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Artwork for Democracy Unplugged

Democracy Unplugged

Podcast Party
South Africa
ANC
Corruption
African National Congress
Unemployment
Democratic Alliance
Service Delivery
Cyril Ramaphosa
South African Police Service
South African Politics
Local Government
Economic Growth
Democracy
State Of the Nation Address
Coalition Government
Informal Economy
Ngos
Youth Unemployment
South African Elections
Johannesburg

Democracy Unplugged brings together thought leaders, activists and influencers to untangle the threads of democratic principles, dissect current challenges, and envision what our future could look like. Join the conversation as our panels delve into current affairs, political dynamics and social issues.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes150Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPolitics

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Artwork for Democracy Unplugged

Latest Episodes

South Africa's informal economy is everywhere - from taxi ranks and

pavement stalls to township salons and spaza shops. But is it simply a

response to unemployment and inequality, or is it becoming the country's

real engine of growth and innovatio... more

YouTube

What happens when one of the world’s most progressive

constitutions collides with corruption, inequality and political

dysfunction? In this week’s episode, Phumi Mashigo explores whether

South Africa’s democracy is being protected, or slowly weake... more

YouTube

Did South Africans buy into hope, only to end up

confronting more political disappointment? Phumi Mashigo dives into

President Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala fallout, the ANC’s growing credibility

crisis, and the debate over whether Cyril Ramaphosa is a ... more

YouTube

Following our previous education discussion, a clearer picture begins to emerge: one defined not just by underperformance, but by mounting pressure. Demand is rising faster than capacity, and while the state continues to expand its role, it’s increas... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Lubabalo Magwentshu
Chairperson of the Section 79 Committee responsible for governance in the city of Johannesburg
African Transformation Movement
Episode: Survival or strategy? SA’s informal economy
Botsang Moiloa
MMC Economic Development candidate for City of Johannesburg
Action SA
Episode: Survival or strategy? SA’s informal economy
Kefilwe Ndaba
National Organizer of the National Informal Trading Association of South Africa
National Informal Trading Association of South Africa
Episode: Survival or strategy? SA’s informal economy
Nicole Fritz
Lawyer
Episode: Can the Constitution Still Save South Africa?
Mametlwe Sebei
Legal academic at UNISA, trade unionist, political organizer and long-standing voice within the working class movement
UNISA; SAF2; Workers and Socialist Party
Episode: From "New Dawn” to Political Crossroads
Onwabile Lubhelwana
Spokesperson for the MEC for Basic Education in Gauteng
Gauteng Department of Education
Episode: Can the gap between education policy and delivery finally be closed?
Lebogang Maile
Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Basic Education in Gauteng
Gauteng Department of Education
Episode: Can the gap between education policy and delivery finally be closed?
James Urdang
Founder of Education Africa, South African education advocate
Education Africa
Episode: Has education transformation worked?
Kingsol Chabalala
DA mayoral candidate discussed in the opening, participant in the debate
Democratic Alliance (DA)
Episode: Broken basics: who’s responsible?

Hosts

Justice
Host of Democracy Unplugged
Phumi Mashigo
Host of The Burning Platform and related show segments; moderator and panel host across episodes

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#40
South Africa/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#149
South Africa/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Can the Constitution Still Save South Africa?
Q: How has the Constitutional Court influenced daily life and the protection of rights beyond traditional civil liberties?
The Court has interpreted rights broadly to include socioeconomic guarantees like housing, food, and education, and its landmark rulings—backed by civil society activism—have directly improved access to essential services and health outcomes, showcasing the constitution's life-and-death impact.
Can the Constitution Still Save South Africa?
Q: What explains the ongoing gap between the promise of the constitution and the lived reality of many South Africans?
The gap stems from a combination of limited public awareness of constitutional rights, cost and complexity of accessing the courts, and political leadership that sometimes shifts blame onto the constitution itself rather than addressing governance and implementation failures.
Can the gap between education policy and delivery finally be closed?
Q: What concrete changes can a parent expect to see in 2026?
In 2026 there will be increased learner support, enhanced school safety, more psychosocial support, and expanded arts and sports programs, delivered through more specialized teachers and better online and on-site resources.
Can the gap between education policy and delivery finally be closed?
Q: What is the core focus of the new strategic plan for the next five years?
The core focus is to tailor schools to the economy's needs, creating skilled graduates through specialized and technical pathways connected to real-world job opportunities.
The Constitution Promises Housing… So Why Are South Africans Still Fighting Evictions?
Q: What are the limits of legal advocacy, and what is the ultimate goal for SERI?
SERI accepts the limits of legal processes but aims to enable communities to carry the struggle forward, hoping for a day when government acts directly for the needs of the poor without requiring ongoing legal mediation.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Democracy Unplugged

What is Democracy Unplugged about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program centers on democracy, governance, and public policy in a South African context, with episodes that dissect budget debates, health care funding, water and infrastructure challenges, education, and the machinery of lawmaking. Across recent episodes, listeners are treated to panel discussions, expert perspectives, and accountability-driven conversations about how policy choices translate into everyday outcomes—from fiscal austerity and social protection to service delivery, corruption, and the role of coalitions in government. A notable pattern is the willingness of guests to challenge official narratives, scrutinize funding priorities, and explore practical reforms in health, education, and public administration, often with an em... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Democracy Unplugged?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Democracy Unplugged:

1. The Gareth Cliff Show
2. BizNews Radio
3. SMWX
4. The Money Show
5. SOLVED with Mark Manson

How many episodes of Democracy Unplugged are there?

Democracy Unplugged launched 2 years ago and published 150 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Democracy Unplugged?

Recent guests on Democracy Unplugged include:

1. Lubabalo Magwentshu
2. Botsang Moiloa
3. Kefilwe Ndaba
4. Nicole Fritz
5. Mametlwe Sebei
6. Onwabile Lubhelwana
7. Lebogang Maile
8. James Urdang

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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