TimesLIVE Podcasts Sunday Times Politics Weekly

Sunday Times Politics Weekly

The weekly political show by top journalists of the Sunday Times discussing the week's biggest stories, toughest topics in a tight and guided conversation.

An Arena Holdings Production.

Keywords: podcast, analysis, politics, social justice, news commentary, economy, opinions, accountability
Weekly English South Africa News · Government
178 Episodes
1 – 20

Backing Zuma my worst mistake: Zwelinzima Vavi

Veteran trade union leader Zwelinzima Vavi has had his setbacks, but the “tragic mistake” he is still kicking himself for was to support Jacob Zuma in becoming president of the ANC and the republic. The only mistake, and the biggest mistake, is that I was convinced by some members of…
16 Mar 1 hr 41 min

Israel-Hamas war: the case for cutting ties with Israel

South Africa’s position in the Israel-Hamas war has further strained relations between Pretoria and the Israeli government, culminating this week in the withdrawal of our country’s diplomats from Israel. In this episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly we explore the issues at the heart of the disagreement between the…
9 Nov 2023 37 min

Did Zondo’s state capture recommendations fall on deaf ears?

This week police arrested Dudu Myeni, the former chairperson of SAA and an associate of ex-president Jacob Zuma on fraud and corruption charges – charges arising from benefits she allegedly received from Bosasa, the defunct company implicated in state capture. In this episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we…
5 Oct 2023 37 min

Mangosuthu Buthelezi - The man who tried to ride two horses

This week on Sunday Times Politics Weekly we delve into the controversial legacy of IFP founder and prime minister to the Zulu nation Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who died at the weekend at the age of 95.  Buthelezi's legacy has been the centre of debate in recent days after his passing, with some labelling…
15 Sep 2023 46 min

'SA is not ready for a white president' - FF Plus leader Pieter Groenewald

In this episode of the Sunday Times Politics weekly, Sunday Times Politics Editor Sibongakonke Shoba sat down with Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Groenewald, one of the parties for the proposed ‘moonshot’ pact alliance. Asked if he thought the country was ready for a white president, Groenewald said: ‘No. We’re…
29 Jul 2023 37 min

Why Zimbabwe needs a negotiated settlement, not another rigged election

This week on the Sunday Times politics Weekly we shine the spotlight on the prospects of the Zimbabwe elections. Our panellists on the podcast are prominent Zimbabwean scholar professor Ibbo Mandaza and Ngqabutho Nicholas Mabhena representing Zimbabwe Community in South Africa organisation. The two assess what the elections mean and…
27 Jul 2023 35 min

Deputy president Paul Mashatile talks national issues and the politics of office

Since his appointment, there has been keen interest to better understand where Deputy president Paul Mashatile stands on national issues.  In this episode of the Politics Weekly, Mashatile sat down with Sunday Times' Sibongakonke Shoba, Kgothatso Madisa and Caiphus Kgosana for a wide ranging conversation including among other things his…
19 Jul 2023 47 min

Is the Moonshot Pact pie in the sky or will it reset SA politics?

Our guests on the ‘Sunday Times Politics Weekly’ are pessimistic about the plan hatched by DA leader John Steenhuisen to unseat the ANC. This week Steenhuisen announced that six opposition parties would hold a national convention aimed at ousting the ANC in the next elections. The so-called “Moonshot Pact” was…
6 Jul 2023 38 min

SA’s 'neutrality' rubbed global powers the wrong way

Unisa’s Prof Everisto Benyera counts what South Africa loses for its stance in the Russia-Ukraine war. He, in part, specialises in peace-building and mediation. Last week, African leaders led by President Cyril Ramaphosa undertook a mediation mission to Ukraine and Russia in the latest bid to end the war in…
22 Jun 2023 29 min

'I'm ready to be president' - EFF leader Julius Malema

In a wide-ranging conversation with ‘Sunday Times Politics Weekly’, EFF leader Julius Malema shared his views on the upcoming elections, and possible coalition permutations. Malema says he won’t join any coalition in which Cyril Ramaphosa or John Steenhuisen are potential presidents. However, he did speak of his willingness to work…
17 Jun 2023 1 hr 03 min

Fikile Mbalula on ANC governance going into 2024, Ace Magashule, Putin's visit

In a wide-ranging conversation with ‘Sunday Times Politics Weekly’, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula speaks on the ANC, his predecessor Ace Magashule who faces possible expulsion from the party, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mbalula reflected on his tenure as party SG and assessed the ruling party under the leadership of…
3 Jun 2023 41 min

Cholera crisis: what to do with non-performing local government?

The cholera outbreak in Tshwane has again put the spotlight on the crisis in local government negatively impacting service delivery to citizens.  Local government is often regarded as the coalface at which the state delivers citizens’ basic needs. But what is their recourse when it fails to do so, as…
25 May 2023 36 min

Why Gayton McKenzie thinks he’ll be SA president and six things he stands for

Mass deportation of illegal foreigners, death penalty, cancelling race — some of the (things) Gayton McKenzie says he will do when he becomes president. In a robust conversation on the Sunday Times Politics weekly with the Patriotic Alliance leader, McKenzie says he knows he will become SA president and laid…
18 May 2023 35 min

Arrest Putin or not — has SA’s foreign policy lost its way?

Amid the ICC arrest warrant, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit has been intensely debated in the ANC NEC.  SA was also naive for not making provisions to protect itself when it joined the International Criminal Court. We hear from our guests on the Sunday Times Politics Weekly podcast this…
4 May 2023 34 min

ActionSA lays down the line for coalitions

Amid continuing uncertainty in the leadership of metros in Gauteng, ActionSA has tabled motions of no-confidence against the current mayor Thapelo Amad and speaker of Johannesburg, Colleen Makhubele. To talk about what seems like a drastic step, and other issues afflicting party coalitions as well as ActionSA's way forward going…
13 Apr 2023 29 min

How Ramaphosa can defuse the Putin arrest hot potato

Our country has been placed in a quandary after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant of arrest for Russian President Vladimir Putin which compels SA, as a signatory to the ICC’s Rome Statute, to arrest him if he visits South Africa. International relations minister Naledi Pandor has said Russian…
30 Mar 2023 35 min
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