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Democracy Unplugged

Podcast Party
South Africa
African National Congress
South African Elections
Corruption
Democratic Alliance
South African Politics
Independent Candidates
Basic Income Grant
Economic Growth
Freedom Front Plus
ANC
Crime
The Israel-Palestine Conflict
Jacob Zuma
Inkatha Freedom Party
Elections
Unemployment
Coalitions
African National Congress (ANC)
Economic Freedom Fighters

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

What really drives South Africa’s illegal mining crisis, and how does this impact you? Phumi Mashigo investigates the complex world of so-called “zama zama” miners and the forces that keep the underground economy alive. She is joined by guests Sabelo... more

Is South Africa’s economy on the brink of renewal, or just

surviving? Directly after Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered his 2026

Budget Speech, political commentator and author Justice Malala led a

high-stakes discussion from Cape Town with polit... more

YouTube

Is South Africa’s national budget really working for our households? Phumi Mashigo examines what a truly community-centred national budget would look like, from food affordability and social grants to VAT increases, austerity, and fiscal anchors. Thi... more

YouTube

What has been delivered since the last State of the Nation (SONA), and what does that mean for ordinary South Africans? In his address last year, the President signalled a renewed focus on healthcare - from advancing the National Health Insurance (NH... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Matshidiso Lencoasa
A budget expert from Section 27, the Public Interest Law Center, that tracks government policy and spending on essential services.
Section 27
Episode: What has changed since SONA 2025?
Helen Zille
Former Premier of the Western Cape and DA leader
Democratic Alliance
Episode: Can Helen Zille Really Save Johannesburg?
Ascilia Mata Ubisse
Regional head for Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs and member of the Startup20 Foundations & Alliances Taskforce
Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs
Episode: South Africa's voice in the G20
Rohan Pike
Commonwealth Law Enforcement Expert
Episode: Fake cigarettes financing terror | With commonwealth law enforcement, Rohan Pike
Rosheda Muller
National President of the National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa
NITASA
Episode: Exclusive interview: Rosheda Muller of National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa (NITASA)
Tebogo Khaas
Social justice activist
Episode: Whistleblowers: Breaking the Silence | Tebogo Khaas and Martha Ngoye
Martha Ngoye
Whistleblower and social activist
Episode: Whistleblowers: Breaking the Silence | Tebogo Khaas and Martha Ngoye
Ayanda Allie
Member of the Gauteng Legislature and social commentator
Gauteng Legislature
Episode: What Women Want - with Phumi Mashigo, Ayanda Allie & Mandisa Mashego
Mandisa Mashego
Social commentator with a focus on gender issues
Episode: What Women Want - with Phumi Mashigo, Ayanda Allie & Mandisa Mashego

Host

Phumi Mashigo
Co-anchor and host, providing insightful perspectives and facilitating discussions with various political and social commentators.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#66
South Africa/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#215
South Africa/News
Apple Podcasts
#215
Brazil/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Inside SA's budget choices
Q: How has food inflation affected family behaviors?
Families prioritize costs for transport, electricity, and debt servicing over food, leading to reduced quantity and quality of food consumed.
Inside SA's budget choices
Q: What would a food secure budget actually look like?
A food secure budget should invest in smallholder farmers and prioritize local food production over commercial agriculture.
Inside SA's budget choices
Q: What should people be listening out for when the minister speaks next week?
People will be looking for measures to stimulate the economy and improve social spending, like increasing the child support grant.
What has changed since SONA 2025?
Q: Has the Department of Health been responsive to pushback from civil society?
There is a need for greater public participation and responsiveness to ensure that the healthcare system reflects the needs of everyday people.
What has changed since SONA 2025?
Q: What do you think the focus areas should be for healthcare in this year's SONA?
Prioritize rebuilding healthcare access, employing community health workers, and ensuring resilience in the healthcare system against geopolitical and funding uncertainties.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Democracy Unplugged

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

This podcast features a range of discussions centered on South African politics and society, focusing heavily on local governance, accountability, and the impact of political decisions on communities. Throughout various episodes, guests share their insights on pressing issues such as service delivery, corruption, and the role of civil society in political engagement. The conversations often include prominent political figures and activists, delving into their experiences and visions for change, particularly in the lead-up to local government elections. Unique to this offering is its blend of expert commentary and grassroots perspectives, making it a valuable resource for those interested in understanding the complexities of South African go... 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. TRIGGERnometry
3. The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
4. The Daily Friend Show
5. The Joe Rogan Experience

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.

How do I contact Democracy Unplugged?

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What guests have appeared on Democracy Unplugged?

Recent guests on Democracy Unplugged include:

1. Matshidiso Lencoasa
2. Helen Zille
3. Ascilia Mata Ubisse
4. Rohan Pike
5. Rosheda Muller
6. Tebogo Khaas
7. Martha Ngoye
8. Ayanda Allie

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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