In one of the most iconic photographs in South African history, a teenage boy carries the lifeless body of Hector Pieterson through the streets of Soweto. That boy was Mbuyisa Makhubo — and shortly after that moment, he disappeared.This episode traces the haunting mystery of Mbuyisa’s life after the photo: the surveillance, the exile, the letters from Nigeria, and the trail that goes cold without answers. But it’s also about more than one young man — it’s about what happens to people who become symbols, and how a country forgets those it once celebrated.Blending biography, memory, and political analysis, we explore the broader story of June 16, trauma, exile, and the cost of carrying the struggle on your shoulders.Produced By:Sthembiso MatenjwaTatum DamonsAfter Freedom SA (Pty) Ltd
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27:49
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27:49
A Political Something Something
Not a trailer, not a teaser; just a glimpse into our mentality when creating the show
Where storytelling meets politics and true crime.The Republic Tapes is a narrative-driven podcast exploring the forgotten and often overlooked political stories that have shaped modern South Africa. From unsolved assassinations and mysterious disappearances to whistleblowers, trials, and betrayals — each episode focuses on one true story, using it as a window into the deeper history and power dynamics of the republic.Whether it’s the disappearance of Mbuyisa Makhubo, the assassination of Chris Hani, the death of Gavin Watson, or the story of Khwezi — this podcast reconnects audiences with the real people behind the headlines and the unresolved tensions that still define South African politics today.Blending true crime, political history, and investigative storytelling, The Republic Tapes brings to light the stories buried in archives, silence, and memory — revealing how the past continues to echo through the present.
South Africa