Advertise on podcast: SMWX

Does former President Thabo Mbeki’s criticism signal the beginning of the end of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s dominance over the ANC? Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh unpacks Mbeki’s remarks, assesses the promises of the “new dawn” and examines the ANC’s electoral decline. From weak economic growth and unemployment to resignation reports, calls for an early elective conference and tensions over coalitions with the DA, this analysis explores the pressures facing the party’s leadership—and how the Madlanga Commission and Phala Phala could deepen its internal reckoning.

As coalition negotiations progress, we unpack the possibility of various permutations, some that include and some that exclude the DA and ANC. What are the implications for the ANC and DA's relationship and the GNU? Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh unpacks.

Vusimusi Cat Matlala testified at the Madlanga Commission today, on its resumption of public hearings after a 26 day break whilst they conducted in-camera hearings. In his testimony, Matlala was taken through his s204 statement that formed part of his plea deal with IDAC in his corruption trial regarding the Medicare24 tender fraud. In this statement, he makes serious allegations about senior politicians in government and in the police service. Otsile Nkadimeng unpacks!

The Madlanga Commission is back and when we expected Vusimusi Cat Matlala to give evidence, the day started with arguments about whether his collapsed plea deal statement can be admissible and used by the Commission in his testimony. Once a ruling was made, an attempt to go in-camera was lodged by Matlala's counsel. Was this an attempt to delay proceedings? Oratile Kekana unpacks.

How will the Government of National Unity be affected by the local government elections and their results.

ANC SG Fikile Mbalula reacts to the 2026 Election results, and the ANC's performance.

EFF Leader, Julius Malema, held a press briefing and reacted to the 2026 Election Results.

With formal coalition negotiations looming, Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh unpacks the possible permutations and debuts his coalition arrangement idea across South Africa.

The conversation around the 2026 Election Results has shifted from the projections and results to the possible coalition partners that we might see across the country in municipalities and metros. Will the ANC be able to negotiate their way to victory like they did in 2024? Will the DA draw a line? Will Action SA use their kingmaker position in Gauteng to their advantage. We unpack all of this and more, coming to you live from the IEC's Results Operation Centre.

We wrap up the day at the IEC's Results Operation Centre and give you a view of what to expect tomorrow (Saturday).

We're bringing you reactions from political parties at the IEC's Results Operation Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg.

The results are close to being complete, with nearly 90% of votes already counted and captured by the IEC. Where to from here? In this analysis, Oratile Kekana explores the possible coalitions we might see across municipalities in South Africa, why this election matters and some projections looking at Joburg, Ekurhuleni, Ethekwini and Tshwane.

With over 70% of votes counted and captured across South Africa, by the IEC, the picture is starting to be clearer about where power will lie across many councils in the country. The ANC, in this watershed election, have lost all their majorities in municipalities that have been historically strongholds, and the DA has surpassed the ANC in many of these municipalities as the biggest party. Otsile Nkadimeng, SMWX analyst, unpacks!

The ANC faces a dramatic collapse as early CSIR projections point to major shifts in South Africa’s 2026 local government elections. The DA is gaining ground in key metros, ActionSA is showing signs of a comeback, and the EFF and MK Party face difficult questions. In this SMWX analysis, we unpack the national picture, the battle for Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, and striking projections from Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City and Mangaung. We also examine what voting trends in Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and Limpopo could mean for 2029, Cyril Ramaphosa’s legacy and the ANC’s future.

We're coming to you live from the IEC's Results Centre and we are speaking to political leaders about their thoughts of the results thus far.