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SMWX

Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh

A journey into the heart of South Africa politics, through interviews and analysis, with your guide Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh. Ayeye!

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42 episodes
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Tuesday · 22 min
Sibiya charged, Masemola absolved
Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner, Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya, appeared before the Randburg Magistrate's Court on charges of alleged sexual assault. We unpack this and the withdrawal of charges against suspended National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola.
#46
Monday · 20 min
Sibanyoni plays hardball at Madlanga Commission?
Joe Ferarri Sibanyoni appeared befoe the Madlanga Commission again today and continued reading his statement into the record. In this episode, we unpack his testimony and what it means for the bigger picture and allegations that Gen Mkhwanazi made on July 6th 2025.
Sunday · 3 hr 6 min
Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi speaks out: Mkhwanazi, Ramaphosa, Madlanga, Phala Phala, Constitution, Ad hoc
Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi joins Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh for a wide-ranging conversation on life after politics, South Africa’s political landscape and his renewed focus on civil society. In this joint broadcast between SMWX and the African Renaissance Podcast, Ndlozi reflects on stepping away from the political spotlight and outlines his vision for the Batho Pele Convention, community self-reliance and rebuilding public schools. The discussion tackles the Madlanga Commission, Gen. Mkhwanazi’s allegations, Parliament’s ad hoc committee, Phala Phala and accountability in government and the media. Against the backdrop of Ndlozi’s new book, Love and Violence, the two also debate South Africa’s Constitution, the legacy of apartheid, land redistribution and whether constitutional rights go far enough in addressing economic inequality. From Black Consciousness and African unity to independent media and community organising, this conversation explores what freedom means in practice, and how citizens can shape their communities beyond party politics.
Saturday · 13 min
9 women murdered: Outrage over SA's femicide crisis
The killings of women in Kempton Park and across Ekurhuleni have left families grieving and communities demanding answers. Why are women still unsafe — and what must change? In this SMWX analysis, Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh examines the background to the killings, the wider crisis of gender-based violence, and the response from government and society.
September 17 · 19 min
ANC loses IEC case. What now?
The ANC took the IEC to the Electoral Court over claims that there were technical glitches that prevented them from submitting a number of candidates on their lists to the IEC. The Electoral Court has since ruled against the ANC. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the details of this case as well as the consequences for the ANC leading up to the 2026 Local Government Elections.
September 17 · 1 hr 7 min
Aubrey Matshiqi on Madlanga Commission, ANC v IEC, Phala Phala, Joburg, 2026 election, Mkhwanazi
Gogo Aubrey Matshiqi joins Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh for a wide-ranging analysis of South Africa's political moment: the Madlanga Commission, Phala Phala, the ANC's crisis and the 2026 local government elections. What remains unanswered about the relationship between organised crime, corruption and the state? What does presidential accountability mean in practice? And how could voter disillusionment and political realignment reshape Johannesburg? The conversation also explores ANC history, infiltration and Matshiqi's experience of the SABC blacklist. Allegations discussed are distinguished from established findings. Watch the full conversation and share your perspective in the comments. Subscribe to SMWX for in-depth South African political interviews and analysis.
September 14 · 21 min
Serial killer on the loose in Kempton Park?
Five bodies of women have been found in and around the Kempton Park area in the last two months and the fourth being of the no-late runner, Elizabeth 'Tsontso' Moselakgomo. This has sparked outrage at the continous targeting of women in South Africa. Is there a serial killer on the loose in Kempton Park? We unpack it all in this episode.
September 8 · 25 min
ANC drags IEC to court
The ANC has in the last few days embroiled itself in a 'late' submission dramatic spectacle, after they allegedly failed to submit some of their candidate lists on time to the IEC last week Friday. In this analysis episode, we unpack what the consequence for this might be and how the ANC is potentially crumbling internally over who should take accountability for this saga.
September 7 · 17 min
ANC drops the ball on 'late' candidate lists?
In this analysis episode, Otsile Nkadimeng unpacks the trial of former National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and her attempt at getting the case thrown out, the ANC's scramble after the allegedly submitted their candidate lists to the IEC late. We also unpack the Vusimusi Cat Matlala attempted trial and the latest coming from there.
September 6 · 52 min
Lord Peter Hain unpacks: Mkhwanazi, Apartheid, Trump, Ramaphosa, ANC, Jacob Zuma, Madlanga, Big 5
Lord Peter Hain joins us on SMWX for a wide-ranging conversation on apartheid, the ANC, corruption, Nelson Mandela, Donald Trump, the Madlanga Commission and the alleged infiltration of South Africa’s law-enforcement institutions. Drawing on his extraordinary political journey — from growing up in apartheid South Africa and becoming a leading anti-apartheid activist to serving in the British government and House of Lords — Hain reflects on the values that drove the liberation struggle and why he now feels personally “betrayed” by the corruption that followed. He discusses the ANC’s decline, Jacob Zuma and State Capture, while arguing that corruption in South Africa did not begin in 1994 and that apartheid itself was deeply corrupt. The conversation also explores the international machinery behind corruption, including the role of banks, corporations, lawyers, financial advisers, offshore jurisdictions and foreign governments in enabling illicit money to leave developing countries. Hain makes the case for an International Anti-Corruption Court capable of targeting corruption that crosses national borders.
September 5 · 1 hr 2 min
Minister Thembi Simelane unpacks: TRC Inquiry, Nokuthula Simelane, Steve Biko, NPA, Apartheid
Minister Thembi Simelane joins us for a deeply personal conversation about the disappearance of her sister, Nokuthula Simelane, an MK operative who was abducted by apartheid security police in 1983 and whose remains have never been found. Simelane reflects on her family’s decades-long search for truth and justice, the investigations and legal battles surrounding Nokuthula’s case, and the broader struggle faced by families still seeking answers about crimes committed during apartheid. She also discusses the work of the Nokuthula Simelane Foundation and the difficult questions surrounding accountability, reconciliation and the unfinished business of the TRC process.
September 5 · 48 min
Unpacking: Ramaphosa Phala Phala case | 2026 Elections | "Big 5" cartel
Otsile Nkadimeng and Khumo Khumalo unpack the arguments before the Western Cape High Court in President Ramaphosa's review case. We also preview the upcoming local government elections and why some political parties seem to be slow at ramping up their campaigns.
September 4 · 42 min
Will court bail out Cyril on Phala Phala?
President Ramaphosa's review of the s89 panel report continued in the Western Cape High Court and we also unpack the revelations out of Dr Lebeya's testimony at the Madlanga Commission.
September 3 · 42 min
Court to bail out Cyril?
President Ramaphosa's review of the s89 panel report continued in the Western Cape High Court and we also unpack the revelations out of Dr Lebeya's testimony at the Madlanga Commission.
September 2 · 1 hr 1 min
Ramaphosa vs Impeachment: Epic Phala Phala Court Battle
Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh unpacks one of the most consequential accountability cases of Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidency as the Western Cape High Court considers his attempt to review and set aside the Section 89 independent panel report on Phala Phala. The report found prima facie evidence that Ramaphosa may have committed serious misconduct and became the basis for a full parliamentary impeachment inquiry. At stake is whether the President’s legal challenge will correct a flawed process—or help him avoid the public accountability that the impeachment inquiry was intended to provide.
#45
September 1 · 18 min
Feroz Khan ducks Madlanga
Feroz Khan brought a postponment application to the Madlanga Commission and former Hawks boss Godfrey Lebeya returned to continue his testimony at the Madlanga Commission. We unpack this and more.
August 31 · 32 min
Govender drops explosive phone recordings
Lt Col Govender appeared before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry today and revealed explosive phone recordings. We unpack this in today's analysis, as well as Feroz Khan's surprise hospitalisation.
August 30 · 52 min
Dr Mike Masiapato unpacks: illegal immigration, Madlanga, border security, March and March, Africa
South Africa’s borders sit at the centre of some of the country’s biggest debates — immigration, national security, trade and the movement of people across the continent. In this episode of Mzansi Way Makers in collab with Brand South Africa, Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh sits down with Dr Mike Masiapato, Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), for an in-depth conversation about the work being done to manage and secure South Africa’s borders.
August 29 · 1 hr 21 min
Jackie Phamotse speaks out: Big 5 cartel, Mkhwanazi, Madlanga, Cat Matlala, mafias, Epstein, crime
In this wide-ranging conversation, author Jackie Phamotse joins us to reflect on the personal experiences that shaped her writing and the journey behind her Bare book series. She speaks about surviving sexual violence, entering a world of powerful and wealthy individuals, and the experiences that led her to explore themes of human trafficking, organised crime, corruption and the so-called “blesser” economy. The discussion then turns to her latest book, The Big Five Cartel, and its parallels with revelations emerging from the Madlanga Commission, including alleged criminal networks, political connections, extreme wealth, the role of women around powerful figures and the hidden systems that enable organised crime. Phamotse also reflects on global trafficking networks, the Epstein files, the vulnerability of children online and why South Africans may still be underestimating the scale of the criminal underworld operating around them.
August 26 · 34 min
Cat Matlala, Senona relationship exposed, while Didiza faces axe
Vusimusi Cat Matlala continued his testimony at the Madlanga Commission and his relationship with General Lesetja Senona took centre stage today. WhatsApp chats specifically regarding Mr Nangy were also used to question Matlala. Thoko Didiza, Speaker of the National Assembly, also faces a motion of no confidence vote brought by the EFF in Parliament. We unpack this all!

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