments on the SMWX set. From guests sleeping mid-interview, to many re-takes because the crew can't stop laughing, we bring you all of this from 2025.

Exploring the Top 5 books that you need to read to understand SA’s history and political landscape.

In South Africa's political landscape, 2025 has not been short of a rollercoaster of a year. We started off the year with uncertainty over Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi's place in the EFF and his subsequent exit from politics, to the drama in the Oval Office between South Africa and the US, to chaos over the budget to vote and many more moments. Let's unpack these and more, in this review episode of the 2025 political year.