http://www.timeslive.co.za The Political Arena is a podcast hosted by the Arena Holdings political team, bringing together reporters and editors from across the group to unpack the political stories shaping South Africa. From party politics and elections to Parliament, governance, coalitions and the personalities influencing the country’s future, the podcast offers insightful, thought-provoking and in-depth political analysis from the journalists covering the stories. Politics en Tue, 28 Jul 2026 20:31:30 +0200 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:29:25 +0200 30 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss iono.fm 2.5.2.0 Arena Podcast Network no Monthly feeds@iono.fm (Feed Manager) https://cdn.iono.fm/files/p372/logo_10138_20260728_203140_1400.jpeg http://www.timeslive.co.za The Political Arena is a podcast hosted by the Arena Holdings political team, bringing together reporters and editors from across the group to unpack the political stories shaping South Africa. Arena Podcast Network episodic Arena Podcast Network podcasts@arena.africa false ZA https://iono.fm/e/1701619 https://iono.fm/e/1701619 In this episode of The Political Arena, Business Day political editor Hajra Omarjee is joined by Sowetan editor Sibongakonke Shoba, Business Day parliamentary correspondent Tara Roos and Sunday Times and TimesLIVE politics reporter Sisanda Aluta Mbolekwa to unpack what lobbying really means, where it crosses the line and whether South Africa needs stronger regulation.
The panel explores the difference between lobbying, state capture and corruption; examines how political influence operates in parties, including the ANC, DA, MK Party and EFF; and discusses why the Leon controversy has reignited calls for greater transparency around who has access to government decision-makers.
The discussion also considers how lobbying shapes public policy, what parliament can do to regulate the industry and why stronger disclosure requirements could become essential to protecting South Africa’s democracy. ]]> Politics Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:29:00 +0200 0 0 Inside SA’s lobbying debate: Power, influence and politics 0 0 Arena Podcast Network full 24:40 The Political Arena https://iono.fm/e/1701618 https://iono.fm/e/1701618 Politics Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:27:00 +0200 0 0 DA’s GNU reshuffle: Succession or strategy? 0 0 Arena Podcast Network full 30:07 The Political Arena https://iono.fm/e/1701616 https://iono.fm/e/1701616 In this episode of The Political Arena, TimesLIVE and Sunday Times Digital Politics editor Lizeka Tandwa is joined by Sowetan editor Sibongakonke Shoba, Sunday Times political journalist Kgothatso Madisa and Business Day political journalist Tando Maeko to unpack South Africa's increasingly heated immigration debate.
The panel examines whether government has done enough to address concerns around illegal immigration, crime and border management, and explores the political calculations behind the growing influence of anti-immigration movements and calls for a national shutdown.
The discussion also looks at the role of political parties, including the ANC, DA, EFF, MK Party and SACP, as well as questions around accountability, public anger and the impact immigration debates could have on South Africa's democracy, economy and regional relationships.
The team further analyses the role of the media, the spread of online mobilisation and whether South Africa can find sustainable solutions to one of its most contentious political issues. ]]> Politics Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:24:00 +0200 0 0 Immigration crisis: Politics, power and South Africa's future 0 0 Arena Podcast Network full 40:28 The Political Arena https://iono.fm/e/1701614 https://iono.fm/e/1701614 From the ANC NEC closing ranks around Ramaphosa to the political calculations behind the president’s decision not to resign, the panel examines how the party is navigating one of the most significant political crises of Ramaphosa’s presidency before a crucial election period.
The discussion explores comparisons between Phala Phala and Nkandla, questions about parliament’s accountability role and what National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza’s handling of the process could mean for South Africa’s constitutional democracy.
The team also analyses the EFF’s and ATM’s impeachment strategy, the DA’s positioning in the GNU and growing succession debates in the ANC as questions mount over the party’s future leadership and electoral prospects. ]]> Politics Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:22:00 +0200 0 0 Inside the Phala Phala storm 0 0 Arena Podcast Network full 23:19 The Political Arena https://iono.fm/e/1701613 https://iono.fm/e/1701613 In this episode of The Political Arena, Business Day politics editor Hajra Omarjee is joined by TimesLIVE digital politics editor Lizeka Tandwa to unpack the growing tensions within the tripartite alliance and what the SACP’s decision could mean for South Africa’s political future.
The discussion explores whether the SACP has the electoral strength, funding and campaign machinery to survive outside the ANC’s shadow, or whether the move is ultimately a bid for greater influence over cabinet positions, economic policy and decision-making power.
The team also examines the rise of coalition politics, speculation around possible alignments with parties such as the EFF and MK, and whether left-leaning parties can realistically unite despite deep political rivalries and leadership ambitions.
From worker support and alliance fractures to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership challenges and the future of the ANC-led bloc, the episode analyses how this political split could reshape the balance of power ahead of the 2026 municipal elections. ]]> Politics Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:21:00 +0200 0 0 From alliance to rivalry: ANC and SACP head for a political showdown 0 0 Arena Podcast Network full 26:21 The Political Arena https://iono.fm/e/1701612 https://iono.fm/e/1701612 In this episode of The Political Arena, Business Day’s politics editor, Hajra Omarjee, alongside Sunday Times’ deputy political editor, Lizeka Tandwa, Sunday Times political reporter Kgothatso Madisa and Business Day political correspondent Thando Maeko, discuss the DA’s ambitions following its recent elective conference.
From the rise of a younger leadership collective under Geordin Hill-Lewis to the party’s push to capture key metros ahead of the 2026 local government elections, the team examines whether the DA can expand beyond its traditional support base and appeal to South Africa’s majority.
The discussion explores the DA’s governance track record, questions about service delivery in poorer communities and whether its messaging can resonate with an increasingly disengaged youth.
The team also analyses internal dynamics within the party, including leadership influence, factional tensions and what Hill-Lewis’s leadership could mean for coalition politics and the future of the government of national unity. ]]> Politics Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:20:00 +0200 0 0 DA leadership reset and coalition politics 0 0 Arena Podcast Network full 26:51 The Political Arena https://iono.fm/e/1701610 https://iono.fm/e/1701610 In this episode of The Political Arena, Business Day politics editor Hajra Omarjee, alongside Sowetan deputy editor Thabiso Thakali and The Herald assistant editor of investigations Nomazima Nkosi, unpack the outcomes and tensions emerging from recent ANC conferences across the country.
From the collapse of the Eastern Cape provincial conference amid court challenges and allegations of irregularities, to contrasting dynamics in provinces like Limpopo and Mpumalanga, the discussion explores how internal battles, organisational control and factional interests continue to shape the party’s direction.
The team examines the role of party structures, the influence of key leaders, and what these developments reveal about the ANC’s ability to renew itself ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
As competing interests and power plays unfold, the episode reflects on what lies ahead for the ANC and what it could mean for South Africa’s broader political landscape. ]]> Politics Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:17:00 +0200 0 0 ANC conference chaos and power plays 0 0 Arena Podcast Network full 26:25 The Political Arena https://iono.fm/e/1701609 https://iono.fm/e/1701609 In this debut episode of The Political Arena, Arena Holdings’ political team, Hajra Omarjee, Business Day political editor; Sibongakonke Shoba, Sowetan editor; and Kgothatso Madisa, Sunday Times political reporter, unpack the dynamics shaping the ANC’s next succession battle.
From growing speculation about potential candidates to questions of credibility, internal alliances and the influence of party machinery, the team analyses the key players and power shifts already shaping the race. They also explore what leadership choices could mean for the stability of the GNU and South Africa’s broader political trajectory, particularly ahead of provincial conferences and the 2026 local government elections.

As the conversation unfolds, the episode reflects on the role of the media in a constitutional democracy and the responsibility of journalists to cover high-stakes political contests with depth, balance and accountability. No party escapes scrutiny. As the ANC charts its next chapter, the implications will be felt far beyond its own ranks.

The Political Arena brings together political editors and reporters who are in the rooms, on the calls and tracking the shifting alliances, analysing the power moves, unpacking the politics and decoding the spin. ]]> Politics Tue, 28 Jul 2026 21:25:00 +0200 0 0 ANC succession showdown 0 0 Arena Podcast Network full 25:01 The Political Arena