Democracy Unplugged

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 innovation?

Justice Malala leads an expert panel for a provocative conversation

exploring who South Africa's economy is really built for - and what the

rise of informal trade says about the future of work, opportunity, and

survival in South Africa.

Panel:

Kefilwe Ndaba - National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa

(NITASA)

Botsang Moiloa - Action SA

Lubabalo Magwentshu - African Transformation Movement

Tags:

South Africa, Democracy Unplugged, Podcast Party SA, Justice Malala,

politics, current affairs, informal trade, economy, news, Action SA,

African Transformation Movement The Burning Platform

What happens when one of the world’s most progressive

constitutions collides with corruption, inequality and political

dysfunction? In this week’s episode, Phumi Mashigo explores whether

South Africa’s democracy is being protected, or slowly weakened, and why

the Constitution still matters now more than ever. She is joined by

human rights lawyer, policy advocate, and civil society leader, Nicole

Fritz. The Burning Platform

Did South Africans buy into hope, only to end up

confronting more political disappointment? Phumi Mashigo dives into

President Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala fallout, the ANC’s growing credibility

crisis, and the debate over whether Cyril Ramaphosa is a consensus

builder - or simply too passive for the moment South Africa finds itself

in. She is joined by Mametlwe Sebei, Lecturer, College of Law,

University of South Africa. The Burning Platform

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 increasingly doing so through partnerships that sit adjacent to the system itself.

So what does this mean in practice? As the model of education begins to shift toward more specialised pathways, the tension between ambition and delivery becomes harder to ignore. In this episode, Phumi Mashigo explores that gap, and brings in Onwabile Lubhelwana, spokesperson to the Gauteng MEC for Basic Education Lebogang Maile, to understand how this evolving system is being carried forward today. The Burning Platform

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 may be a loss of belief in impact. For many young people, participation is no longer seen as a meaningful tool for change, especially in the face of corruption, unemployment, and poor service delivery. This conversation explores whether democracy is still showing up in people’s daily lives in a way they can recognise, and challenges the idea that disengagement is harmless. Instead, it argues that stepping away from the process may actually weaken the very system capable of driving change, making active participation more important than ever for shaping South Africa’s future. The Burning Platform