SMWX

In this episode of Economic Justice Matters by the Institute for Economic Justice, we unpack one of the most critical questions facing South Africa today: Is the economy finally turning the corner — or are we still stuck in structural stagnation? Featuring Deputy Finance Minister Ashor Sarupen, Gilad Isaacs (Executive Director, IEJ), and Thoko Madonko (Southern Centre for Inequality Studies), this debate dives deep into: The reality behind South Africa’s “green shoots”, whether debt is truly stabilizing, the role of the state vs the private sector, the unemployment crisis and what it will take to fix it and much more!

Action SA has secured the release of the IPID report that details the investigations and recommendations into the Phala Phala saga. In this report, we get a picture of how senior SAPS officials in the Presidential Protection Unit contravened the law in an effort to conceal the theft of foreign currency from the President's private farm. We take a deep dive into this report and its consequences.

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, today, heard from Tshukudu Malatji - an official who works in the Asset Protection department. We unpack his testimony and the revelations that have come out of the City of Tshwane.

The Constitutional Court of South Africa has indicated that it is in the advanced stage of the Phala Phala judgment's completion and will deliver this judgement within a month. This was in reponse to EFF leader Julius Malema's letter addressed to the Chief Justice on the delay in this matter. We unpack what this means for the Phala Phala saga and how we could see this situation unfold.

Sergeant Fannie Nkosi has been arrested and he will be in custody until Monday 13 April. We unpack this and the resumption of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry after an Easter recess. This week, the Commission is expected to hear evidence relating to the City of Tshwane, particularly the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD).

Global geopolitics is shifting — and fast. In this episode of SMWX, renowned diplomat and global thinker Prof Kishore Mahbubani breaks down the biggest forces shaping the world today — from US–China relations to the Middle East conflict, BRICS, and South Africa’s place in a changing global order. We unpack why the delayed meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping matters, how the global economy has remained resilient despite rising tariffs, and why the current Middle East war could be a strategic advantage for China.

In this episode of SMWX, the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development breaks down the realities behind land redistribution, expropriation, and the challenges of transforming policy into action. From the slow pace of land reform to new proposed legislation, this conversation unpacks what’s really happening inside government — and what it means for ordinary South Africans.

South Africa is heading into another crucial round of local government elections — but the political landscape has fundamentally changed.In this episode of SMWX, we break down the latest polling from the Social Research Foundation and Ipsos to understand where each major party stands right now — nationally and in key metros like Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and eThekwini.The numbers tell a clear story: no party is anywhere near outright control in the country’s major cities. Instead, South Africa is entering a deeper phase of coalition politics — with more parties, more fragmentation, and more uncertainty than ever before.We unpack:Where the African National Congress actually sits today — and whether this is now its ceilingThe Democratic Alliance’s position in metros and why it still struggles to break throughThe rise of the MK Party and how it is reshaping the political mapWhat’s happening to the Economic Freedom Fighters voteWhy parties like ActionSA, Inkatha Freedom Party and Patriotic Alliance could decide who governsWe also revisit the 2021 results in key metros to show how coalition politics has evolved — and why instability may actually increase after the next election, not decrease.The big question is no longer “who will win?” — but rather:who can actually form a stable government?
Further reading:SRF polls: https://www.thecommonsense.co.za/pollsInside Politics: https://inside-politics.org

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi reshuffled his provincial government today, and the EFF has joined the Government of Provincial Unity. We unpack this, the increase in fuel prices and Helen Zille's ongoing campaign in Joburg for the 2026 Local Government Election.

We take a deep dive into the case against SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola; what are the consequences for him and the SAPS. We unpack this and more!