Vafa Naraghi unpacks: Becoming South African, comedy, engineering, UCT, Madlanga Commission

Vafa Naraghi joins Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh for a wide-ranging conversation on identity, comedy, race, politics and what it truly means to be South African. From his hit show Becoming South African to his journey from engineering into comedy, Vafa explains why great comedy is far more than entertainment—it is a powerful tool for challenging assumptions, creating empathy and bringing people together. The conversation explores South Africa's complex identity, xenophobia, the Madlanga Commission, education, history, social cohesion and the role of artists in shaping public discourse. Vafa also reflects on optimism, the country's future, and why he believes humour can help unlock difficult conversations that politics often cannot.