Daily Maverick

US Justice Department records detail Jeffrey Epstein’s links to South Africa, including references to business contacts and efforts to recruit South Africans staff and models. There is no indication that the business figures named were involved in wrongdoing. The files place South Africa within Epstein’s broader international network. Daily Maverick senior journalist Rebecca Davis explains.

Reporting by: Rebecca Davis
Edited by: Anda Tolibadi
Filmed by: Joel Seboa
Produced by: Emilie Gambade
Creative lead by: Malibongwe Tyilo
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After months of warnings that South Africa would be punished by the United States over its foreign policy, Washington has taken a different course. President Donald Trump has signed a short extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through 31 December 2026, applied retroactively. In this episode, Redi Tlhabi and chief economist, author and a member of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Economic Advisory Council, Wandile Sihlobo talk about why South Africa remains in AGOA, what the limited extension signals about US trade policy, and why the outcome contrasts sharply with earlier predictions of exclusion.
This episode was made possible thanks to The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom: https://www.freiheit.org/sub-saharan-africa
Hosted by: Redi Tlhabi
Guest: Wandile Sihlobo
Edited by: Joel Seboa
Produced by: Emilie Gambade & Joel Seboa
Original Theme Music & Design by: Bernard Kotze
You can listen to the podcast everywhere, including Spotify!
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When newly released documents related to Jeffrey Epstein were published in January, journalists around the world began searching for any local connections hidden in the records. At Daily Maverick, we did the same — and came across a name we did not expect: Jacob Zuma.

Reporting by: Rebecca Davis 
Filmed by: Joel Seboa 
Edited by: Anda Tolibadi 
Produced by: Emilie Gambade 
Creative lead by: Malibongwe Tyilo 
Sub-edited by: Robyn Leary

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In 2023, I reported on individuals from Bulgaria, wanted in other countries over crime issues, who may be in Cape Town, South Africa. Now it turns out that one of them, Stanislav Stamenov, wanted by Romania for alleged drug trafficking, has indeed been in the South African city – offering personal training services at a Virgin Active gym in a posh suburb. 

Reporting by: Caryn Dolley 
Edited by: Joel Seboa 
Filmed by: Joel Seboa 
Produced by: Emilie Gambade 
Sub-edited by: Ian Wolstenholme 

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Why do South Africa’s most powerful leaders refuse to act, even in the face of crisis?

In this episode of The Readiness Report, Redi Tlhabi speaks to Corruption Watch Executive Director Lebogang Ramafoko about the Madlanga Commission, political accountability, and the failure of leadership at the highest levels of the state. They unpack why commissions of inquiry rarely lead to consequences, and how party politics overrides the public interest.

From the legacy of Zondo to the cost paid by whistleblowers, this conversation asks a blunt question: when power sits at the fault line between politics and force, who is actually being protected?

This episode was made possible thanks to The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom: 
https://www.freiheit.org/sub-saharan-africa

Hosted by: Redi Tlhabi

Guest: Lebogang Ramafoko

Edited by: Joel Seboa

Produced by: Emilie Gambade & Joel Seboa

Original Theme Music & Design by: Bernard Kotze

You can listen to the podcast everywhere, including Spotify!

Support journalism that protects democracy. Become a Maverick Insider.
 https://tinyurl.com/SupportDailyMaverick

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https://www.instagram.com/dailymaverick/ 

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