SMWX

Why vote when it feels as though one person cannot change anything? In this TedXDurban x SMWX talk, Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh challenges that argument by comparing voting to applause: its power comes from individual voices joining together, not from any one person deciding the outcome. He explores the make-up of South Africa’s electorate, highlighting the electoral weight of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal and the gap between women’s participation and their representation in political leadership. Sizwe then explains his polling-average methodology and shares his predictions for the 2026 local government elections, assessing the ANC’s potential decline, the DA’s prospects in the major cities and the MK Party’s strength in eThekwini. From coalition possibilities to the contest over Cape Town’s outright majority, he examines how the political map could change—and why the collective power of voting matters far more than the influence of any single ballot.

In this week’s episode of Week in Review, we unpack the breaking news of former IDAC head Andrea Johnson and former SAPS senior intelligence offical Feroz Khan’s arrest. We also unpack Suliman Carrim’s bail application, Lt Gen Mkhwanazi’s proposed appointment as Hawks head and much more from this week.

The 2026 Local Government Elections are fast looming and Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh makes his predictions for the various metropolitan municipalities, and the national picture.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s former political advisor, Bejani Chauke, has been served with a rule 10 (6) notice and has been requested to explain his conversations he has allegedly been having with alleged big 5 cartel leader, Mswazi. In this episode, we also unpack the possible link that this has to the Phala Phala story, as earlier mentioned in the Jermaine Prim prison letter.

Dada Morero joins Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh on SMWX to discuss his journey into politics, his record as Johannesburg’s mayor and the choices facing the city ahead of the local government elections. From growing up in Orlando West and becoming involved in student activism to working in civilian intelligence and city administration, Morero reflects on the experiences that shaped his leadership. He revisits his first 25-day stint as mayor, the instability of coalition government and his priorities on crime prevention, municipal finances and service delivery. The conversation tackles the Auditor-General’s findings, wasteful expenditure, water shortages, electricity interruptions and deteriorating roads, with Morero defending his administration’s approach and outlining its infrastructure investment plans.
 
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Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, former Constitutional Court Judge, joins us on SMWX to have a conversation about his early life, what drew him to the Law, his career as an advocate, and his many landmark judgements and court appearances, including the ICJ in 2004. In this episode, we get to know and understand the man behind the name and where it all truly began. Justice Madlanga also reflects on the life and legacy of Oliver Tambo. The interview was filmed on the sidelines of the Oliver Tambo Memorial Lecture, hosted by the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation in collaboration with Infinity Dynamic Strategy.

Lukhona Mnguni returns to SMWX for a conversation with Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh about his campaign to become Johannesburg’s mayor and Rise Mzansi’s plans to rebuild the city. Drawing on stories from the campaign trail, he discusses the everyday corruption, crime and water shortages affecting residents, and why so many are losing faith in politics. He outlines proposals to stabilise municipal finances, make procurement transparent, repair water infrastructure and establish an investment fund that gives residents a stake in the city’s recovery, alongside ward-level budgets to strengthen community participation. Turning to the battle for City Hall, Mnguni explains why he believes Helen Zille is unlikely to become mayor, sets out Rise Mzansi’s conditions for a stable coalition and challenges Floyd Shivambu’s proposal that the largest party should automatically take the mayoralty. At the heart of the discussion is whether Johannesburg’s next government can move beyond political deal-making to restore services, accountability and public trust

Who is Cape Town really being built for? Brett Herron joins SMWX to unpack the city’s housing and affordability crisis, explain why he left the DA, and discuss his allegations about donor and property developer influence over affordable housing. He outlines GOOD’s proposals for building homes, reducing municipal tariffs and regulating Airbnb, while questioning whether residents are being priced out of their own city. The conversation also tackles tourism and digital nomads, inequality and informal settlements, crime and gangsterism on the Cape Flats, and Herron’s opposition to the proposed N2 wall. He sets out his alternative, reflects on his record in government, and answers questions about smaller parties, coalitions and GOOD’s ability to govern Cape Town.

Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Doctor Xhakaza joins SMWX for a frank conversation about the city’s future ahead of the 2026 local government elections. He makes the ANC’s case for another term, outlines plans to revive manufacturing and establish a university, and responds to the Madlanga Commission revelations involving the EMPD. Xhakaza also addresses his fallout with the EFF, the removal of Dunga, tensions over coalition arrangements and efforts to recover revenue lost through billing manipulation. The discussion tackles gender-based violence, whistleblower protection and the personal risks of confronting corruption.

MK Party MP Vusi Shongwe joins SMWX for a conversation about Parliament’s ad hoc committee, the Madlanga Commission and the political battles surrounding Feroz Khan. He explains why he believes Khan was shielded from appearing before the committee and questions Julius Malema and the EFF’s handling of the matter. Shongwe recounts a Durban meeting where he alleges he was offered money and cars, shares his account of being abducted in Tembisa, and discusses allegations involving Shadrack Sibiya, Cat Matlala and Crime Intelligence. Beyond the investigations, he reflects on his background in music production and the SAPS, his long-standing relationship with former President Jacob Zuma and his journey into politics. Turning to the local government elections, Shongwe outlines MK’s ambitions in Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg and its priorities on security, jobs and service delivery. He also defends the party’s leadership changes, responds to concerns about suspensions and redeployments, and explains his reservations about holding an elective conference.