Next Level Podcast

South Africa needs to produce 30,000 artisans annually to build its infrastructure -- from roads, railway tracks, ports, schools, hospitals, universities, and power stations. But our country is producing only about half of the artisans that are required annually. This shortage forces construction and manufacturing companies to import artisans from countries that have a surplus of these skills.The government states that high unemployment and skills shortage facing the country could be addressed if at least 60% of school leavers or matriculants trained as artisans.

China is so industrially advanced that it is recognised as the factory of the entire world.Most companies from wealthy countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, U.S.A, Germany, Japan, and South Korea, have outsourced to China the manufacturing of their products from garments, home appliances to high-end smart phones and vehicles. These countries have relocated their manufacturing processes to China to take advantage of its skilled workforce and efficient supply chains. They are not in China to exploit cheap labour, as it has historically been suggested.

If South Africa wants to be brilliant in advanced manufacturing like China or Germany, it must produce artisans to energise its stagnant economy.In 2024, Tim Cook, CEO of smart phone maker Apple, praised China for its manufacturing prowess, which he said lied in its skilled workforce than low labour costs.  Cook said China possessed advanced tooling capabilities that are used to produce products, hence companies like Apple manufacture their iPhones, laptops, and tablets in China. Cook also noted that China has abundance of vocational skills than in the United States -- Apple’s home market. 

On the 23rd of October 2025, something earth-shattering happened in the Johannesburg legal circles. Disgruntled advocates practicing law in Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest and richest city, took down the hated 97-day payment rule, which was only in force in their bar.  Members of the Johannesburg Society of Advocates (JSA), also known as the Joburg Bar, unanimously voted for a resolution to amend the 97-day rule. This effectively brought to an end a 10-year battle to abolish a rule that was blamed for impoverishing and bankrupting hundreds of advocates.

When Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana stood before Parliament last week to table the national budget for the coming financial year - the mission was clear: the budget must be used as a tool to stimulate economic growth.Since he became Finance Minister five years ago, Godongwana has been bragging each year about delivering pro-growth budgets.But will his pro-growth budget fire up the economy OR will the economy continue to misfire as it has done in the last 16 years?The answer to this question will hinge on the government’s skillful spending of the budget and the effective roll out of new infrastructure projects.

Preferential procurement was designed to correct historical injustice—but critics say it has also empowered tenderpreneurs who threaten economic stability.In this episode, we explore why state-owned companies and businesses are demanding procurement reform, and what this means for South Africa’s economic future.Follow and rate the podcast for more in-depth political and economic analysis.

Host: Xolani MlangeniGuest: Gabriel Crouse, Fellow at the South African Institute of Race Relations (IRR)In this powerful debut episode of The Next Level Podcast, we ask a pressing question:Can South Africa’s radical left forces disrupt or even topple the Government of National Unity (GNU)?Political analyst and legal expert Gabriel Crouse joins host Xolani Mlangeni to unpack:The defection of key EFF leaders to the MK PartyThe possibility of a united left-wing frontThe ideological battle between capitalism and socialism in South AfricaThe role of the ANC, SACP, and COSATU in a shifting political landscapeWhy state-owned companies keep failingWhether SA should explore the Scandinavian “Third Way” modelThis episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of South African politics and economics.📍 Recorded at Selekane Asset Consulting, Bryanston🎧 Press play to go Next Level.Follow, rate & share the show!