Hijacked: National Dialogue faces a credibility crisis
The DA claims it was proven right to boycott the dialogue after Deputy President Paul Mashatile instructed ministers to attend the convention virtually
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IOL News
29 minutes ago
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Defence Minister Motshekga approves SANDF Chief's controversial Iran trip
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Kwakwa emphasised that the visit was in line with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Iran in 2016, which requires ongoing engagement between the defence forces of both countries. 'The purpose was really for the Chief of the SANDF to honour the invitation, but to continue to strengthen bilateral defence relations with the Iranian government,' she said. However, Kwakwa also confirmed that there would be a response to General Maphwanya's controversial comments made in Tehran. Reports indicate that during his visit to Tehran, General Maphwanya pledged 'common goals' with Iran, supported its Gaza position, and called for deeper strategic alignment—actions that allegedly exceeded his constitutional and professional mandate. She noted that Defence Minister Motshekga would meet with Maphwanya to raise concerns, and that President Cyril Ramaphosa, as Commander-in-Chief, would ultimately lead the process of deciding any consequences. 'The minister will have an engagement with the Chief and express how she feels about the utterances that were made, that were outside of our purview as Defence. The Commander-in-Chief will meet with General Maphwanya, so it will be led by the President in terms of course of action,' Kwakwa said. Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has demanded immediate disciplinary action, including a court-martial. DA MP and spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans Chris Hattingh said Maphwanya's statements amounted to 'gross misconduct and a flagrant breach of the SANDF Code of Conduct.' Hattingh said the General's political pronouncements were unconstitutional and violated the SANDF's duty of neutrality. 'Such political statements are explicitly prohibited for serving officers, violate the SANDF's duty of political neutrality, and undermine the constitutional principle of civilian control over the military,' he said. Both DIRCO and the Defence Ministry have publicly distanced themselves from Maphwanya's remarks, stressing they do not reflect official government policy. Still, the DA criticised what it called the Minister's 'deafening silence', accusing her of failing to uphold military discipline. At a media briefing on Thursday, presidential spokesperson Vincent said the comments were troubling. 'Yes, there is concern. At this period of heightened geopolitical tensions and conflict in the Middle East, one can say the visit was ill-advised,' he said. 'There is an expectation that the general should have been more circumspect with his comments, particularly those that touch on foreign policy — a domain strictly reserved for the President and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). This is not within the purview of the military or senior military officers.' Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ Magwenya noted that South Africa is currently undertaking a sensitive diplomatic effort to reset its relationship with the United States. 'We are in the process of managing a very delicate exercise of resetting political and diplomatic relations with the US, and more importantly, balancing the trade relationship in a manner that is mutually beneficial,' he said. 'It is not helpful when, during this process, senior government or military officials participate in visits and make statements that risk inflaming tensions. In managing the US relationship, we are also countering significant disinformation—from Washington and, sadly, from some quarters within our own country. It's crucial that the government speaks with one voice.' Hattingh warned that the comments were part of a broader pattern of 'foreign policy adventurism' that harms South Africa's international relationships. 'The only appropriate response is an immediate court-martial to restore discipline, reaffirm the SANDF's apolitical character, and send a clear message that no one, regardless of rank, is above the Constitution or the law,' Hattingh said. The DA said it would formally request that Motshekga direct the Adjutant General to initiate proceedings against Maphwanya without delay. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL Politics
Mail & Guardian
29 minutes ago
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Ahead of the 2026 local government elections, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has announced Cilliers Brink as its Tshwane mayoral candidate. Brink served as mayor of the city for 18 months before he was removed in a motion of no confidence in September last year, which saw ActionSA's Nasiphi Moya take over the position. Brink had been elected through a coalition which was backed by Herman Mashaba's party, but was removed when ActionSA shifted its alliance to support the ANC- Economic Freedom Fighters-led coalition in the city. Before becoming a Tshwane councillor, Brink served as a DA MP. In March, DA federal chair Helen Zille announced that the party had opened applications for candidates wishing to apply to be considered as mayoral candidates in the cities of Tshwane, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Mangaung. Ziille said the DA was approaching next year's elections with the intention of governing and rescuing these troubled metros. She said applicants would be interviewed and scored, and asked questions randomly drawn from a pre-approved bank, to ensure the integrity of the process. Successful candidates would thereafter be approved by the DA federal executive. During Friday's announcement of Brink as the Tshwane candidate, DA leader John Steenhuisen said his priority as mayor would be to improve the lives and livelihoods of Tshwane residents, who he urged to vote for the party next year. 'Right now, there are just five seats separating the ANC from the DA in the council. Five seats. Your vote can decide whether Tshwane moves forward or slides back. In a race this close, your vote is your voice and it can change everything,' Steenhuisen said. In his acceptance speech, Brink said he was determined to finish the work he had started in his previous stint as mayor to build a capable city. He accused the ANC of stripping the City of Tswane of internal systems and controls for decades, deploying unqualified cadres into management positions. Before the DA took over control of Tshwane in 2016, the ANC had been in charge of the city since the first democratic elections. The party's eight-year tenure has not been without allegations of corruption, with the city being placed under administration by the provincial government. The Constitutional Court, however, ruled that the move was unlawful. 'When the ANC finally lost power in 2016, it used its network of cadres and tenderpreneurs to make Tshwane ungovernable by disrupting council meetings, blocking disciplinary actions against senior officials and finally colluding with the corrupt Gauteng government to place the city under unlawful administration,' Brink said. 'They plunged Tshwane into chaos and brought the city to the edge of financial ruin. In the 18 months that my team and I led Tshwane, we moved the city forward. We appointed a diverse group of competent professionals to management positions. 'While ActionSA gets to wear the mayoral chain, the decisions of this government are ANC; in fact, in the corridors of Tshwane House, they say George Matjila [ANC regional secretary] is the real mayor.'
Mail & Guardian
39 minutes ago
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Podcast regulation: Consider humanities graduates in the process
Graduates in disciplines such as sociology, development, philosophy, gender and politics have the analytical tools to unpack social nuances, historical context and ethical boundaries. Photo: File Podcasts, a medium once viewed as a harmless form of entertainment, is increasingly recognised as a powerful space that shapes public opinion, often without adequate accountability. With minimal regulation, podcasts are a breeding ground for misinformation, harassment and harmful stereotyping. The case of Minnie Dlamini suing Podcast and Chill hosts for R2.5 million over alleged hate speech and harassment, the case of Open Chats Podcast , on which discriminatory remarks were made about coloured people, and concerns about Skeem GP allegedly glorifying crime and criminals, show the unchecked influence of podcasting platforms. Calls for regulation, such as those voiced by Deputy Minister Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, have grown louder. In a firm statement regarding Open Chats Podcast , she called out its dangerous content and emphasised the responsibility content creators have towards society. But as the government and society weigh the implications of regulating podcast spaces, an opportunity lies dormant — the inclusion of humanities graduates, particularly from disciplines such as sociology, development studies, philosophy, gender studies and political science, as part of content research and ethical review teams. Podcast hosts often cover complex social issues with little to no background research, which makes them vulnerable to legal missteps and public backlash. Instead of waiting to be held accountable after the fact, podcasters could collaborate proactively with humanities researchers. These graduates possess the analytical tools to unpack social nuances, historical context and ethical boundaries, all essential for responsibly engaging with a diverse audience. This approach not only improves content quality but creates employment and volunteer opportunities in a sector that traditionally excludes humanities graduates. In South Africa, many of these graduates remain underemployed despite their potential to contribute meaningfully to knowledge-based industries. According to a study published in the South African Journal of Higher Education , a key barrier humanities students face is the lack of recognition for their skills in applied sectors beyond academia. Podcasting platforms present a fertile ground to possibly address this gap. This view is echoed by a recent article in ProGraduates, which debunks the myth that humanities graduates are unemployable. The publication shows that these graduates possess key skills that are in demand across industries, including ethical reasoning, critical thinking, contextual analysis and values-based communication. These are the very competencies lacking in unregulated digital spaces today, and podcasting offers a ready-made platform to absorb such talent while also restoring public trust. Additionally, the podcasting space itself is rapidly expanding and professionalising in South Africa. One media industry publication notes that the rise of podcasting is not merely a cultural trend but a growing economic opportunity, particularly for brands looking to communicate authentically with audiences. This publication states that platforms such as Spotify lead the listenership in South Africa, followed by Apple Podcasts, signalling the country's appetite for digital audio content. As podcasting matures into a commercialised and competitive media space, the demand for well-researched, credible, and socially responsible content is only likely to grow. Critics of podcast regulation argue that imposing rules threatens freedom of speech and stifles alternative voices. But regulation doesn't have to mean censorship. It can mean accountability, ensuring that platforms are not only free but also fair and informed. If done correctly, regulation can professionalise the podcast industry while preserving the diversity of voices. A hybrid model could be developed where humanities students or graduates work as research contributors to episodes, either as interns, volunteers or paid consultants, depending on a podcast's capacity. Before publishing an episode on, for example, gender-based violence or youth unemployment, the team could consult brief reports by these researchers, ensuring facts are accurate, language is sensitive and narratives are not unintentionally harmful. This also builds a pipeline for students to gain experience, develop content portfolios, and find relevance in the evolving digital economy. As discussions on podcast regulation move forward, the government, civil society and digital media platforms must broaden the conversation. Regulation is not just about restrictions; it is also about inclusion, responsibility and development. In an economy struggling with youth unemployment and misinformation, integrating humanities graduates into podcasts could be a win-win. Sbusiso Gwala is an entrepreneur, mentor, tutor and youth leader. He is pursuing a master's in development studies.
