Thuli Madonsela says those in power should be at the forefront of using every cent to improve the quality of life of all citizens.
As a young lawyer, Madonsela was one of the architects of South Africa’s first democratic constitution, the supreme law of the land and considered one of the most progressive in the world.
But during her seven years as South Africa’s Public Protector, when she found that the country’s politicians were failing that constitution, Madonsela fearlessly tackled government misconduct, challenging politicians who prioritised their own wealth over the well-being of the people. It was a period of corruption that became known as “State Capture” – widening and deepening the nation’s inequality.
Two landmark reports by Madonsela implicated some of South Africa’s most influential figures, including former President Jacob Zuma and the notorious Gupta family, in the face of a relentless smear campaign where she was even accused of being a CIA agent.
Ahead of what are seen as South Africa’s most important elections since the end of Apartheid, Imran Garda meets the soft-spoken Madonsela, now a law professor, to talk about what it takes to hold those in positions of authority accountable. She also explains to Imran why the justice system lets fraudulent politicians get away with it.
As South Africans go to the polls in 2024, can the nation finally live up to the lofty ideals of its constitution?
00:00 Meeting Thuli Mandonsela
00:33 Writing SA’s post-apartheid constitution
02:31 On putting justice before personal feelings
04:15 Smear campaigns and allegations of being a CIA agent
07:23 The State of Capture report
08:59 The Gupta family
10:52 "The web is still there"
12:25 The Zondo Commission
14:11 Madonsela vs. Jacob Zuma
15:32 How do corrupt politicians avoid prison?
17:30 What was the extent of the damage caused by corruption activities during "state capture" in SA?
21:34 "Where there is injustice, crime follows"
22:19 Leaving the Public Protector’s chair
24:12 Madonsela’s views on the ICJ case
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