Season 1
It's Topical | EFF departures: What's next for the party?

With just five weeks to the EFF's National People's Assembly in mid-December the party's leader, Julius Malema, has scoffed at suggestions that the departure of some senior party members signals the beginning of the end for the party. This follows the resignation of the party's former national chairperson Advocate Dali Mpofu this week. He has joined a list of party members who recently left the red berets to join the uMkhoto we Sizwe Party, with others predicted to follow. Where does this leave the EFF's preparations for its elective conference?

Locals & foreign nationals face off on immigration debate

On this episode of It’s Topical, we throw the spotlight on immigration. As South Africa's Government of National Unity marks 100 days, has there been any progress or regression in the immigration issue? To unpack this question we are joined by Sihle Lonzi from the EFF, Funzi Ngobeni from ActionSA and the Immigration law Expert, Ashraf Essop. People from various backgrounds, both locals and foreign nationals, voice their concerns about immigration.

Is MK party a formidable opposition?

This past week we saw the swearing in of new Members of Parliament from the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Some of the new MPs are well-known personalities and others returning Parliamentarians. The new members of the MKP include former Prasa CEO Lucky Montana, former Transnet CEOs Siyabonga Gama, Brian Molefe and Mzwanele Manyi who recently resigned from the EFF. Musician Eric Kobane, also known as Papa Penny is also now a MKP MP. To unpack this issue, we are joined by Dr Thanti Mthanti who is an MKP Policy Expert and Prof. William Gumede who is a Governance Expert at Wits University. The digital audience also weighs in.

Two-Pot System, to withdraw or not to withdraw?

The much talked about Two-Pot Retirement System takes effect on 01 September 2024, with trade unions at loggerheads as to whether this will benefit or disadvantage workers who are facing a financial crunch. Arguing for the system in studio is the largest union, COSATU, represented by its national spokesperson Zanele Sabela, and the General Secretary of SAFTU, Zwelinzima Vavi. Also on the panel is the CEO of Glacier by Sanlam, Khanyi Nzukuma.

Perspective - Why Shivambu left EFF?

This past week a tectonic shift was announced by the EFF that its longstanding Deputy President Floyd Shivambu was leaving the party and joining Jacob Zuma's MK Party. As part of the EFF founding members and a prominent intellectual, what does this spell for the party, the MKP and the political landscape of the country? On the panel are SABC News Acting Political Editor Ntebo Mokobo, SABC News Senior Political Reporter Samkele Maseko, Senior Political Journalist from Sunday World Mawande Amashabalala, Political Analysts Sandile Swana and Dr Fikile Vilakazi.

Adetshina's citizenship saga - Who counts as a South African?

Following the former Miss SA finalist, Chidimma Adetshina's citizenship controversy, in studio we have the Brand Expert Thebe Ikaleng, Immigration Law Expert Ashraf Essop and our digital audience to explore more about who counts as a South African?

Racism in schools - Are parents to blame?

In studio we are joined by Likho Bottoman from Department of Basic Education, Matakanye Matakanya from the National Association of Schools Governing Bodies and Prof. Ben Senokoane from Unisa.

Zuma's expulsion, prison & military camp raids

On tonight's show, It's Topical discusses various topics, from Zuma's expulsion, 'Sun City' prison raid to suspected military camp in Mpumalanga.

Is SA national security compromised by funding issues?

As the 7th administration settles in and with Angie Motshekga as the new Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, we ask what should be the top and immediate priorities for the Ministry. This follows a trend of persistent budget cuts over the years and multiple deaths of SANDF members in the line of duty both at home and on foreign missions. On the panel are the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee for Defence and Military Veterans, Dakota Legoete, and the National Secretary of the SA National Defence Union, Adv. Pikkie Greeff. The digital audience also weigh in on the discussion.

Is the explosive VBS affidavit in the public interest?

This past week a tell-all affidavit by the former Chairperson of the now defunct VBS bank was leaked to the media. It revealed allegations of involvement of high-profile politicians and municipalities in the looting of the bank to the tune of R2 billion. However, the NPA had urged the media not to divulge the contents of the affidavit as this has the potential to jeopardize the case and also put people's lives at risk. Do you agree? To unpack this question were are joined by Sbu Ngalwa, the Chairperson of the SA National Editors' Forum, as well as Dr Llewelyn Curlewis (Procedural Law Senior Lecturer at the University of Pretoria) and legal expert, Mpumelelo Zikalala. Our digital audience also puts questions to the panel.

GNU Cabinet, 'It's not going to be easy this time around': Lindiwe Zulu

On tonight's show, It's Topical previews the 1st Cabinet Lekgotla with Former Minister Lindiwe Zulu. As usual Digital audience also weighed in.

Cabinet Announcement Preview

As we preview the cabinet announcement tonight, we are joined by Build One SA Leader Mmusi Maimane, ordinary citizens also share their views on the priorities of the new executive.

1994 GNU Cabinet Member Tito Mboweni’s take on imminent cabinet announcement

As South Africa awaits the announcement of the new Government of National Unity, tonight’s show gets insights from Tito Mboweni- a former 1994 GNU cabinet minister and two-time Finance Minister. Also on the panel is Professor William Gumede from the Wits School of Governance. As always, the digital audience also weighs in on the subject.

Young leaders react to Zuma's "GNU is meaningless" remark

Following the MK Party's Sunday evening media briefing in Johannesburg, young leaders from ANC, DA, MKP & EFF dissect party leader Jacob Zuma's various remarks on elections, the formation of GNU. And our digital audience also weigh in.

Race against time to form new SA government

As the 2-week deadline looms for the first sitting of the new South African National Assembly following a historic election where the governing ANC lost its outright majority, we ask how far are coalition talks and if the ANC can pull off its proposed Government of National Unity? Host Blain Herman sits with political analyst Susan Booysens and the digital audience to get some answers.

2024 Elections | Previewing Elections 360: Giving you a voice

As we count down to the launch of Elections 360, on this episode of It's Topical, the electorates gave their take on this year's elections ahead of May 29.

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