SMWX

Investigative journalist Jeff Wicks unpacks his new book, The Shadow State: Why Babita Deokaran Had to Die. From the harrowing details of Deokaran’s assassination, to the R850 million procurement scandal at Tembisa Hospital, to the catastrophic failures of the Hawks, Wicks traces the web of corruption.

South Africa’s political stage was rocked today as the long-awaited Mkhwanazi Commission was unexpectedly postponed before it even began. In this episode, we unpack the commission’s delay, Kubayi’s sharp reaction, and Pandor’s scathing critique of her own party.

Prof Busani Ngcaweni, former Policy and Research Head and Chief of Staff in The Presidency and Principal of the National School of Government, now Director for the Centre for Public Policy and African Studies at the University of Johannesburg joins us on SMWX. Prof Ngcaweni unpacks working in the highest office in the land, navigating politics vs bureaucracy, reflecting on the Presidents and Deputy Presidents that he has worked under and more! Busani also reflects on the Government of National Unity and it's prospects.

We unpack the story of three DA MPs who were attacked in Phillipi, Cape Town this week. Among them was Parliament's Police Portfolio Committee Chair, Ian Cameron, who suffered some injuries. What does this say about crime and lawlessness in South Africa - let's unpack.

The National Dialogue was even funnier than we imagined. From Uncle Cyril asking the nation why government is failing, to people storming the stage — it had it all. In this episode, we take you through the most absurd and hilarious moments of the National Dialogue, because at this point, satire is the only response.

Are Senzo Mchunu and Dr Malusi Gigaba right to speak out in the way that they have recently? Let's unpack both their statements and the ANC's reaction to the "counter-revolutionary" remarks by these two NEC members!

Loyiso Gola joins Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh for a wide-ranging and unfiltered conversation. From the Mkhwanazi saga and Kenny Kunene’s arrest to Gayton McKenzie’s political moves and the state of Ramaphosa’s presidency, Gola shares sharp political observations with his signature wit. We also dive into Helen Zille, Late Night News, the future of comedy, and his thoughts on AI.

Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh unpacks the second meeting of Parliament's Adhoc Committee investigating Lt Gen Mkhwanazi's 6 July allegations.

Is the National Dialogue, which kicks off in Pretoria today, a scam? We take a deep dive into the origins of the National Dialogue, the pulling out of legacy foundations, exhorbitant estimated R700m costs and whether all of this has caused a fall-out between Former President Mbeki and President Ramaphosa. Most importantly, we also explore whether this National Dialogue, in its current form, is what South Africans really want.

JJ Tabane unpacks the political tremors rattling South Africa’s Government of National Unity — from Gayton McKenzie’s controversial statements and John Steenhuisen's recent presser, to the explosive Mkhwanazi allegations threatening to blow up the coalition.