The people’s podcast returns with an introspective and highly thought-provoking second episode!

Not to be missed, and certainly not for the faint-hearted, Running His Mouth unpacks the G20 media narrative, explores the diplomatic spat between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and U.S. President Donald Trump, and critically examines how global news outlets have reported on South Africa’s hosting of the G20 summit in Johannesburg.

Ledstar, in the Stars segment, breaks down social media reactions to the summit, spotlighting commentary from Roland Schoeman, Karabo Mahapa, and social-justice organisations such as Women for Change.

International relations expert and policy analyst Mzuvukele Ngese offers sober analysis on whether media coverage truly reflects realities on the ground and shares key insights into dominant global perspectives on G20 politics.

JB, In the Archives, takes us down memory lane with a look at the origins of the G20 and how it compares to other global blocs. In our Beneath the Headlines segment, Lucy Antonatos and Melusi Ncala unpack a Financial Times article by Monica Mark and Rob Rose.

While, our field reporter, Mathibedi Mosiroe, hits the streets to find out what everyday people understand about the G20, plus a surprise call you won’t want to miss.

It’s a jam-packed episode, with Melusi Ncala pushing political boundaries and making all of us just a little uncomfortable in the best possible way.

Featuring audio from: Eyewitness News, SABC, Associated Press, News24, Al Jazeera, TRT World, The Guardian, BBC, PBS, ABC, Newzroom Africa and Forbes.

Additional reference sources: Financial Times, Politico, Reuters, People’s Daily Online, CBS, The Washington Post, Brown Political Review, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Policy Centre for the New South, Time Africa, Wikipedia and World Economic Forum.

It’s official, Season 3 of the people’s podcast is here!

We kick things off with “MK Marks the Spot,” diving into the explosive story that’s shaken South Africa since July 2025, when General Lieutenant Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi blew the whistle on deep-rooted corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

From leaked reports to media spin, there are narratives on narratives, and the TTBIA team is unpacking them all through sharp analysis, insights and fearless commentary.

Did South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, really die by suicide or is there more to the story? We mull on this question.

How are influencers and socialites shaping the national conversation around General Mkhwanazi? Ledstar unpacks this in The Stars segment.

Policing expert Dr. Mpho Matlala from UNISA joins us to unpack what policing looks like and what the media is and isn’t telling us. In The Archives with JB, we go even deeper into the history that brought us here.

Host Melusi Ncala is joined by Jackie Imas and Sboniso Nyide to critically dissect an article by News24’s Karyn Maughan and Bernadette Wicks, while field reporter Mathibedi Mosiroe hits the streets to capture South Africans’ reactions to the unfolding SAPS saga.

It’s an episode packed with storytelling and bold critique, with Ncala drawing on critical media literacy theory and his anti-corruption activism to help make sense of the storm.

🎙️ Featuring voice over by Julie Béguin and audio from SABC, eNCA, Daily Maverick, France 24 English, Newzroom Africa, South African Parliament Channel, Talk Radio 702 FM and Power987 FM.

Referenced sources include Associated Press, Reuters, Al Jazeera, Eyewitness News, News24, Name Explain, World History Encyclopedia, American Society of Overseas Research and SA History Online .

The people’s podcast returns with a preseason drop!

In this bumper bonus episode titled Smoke and Mirrors, we dig into the politics behind South Africa’s so-called ‘Government of National Unity’ (GNU). We unpack its formation, challenges, and chances of survival — and ask whether it’s truly a unity project at all.

Political analyst Kim Heller joins us with incisive commentary. Ledstar (Naledi Ncala) gives the lowdown on what your faves, GaytonMcKenzie, Ntsiki Mazwai, Thandiswa Mazwai and others, have been up to.

Jessie B compares the current GNU under Pres. Ramaphosa and the DA to the 1994 Pres. Mandela-led version, while Lana Manson dissects media coverage from Daily Maverick, FT and IOL.

Host, Melusi Ncala, and our Community correspondent, Mathibedi Mosiroe, take to the streets to hear from everyday South Africans — but an unexpected twist changes the game.

Hit play as we trace the storylines shaping South African politics, from the ANC and DA to the MK Party, EFF, Pres. Jacob Zuma, and Julius Malema.

📲 Follow us:

Instagram – The Thinking Behind It All

X – @TTBIAMedia

Audio credits: In this episode, we use clips from AlJazeera, BBC, CNN, SABC, eNCA, NewzroomAfrika, the DA, the EFF, the MK, The HustlersCorner podcast, Club Shay Shay podcast and the Tucker Carlson Podcast. We also reference reporting from News24, the Financial Times, Reuters, Daily Maverick, Independent Online and TimesLive.

Please share, subscribe and drop a comment. 🙏🏿