This Is Politics SA Podcast

What Hill-Lewis Can Teach Ramaphosa 22.06.2026 40m

Has the war between the United States, Israel and Iran really ended — or is this merely the beginning of a new chapter in Middle Eastern instability? Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack Donald Trump's latest Iran deal, ask whether Tehran emerged stronger than expected, and examine what the agreement means for Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu and the wider region. They also turn their attention to South African politics, where newly elected DA leader Jordan Hill-Lewis appears to be moving swiftly to consolidate power, with John Steenhuisen among the first casualties of a dramatic political reshuffle. From Washington to Tehran, Jerusalem to Cape Town, this episode explores power, leadership, political survival and the consequences of decisions made far from ordinary citizens. #ThisIsPolitics #SouthAfrica #DonaldTrump #Iran #Israel #MiddleEast #JordanHillLewis #DA #Politics

RAMAPHOSA VS JUNE 30 17.06.2026 35m

s South Africa races toward the controversial June 30 deadline set by anti-illegal immigration groups, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack the rising tensions around migration, border control, government inaction, and the growing threat of vigilantism. Did President Cyril Ramaphosa's long-awaited address to the nation provide leadership, or merely repeat familiar promises? Why has public trust in government collapsed to such an extent that fringe activists now appear to be setting the national agenda? The conversation examines the role of corruption in South Africa's immigration system, the state's sudden flurry of activity ahead of June 30, and whether the country is heading toward confrontation or finding a path to de-escalation. The pair also turn their attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the United States' increasingly restrictive immigration policies threaten to overshadow the spirit of a global tournament built on openness and international unity. A discussion about leadership, accountability, democracy, and the uneasy state of a country facing difficult questions about its future.

The Shamelessness of the MKP and Mkhwebane 02.06.2026 29m

South Africa is in a period of profound political, social and economic uncertainty. Rising unemployment, growing anti-immigration sentiment, crumbling municipalities and an increasingly fragmented political landscape have left many citizens questioning the country's direction. In this episode of *This Is Politics South Africa*, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya step back from the daily headlines to examine the bigger picture. How does South Africa's turmoil fit into a world increasingly defined by political instability, conflict and division? Are we facing uniquely South African problems, or are we experiencing the same convulsions affecting democracies across the globe? The discussion explores the growing tensions around immigration, the resilience of South Africa's democratic institutions, and the irony surrounding the parliamentary impeachment process facing President Cyril Ramaphosa. The hosts unpack the backgrounds of some of the politicians tasked with judging the president and ask whether Parliament is taking one of the most serious constitutional processes in the country's history seriously enough. They also examine the appointment of Rise Mzansi leader Makashule Gana to chair the impeachment committee and discuss what this moment could mean for accountability, democratic governance and South Africa's political future. A wide-ranging conversation about democracy, leadership, political hypocrisy, and the state of the nation. #ThisIsPoliticsSA #SouthAfrica #CyrilRamaphosa #Impeachment #MKParty #Politics #MondliMakhanya #JusticeMalala #GNU #Parliament #RiseMzansi #CurrentAffairs

The ANC Leadership Crisis Nobody Can Hide Anymore 28.05.2026 39m

outh Africa’s political landscape is shifting fast. As anti-illegal immigration groups ramp up pressure ahead of their June 30 deadline, questions around leadership, governance and collapsing municipalities are becoming impossible to ignore. In this episode of This Is Politics, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack: • Operation Dudula and rising anti-immigration tensions • Why the ANC is struggling to find mayoral candidates • The battle for Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni • Helen Zille, Herman Mashaba and coalition politics • Why Cape Town keeps dominating the governance conversation • The long-term damage of the Zuma era • Whether South Africa’s metros can still be saved This is one of the most important political battles heading into the next local government elections.

Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and the Missing Prosecutor 27.05.2026 39m

A prosecutor vanishes. A magistrate throws out the case. One of the most feared men in Mpumalanga walks free. This week on This Is Politics, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack the extraordinary courtroom drama involving Joe Ferrari Sibanyoni, the missing prosecutor, and the growing questions around South Africa’s justice system. Was this incompetence? Institutional collapse? Or something even more troubling? The conversation goes far beyond one courtroom and asks a deeper question: can ordinary South Africans still trust the administration of justice?

Nobody Wants Cyril Ramaphosa To Fall 19.05.2026 50m

The Constitutional Court has thrown the Phalaphala matter back into Parliament and suddenly Cyril Ramaphosa’s biggest political scandal is alive again. In this explosive episode of This Is Politics SA, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack what the judgment really means, why the ANC is rallying around Ramaphosa, and whether South Africa’s political elite are protecting the President because they fear what comes next. From Arthur Fraser’s role in exposing the scandal to the ANC’s history of shielding its leaders, the conversation asks the uncomfortable question: if Phalaphala “stinks”, why does nobody want Cyril to fall?

SA ATTACKS: IT’S NOT XENOPHOBIA, IT’S STATE FAILURE 06.05.2026 44m

Why are South Africans angry at immigrants and are they blaming the wrong people? In this episode of This Is Politics, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya ask a controversial question: what was Cyril Ramaphosa doing visiting Emmerson Mnangagwa privately at a time when Zimbabwe’s political crisis continues to drive migration into South Africa? As anti-immigrant sentiment rises ahead of the November 4 elections, the discussion expands into Operation Dudula, political opportunism, and growing public anger. But at its core, this episode challenges the narrative: if leadership failures both in South Africa and Zimbabwe created this crisis, why is the anger directed at those fleeing it?

The ANC-SACP Split Explained & Corruption in SAPS 22.04.2026 46m

In this episode of This Is Politics South Africa, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya examine the growing fracture between the ANC and the South African Communist Party, placing it in historical context and questioning whether the split has real political consequences. The discussion also turns to corruption within the police, and what it reveals about the state of governance and accountability in South Africa. With a focus on analysis rather than noise, the episode explores whether these developments signal meaningful change or simply the continuation of a deeper systemic decline.

When Impunity Meets the Law: Julius Malema Sentenced 16.04.2026 47m

In this episode of This Is Politics South Africa, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack the explosive sentencing of Julius Malema, who has been handed a five-year prison term for unlawful possession of a firearm. The discussion traces his political rise from the Congress of South African Students to leading the Economic Freedom Fighters, exploring the long-standing perception of impunity that has followed him throughout his career. The hosts examine whether his legal and political strategy backfired, the risks of turning a courtroom battle into a political stage, and what this moment means for accountability, leadership, and the future of South African politics.

Two Investigations, One Crisis - Madlanga vs Ad Hoc Committee Explained 24.03.2026 38m

Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack the growing crisis at the heart of South Africa’s criminal justice system. From explosive allegations of political interference in policing to the stark contrast between the Madalanga Commission and Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, this episode asks a critical question: are we still in control — or is the system slipping away? As evidence of deep-rooted corruption emerges, the implications for safety, accountability, and the future of South Africa have never been more urgent.

Why South Africa Should Be Concerned - A World Without Rules 10.03.2026 44m

South Africa has had its Budget Speech and State of the Nation Address. Now the real question is: what kind of world are we governing in? Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack the widening war involving Israel, Iran and the United States and what the open embrace of assassinations, regime change and brute force means for international law. Is the rules-based global order collapsing? If the bully wins, what stops other powers from doing the same? They examine the implications for Ukraine, Sudan and the African continent and ask what this era of “might makes right” means for South Africa’s foreign policy and moral standing. From global war to global disorder this episode asks a difficult question: If there are no rules anymore, who holds power accountable? Subscribe for sharp South African political analysis every week.

How Mokonyane and Zuma Made SA’s Water Crisis 23.02.2026 36m

South Africa’s water crisis is no longer just about leaking pipes — it has become a story about governance, accountability and power. In this episode, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack the collapse of water infrastructure in Johannesburg and beyond, revisit the failed “war on leaks” interventions, and examine President Ramaphosa’s growing list of task teams. They explore why Johannesburg could become the central political battleground in the upcoming local elections, reflect on Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s delayed budget speech, and draw lessons from Donald Trump’s clash with the U.S. Supreme Court about the importance of the rule of law. From leaking pipes to constitutional power struggles, the conversation confronts a deeper question: who is actually in charge? Subscribe for sharp South African political analysis every week.

Betrayed by Power: Crime, Water & The Truth South Africa Won’t Face 17.02.2026 52m

South Africa is facing a moment of reckoning. President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his State of the Nation Address — but will deploying the army solve crime? Or is the real crisis inside the police service itself? Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack: The deployment of the SANDF into gang-ridden communities Corruption within SAPS The collapse of water infrastructure in Johannesburg and Soshanguve Ramaphosa’s growing list of committees The Khampepe Commission and the fight for justice for apartheid victims The moral crisis facing the ANC Marco Rubio’s Munich speech and the rise of MAGA-style politics From water riots to apartheid-era cover-ups — this is a country at a crossroads. Subscribe for sharp political analysis every week.

From Mandela to Ramaphosa: What Happened to the State of the Nation? 11.02.2026 58m

South Africa heads into the State of the Nation Address at a precarious moment. In this episode of This Is Politics, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack what SONA is meant to represent —and why it often falls short. From economic drift, water crises and youth unemployment to the tensions inside the GNU and the Democratic Alliance’s internal rupture, this is a sober, unsparing look at where the country really stands and what leadership must confront now.

Ramaphosa Acts — But Is It Too Little, Too Late? 03.02.2026 46m

South Africa has no shortage of commissions, reports, or shocking revelations — but accountability remains elusive. In this episode of This Is Politics, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack the explosive interim findings of the Madlanga Commission, the unresolved truths behind the July 2021 unrest, and the disturbing evidence of police leaders protecting organised crime. They debate President Cyril Ramaphosa’s response, question whether decisive leadership is finally emerging, and ask the harder question many South Africans are already asking: if we know who is responsible, why does justice still feel so far away?

Would Patrice Motsepe Really Risk It All for the ANC? 28.01.2026 46m

In this episode of This Is Politics, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack the looming question of whether billionaire Patrice Motsepe could actually step into the ANC presidency, and what that would mean for the future of the party and the country. They argue that South Africa’s political culture still treats ambition like a dirty secret, and discuss how the ANC is struggling to find a leader who can genuinely inspire voters. The conversation then shifts to South Africa’s foreign policy, as the hosts condemn the government’s silence on the Iranian crackdown and expose the hypocrisy of a non-aligned stance that too often becomes complicit when allies commit atrocities. It’s a deep dive into power, money, and moral credibility — and what it will take for South Africa to regain both.

Ramaphosa vs The Army: Who’s Really in Charge? 20.01.2026 48m

In this episode of This Is Politics South Africa, we unpack the shocking naval drill off the coast of Simon’s Town and the deeper crisis it reveals in South Africa’s political system. We discuss how the military reportedly ignored President Cyril Ramaphosa’s direct instruction to exclude Iran, raising serious constitutional questions about civilian control over the defense force. We explore the implications of this defiance for the ANC, the relationship with the United States, and the growing politicization of the SANDF, while asking whether South Africa is sliding into a dangerous power dynamic where the military feels it can act independently. Plus, we examine the latest matric results and ask whether the education system is still producing the skills South Africa needs, or if the country is simply graduating more unemployable students. This is the national mood, and this is the future South Africa is facing.

2026 Begins Without Guardrails: Venezuela, Trump and a World Coming Apart 12.01.2026 30m

2026 has begun with a bang — and not the good kind. In this episode of This Is Politics, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya interrogate the dramatic seizure of Venezuela’s president and what it reveals about a rapidly changing global order. Is this law enforcement, abduction, or something far more dangerous? And what happens when the world’s most powerful country decides that rules no longer apply? The conversation moves from Venezuela to Donald Trump’s return to hard imperial power, the erosion of international law, and the uncomfortable reality that South Africa’s leaders seem more animated by global outrage than by the deep crises at home — unemployment, violence, poverty and stagnation. This is a wide-ranging, serious discussion about power, hypocrisy, global instability and the choices facing South Africa in a volatile year.

Why South Africa Is Entering a Year of Political Cynicism 09.01.2026 28m

South Africa is heading into a pivotal election year but with a public that is tired, sceptical, and losing faith in politics itself. In this episode of This Is Politics, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack the fading relevance of the ANC’s January 8th Statement, the party’s electoral decline, and what the upcoming local government elections are likely to reveal. They explore how political theatrics have replaced substance, why voter cynicism has become so entrenched, and how trust in public institutions is being steadily eroded. The conversation ranges from Johannesburg’s political future and the DA’s internal tensions to the rise of the MK Party, the enduring influence of Jacob Zuma, and the global forces including Donald Trump that will shape South Africa’s political landscape in 2026. This is a sober, clear-eyed look at power, credibility, and what happens when citizens stop believing.

ANC at a Crossroads: Ramaphosa’s Future, SACP Breakaway & SA’s 21.12.2025 51m

In this episode of This Is Politics, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack a turbulent political week in South Africa. They examine the ANC’s upcoming National General Council and question whether it has any real value in shaping policy or strengthening leadership, especially as internal succession battles intensify. The discussion moves to the South African Communist Party’s threat to break away from the ANC, exploring the history of the alliance, the reality of the SACP’s influence, and why a split could leave both organisations weaker. The episode also looks at the assassination of witness Marius van der Merwe, who was killed shortly after testifying in the Majanga Inquiry. Justice and Mondli discuss South Africa’s long‑standing crisis of political and criminal assassinations, the state’s failure to protect whistleblowers, and the entrenched networks of organized crime. The episode concludes with a reflection on South Africa’s stalled National Development Plan, the failures of cadre deployment, and the broader collapse of a capable state, raising the question of what genuine state reform would require