Podcasts – The Mail & Guardian

At the height of former Jacob Zuma’s popularity towards his ANC presidency, his most loyal support came from the tripartite alliance. The South African Communist Party (SACP) as well as the trade union federation Cosatu were eager to finally have their “Lula” moment.

Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva became a symbol for craving for change in the leftist movements. The popular Brazilian politician and trade unionist during his time as president from 2003 to 2010, instituted key social and economic reforms that saw Brazil become the world’s eighth-largest economy and more than 20-million people rise out of acute poverty.

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For Cosatu and the SACP’s leadership, Zuma presented an escape from former president Thabo Mbeki’s liberal and capitalist policies which the alliance partners condemned.

Court case after another, the SACP’s Blade Nzimande and Cosatu’s Zwelinzima Vavi stood behind Zuma, in the hope that he would usher in more socialist driven economic reforms.

Needless to say that the marriage between the alliance and the Zuma regime quickly took a turn for the worse.

According to Vavi, he realised that Zuma was a dream deferred when Zuma in his state visit in Europe assured the West that nothing would change.

“We needed a hero,” Vavi contends in retrospect, adding that they needed someone with enough guts to challenge the Mbeki presidency.

“At no stage did, now speaking from the benefit of hindsight, did president Zuma ever really stand on a platform and articulate a left leaning program of alternative to the growth, employment and redistribution (Gear), never ever,” he said.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party consistently accused their ruling partner of deviating from the party’s socialist reform agenda, the RDP, in favour of Gear. Economic differences underpinned an unprecedented public row between the allies.

While Zuma presented a turnaround for the left, Zuma failed to deliver.

In this week’s podcast Vavi together with veteran journalist Paddy Harper and Mail & Guardian editor Ron Derby take a look back on what led to the breakdown in relations between the Zuma regime and the left.

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You’ll find previous episodes here.

Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh speaks with Lukhone Mnguni, political analyst, about the effects of loadshedding, South Africa’s governance crisis, outcomes of the 55th ANC National Conference, and more.

We have partnered with the Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh Xperience to bring you a range of content every month. In this podcast, Mpofu-Walsh and Mnguni chat about a cabinet reshuffle that might be on the cards, David Mabuza vs Paul Mashatile, the elective conference, and SONA 2023.

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You’ll find previous episodes here.

Join Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh for an exclusive interview with political analyst Prince Mashele, as he shares his insights on the latest developments in South African current affairs. Mashele is a leading voice in the national discourse, and in this interview, he’ll be discussing a wide range of topics, including the EFF’s ejection from Parliament, the Eskom crisis, and “Operation Dudula”.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the complex issues facing South Africa today. Subscribe now to stay up to date with the latest news and perspectives on the issues that matter most.

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You’ll find previous episodes here.

In this podcast, we explore the colonial and apartheid-era policies and practices that modelled the exploitative and exclusive nature of mining in South Africa, a legacy that continues to shape the economic, social, and legal landscape of the present-day mining industry.

Various accounts from mining-affected community members, as captured in Lawyers for Human Rights and Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung’s 2022 report The Impact and Assessment of Improper Mine Closures in South Africa: Community Perspectives on Human Rights, reveal the demographic and socioeconomic landscape that evolved from apartheid spatial planning and a mining legacy that remains largely unchanged.

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You’ll find previous episodes here.

As a passionate advocate for social and economic change in South Africa, DJ Sbu shares his insights on the role of young people in shaping the country’s future, and how he believes that entrepreneurship and self-reliance can play a crucial role in driving positive change.

“South Africa is still a dope country,” he exclaims! Of course, no discussion with DJ Sbu would be complete without delving into his life in music, and his experiences behind some of the biggest songs in South African musical history.

He shares some of his fondest memories and insights from his time in the industry, and offers valuable advice for aspiring musicians and entrepreneurs alike.

Join us for this fascinating conversation with one of South Africa’s most inspiring and dynamic figures. Ayeye!

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You’ll find previous episodes here.