The Burning Platform — Various
Various people in the know tell us the truth about what’s going on in South African politics. Fired up by Nando's.
20
FEB
Bloomberg embarrasses Bernie
Mhlanganisi Madlongolwana joins us for a sizzling episode of The Burning Platform, and he unpacks the highlights and lowlights of Cyril’s 2020 SONA. Is the field of politics in South Africa too emotive to allow for constructive intellectual engagement? As SA finds itself leaving 'Ramaphoria' and that honeymoon period of hope, what lessons if any can be drawn from Deng Xiaoping’s early reforms in China? Is coalition in government progressive, or does it put a stranglehold on bureaucratic processes which need to serve citizens? Did Elizabeth Warren put the final nail in her own coffin in the public debate with Michael Bloomberg? Is the Democratic Party falling apart, or is it just business as usual?
13
FEB
SONA 2020 watch
The State Capture inquiry is moving forward slowly... why is it taking so long? If any prosecutions were to be made in the case, would that affect South Africa's outlook short term for citizens? Mandy Wiener details what she would like to hear from Cyril Rhamaposa at SONA. Along with special guest Mark Heywood, the team tackles the issue of economic disparity... does it create conditions for exploitation? Is AngloGold’s departure from South Africa just business, or a sign of things to come? And Carl Niehaus displays a lack of awareness that defies political logic by any standard.
06
FEB
De Klerk & the Dems
Has the Iowa caucus proven that the democrats are a complete shambles? Kanthan Pillay details his lunch with FW de Klerk and the old National Party top brass. Donald Trump's impeachment has been dismissed, even after Romney crossed the floor. America’s foreign policy is clear - pro Saudi. Did the ANC really liberate South Africa like Robert Mugabe liberated Zimbabwe?
30
JAN
SANEF in retrograde?
Following SANEF backing Daniel Friedman after his suspension, we look at whether they are fit for purpose in their current form? What does free speech mean, can we just say what we want to say or should we be regulated by laws? How do journalists help shape a society, what is their role as agents of dispersing important information? Is nepotism unacceptable, or do we just accept it as looking after our kin?
23
JAN
Saint Tito
Is South Africa putting its best foot forward in Davos? Is Tito Mboweni beyond the point of being a corruptible man? What will the effect of The Land Bank being downgraded by Moody’s be? There are guns in the hands of criminals, where do they come from? Should guns be legal for citizens to carry at all? The WEF has its say about the investment environment and international sentiment towards South Africa currently. Are Russia and democracy going through a divorce? Donald Trump’s impeachment trial rolls on... the senate has spoken. God bless America!
16
JAN
Not so Mutual Manuel
Dmitry Medvedev has resigned, what happens to Russia's government now? Is a lifetime president a democratic notion? Vladimir Putin... political mastermind or monster? Peter Moyo and Trevor Manuel's Old Mutual saga rolls on. Is Bernie Sanders sexist? How is Norway getting the past, present and future so right, while we're all still a world behind?
09
JAN
ISIS Management
Kanthan Pillay is back for the first Burning Platform of 2020. Is America’s approach in Iran a disaster for the Middle East at large? Is ISIS manageable without Iran’s intervention? Is the DA imploding, or has it already imploded? Helen Zille seem to be at last chance saloon. Will the EFF take significant votes from the ANC in 2021?
19
DEC
2019
Boris is your Uncle
Is our president dead in the water? Are open borders a viable option for Africa? Is David Mabuza a loser? Reactions to Boris becoming the UK PM... Twitter hype and election results are polls part.
12
DEC
2019
Donald & Boris
Kanthan Pillay is joined by Dumo Denga on the Burning Platform and they’re zooming in on the affairs of our eventful country, from the SAA business rescue to Eskom's load shedding rearing its ugly head again. Dumo thinks we could implement better methods of collecting tax where everyone benefits. Then, could Donald Trump be the first president to be impeached by congress... and potentially go on to win the 2020 elections?
05
DEC
2019
Is a Complete Collapse of the Economy on the Cards?
Kanthan Pillay is joined by Mpiyakhe Dhlamini - an anarchy-capitalist, formerly a libertarian and formerly a socialist. The duo discuss Trump and the impeachment, and a potential recession in the horizon. Meanwhile, hot off the press, Minister Pravin Gordhan has announced what seems to be a bailout for a crippled SAA. Sexual allegations and that of an affair made public could be a devastating if not handled properly. Find out how best to deal with such a situation. Finally, the panel share their projections for the South African economy in 2020.
28
NOV
2019
No Work, No Pay
On the back of the SAA strike, their disgruntled employees are now up in arms over being paid only half of their salaries. Kanthan Pillay joins in via Skype and weighs in on this with a logical explanation. Dali Mpofu and Tembeka Ngcukaitobi are on different ends of a legal battle for the first time, in what’s been dubbed a legal ‘derby’. Gareth, who has personally dealt with them both in his own legal woes, gives his opinion.
21
NOV
2019
If it's not SAA it's Eskom
Kanthan Pillay is joined by Jan-Jan Joubert and they get into all sorts, including the impeachment hearings. In other news, there's a new sheriff at Eskom, but is he the right person to turn this failed state-owned entity around? Kanthan voices some strong opinions on this topic. What do you think the future looks like for white people in SA? Jan-Jan has written a book about this topic, and Kanthan shares his opinion. The team also discuss the SAA debacle and where it’s likely to end.
