The Burning Platform - Level Up

Crunching The Political Numbers

The Institute of Race Relations has released its latest polling numbers, and to say the least, they have delivered a bombshell, with the think-tank's research showing the governing party could be in danger of losing its outright majority. Gareth and Phumi chat to News24's elections analyst, Dawie Scholtz, via Skype…

2 May 2019 32 min

Charlatans & Cathedrals

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba shares his views on the current political landscape in South Africa, not only from the perspective of a religious leader, but also as the chair of the Electoral Code of Conduct Observer Commission. He also sheds light on the comments he made during his Easter Vigil on…

25 Apr 2019 18 min

Be Vigilant about your Democracy

The courts and our legal system at large have become the battleground for political struggle. We don’t have to look far before seeing that, especially in the past few weeks with the state capture inquiry taking centre stage in the political landscape. One of South Africa’s finest legal minds, Advocate…

18 Apr 2019 1 hour

Elections & Empty Promises

Ramaphoria is well and truly over as Ivo Vegter joins the team for The Burning Platform. What can Cyril possibly say to convince people to vote ANC? Do the smaller parties actually have anything better to offer? Remembering Chris Hani and his legacy, plus a larger discussion around the thoughts…

11 Apr 2019 56 min

The IEC's Got Their Work Cut Out For Them

This week's edition of the Burning Platform kicks off with the thoughts of Sandile and Nono, two members of the youth who share their opinions of South Africa's political landscape. Gareth is then joined by Masego Sheburi, the IEC's Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, who explains the process the Commission is…

4 Apr 2019 1 hr 03 min

Extra Hot Capitalism!

Kanthan Pillay from the ZACP (South African Capitalist Party) joins us to explain their values, plans and people for the upcoming elections. Kanthan has been a contributor to the Burning Platform for a while, and just before he goes into the world of politics we thought we’d give him the…

28 Mar 2019 58 min

A lukewarm president?

In a conversation dissecting the preparation towards the 2019 elections, Siya, Phumi and Kanthan get into analysis around where some of the biggest political parties currently stand, and their take on some of their leaders. How do President Ramaphosa, Mmusi Maimane and Mangosuthu Buthelezi fair when pitted up against each…

14 Mar 2019 52 min

Who knew the name of an airport could be so highly contested?

In the midst of dissecting some of the week's hottest political stories, the team can't help but wonder why the naming of the Cape Town airport has become so highly contested. To add more to this, Advocate Anton Alberts (MP and FF Plus Premier candidate) discusses the FF Plus' perspective…

7 Mar 2019 55 min

SA's own celebrities: Our Politicians

Mayor Stevens Mokgalapa has had an eventful couple of weeks since taking up office in Tshwane recently. To get down to how he's been finding his new role, Gareth and Phumi chat to him about his plans for the city, and the much-publicised Glad Africa contract, before taking a look…

28 Feb 2019 44 min

Why Kanthan is a fan of e-tolls

Yesterday's Budget Speech has the team, including a special analysis from Anthea Gardner, fired up on this edition of The Burning Platform. Kanthan's more surprised that Minister Faith Muthambi has friends, as opposed to her reportedly appointing 27 of them into positions. He also shares his reasoning as to why…

21 Feb 2019 51 min

Is Sovereignty Overrated?

It's been another hot week in the South African political landscape, so naturally this means the team has much to discuss. From Eskom and the ANC's latest musings, to the Thabang Makwetla debacle and AfriForum's latest comments. Where is the line between lived experience vs objectivity? Kanthan chimes in on…

14 Feb 2019 51 min

Who will Bell the Cat?

Brace yourself, things are about to get heated as the country prepares itself for the upcoming State of the Nation. Gareth, Phumi and Kanthan discuss their thoughts around it. The SA Business Confidence Index has fallen in January, but what does this mean for the country? More change is coming…

7 Feb 2019 55 min

Zuma's Twitter account

With talks around a tax revolt, possibly nationalising the South African Reserve Bank, SA backing President Maduro, and keeping up with the BOSASA drama, this week's Burning Platform will leave you questioning the political landscape like never before. Gareth, Phumi and Kanthan interrogate who is truly behind some of the…

31 Jan 2019 49 min

The Burning Platform - Hot off the EFF press(er)

The EFF brought quite a lot of heat this week, hot off their press conference. Their Commander in Chief, Julius Malema, didn't shy away from topics like Zimbabwe and Bosasa. Gareth and Phumi discuss that, along with other burning issues, like President Ramaphosa saying investments into South Africa have increased…

24 Jan 2019 50 min

The Reason Why We're Being Loadshed

Gareth and Kanthan Pillay get stuck into some of the week's hottest political stories including the High Court dismissing axed commissioner Tom Moyane's bid to have his dismissal overturned, Malema's latest case, the ANC stating members should trust the party to deal with the Pule Mabe matter, and the BLF…

13 Dec 2018 47 min

Social Justice Is Not Justice

If you're looking for a unique, spicy take on this week's biggest current affairs stories, then this is for you. Comedians John Vlismas and Simmi Areff join Gareth in recapping what has gone down in the world of politics recently. They cover heated topics like the SABC retrenchments, the State…

6 Dec 2018 59 min

A Man You Can Trust

This is a bumper edition of The Burning Platform as Kanthan Pillay heats things up by breaking down the week’s biggest current affairs topics joined by Phumi Mashigo. Discussing Parliament’s Public Enterprises committee, Zuma saying he resigned to save the ANC, and EFF's charges against Pravin Gordhan opens to healthy…

29 Nov 2018 55 min

Gordhan takes the stand!

This past week has had so much heat that the team just had to chat to journalist Katharine Child to break down some of the biggest news stories. She summarises Pravin Gordhan's time in the State Capture inquiry witness stand, the EFF striking outside the Tiso BlackStar offices, and how…

22 Nov 2018 21 min

The Power of a Vote

Following a heated week in the world of politics, Gareth relies on journalist Ivo Vegter to break down some of the biggest stories that grabbed headlines. Amongst other topics, they touch on Barbara Hogan's testimony and Malusi Gigaba's resignation. Imagine if voters had the right to recall ward councillors? And…

15 Nov 2018 36 min

The latest on the SAA saga

The week that was has been nothing short of hot and spicy - that's why it's necessary to have editor of Business Day, Tim Cohen, to discuss some of the biggest political stories. Listen in as he breaks down the latest on the SAA saga, Dan Plato, the new Cape…

8 Nov 2018 18 min