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Artwork for Democracy Unplugged

Democracy Unplugged

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

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
PoliticsNews

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Artwork for Democracy Unplugged

Latest Episodes

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

South Africa is a young democracy, yet its voters are ageing while optimism continues to fade. Every election cycle raises the same concerns about youth disengagement and low voter turnout, but the deeper issue may not be a lack of understanding—it m... more

YouTube

What has 30 years of education reform in South Africa actually produced?

For more than three decades, James Urdang has worked at the intersection

of education, civil society, and social change. As the founder of

Education Africa, his work has been... more

Who is responsible when service delivery stops working, and how do we

fix it? Phumi Mashigo moderates this timely conversation with a panel of

politicians on the state of infrastructure in South Africa’s urban

centres, the barriers to delivery, an... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

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?
Jaco Mulder
Provincial leader for the FF Plus in Gauteng
FF Plus
Episode: Broken basics: who’s responsible?
June Hlongwane
Voter asking questions, participant in the discussion
Independent voter/constituent
Episode: Broken basics: who’s responsible?
Samoich Aoke
Student from Wetzel University, participant in discussion
Plan Act (non-profit)
Episode: Broken basics: who’s responsible?
Mike Markweather
Representative from Plan Act, non-profit involved in planning and action
Plan Act
Episode: Broken basics: who’s responsible?
Chelsea Nacamba
Plan Act representative, voter-focused questioner
Plan Act
Episode: Broken basics: who’s responsible?
Nomzamo Zondo
Executive Director of SERI (Socio-Economic Rights Institute)
SERI
Episode: The Constitution Promises Housing… So Why Are South Africans Still Fighting Evictions?
Mr. Vuyozungulu
ATM parliament member
African Transformation Movement
Episode: Tobacco Bill Chaos: You Could Be Arrested for Smoking in Your Own Car

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
#127
South Africa/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The Constitution Promises Housing… So Why Are South Africans Still Fighting Evictions?
Q: How does SERI address resource constraints and balance competing needs like migrants, local residents, and vulnerable groups?
SERI highlights the importance of social cohesion, dialogue with government, and advocacy to ensure that rights for urgent crises are met while pursuing longer-term housing solutions that encompass everyone.
The Constitution Promises Housing… So Why Are South Africans Still Fighting Evictions?
Q: Do the courts drive national planning, or do communities determine the pace of change?
Both are involved, but the episode argues that while courts play a crucial role in enforcing rights, the real planning happens in lived experiences and community action, with the state needing to align policies with ground realities.
The Constitution Promises Housing… So Why Are South Africans Still Fighting Evictions?
Q: What does nation-building look like in practice beyond constitutional rhetoric?
Nation-building, as discussed, is a lived project where courts set direction, but everyday governance and policy implementation determine whether rights translate into real outcomes for people in informal settlements and vulnerable workers.
Tobacco Bill Chaos: You Could Be Arrested for Smoking in Your Own Car
Q: What is the real-world impact of these amendments on ordinary South Africans?
The amendments could restrict everyday commerce in townships, criminalize everyday behaviors like holding a tobacco product, and push informal sellers out of display spaces, hurting livelihoods and potentially increasing illicit trade.

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 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. SMWX
3. BizNews Radio
4. History of South Africa podcast
5. The Money Show

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. James Urdang
2. Kingsol Chabalala
3. Jaco Mulder
4. June Hlongwane
5. Samoich Aoke
6. Mike Markweather
7. Chelsea Nacamba
8. Nomzamo Zondo

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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