How well is the governing party holding up? In the first edition of the Burning Platform for the month of May, Gareth and Phumi are joined by ANC spokesperson, Lesego Makhubela. The three of them go back and forth about the governing parties flaws and strengths ahead of this year's elections.

Is the dream of one South Africa a foolish one? Leader of Build One South Africa (BOSA), Mmusi Maimane joins Gareth and Phumi for an in-studio conversation. They take a look at Mmusi's political history, and delve into the ideas he has for the country moving forward. Phumi also grills Mmusi on coalitions... will they work?

What is the job of a good opposition party? Gareth and Phumi are joined by Democratic Alliance leader, John Steenhuisen. They discuss the identity of the party, and the hot button issue of coalition governments. John also dispels a few misconceptions about the DA. Powered by Podcast Party.

Dr Pieter Groenewald from the Freedom Front Plus joins the team to chat about the Multi-Party Charter, their manifesto to rebuild South Africa, and eating an elephant… one bite at a time.

Mkhuleko Hlengwa from the IFP joins Gareth, Kanthan and Phumi on the Burning Platform this week. A ‘new normal’ is on the cards for the IFP, as they look to take a few areas from the country’s top dogs. Mkhuleko also shares his thoughts on the Multi-Party Charter.

GOOD Secretary-General, Brett Herron speaks on the potential economic reform, if elected. Kanthan grills him on GOOD’s justice pillars, and their plan for jobs. The conversation gets heated when the Green Economy comes up.

UDM Leader Bantu Holomisa joins the Burning Platform to outline the manifesto for his party. Bantu also speaks on the role the state has to play in bettering the lives of South Africans. Gareth and Kanthan question Bantu on the potential for a coalition government, and how that could impact the country.

Leader of the ACDP, Rev. Kenneth Meshoe joins the show to discuss his manifesto. Phumi questions Kenneth on his ability to still lead the party, after being its leader since its inception. And Kenneth lays down his vision for a “successful, prosperous South African future”.

ActionSA leader, Herman Mashaba is on the Burning Platform today to lay down his manifesto for a “better South Africa” under his party. Things get heated when Kanthan and Phumi question him about coalition politics, and involvement from the DA. And Gareth asks how Herman plans to deal with foreigners and immigrants coming into South Africa.

Executive President of SARA, Colleen Makhubele sits down with Gareth Cliff and Phumi Mashigo ahead of the 2024 National Elections. Colleen addresses her COPE termination, outlines her impact as the Speaker of Johannesburg, and lays down her vision for a better South Africa in SARA’s eyes.

Roger Jardine joins Gareth Cliff, Phumi Mashigo, and Kanthan Pillay this week. Together they touch on the controversial NHI bill, why the Tintswalos of South Africa should vote, and the importance of youth in elections and politics. Roger lays down some of his manifesto for his party, Change Starts Now.

Neil De Beer of the UIM (United Independent Movement) steps in the ring with Gareth and Phumi to have his say about the upcoming elections. We get some inside info from Neil, coming from an intelligence background - as well as being an advisor to President Nelson Mandela. Neil also launches his manifesto live on the show. And what are you expecting from the SONA this evening?

Gayton McKenzie has been making headlines in recent weeks, after taking some border issues and foreign policy into his own hands. He joins Gareth and Phumi to discuss the future of South Africa. They touch on Gayton’s ideologies of what South Africa could be if managed correctly by the right people, the PA’s new manifesto, as well as his stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, the land issue, and equal race treatment.

Kanthan Pillay joins Gareth Cliff and Phumi Mashigo this week. Gareth kicks off with a conspiracy theory sent in a from a listener regarding the MK Party and the ANC... but is Phumi buying into it? They dive into American and African politics - specifically, which African Leader was the best in office over the years, as well as touching on SA's upcoming national election, and which party has grabbed the attention of the public.

Kanthan Pillay and Koketso Resane join Gareth Cliff and Phumi Mashigo for a lengthy discussion about some recent events in SA politics. The lengthy ballot paper holding a record amount of parties in South African history, the ANC’s statement regarding the Western Cape, and former Israeli ambassador to South Africa, Arthur Lenk joins in live from Israel to give us a status update on the ground, and answer some questions from the team.

Advocate Mark Oppenheimer joins Gareth Cliff to discuss South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. WARNING: Disturbing content. NOTE: Adv. Mark Oppenheimer incorrectly makes reference to India instead of Pakistan in this interview - apologies for the error.

Gareth and Phumi are joined by Roman Cabanac of Morning Shot for the first Burning Platform of 2024. Roman has a very strong set of opinions about South Africa’s leadership, and why it is still the best country to live in. Together the team break down the unprotected borders issue, Jacob Zuma and the MK Party, Cape independence, and South Africa’s case at the ICJ later today.

Gareth and Phumi are joined by Adil Nchabeleng, an energy expert and former corporate finance buff, to discuss South Africa’s grid woes - as well as the current state of government. Is South Africa a ticking time bomb of an Arab Spring… or will 2024 bring enough change to create stability in our country?

Phumlani Majozi joins the show to discuss some of the ideas from his new book. He emphasizes the need to eject the ANC from power in order to restore South Africa, acknowledging the previous leaders of the past. Phumlani also gets into the idea of a multi-party solution, and the plan moving forward.

Kanthan Pillay launches his new book, 'How to Fix South Africa: An Owner's Manual' with a live audience at a special CliffCentral event. Along with Gareth Cliff and Phumi Mashigo, he touches on social grants, taxation, the NHI and more.

Where do SA political parties get their funding, and how is South Africa’s judicial system suffering with backdated dockets that aren’t being solved? Marecia Damons and Daniel Steyn, both award-winning journalists at GroundUp, have put out a new book breaking down the Thabo Bester story, as they were the first to break the story of him faking his death.

Chris Pappas is the Premier candidate on the DA’s list for KZN next year. Doing an already excellent job in the uMngeni local municipality, could premiership soon be a reality for Mr Pappas? Gareth and Phumi do a deep dive with Chris on the current state of government, his vision for KZN, and how people can change their futures by voting.

Solly Moeng is frustrated with the state of South African politics and is calling on all citizens to take control. Phumi notices a lack of will to win in the elections, and Gareth fires back with some ideas for corrupt politicians.

Eliav Belotsercovsky - the Israeli Ambassador of South Africa - joins the team to discuss the current situation in Israel, the ignorance of South African media, as well as the dispute of the international communications with South Africa in future.