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AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel joins Sunday Times deputy editor Mike Siluma for a wide-ranging conversation. They discuss AfriForum’s dual role as watchdog and community-builder, how the organisation defines “community”, its critique of race-based BEE, opposition to expropriation without compensation, and what “self-determination” actually means. Kriel defends AfriForum’s engagement with the US president Donald Trump administration, explains the timeline around the US visa restrictions, and makes the case for treating farm murders as a priority crime. He also talks about the recent meeting with March and March, the “Kill the Boer” judgment, and relations with President Cyril Ramaphosa. An exchange on identity, history, and whether AfriForum is part of the solution or part of the problem in South Africa. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

MK Party Johannesburg mayoral candidate Bongani Baloyi joins Sunday Times Politics Weekly for a wide-ranging conversation with Sunday Times deputy editor Mike Siluma. Baloyi discusses his vision for Johannesburg, including the city’s finances, service delivery, infrastructure, housing, economic development, security and the future of the CBD. He also outlines his proposals for restructuring the city’s municipal entities, improving revenue collection and maintenance, and expanding economic opportunities in townships. The conversation also explores Baloyi’s political journey — from joining the DA as a teenager, to ActionSA, forming Xiluva and ultimately joining the MK Party. He explains why he says his move to MK was driven by political conviction, his relationship with party leader Jacob Zuma, and his ambitions for Johannesburg. Producer: Bulelani Nonyukela. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, deputy editor Mike Siluma speaks to Tshwane executive mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya. The mayor describes herself as a reluctant politician who actually dislikes the culture of politics. She explains how she moved from academic and professional roles in the DA and ActionSA into the mayoral office, and why she sees herself as a technocrat focused on governance rather than ideology. They discuss the city’s serious financial challenges, the corruption syndicates she has uncovered, her disappointment over the written warning given to CFO Gareth Mnisi, the impact of illegal immigration on municipal services, the barriers facing women in politics, and what Tshwane could look like after another five years under her leadership. Moya also directly addresses the allegations about renovations at her private home. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Helen Zille is back on the campaign trail — this time aiming to become mayor of Johannesburg. The former Western Cape premier and long-time Democratic Alliance (DA) leader says South Africa’s economic hub can be turned around after years of instability, corruption and failing infrastructure. In this episode of Sunday Times Politics Weekly, Zille speaks to Sunday Times deputy edior Mike Siluma about her plans for Johannesburg, why she believes coalition governments have failed the city, and whether the DA can defeat the ANC in the upcoming local elections. She also discusses tackling organised crime, enforcing immigration laws, the role of metro police and the political lessons voters should draw from years of coalition instability. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Johannesburg is South Africa’s economic engine but it is also battling infrastructure decay, water shortages, collapsing inner-city buildings and fragile coalition politics. ActionSA leader and newly announced mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba, joins Sunday Times Politics Weekly to outline his plan to fix the city. Mashaba reflects on his previous tenure as mayor (2016–2019), what he believes went wrong after his departure, and what he would do differently if elected again. Host Mike Siluma speaks to Mashaba about whether Johannesburg can realistically be turned around and how. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Democratic Alliance faces a pivotal moment following John Steenhuisen’s decision not to seek re-election. In this episode of Sunday Times Politics Weekly, host Mike Siluma speaks with political analyst Khanyi Magubane and veteran journalist Peter Bruce about the internal tensions that shaped Steenhuisen’s departure, the party’s challenges in balancing government roles and opposition and what the DA’s future might look like as South Africa heads into election season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cyril Ramaphosa remains one of the most skilful politicians in the ANC, analysts say, despite party turmoil. His ability to manage the Government of National Unity (GNU) and counter critics has kept him firmly in power, at least for now. Leadership decisions are heavily influenced by party power brokers and the intellectual capital that once guided its strategy has largely dissipated. Susan Booysen says: “He survived quite a few assaults and he’s countering the GNU critics quite consistently. Playing the renewal cards very clearly as if the fact that the ANC has dipped below 50% has not happened under his rule — that was one that we’ve totally overlooked — and how he’s really made the coalition and GNU as if this is a great achievement.” Bongani Ngqulunga adds that Ramaphosa has often been underestimated. “He’s a lot more skilful politician than sometimes we give him credit for. It is not in the interest of the contenders — those who want to succeed him — to see him leave right now. I don’t think we have someone powerful enough in the ANC to cobble together a coalition that could make that person [president].” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As South Africa hosts the G20 Leaders’ Summit this weekend, business leader and G20 Sherpa Prof Bonang Mohale says the world’s focus should extend far beyond the drama surrounding US President Donald Trump’s expected absence. Mohale, who served as South Africa’s G20 negotiator (“Sherpa”), argues that the summit represents a pivotal opportunity for South Africa to reassert itself economically and diplomatically. Mohale says Trump’s hostility towards South Africa must be understood within a bigger global context, rather than as a personal or bilateral dispute. “Trump 1.0 demonstrated beyond any shadow of doubt that the president of the United States is against anything that is woke, progressive. He’s a racist, he’s against women, against Muslims, against people who prefer the same gender,” Mohale said. “If the facts don’t favour him, he manufactures his own. He’s a bully. He believes in the currency of tariffs: ‘I get my way or else’.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Afrika Mayibuye Movement leader Floyd Shivambu sits down with Sunday Times deputy editor Mike Siluma to reflect on his political journey from the ANCYL to the EFF, why he broke with Julius Malema, and the fallout from his stint in the MK Party. He responds to lingering questions about the VBS scandal, his meeting with Bushiri, and his expulsion from MK, while unpacking what “total freedom and emancipation” means under Mayibuye. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ANC first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane sits down with Mike Siluma to discuss how the Catholic Church shaped her political awakening, why she believes the DA is destabilising the GNU and why Jacob Zuma’s breakaway to form MK was “an act of betrayal.” She also opens up about her personal journey and whether she’s ready to run for ANC president.

The launch of the national dialogue has reignited debate about whether the process can genuinely help fix the country’s problems or it is just another stage to advance elite interests.Political analyst and Public Affairs Research Institute executive director Dr Sithembile Mbete says dialogue has been a recurring theme in South Africa’s democratic journey.“It comes from this idea that we are so fractured as a nation across political, racial and class lines and that we somehow need to talk to each other to find a solution,” she explains.She likens the initiative to “post-conflict negotiations” but warns that dialogue without a clear end goal risks becoming hollow. “We should always ask: what is the outcome supposed to be?”Arena Holdings editor-at-large S’thembiso Msomi agrees, saying South Africans have long felt that “what we have is not enough”.“Clearly there’s general unhappiness about where South Africa is going,” he says. Produced by: Bulelani Nonyukela.

Long standing NEC member Dr Malusi Gigaga has hit out at the party arguing that it is yet to start fulfilling its ambition to renew itself

Correctional services minister Pieter Groenewald wants inmates to grow food, make clothing, bake bread and work in factories to save taxpayers hundreds of millions of rand and promote rehabilitation. “All [prison] uniforms are produced by inmates. All the furniture in my offices — Cape Town and Pretoria — has been manufactured by inmates, so it's much cheaper,” Groenewald said. Though the furniture predates his appointment in 2024, Groenewald believes it reflects the sort of cost-cutting, skills-development approach he wants to entrench and expand throughout the prisons system. Produced by: Bulelani Nonyukela.

Soon-to-be acting police minister Firoz Cachalia has questioned KwaZulu-Natal police chief Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s decision to bypass reporting lines, but says rules can sometimes be an obstacle.  In an exclusive Sunday Times Politics Weekly podcast interview, Cachalia said he was “surprised and shocked” by Mkhwanazi’s bombshell remarks, which implicated police minister Senzo Mchunu and deputy national commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya — both of whom have now been placed on leave. Produced by: Bulelani Nonyukela.

Protesting in South Africa comes at a price, sometimes a deadly one. From Sharpeville to today’s crackdowns, the state’s response to dissent has often been force, not dialogue. As the country marks Human Rights Day, the question remains: Why does standing up for basic rights still come with heavy consequences? In this episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we unpack with experts issues behind police brutality and state repression. Their insights paint a troubling picture of a system where law enforcement is often used to silence dissent rather than protect citizens.