POWER Perspective

Across South Africa—from street corners in Soweto to the Cape Flats—a silent war is playing out in millions of homes. The drug demon does not just claim lives; it fractures families, dismantles communities, and traps our youth in a vicious cycle of dependency, crime, and despair. Colleen Mmakhubele spoke to Robert Beck Recovery Assistant at Houghton House at Houghton House, Mfundo Ntandane - Social Worker & Mental Health Activist and published scholar, Pastor Mark Meek from Spiritual Restoration Centre from Westbury, Bruce Mekhoe  - Drug Addiction Survivor and Golden Miles Bhudu is a well-known South African prisoners' rights activist and the national spokesperson for the South African Prisoners Organization for Human Rights (SAPOHR).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions about the integrity of educator appointments remain unresolved in South Africa ten years after a ministerial task team investigated the alleged sale of teaching posts. The initial inquiry exposed significant vulnerabilities in a system designed to ensure that appointments are fair, equitable, and transparent. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Amy Sarah Padayachee - Lecturer at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Mabija Mathemba - National Teachers Union and Siphetho Mkhize MK Member of Parliament in the Public Service Committee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DJ MidTempo (real name Theo Mseka) is a South African artist, producer, DJ, vinyl collector, and tech corporate executive. He balances dual roles as the CEO and Managing Director of immowelt & AVIV Germany GmbH and as an international electronic music creator operating across Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Berlin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Survivors and dependents of the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre—one of the defining events of the anti-apartheid struggle—have applied for court permission to launch a class action against the South African government. The legal initiative targets the state's continued failure to repeal a 65-year-old law that blocks victims and their families from seeking financial damages. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Nabeelah Mia National Director of Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) in South Africa, Dr. Marjorie Jobson - National Director Khulumani Support Group and Tsietsi Molebatsi -  Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President William Ruto has ordered a nationwide crackdown on foreigners operating small businesses in Kenya, directing regulatory and law enforcement agencies to launch enforcement operations on Monday, September 7. Speaking on Wednesday, September 2, the president announced that the government will actively shut down foreign-owned micro and small-scale enterprises to protect local entrepreneurs. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Barack Oduor -Senior Political Reporter The Eastleigh Voice, Nairobi, Joseph Ochieno - Pan Africanist writer and former columnist with the New African Magazine. He is a forced migration scholar and pundit on global governance (with primary focus on Africa) and Lerato Ngobeni - ActionSA Spokesperson and Member of Parliament.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colleen Makhubela is in conversation with John Loos, Independent Economist, Sandile Swana – Political Analyst and Shane Dladla, Political AnalystSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Along the deeply potholed Denne Avenue on the southeastern edge of Bloemfontein, leaking municipal water pipes have flooded the area, creating a 1,500-square-meter wetland. Adding a layer of irony to the environmental damage, the waterlogged plot belongs to the Rivers of Living Waters Ministry. Roughly 2.5 kilometers down the same road, past fields saturated with raw sewage, sits the Sterkwater wastewater treatment facility. The plant serves as one of the primary sewage processing centers for the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality. Collen Makhubele spoke to Dr Tseliso Ndili - Free State Provincial Head Department of Water and Sanitation, Werner Pretorius - DA Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality mayoral candidate and Commissioner Dr. Henk Boshoff - South African Human Rights Commission.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Gauteng Health Department has launched an investigation into the Germiston Forensic Pathology Service facility following allegations of extortion and corruption. The probe comes after claims surfaced online that facility officials are demanding money from grieving families in exchange for expediting postmortem examinations. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Elsabé Basilio - Managing Director for The National Funeral Directors Association of Southern Africa (NFDA) and Lebogang Ramafoko – Executive Director of Corruption Watch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) announced at a press briefing in Centurion on Wednesday that it has received over 142,000 candidate nominations for the upcoming local government elections scheduled for November 4, 2026. A total of 546 political parties have submitted candidates to contest 10,526 council seats across municipalities nationwide. Colleen Mmakhubele spoke to Wade Manning - Executive Director Defend Our Democracy, Tiego Khoza - Political Analyst and Julius Kleynhans - Executive Manager of the Local Government Division at the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa).  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colleen Makhubele is in conversation with Advocate Leonard Tsietsi Sebelemetja, Chief Director for Legislative Development and Mining Analyst, David van Wyk  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colleen Makhubele in conversation with Prof. Oscar Koopman - Acting Dean and an Associate Professor in curriculum studies in the Faculty of Education, Stellenbosch University, Edzai Conilias Zvobwo - Mathematician & AI Engineer and Mabija Mathemba from the National Teachers UnionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the third phase of the Government-Business Partnership, renewing a joint effort to tackle South Africa's persistent economic challenges. The collaboration focuses on achieving an unchanged—and so far elusive—target of lifting economic growth above 3%. Key milestones tied to this goal include restructuring Eskom, securing private investment in the power utility, and rolling out the long-awaited mining cadastre by March 2027. Colleen Makhubele spoke to John Loos - Independent Economist, Zanele Sabela - COSATU National Spokesperson and Khulekani Mathye - Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) CEO.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has yet to hire any of the 10,000 promised additional labour inspectors, leaving the expansion completely on hold as of August 2026. In a written Parliamentary reply, Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth revealed that recruitment remains paused while the department waits to secure the necessary budget from the National Treasury. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Kabelo Moalosi - Public Servants Association (PSA), Vuyo Zungula - African Transformation Movement MP and Ganief Hendricks - founder and leader of Al Jama-Ah and Deputy Minister of Social Development.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thousands of councillors elected in the upcoming November 4 local government elections will take office to oversee municipal finances and service delivery without undergoing mandatory lifestyle audits. Despite the long-promised implementation of this accountability system, regulations governing these checks are only expected to be finalized by the end of the 2028/29 financial year. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Wayne Duvenhage – CEO for OUTA, Howard Sackstein - Political Analyst, Themba Godi - African People's Convention APC President and Councillor Palesa Yates - African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) Ekurhuleni Councillor Caucus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The South African government is actively developing a permanent Basic Income Support (BIS) grant to replace the current Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, which currently serves as a financial lifeline for over 8.2 million people. Designed primarily as a jobseeker’s grant, this new framework aims to target the same vulnerable demographics while addressing the country's deep-rooted systemic dependency on state aid. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Siyanda Baduza - Basic Income Researcher for Institute for Economic Justice, Kgothatso Sibanda - Black Sash and Makone Maja - Institute Of Race Relations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has requested that the ad hoc committee find KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi guilty of gross negligence. This request stems from Mkhwanazi's testimony before the committee, during which he initially accused former police minister Bheki Cele of accepting a bank transfer from alleged criminal Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala, only to later recant the statement. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Ashley Sauls - PA MP, David Skosana - MKP MP, Shane Dladla – Political Analyst and Steven Swart ACDP MP.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Africa and Brazil—the two largest economies in the Global South and fellow BRICS members—temporarily set aside their trade disputes on Wednesday to focus on shared economic pressure from US-imposed tariffs. Facing persistent threats of trade barriers from Washington, both nations expressed a strong desire to move beyond exporting raw materials. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Dr. Kingsley Makhubela International Relation. Expert, Matthew Parks COSATU parliamentary co-ordinator and Goodenough Mashego – Independent Political Analyst.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colleen Makhubele is in conversation with SAFTU General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, Dr Elijah Masubelele, Deputy Executive Director at Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) and Prof. Siseko Kumalo, Political Theorist and Higher Education Scholar whose work sits at the intersection of African philosophy, decolonial critique, and feminist theorySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE) admitted in the Makhanda High Court that its decision to withhold billions of rands from public schools was both unlawful and unconstitutional. The case centers on a 2020 decision by the department to deviate from the mandated per-learner school allocation target, which forms a vital part of each school's yearly operating budget. According to calculations presented in the matter, approximately R6-billion has been held back by the department since 2020. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Claire Rankin  Legal Resources Centre (LRC), Madeline Schoeman former Principal at Ntsika Secondary School in Eastern Cape and Loyiso Mbinda Eastern Cape Provincial CEO from NAPTOSA .See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colleen Makhubele is in conversation with Gilbert Chisenga, Civil Society Activist based in Zambia, Justin Mulenga, Zambian Correspondent at Diamond TV, Highvie  Hamududu, Party for National Unity and prosperity  and a member of the UPND Alliance and Dr Nicole Beadsworth, Politics Lecturer at Wits University   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colleen Makhubele is in conversation with EFF MP, Carl Niehous, Political Analyst, Thobani Zikalala and Corporate Governance Expert, Dr Nimrod MbeleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twenty-eight years after the initial deadline to lodge land claims, 5,160 claims still remain to be finalised. Although a new lodging window was briefly opened between 2014 and 2016, the Constitutional Court intervened with a critical directive: all "old order" claims submitted prior to the December 1998 deadline must be completely settled before any "new order" claims can be processed. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Henk Smith Land Access Movement of South Africa, Molatelo Mohale – Programme Officer at Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS) and Zahrah Nordien Chairman and Director of the District 6 Working committee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep concern regarding the ongoing crisis at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). This reaction follows the decision by Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela to place the troubled student funding scheme under administration. Ramaphosa had previously appointed Manamela to the portfolio after removing the disgraced Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, who faced backlash for attempting to appoint ANC politicians as chairpersons across 21 different Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Thato Masekoa the South African Union of Students (SAUS) National Spokesperson, Prof. Linda Meyer, Managing Director of ADvTECH's Rosebank International Group and visiting professor at Nelson Mandela University, Afrika Phama – Secretary General of the Pan-Africanist Youth Congress and Siyethemba Magwaza – National Chairperson MKP Youth League.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colleen Makhubele is in conversation with Slindile Khanyile - Deputy Chairperson at South African National Editors Forum (SANEF), Colleen Lowe Morna - GL Special Advisor at Gender Links, Bongekile Macupe - Deputy Politics Editor at News24, as well as Morongwe Mary Phadi ActionSA party's Mpumalanga Provincial Campaign Manager See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Defence Industry Lekgotla, held from 20 to 22 July 2026 at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria, served as a crucial platform for addressing long-standing issues within South Africa's defence sector. Convened jointly by the Department of Defence and Military Veterans and the domestic defence industry, the event brought together government officials, state-owned entities, private-sector representatives, and Members of Parliament. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Carl Niehaus - EFF Member of Parliament, Molefe Dakota Legoete, Parliamentary Defence Committee Chair and Darren Olivier, Defence Expert.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) faces an operational crisis characterized by deteriorating physical assets, systemic maintenance backlogs, and logistical bottlenecks. While frontline officers bear the public brunt of high crime rates, institutional dysfunction—amplified by administrative paralysis between SAPS and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI)—severely undermines operational efficiency and public trust. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Jabu Mabena South African Police Union National Deputy Spokesperson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The arrival of an election period brings a bumper season for opinion researchers. While the polling industry plays an undeniable role in modern politics, growing concerns have been raised regarding its regulation in South Africa. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Jan de Villiers, DA National Spokesperson, Michael Atkins, Independent Elections Analyst, Ntsako Shivambu, Historian & Political Analyst and Howard Sackstein, Political Analyst.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Africa faces an epidemic of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) that President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a second pandemic. While legislative frameworks, law enforcement, and victim support services are crucial components of the national response, they primarily address the aftermath of violence. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Prof Mbulelo Dyasi - Lead At The Traditional Men's Parliament, Tebogo Majokana – Founder of Magents Let’s Talk and Pastor Jeff Zulu.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Afrikan Roots is a critically acclaimed South African Afro-house music collective hailing from Tshwane (Pretoria). Established in 2010, the group has earned a reputation as one of the fundamental pillars of live African electronic music, bridging tribal roots percussion with modern deep house rhythms. Colleen Makhubele spoke to DJ Mosco (Bongimusa "Musa" Mmotsa) and Cromwell Modungwa (Daddy C)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While new rules under the Consumer Protection Act Amendment Regulations aim to curb unsolicited marketing, a lack of enforcement remains a persistent issue. The regulations, which came into effect on 15 April 2026, introduce strict compliance requirements for direct marketers. Businesses are now required to register with the National Consumer Commission before contacting consumers, regularly audit their marketing databases against a national opt-out registry, and strictly adhere to enhanced identification and consent standards. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Alude Xuba – Founder of Xuba & associates Attorneys Inc, Phetho Ntaba - National Consumer Commission (NCC) and David Dickens Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Direct Marketing Association of South Africa (DMASA).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Anton Muziwakhe Lembede died at half past five on the morning of Wednesday, 30 July 1947, he was in the middle of everything. Known fondly to his contemporaries as "Lembs" and hailed as "The Lion That Led from the Front," he was only thirty-three years old when his life came to a sudden halt. At the time of his passing, he had just built a four-room house at the Lembede homestead at Umbumbulu, instructing his family to begin laying a road to it, and had recently bought a Buick. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Dr. Melusi Gigaba.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent years, commissions of enquiry have become a regular feature of South African public life. This frequent reliance on commissions reached a point where many citizens began to express fatigue, particularly as President Cyril Ramaphosa routinely instituted them in response to major political or legal developments that lacked immediate solutions. Consequently, South Africans started to question the very legitimacy and value of these commissions, as their final outcomes and recommendations often seemed to bear little consequence or result in meaningful accountability. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Sizwe Gcayi - founding partner of SGA Law Africa, Dr Sam Koma Governace Expert and Dr Mxolisi Mathebula Criminologist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The South African Local Government Association (Salga) has formally requested a six-month grace period from the National Treasury on behalf of 14 defaulting municipalities. These municipalities face a deadline of 1 September to execute Distribution Agency Agreements (DAAs), which would officially appoint Eskom as their agent to oversee and manage local electricity operations. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Tshepo Kgadima Energy Expert and Dr. Melusi Gigaba.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a poignant gathering held in Durban on Tuesday, key stakeholders and roleplayers came together for the KwaZulu-Natal round table on spaza shops. The discussion was led by Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli alongside the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Reverend Musa Zondi, to address critical issues impacting local informal trade. During the session, participants highlighted the steep challenges facing local shop owners, particularly in competing with foreign business operators. Attendees raised significant concerns regarding unfair pricing dynamics and the burden of paying "protection fees." Additionally, the forum emphasized the need for more inclusive government support, specifically advocating for greater assistance for persons with disabilities within the sector. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Zain Bulbulia - Acting Chief Director at Office of Premier a seasoned professional with extensive expertise Institutional Transformation, Disability Rights, Public Sector, and Corporate transformation and Itumeleng Tsele – Entrepreneur making homemade gym equipment.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially announced the appointments to the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Council, marking a significant step forward more than two years after Parliament first passed the establishing legislation. The body's implementation had previously hit a standstill due to concerns raised by Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Women, which flagged a critical lack of dedicated funding required to make the council operational. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Matthew Parks - COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator and Botlhale Modisane from the Tshegofatso Pule Foundation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has asserted that South Africa should not be scapegoated for the broader immigration crisis facing the African continent. Addressing concerns surrounding regional migration dynamics, the department emphasized that the root causes of displacement and movement across Africa require collective solutions rather than placing singular blame on South Africa. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Ayesha Kajee - International Relation Expert and Goodenough Mashego - Political Analyst.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before the 2024 General Election, a Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) survey revealed a concerning trend: 47% of young South Africans believed their vote would not make a difference. As the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) gears up for its final voter registration round on 1 and 2 August 2026, we must actively counter this disillusionment. We need to amplify messaging that reassures young people that participating in the democratic process will not break the country. Ultimately, it is far better to cast a vote and risk making a mistake than to abstain completely. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Noxolo Gwala - International Programme Officer at Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa, Goodenough Mashego – Independent Political Analyst and Lulu White - Election Management Consulting Agency of Africa. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament's Impeachment Committee is preparing to appeal a recent High Court ruling that placed a temporary hold on public hearings for the Section 89 inquiry into the Phala Phala matter. The ruling, handed down on Friday, brought the committee's scheduled proceedings to an abrupt halt. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Adv Lufuno Nevondwe – Constitutional Law Expert, Dr. Sam Koma – Governance Expert, Ganief Hendricks - AI Jama-ah President and Vuyo Zungula ATM Parliamentary Leader.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This winter in KwaZulu-Natal, sugar cane sits uncut in the fields because there is no one to harvest it—a baffling sight in a country where 8.1 million South Africans are searching for work and coming up empty. In one of the most unemployed societies on Earth, essential work is going undone due to what appears on the surface to be a severe labor shortage. At first glance, this dynamic looks like a classic economic paradox. In reality, it signals something far more fundamental: a labor market that has ceased to function as a market altogether. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Dominique Martin – Food and Allied Workers Union, Bennie van Zyl – The Fortress for the Commercial Farmers South Africa and Ntsako Shivambu Political Analyst and Halalisani Ndlovu ActionSA Provincial Campaign Manager. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colleen Makhubele is joined by Corporate Governance Expert, Dr Nimrod Mbele as well as Financial Journalist Rob Rose, and Public Servants Asspciation General Manager, Reuben MalekaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) Council has officially referred 13 alleged instances of financial misconduct—totaling approximately R4.07 billion—to its independent Disciplinary Board. The board will now conduct preliminary investigations into these matters to determine the extent of the wrongdoing and identify responsible parties. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Julie Suddaby - former MMC for Finance in Johannesburg and active DA Finance Section 79 Oversight Committee Member, Dr Sam Koma - Governance Expert and Nco Dube - Political Economist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thembisile Hani Local Municipality (THLM) stands at a critical juncture where severe structural limitations intersect with transformative private investment. Rooted in its historical spatial status as part of the former KwaNdebele homeland, THLM faces a complex web of governance and operational challenges. A weak tax base stemming from unregistered communal land tenure, low indigent registration rates, and widespread water and electricity reticulation losses have led to an extreme over-reliance on national grant transfers, leaving local service delivery fragile and cash flow constrained. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Lesetja Jacob Dikgale Executive Mayor - Thembisile Local Municipality.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disability Pride Month is all about celebrating ability, breaking down stereotypes, and recognising the incredible contributions of people living with disabilities. This July, the Afrika Tikkun Foundation is doing just that through one of its most inspiring initiatives. The organisation has officially unveiled the 20 finalists who will take to the stage for Mr & Miss Ability 2026 on 31 July in Johannesburg. Colleen Makhubele spoke to Latchean Mhlanga - Afrika Tikkun Disability Project Manager, Njabulo Mthembu - Phuthaditjaba centre in Alex and Naledi Nhlapo - Arekopaneng centre in Orange farm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The digital divide in South Africa is heavily influenced by deep-rooted socioeconomic factors. For the country’s roughly 3.5 million people living with disabilities (accounting for approximately 6.6% of the population), this divide is exponentially wider. In a highly digitized landscape, individuals with disabilities face structural barriers that create severe digital exclusion. Kefentse Mkhari spoke to Latchean Mhlanga - Disability inclusion project lead, inclusive workplace at Afrika Tekkun and Lewis Nzimande - The National Executive Director for the South African National Council for the BlindSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A detailed dossier compiled by insiders at the Limpopo Legislature has been formally submitted to South Africa's most powerful oversight and law enforcement bodies. This move significantly escalates a sprawling scandal, first exposed by News24, which implicates the institution's top leadership in procurement fraud, nepotism, and the systematic looting of public funds. Kefentse Mhkari spoke to Dr. Makoma Grace Makhurupetje - Speaker of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Public Investment Corporation (PIC), South Africa’s largest asset manager, has placed its chief executive, Patrick Dlamini, on precautionary suspension. This decisive action comes ahead of an independent investigation into whistleblower allegations leveled against him. The move marks a dramatic escalation in the ongoing governance crisis that has engulfed the state-owned asset manager over the past month. Kefentse Mhkari spoke to Zanele Sabela – Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and Zirk Gous – Chairman for Association for Monitoring and Advocacy of Government Pensions (AMAGP). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.