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Artwork for Democracy Unplugged

Democracy Unplugged

Podcast Party
South Africa
African National Congress
South African Elections
Corruption
Democratic Alliance
South African Politics
Independent Candidates
Basic Income Grant
Economic Growth
Freedom Front Plus
ANC
Crime
The Israel-Palestine Conflict
Jacob Zuma
Elections
Unemployment
Coalitions
African National Congress (ANC)
Patriotic Alliance
Economic Freedom Fighters

Democracy Unplugged brings together thought leaders, activists and influencers to untangle the threads of democratic principles, dissect current challenges, and envision what our future could look like. Join the conversation as our panels delve into current affairs, political dynamics and social issues.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes150Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPolitics

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Artwork for Democracy Unplugged

Latest Episodes

Can South Africa defend human rights without the power to enforce them? South Africa speaks confidently about justice, peace, and human rights on the world stage. But holding that position requires real capacity, and that’s where things get complicat... more

This edition of Democracy Unplugged is a forward-looking conversation on

where South Africa, and the world, is headed politically. Phumi Mashigo

picks the brains of Ismael Steenkamp, ward 29 councillor from the

Patriotic Alliance; Solly Msimanga, ... more

YouTube

Higher education in South Africa - are we future-proofing the country, or stuck in an old system? Just after the grade 12 results have been released, Phumi Mashigo hosts a conversation that cuts through the feel-good headlines and asks harder questio... more

How do South Africa’s laws and policies come to be, and what can you do to be part of the change? Phumi Mashigo dives into the stages and processes involved in making or changing a law, with RISE Mzansi’s Makashule Gana and The New South Institute’s ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Ascilia Mata Ubisse
Regional head for Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs and member of the Startup20 Foundations & Alliances Taskforce
Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs
Episode: South Africa's voice in the G20
Rohan Pike
Commonwealth Law Enforcement Expert
Episode: Fake cigarettes financing terror | With commonwealth law enforcement, Rohan Pike
Rosheda Muller
National President of the National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa
NITASA
Episode: Exclusive interview: Rosheda Muller of National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa (NITASA)
Tebogo Khaas
Social justice activist
Episode: Whistleblowers: Breaking the Silence | Tebogo Khaas and Martha Ngoye
Martha Ngoye
Whistleblower and social activist
Episode: Whistleblowers: Breaking the Silence | Tebogo Khaas and Martha Ngoye
Ayanda Allie
Member of the Gauteng Legislature and social commentator
Gauteng Legislature
Episode: What Women Want - with Phumi Mashigo, Ayanda Allie & Mandisa Mashego
Mandisa Mashego
Social commentator with a focus on gender issues
Episode: What Women Want - with Phumi Mashigo, Ayanda Allie & Mandisa Mashego
Sam Sole
Investigative journalist and co-founder of AmaBhungane
Episode: Crime, chaos & commissions: What’s really going on in South Africa?
Brooke Goldstein
Founder and director of the Lawfare Project and the End Jew Hatred Movement, a human rights fighter, lawyer, author, and filmmaker.
Lawfare Project
Episode: Freedom, force and the Middle East's future | Level Up with Phumi Mashigo

Host

Phumi Mashigo
Co-anchor and host, providing insightful perspectives and facilitating discussions with various political and social commentators.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#59
South Africa/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#209
South Africa/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is SA’s education system broken? With Hendrick Makaneta and Dr Linda Meyer
Q: What do you think is the golden key that would allow the unlocking of the system towards getting it right?
The biggest priority lies in addressing the funding challenges faced by students and institutions to ensure equitable access to quality education.
Is SA’s education system broken? With Hendrick Makaneta and Dr Linda Meyer
Q: Is there something deeper that is masked with the kind of pass rates that we are seeing about the inequality in the system at basic education level?
Yes, many students from disadvantaged households face significant barriers that impact their educational outcomes, including socio-economic challenges and inadequate institutional support.
Is SA’s education system broken? With Hendrick Makaneta and Dr Linda Meyer
Q: When you look at these results, what do you think that they are a true reflection of what the schooling system is producing?
The results do not give a true reflection because many students drop out before they reach grade 12, which impacts the number sitting the final exams.
Who really writes our laws? With RISE Mzansi’s Makashule Gana and The New South Institute’s Ivor Chipkin
Q: Why was it so important for you putting this bill into the system?
It's important for ensuring effective public service administration and accountability.
The AI Reality Check - Are We Ready for 2026?
Q: How do you talk to the soul and the heartbeat of a creative?
Creatives need to understand that AI can assist but not replace their creative thinking; they should leverage AI to enhance their unique value.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Democracy Unplugged

What is Democracy Unplugged about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features a range of discussions centered on South African politics and society, focusing heavily on local governance, accountability, and the impact of political decisions on communities. Throughout various episodes, guests share their insights on pressing issues such as service delivery, corruption, and the role of civil society in political engagement. The conversations often include prominent political figures and activists, delving into their experiences and visions for change, particularly in the lead-up to local government elections. Unique to this offering is its blend of expert commentary and grassroots perspectives, making it a valuable resource for those interested in understanding the complexities of South African go... more

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How many listeners does Democracy Unplugged get?

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What are the audience demographics for Democracy Unplugged?

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How many subscribers and views does Democracy Unplugged have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Democracy Unplugged has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Democracy Unplugged?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Democracy Unplugged:

1. The Overton Pod
2. The Gareth Cliff Show
3. The Money Show
4. The Daily Friend Show
5. BizNews Radio

How many episodes of Democracy Unplugged are there?

Democracy Unplugged launched 2 years ago and published 150 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Democracy Unplugged?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Democracy Unplugged?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Democracy Unplugged from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Democracy Unplugged?

Recent guests on Democracy Unplugged include:

1. Ascilia Mata Ubisse
2. Rohan Pike
3. Rosheda Muller
4. Tebogo Khaas
5. Martha Ngoye
6. Ayanda Allie
7. Mandisa Mashego
8. Sam Sole

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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