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With South Africa just one month away from local government elections, the biggest question may not be who wins but whether South Africans still believe winning an election can actually change their lives. Voter apathy is growing, but is South Africa really becoming apathetic or are people simply angry and losing faith in the political system?Turnout has declined over the years, while frustration over electricity, water, jobs, crime and basic services continues to fuel protests and public anger. Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack the tension between **political apathy and political anger**, and ask what happened to the belief that voting could make tomorrow better. They examine whether the ANC's long dominance has damaged faith not only in government, but in democracy itself and whether new political forces can restore that trust. Then, the debate over the return of the death penalty raises an even bigger question: why are South Africans increasingly turning towards extreme solutions? Is it simply anger about crime, or is it a symptom of a state that people no longer believe is doing its job? From voter apathy and local government to crime, the death penalty, immigration and the responsibilities of citizens between elections, this is a conversation about something bigger than November's vote: Do South Africans still believe politics can change anything? #ThisIsPolitics #SouthAfrica #SouthAfricanPolitics #VoterApathy #LocalElections #Democracy #Voting #DeathPenalty

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 ANC is facing one of its biggest political tests yet and the cracks are becoming impossible to ignore. In this episode of This Is Politics, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack the growing battle between the ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP), as the two historic Alliance partners prepare to compete against each other in the upcoming local government elections. Why is the ANC struggling to finalise candidates? Has the party lost the ability to lead itself? And could the SACP breakaway take enough votes from the ANC to make a real difference in tightly contested municipalities? The gents also examine South Africa’s worsening crisis of confidence in the police. New victims-of-crime survey findings suggest many South Africans simply don't report crimes because they no longer believe the police will do anything about them. What does that tell us about the true scale of crime and the relationship between citizens and the state? Finally, they discuss Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s prolonged absence from public view and ask a broader question: should South Africans be asking more openly about the health and capacity of the leaders responsible for running the country? From the ANC-SACP split to political paralysis and the growing public distrust of the state, this is another big conversation about where South Africa is heading. **This Is Politics** with Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya. #ThisIsPolitics #SouthAfrica #ANC #SACP #SouthAfricanPolitics #LocalElections #ANCvsSACP #Crime #SouthAfricaPolitics

South Africa’s parallel state is back in the spotlight. Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack explosive revelations around spy technology, organised crime and the Madlanga Commission, and ask how deeply criminal networks have penetrated the country’s security institutions. They also examine the growing list of DA scandals, the party’s claims of clean government, and whether its credibility is being damaged ahead of the 4 November local government elections. And with South Africa taking over the SADC chair, the gents ask whether the region’s leaders are finally ready to turn years of promises about industrialisation, manufacturing and mineral beneficiation into action. From state capture to a possible criminal parallel state — who really holds power in South Africa? #ThisIsPolitics #SouthAfrica #StateCapture #MadlangaCommission #DA #SADC #PoliticsSA

South Africa's unemployment crisis has reached another devastating milestone — 33.6%, with millions of South Africans out of work and youth unemployment climbing to 47.5%. On this episode of This Is Politics, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya ask the uncomfortable question: why is South Africa failing to create jobs? Is the problem economic policy? Slow growth? Red tape? The ANC's ideological baggage? Or has South Africa's political leadership simply run out of ideas? The conversation then takes an even darker turn. Justice and Mondli examine the killing of Hawks investigator Lieutenant Colonel Franz Matipa, the allegations surrounding an elite SANDF unit, the growing number of political assassinations in South Africa, and what these cases say about the state of the country's criminal justice system. They also ask whether South Africa can afford to wait until the 2029 election before changing direction. With unemployment, political leadership, crime, corruption and the future of South Africa all on the table, this is a conversation about a country facing some very serious consequences. This Is Politics — South Africa's biggest political conversations, unpacked.

The Madlanga Commission has exposed troubling questions about South Africa's anti-corruption institutions and the people entrusted to protect them. In this episode, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack the dramatic testimony of Andrea Johnson, once celebrated as one of South Africa's most respected prosecutors and head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC). What does her testimony reveal about the state of the National Prosecuting Authority, the fight against corruption, and public trust in our justice system? The conversation also explores the growing diplomatic tensions between South Africa and Ghana over allegations of xenophobia and illegal immigration, asking whether the country is facing an international reputational crisis. From the future of the NPA to the effectiveness of Parliament, this is a deep dive into the institutions shaping South Africa's democracy. Topics discussed: The Madlanga Commission Andrea Johnson's testimony The future of IDAC and the NPA Corruption and accountability Parliament vs independent commissions Ghana, xenophobia and illegal immigration South Africa's international reputation If you enjoy thoughtful political analysis and in-depth conversations about South Africa's future, subscribe for new episodes every week.

This week on This Is Politics, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack one of the biggest political stories of the year as IPID head Andrea Johnson resigns following explosive testimony before the Madlanga Commission. What does her departure mean for the fight against corruption? Is South Africa finally confronting the networks that have infiltrated law enforcement, or is this just another chapter in a much bigger crisis? The conversation then shifts to the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) — the institution responsible for managing over R4 trillion in public servants' pension money. With its board in turmoil and key executives suspended or gone, the hosts ask whether one of South Africa's most important financial institutions is facing another era of instability. They also explore: Why the Madlanga Commission continues to dominate South Africa's political conversation The growing questions around Crime Intelligence and accountability The role of Julius Malema and the EFF in recent revelations Why institutions meant to protect democracy appear increasingly vulnerable Whether South Africa is witnessing institutional reform — or institutional collapse This is a conversation about power, accountability, corruption and the future of South Africa's democracy. 👇 Tell us in the comments: Do you believe South Africa is finally cleaning up corruption, or are the problems simply too deep? 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week. #ThisIsPolitics #SouthAfrica #AndreaJohnson #MadlangaCommission #IPID #PIC #CyrilRamaphosa #JuliusMalema #EFF #CrimeIntelligence #Corruption #SouthAfricanPolitics #JusticeMalala #MondliMakhanya

South Africa's political crisis continues to deepen. In this episode of This Is Politics, Justice Malala and Mondli Makhanya unpack the biggest stories shaping the country this week. They discuss: • Cyril Ramaphosa's court battle over the Phala Phala impeachment process • Why the Madlanga Commission has captured South Africa's attention • Julius Malema's repeated mention during testimony • Political assassinations and growing tensions around immigration • Donald Trump's renewed bombing of Iran and what it means for South Africa and the global economy • The FIFA Club World Cup and politics in sport As always, This Is Politics goes beyond the headlines to explain the power, personalities and consequences shaping South Africa. Subscribe for new episodes every week.

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

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.

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

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.

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?

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?

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?