The Burning Platform - Level Up

Mugabe: A Fallen Hero?

Mungo Soggot, CEO of Scrolla, joins the team in studio. Formerly a news editor at the Mail & Guardian, he broke some of the country's biggest corruption stories, including 'Oilgate'. With the passing of former President Robert Mugabe, Gareth touches on the topic of the fallen statesman and Kanthan has…

12 Sep 2019 41 min

A failed state?

It’s been an eventful week in SA with xenophobia rearing its ugly head again. In response, Nigeria is pushing back and it’s not looking good. Critical thinker and Law graduate @MightiJamie joins the show and lays down some insightful views on the state of our nation, the potential ramifications, as…

5 Sep 2019 1 hr 03 min

Unintended Consequences

With China’s potential increasing at a rapid rate, are they on their way to becoming a serious threat to us all? Well, Kanthan Pillay is convinced that this is the case and has arguments to back it up. Then, the paper sent by Minister Tito Mboweni has reached the likes…

29 Aug 2019 53 min

We have a Right to Know

Kanthan Pillay chimes in with his opinion on the old South African flag debate. The team discuss the situation between Donald Trump and Denmark. The Hong Kong protests are still topical, and Kanthan seems to believe that they are being orchestrated by a third party. Thami Nkosi from the Right2Know…

22 Aug 2019 52 min

We have a Right to Know

Kanthan Pillay chimes in with his opinion on the old South African flag debate. The team discuss the situation between Donald Trump and Denmark. The Hong Kong protests are still topical, and Kanthan seems to believe that they are being orchestrated by a third party. Thami Nkosi from the Right2Know…

22 Aug 2019 52 min

You don’t have Nine Lives...

The heat is dialled up on The Burning Platform this week as Kanthan Pillay resuscitates the NHI conversation and unpacks an article he recently penned on the topic. There may be another side to the story between Eskom and the people of of Soweto… a resident chimes in and challenges…

15 Aug 2019 54 min

Helen Zille stirs the pot

Should there be any funding for SA’s political parties? Gareth educates the team on what a pirate victory is, and they get into a discussion on its potential effects in government. Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula went on vacation - paid for by government money. Afriforum has taken him to court…

8 Aug 2019 1 hr 14 min

Tell me Sweet Lies

Repeat offender Kgosi Chikane joins the conversation, along with Kanthan Pillay, as they discuss political issues and unpack the democratic presidential debate. As a country we’ve become known for violent protests, the team share their thoughts on this way of doing things and how we can do it better. Cyril…

1 Aug 2019 48 min

Trump's 'Squad'

Need to know what's happening in the world of politics the world over? Then this is the podcast for you. Gareth and the team examine stories like Boris Johnson's new position as Prime Minister and how President Trump is dealing with 'The Squad', before bringing it back to South Africa…

25 Jul 2019 57 min

Spies, Spies & More Lies

Former President Jacob Zuma's testimony at the State Capture Inquiry was slightly anticlimactic, given that he didn't admit much. City Press journalist Juniour Khumalo, who's been covering the Inquiry, has read between the lines nonetheless and gives his take on what our previous Number One citizen disclosed. Following the death…

18 Jul 2019 49 min

Dan's Deal

Journalist Thando Maeko has been reporting on the Public Investment Corporation inquiry; she chats to the team about her observations - most recently on former CEO Dan Matjila’s testimony. There are also the week's other big political stories, like Marianne Thamm's investigation on the EFF. Nando's · The Burning Platform

11 Jul 2019 51 min

Getting to Grips with the G20

Kanthan Pillay joins Phumi and Siya for "The Burning Platform". Together with Daily Maverick's Tabelo Timse, they unpack her story that reveals the Ekurhuleni municipality is spending R1.9 billion on chemical toilets. There’s also a discussion about the G20 summit, OUTA's plan to take legal action against the eThekwini Municipality…

4 Jul 2019 57 min

What To Look Forward to in Osaka...

With the State of the Nation Address reply behind us, what's the team's take on what transpired in parliament? Hear that here before Mabine Seabe, the DA's Acting Executive Director of Communications, shares his thoughts on #SONAReply too. Then, all the attention turns to the G20 Summit that will be…

27 Jun 2019 52 min

What direction is the SA political train moving in?

Journalist Sam Mkokeli has written a piece titled "Who’s winning the battle of the bulls, Cyril or Ace? And will Busisiwe Mkhwebane survive?" His analysis in the article raises many pertinent points that Gareth and Phumi discuss, just ahead of the second State Of the Nation Address. Brought to you…

20 Jun 2019 54 min

SA's Parliament: The Most Active Old Age Home

Gareth, Phumi and Kanthan have Khaya Sithole join them for this week's edition of The Burning Platform. Khaya doesn’t shy away from voicing his political opinions, which makes him the perfect fit to the team. From questioning what deputy cabinet ministers do, to looking at what might happen to the…

13 Jun 2019 55 min

Cyril’s economy & Jacob's book

Kanthan Pillay makes a triumphant return! Together with Phumi, they discuss Cyril’s gormless economy; Ace Magashule’s insistence on making us all poorer; the real reason the ANC are so interested in the Reserve Bank; whether the Proteas are a threat to National Unity; which cabinet minister you’d want in the…

6 Jun 2019 58 min

A new dawn with old tendencies

Gareth and Phumi pick Ivo Vegter's brain as he gives his take on President Cyril Ramaphosa's new cabinet. Who's in? Who's out? Who are the surprising non-movers? Hear it all, with in-depth analysis here. They conclude with their comments on Helen Zille and Thuli Madonsela's high tea. Brought to you…

30 May 2019 49 min

John Vlismas on post-elections South Africa

It's been a heavy and hot political week, so the best solution is some comedy! Hear what John Vlismas thinks about post-elections SA, Helen Zille's tweets, a Gigaba-free parliament and lots more. Nando's · The Burning Platform

23 May 2019 58 min

OUTA's Wayne Duvenage: Why you should stay & fix SA

OUTA's Wayne Duvenage joins Gareth and Phumi on this week's Burning Platform. He discusses his recent article about how positive people can stay and fix South Africa, corruption, tax abuse and his thoughts on the recent election - COPE, Hlaudi Motsoeneng, and President Ramaphosa's daunting to-do list. Nando's · The…

16 May 2019 1 hour

Elections Are Over... Now What?

He is a liberal, a humanist and a published author but, most of all, a political animal with a deep love for ideas and argument. Gareth and Phumi hear Gareth van Onselen's dissection of the 2019 elections. Nando's · The Burning Platform

9 May 2019 28 min