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
180 Episodes
36 – 56

I need to put on my big girl panties and keep going: Phalatse

Recent political events in coalition-run municipalities have cast doubt on the viability of such governments. A prime example is Johannesburg, whose mayor Mpho Phalatse and speaker Vasco da Gama were removed last month after no-confidence motions. Phalatse was ousted by an ANC-led coalition that included the EFF and Patriotic Alliance…
27 Oct 2022 29 min

Infighting in Gauteng’s coalition metro’s and the ANC’s leader ship race

In this episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we discuss what has been happening in Gauteng’s metros of Joburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, caught up by coalition government infighting. We also take a look at the latest in the ANC’s leadership race ahead of the parties national conference in December.  Our…
13 Oct 2022 39 min

Eskom’s new chair makes coal costs first target

Mpho Makwana, the new chair of Eskom, has backed incumbent CEO Andre de Ruyter and set his sights on bringing down the price of electricity by reducing the cost of coal supplied to its plants while also improving the quality of the fuel it receives. In an interview with Business…
8 Oct 2022 32 min

New board chairperson says he plans to restore Eskom to an award-winning utility

Today on the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we give you a sneak-peak into our discussion with veteran business leader Mpho Makwana, who is Eskom’s new chairperson.  Makwana gives us insight into his perspectives on Eskom and the seemingly insurmountable energy crisis the country faces. Having worked at the utility before,…
6 Oct 2022 6 min

Eskom - The 'dark side' of political power

In this episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we discuss the politics which has historically shaped, and which continues to shape SA's energy crisis. Our host, Mike Siluma is joined by Prof Mark Swilling chair of the Development Bank of Southern Africa and professor at Stellenbosch University and Prof…
29 Sep 2022 29 min

The ANC's new electoral rules and their continued shortfalls 

By all indications, the ANC’s leadership succession race well underway. This week on the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we assess the likely effectiveness of the party’s new campaign rules, which, on the surface, seek to improve the quality of its leadership. We will also look at the leadership candidates that…
22 Sep 2022 36 min

Is it possible to hold Zuma to account, despite the risk of unrest?

He left office more than four years ago but former president Jacob Zuma has remained a feature in SA's political and public life. This week the Pietermaritzburg high court gave VBS Mutual Bank permission to seize Zuma’s assets to repay a loan of nearly R7m relating to the refurbishment of…
1 Sep 2022 30 min

What will Kenya's recent election mean for SA?

Last week one of the more influential countries in East Africa, Kenya went to the polls to choose a new president. And, not for the first time, the outcome sparked controversy as current vice-president William Ruto narrowly defeated long-time campaigner Raila Odinga. Odinga, who lost the August 9 presidential elections…
18 Aug 2022 29 min

Contestation for the Zulu throne is set to intensify

In March this year President Cyril Ramaphosa legally recognised Prince Misuzulu ka Zwelithini as the king-elect of the Zulu people, following the death last year of long-reigning King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu. But subsequent events around the Zulu royal household suggest that the president’s decision does not enjoy universal support…
12 Aug 2022 33 min

Why SA lambasted Eswatini government spokesperson for his comments on crime

This week on Sunday Times Politics Weekly we look at the strained relationship between SA and its neighbours due to an influx of foreigners accused of crime. Recent cases include the gang rape of eight women in Krugersdorp, which has been blamed on illegal foreign miners, and Eswatini spokesperson Alpheous…
5 Aug 2022 23 min

Step-aside issue set to dominate policy conference and influence ANC leadership

Today on the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we look at one of most important events on this year’s political calendar – the ANC’s policy conference, which is in preparation for the organisation’s national conference in December. Hypothetically, if the proposals of the policy conference are adopted in December, they should…
28 Jul 2022 34 min

Gun control in SA: To arm or not to arm? 

As the nation mourns the deaths of 21 people in three separate shooting incidents at various taverns at the weekend, the silence around gun control in SA's political arena is coming to the fore. A report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime released late last year, found that…
14 Jul 2022 40 min

Farmgate - 'the ANC needs to step aside', says analyst

In today’s instalment of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we look at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s predicament, in the wake of the scandal over a burglary on his Phala Phala farm two years ago. The scandal was set off by the laying of charges including bribery, kidnapping and money laundering, among…
23 Jun 2022 28 min

Is SA ripe to be captured... again?

This week the country was abuzz with the news that the villains of the state capture story in SA, the Gupta brothers, had been arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), pending extradition to SA. In this weeks episode of the Sunday Times Politics Weekly, we ask how soon they…
9 Jun 2022 33 min

Ramaphosa vs Fraser - disinformation campaign or presidential scandal?

This week the former head of the State Security Agency Arthur Fraser dropped what looked like a political bombshell – laying criminal charges against President Cyril Ramaphosa.  According to a statement released by Fraser, he has pressed criminal charges against President Ramaphosa which include defeating the ends of justice, torture,…
2 Jun 2022 26 min

Zweli Mkhize’s dangerous tribalistic approach to winning the ANC presidency 

Embattled former health minister Zweli Mkhize used his son’s wedding, over the weekend, as a mini rally to launch his bid to unseat President Cyril Ramaphosa at the ANC’s national conference in December this year. A group of Zulu regiments, along with controversial former Ukhozi FM presenter Ngizwe Mchunu, took…
26 May 2022 33 min

The problem of whiteness and what SA should be doing about it

Despite the end of apartheid 28 years ago, racial incidents continue to be reported in SA's schools with increased regularity, according to South African Human Rights Commission's (SAHRC) Commissioner Andre Gaum. In this episode of the Politics Weekly, we ask what sustains racism in our society, and how we can…
19 May 2022 38 min
36 – 56