The Conversation Weekly

In the second part of our special series What happened to Nelson Mandela's South Africa?, marking 30 years of democracy in South Africa post-apartheid, we talk to two experts about the economic policies introduced to transform the country under Mandela's successor, Thabo Mbeki, and the ensuing turmoil of the Jacob Zuma presidency that followed. Featuring Mashupye Maserumule, a professor of public affairs at Tshwane University of Technology and Michael Sachs, adjunct professor of economics at the University of Witwatersrand. This episode was written and produced by Mend Mariwany with assistance from Gary Oberholzer and Katie Flood. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Gemma Ware is the executive producer. Full credits available here. A transcript will be available shortly. Subscribe to a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.Further reading:After the euphoria of Nelson Mandela’s election, what happened next? PodcastJacob Zuma, the monster South Africa’s ruling ANC created, continues to haunt itSouth Africa’s first election was saved by a Kenyan: the fascinating story of Washington Okumu, the accidental mediator

It was a moment many South Africans never believed they'd live to see. On 10 May 1994, Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as president of a democratic South Africa, ending the deadly and brutal white minority apartheid regime. To mark 30 years since South Africa's post-apartheid transition began, we're running a special three-part podcast series, What happened to Nelson Mandela's South Africa? In this first episode, two scholars who experienced the transition at first hand reflect to Thabo Leshilo, The Conversation's politics editor in Johannesburg, on the initial excitement around Mandela's election, the priorities of his African National Congress in the transition and the challenges that lay ahead for South Africa as it set out to define its post-apartheid future.Featuring Steven Friedman, professor of political studies at the University of Johannesburg and Sandy Africa, associate professor of political sciences at the University of Pretoria.This episode was written and produced by Mend Mariwany with assistance from Gary Oberholzer and Katie Flood. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Gemma Ware is the executive producer. Full credits available here. A transcript will be available shortly. Subscribe to a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.Further reading: What happened to Nelson Mandela’s South Africa? A new podcast series marks 30 years of post-apartheid democracy South Africa’s election management body has done a good job for 30 years: here’s why 

It's been 30 years since Nelson Mandela was elected president of South Africa and the country's brutal and deadly apartheid system came to a formal end. As part of The Conversation's coverage of the anniversary, we're running a special three-part podcast series this month on The Conversation Weekly.In What happened to Nelson Mandela's South Africa?, Thabo Leshilo, politics and society editor at The Conversation Africa, speaks to prominent political scholars who experienced South Africa's post-apartheid transition, about the country's journey over the past three decades.Listen to the trailer for What happened to Nelson Mandela's South Africa? The first episode will be available on April 11.

For almost 15 years, scientists have debated whether the Anthropocene should be an official geological epoch marking the profound influence of humans on the planet. Then in March, an international panel of scientists formally rejected the proposal for a new Anthropocene epoch.In this episode, two scientists give us their different opinions on whether that was the right decision and what it means for the future use of the word Anthropocene. Featuring Jan Zalasiewicz, professor of palaeobiology at the University of Leicester in the UK, and Erle C. Ellis, professor of geography and environmental systems at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in the US. Plus an introduction from Will de Freitas, environment and energy editor at The Conversation in the UK.This episode was written and produced by Tiffany Cassidy with assistance from Katie Flood. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Gemma Ware is the executive producer. Full credits available here. A transcript is now available <podcast:transcript url="https://cdn.theconversation.com/static_files/files/3235/Anthropocene_Transcript.pdf?1714492717" type="text/html"/>will be available shortly. Subscribe to a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.Further readingThe Anthropocene is not an epoch − but the age of humans is most definitely underwayWhat the Anthropocene’s critics overlook – and why it really should be a new geological epochAnthropocene or not, it is our current epoch that we should be fighting forThe Anthropocene already exists in our heads, even if it’s now officially not a geological epoch

Former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Hilal Elver, discusses the use of hunger as a weapon of war in Gaza, highlighting the devastating impact on the population. The podcast delves into the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, international laws on crimes of starvation, and the hope for a better future amidst conflict.

Geographer Maxim Samson discusses how invisible boundaries impact urban landscapes, demographics, and societal structures. Topics include air quality disparities, climate vulnerability in the Sahel, the Israel-Palestine conflict's Green Line, and how unseen boundaries shape identity and access to resources.

As the climate crisis gets ever more severe, the fossil fuel industry is struggling to recruit new talent. And now a number of existing employees are deciding to leave their jobs, some quietly, some very publicly, because of concerns over climate change. In this episode we speak to a researcher about this phenomenon of climate quitting.Featuring Grace Augustine, associate professor in business and society at the University of Bath in the UK, and Sam Phelps, commissioning editor for international affairs at The Conversation in the UK. This episode was written and produced by Katie Flood with assistance from Mend Mariwany. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Gemma Ware is the executive producer. Full credits available here. A transcript will be available shortly. Subscribe to a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.Further reading and listening:Why young workers are leaving fossil fuel jobs – and what to do if you feel like ‘climate quitting’Quarter Life: a series about issues affecting those in their twenties and thirtiesFossil fuel workers have the skills to succeed in green jobs, but location is a major barrier to a just transitionListen: The fossil fuel era must end – so what happens to the communities it built? Climate Fight podcast part 3

As Russians head to the polls for presidential elections, conspiracy theories are swirling everywhere. In this episode we speak to a disinformation expert about the central role these conspiracy theories play in Vladimir Putin’s Russia.Featuring Ilya Yablokov, lecturer in journalism and digital media at the University of Sheffield in the UK. Plus an introduction from Grégory Rayko, international editor at The Conversation in France. This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Gemma Ware and Katie Flood with assistance from Mend Mariwany. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits available here. A transcript will be available shortly. Subscribe to a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.Further reading and listening:The Conversation's Expert guide to conspiracy theories podcastPutin has no successor, no living rivals and no retirement plan – why his eventual death will set off a vicious power struggleWhat can we expect from six more years of Vladimir Putin? An increasingly weak and dysfunctional RussiaRussian conspiracy theories: how Kremlin-backed yarns help keep Vladimir Putin in power En Russie, la plainte étouffée des mobilisés et de leurs familles

Discover how North Korean women are driving grassroots capitalism and changing societal norms through their fashion choices and entrepreneurial spirit. Explore the evolution of gender roles, household dynamics, and dating culture in a country gradually transforming into a matriarchy.

Exploring intellectual humility and its impact on society, the podcast delves into the value of being open-minded and willing to change one's mind. It highlights the importance of acknowledging what we don't know and the joy of being wrong. The discussion covers navigating grief, questioning beliefs, and embracing curiosity, emphasizing personal growth and societal advancement. Cultivating intellectual humility is essential for relationships and balancing confidence with openness to new evidence. The journey to intellectual humility involves embracing diverse viewpoints, questioning biases, and expanding understanding through varied experiences.