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As South Africa marks Heritage Day, Phumi Mashigo is joined by Zulu Royal Historian and author Shalo Mbatha to ask: what kind of South Africa are we building for the next 30 years? From King Shaka and the formation of the Zulu nation to apartheid, identity, inequality and belonging, they explore what our history can teach us about our future - and what it will take to build a stronger shared South African identity The Burning Platform

With local government elections less than 50 days away, the political temperature is rising. Phumi Mashigo sits down with Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya to unpack the ANC’s candidate-list chaos, the DA’s missed opportunities, MK’s rise in KwaZulu-Natal and whether the EFF has lost its political edge. Plus: Ramaphosa’s leadership in Africa, Trump and the US midterms, Europe’s shift to the right — and what all of it tells us about the changing face of political leadership. The Burning Platform

With the local government elections less than 50 days away, South Africa's political landscape is heating up. This week Phumi Mashigo speaks to Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya from the This Is Politics podcast about the ANC's candidate-list chaos, the DA's missed opportunities, MK's rise in KwaZulu-Natal and whether the EFF has lost its political edge. They also discuss Africa, SADC and Cyril Ramaphosa's leadership on the African continent and look at Donald Trump and the 2026 US midterms, the rise of the political right across Europe, and the changing nature of political leadership. The Burning Platform

Can South Africa get tobacco policy right? What do these decisions mean for you? Phumi Mashigo speaks to Prof Lekan Ayo-Yusuf, Professor of Public Health with more than 20 years of experience across higher education, hospital management, university leadership and executive management. With specialist expertise in epidemiology, health promotion, research and tobacco control regulatory science, Prof Ayo-Yusuf explains the future of the tobacco industry, the role of the World Health Organisation, and the importance of bringing science, advocacy and political leadership together. The conversation also takes a closer look at South Africa’s Tobacco Bill and the policies that could shape the country’s public health future. The Burning Platform

Ten years after #FeesMustFall, does protest still have the power to change South Africa? From the Wits campus to the streets, student activism has shaped some of the country’s most important political conversations. But has that activism translated into lasting change, and where does a new generation of young leaders take the fight from here? Siya Sangweni leads this conversation with Wits SRC member Sandile Sibanda, student leader Angelic Mafadza and South African Youth Council’s Jimmy Khosa. The Burning Platform

When basic services fail, corruption takes root and criminal networks become more powerful, what happens to the communities left behind? Phumi Mashigo speaks to Action SA’s Xolani Khumalo about his plans to bring a more aggressive approach to fixing local government as he runs for Ekurhuleni mayor; and whether South Africans should expect more from their leaders. The Burning Platform

Who do you trust to lead our cities? As we wrap Women’s Month, meet the women vying to shape futures as host Phumi Mashigo profiles female mayoral candidates on their leadership, vision, priorities and plans, and what they believe our cities need next. Featuring Build One South Africa’s Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster (Johannesburg), Action SA’s Gibsy Diale (Mogale City) and Land Party’s Ntsiki Mazwai (Johannesburg). The Burning Platform

Is Johannesburg ready for a new kind of political leadership? Lukhona Mnguni joins Phumi Mashigo to unpack his vision for the city, from cleaner and safer communities to greater transparency, accountable government and principled coalition politics. He also discusses his political career, learnings from his experience and his journey within RISE Mzansi. The Burning Platform

What has gone wrong in Durban, and what will it take to fix the city? Phumi Mashigo speaks to the Democratic Alliance’s Haniff Hoosen about the challenges facing eThekwini and why residents are increasingly demanding action. In this discussion, Hoosen shares his vision for an eThekwini where communities take action, leaders listen and residents have a stronger voice in shaping the city’s future. The Burning Platform

Why does Israel believe the world misunderstands its actions? Phumi Mashigo gets into a conversation about this with Ambassador Mark Regev, one of Israel's most experienced diplomats and communicators. Having served as the country's international spokesman, ambassador, and senior adviser to the Prime Minister, Regev has spent decades explaining Israel's decisions to the world. They unpack the realities of diplomacy, the role of media and narrative, the aftermath of 7 October, and the complex relationship between security, politics, and public opinion. The Burning Platform

In this episode we bring together political leaders and commentators for an unfiltered discussion on one of South Africa's most pressing and divisive issues; illegal immigration and its ripple effect on governance, crime, economic growth, and the future of the country. Following the events surrounding the March and March protests on the 30th of June, the panel examines what really happened, whether the demonstrations achieved their intended goals, and what practical solutions exist beyond political rhetoric. Moderated by Justice Malala, the panel consisted of: Solly Mkhize from the Patriotic Alliance Herman Mashaba from ActionSA Sihle Ngubane from uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party Donovan E. Williams - Political Commentator The Burning Platform

Are we paying enough attention to the warning signs? With crime, protest, poverty, and public trust being increasingly intertwined, Phumi Mashigo speaks to two experts to unpack what's driving tensions, political and otherwise, and what can be done to build a more stable future. She is joined by David Bruce, researcher, writer, and analyst; as well as Thato Masiangoako, researcher at the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI). The Burning Platform

What does Johannesburg need most right now? Better management, bold ideas, or both? Phumi Mashigo speaks with Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster about her journey into politics, her plans to restore confidence in city governance, and what a Build One South Africa-led Johannesburg could look like. The Burning Platform

Can a nation built on freedom still be grappling with who truly belongs? As the United States marks 250 years of independence, Phumi Mashigo unpacks the promises and contradictions that have shaped the American story. She is joined by Charles Belk, founder of "Fitting The Description", a nonprofit focused on addressing wrongful arrests and mistaken identity cases. Charles gained international attention in 2014 after being wrongfully arrested for armed bank robbery because he "fit the description" of a suspect. Together, they discuss the lessons of history, the realities of the present, and what the next chapter of the American experiment could look like. The Burning Platform

What sparked the illegal immigration protests? Recent protests across the country have exposed growing frustrations around illegal immigration, service delivery, unemployment, crime, and the perceived failure of the state to respond effectively. Yet beneath the headlines lies a far more complex conversation about policy, accountability, human rights, and national identity. Phumi Mashigo speaks with political commentator and author Rebone Tau about what is fuelling public anger, whether the concerns being raised are justified, and how South Africa can navigate one of the most difficult policy challenges facing the country today. The Burning Platform