Democracy Unplugged

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 shaped by a clear belief that

education remains one of the most powerful tools for breaking the cycle

of poverty.

What makes his perspective especially valuable is not only what he has

built, but what he has witnessed over time. From the early years of

democratic transformation to the realities facing schools today, his

journey offers a rare long view of how the system has evolved. This

conversation with Phumi Mashigo asks a difficult but necessary question.

After three decades of effort, investment, and ambition, what progress

can we truly see, and what still remains unfinished? The Burning Platform

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, and the solutions needed to rebuild

confidence in our cities. Featuring Freedom Front Plus’ Jaco Mulder,

political commentator and Youtuber June Hlongwane and DA's Kingsol

Chabalala. The Burning Platform

Nearly 30 years into democracy, why are housing rights still being

fought for in court? Housing is a constitutional right in South Africa,

yet for millions of people it remains out of reach. In this episode,

Phumi Mashigo sits down with Nomzamo Zondo, Executive Director:

Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) to unpack the reality behind

evictions, informal settlements, and the widening gap between what the

Constitution promises and what people actually experience. From court

battles that prevent families from losing their homes to the slow pace

of government delivery, the conversation explores why housing rights are

still being fought for in court, the tension between law, policy and

real-life implementation, and how informal settlements continue to shape

the country’s cities. At its core, it asks a critical question: if the

Constitution is clear, why are so many South Africans still without

secure housing? The Burning Platform

In this episode, Phumi sits down with a parliamentarian to unpack the real impact of the bill, from controversial definitions of “smoking” to the unintended consequences for informal traders and the economy.

They discuss:

Why smokers could technically be arrested in their own cars or homes

The explosive growth of the illicit cigarette market

How stricter regulations could hurt township economies

Whether the government even has the capacity to enforce the law

Is this smart public health policy or a law that misses the mark entirely? The Burning Platform

What do young South Africans really want from politics today? Recorded live at University of Johannesburg, Phumi Mashigo places students at the centre of the national conversation. Lehumo Dibakoane (UJ SRC President), Donald Mkhwanazi (Student leader), and Angelic Mafadza (Student leader) participate in this candid discussion about youth priorities, political participation, and the realities young South Africans are navigating today. The Burning Platform