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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
South African Elections
Youth Unemployment
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

What happens when a student activist enters the political

establishment? Naledi Chirwa-Mpungose joins Phumi Mashigo for a

wide-ranging discussion on power, protest, Parliament and the issues

that matter most to young South Africans. From jobs and ... more

50 years later - has South Africa kept its promise to the youth? As

South Africa marks Youth Month, Phumi Mashigo sits down with Seth

Mazibuko, one of the surviving leaders of the Soweto Uprising. Together

they explore the promises of democracy, t... more

How do the descendants of South Africa’s most famous

freedom fighters understand freedom in today's world? Phumi Mashigo

speaks with Princesses Swati Mandela-Dlamini and Zaziwe Manaway, two of

Nelson and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s granddaughters ... more

YouTube

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

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Naledi Chirwa
Parliamentarian and activist featured in the interview
Eastern Front? (not explicitly stated)
Episode: Youth Month, Broken Promises and the Fight for Change
Seth Mazibuko
Youngest leaders associated with the Soweto Uprising; activist and former participant
Soweto Uprising participant, South Africa
Episode: Did the Youth of 1976 Get the SA They Fought For?
Zaziwe Dlamini
Granddaughter of Winnie Mandela
Family of Winnie Mandela
Episode: What Would Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Want Us to Remember Today?
Swati Dlamini
Granddaughter of Winnie Mandela
Family of Winnie Mandela
Episode: What Would Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Want Us to Remember Today?
Mandi (Filmmaker)
Documentary filmmaker closely involved with the project
Independent/Production Team
Episode: What Would Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Want Us to Remember Today?
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?

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#120
South Africa/News/Politics

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

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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 series centers on deep-dive conversations about democratic governance, policy, and social issues in a contemporary context. Episodes typically pair policymakers, activists, and thought leaders with researchers and practitioners to unpack how institutions function, how power is exercised, and how ordinary citizens can engage more effectively. Topics frequently span constitutional rights, education policy, housing and urban development, public health, budget trade-offs, and the mechanics of electoral participation. A notable strength is the panel format that balances critical analysis with accessible storytelling, often foregrounding voices from civil society, frontline communities, and local government. The show frequently features cros... 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. The Overton Pod
3. BizNews Radio
4. The Money Show
5. SMWX

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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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Democracy Unplugged?

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What guests have appeared on Democracy Unplugged?

Recent guests on Democracy Unplugged include:

1. Naledi Chirwa
2. Seth Mazibuko
3. Zaziwe Dlamini
4. Swati Dlamini
5. Mandi (Filmmaker)
6. Lubabalo Magwentshu
7. Botsang Moiloa
8. Kefilwe Ndaba

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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