Wide Awake Podcast: Recent Episodes
Africa Podcast Network
The podcast where we look behind the mask, and challenge our preconceived ideas and biases. Politicians, celebrities, gangsters, and murderers all have one thing in common: they're all human.
In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast, I spoke with Mmusi Maimane, the former leader of the Democratic Alliance and the current leader of Build One South Africa. We talked about the reasons behind Mmusi's departure from the DA, his predictions for the outcome of the 2024 elections in South Africa, and discussed major issues like Load Shedding, Crime & Corruption, Cyril Ramaphosa, the National Health Insurance Bill, ANC, EFF and the future of South Africa.
In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast, I had a conversation with Riaan Swiegelaar, the former leader of the South African Satanic Church. We explored his journey from being a Satanist to embracing Christianity after a profound encounter with Jesus during a satanic ritual. Riaan also shared the immense challenges he faced while leaving the church, including a lawsuit filed against him by other high-ranking members. This legal battle aimed to silence him and prevent him from exposing the shocking truths about Satanism and the activities that took place behind closed doors.
In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast, I spoke to Gayton McKenzie, who is the leader of one of South Africa’s largest political parties, the Patriotic Alliance. We discussed former President Jacob Zuma and his new political party called MK. Additionally, we delved into his visit to Orania and his efforts to combat illegal immigration. However, the main topic we discussed, and the reason I invited Gayton back onto my show, is because on the 19th of February 2024, a girl named Joshlin Smith went missing from her home in Saldana Bay in the Western Cape. Gayton has played a significant role in the investigation that followed her disappearance and he even met Joshlin's mother and her boyfriend, who are the main suspects in this case!
In this episode, I sat down with the most well-rounded sprinter of all time, Wayde Van Niekerk. We talked about his road to recovery after suffering from an injury. His unbelievable comeback and reclaiming the number 1 rank in the world. We explored his historic world record breaking run at the Rio Olympics, growing up alongside his cousin Cheslin Kolbe, the Springboks victory at the Rugby World Cup, Usain Bolt, competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics and much more!
In this episode, I sat down with the Mayor of Cape Town and Ex-Gangster Thando. We talked about some of the most significant issues facing South Africa, including the unfortunate reality of people living in Cape Town's most forgotten and dangerous areas, the rising crime rate, the South African military, the housing crisis in South Africa, corruption, education, gangsterism, the impact of load shedding on the country, the DA and their plans for the 2024 elections and the future of South Africa.
In this weeks episode I spoke to the host of the True Crime South Africa podcast, Nicole Engelbrecht about the Krugersdorp cult killers.
During this episode we delve deep into the disturbing and twisted world of these Killers and the shocking events that transpired.
The Krugersdorp Cult Killers, also known as the "Electus Per Deus" cult, shocked the world with their gruesome crimes and their warped belief system. We will explore the dark and sinister secrets of this cult, the charismatic leader who manipulated her followers, and the heinous crimes committed in the name of a twisted ideology. Through extensive research and in-depth analysis, we will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the case, from the cult's formation to the disturbing murders that rocked a quiet community. Nicole also sheds light on the investigation that ultimately led to the cult's unraveling and the arrest of its key members.
In this episode, I had the opportunity to interview Gayton McKenzie, the leader of the Patriotic Alliance. Our conversation delved into a wide range of topics, starting with his early involvement in criminal activities that ultimately led to a 17-year prison sentence. We explored his experiences within the prison system, where he notably received special treatment and was regarded as a king behind bars. Gayton also shed light on the extensive corruption he exposed, which ultimately resulted in his early release.
Our discussion extended to his connections with Rashied Staggie, one of South Africa's most infamous gang leaders, as well as his business partnership with Kenny Kunene. Gayton shared insights into how he amassed his wealth through various business ventures. He outlined his vision for the future of South Africa if he were to become president in 2024, which included his stance on controversial issues such as advocating for the reinstatement of the death penalty and his plan to address the issue of illegal immigration through mass deportations.
In this weeks episode I speak to Ellen Pakkies. She was known as a loving mother, a religious woman and an upstanding member of her community in Lavender Hill. But on a September morning in 2007, she killed her own son Abie by strangling him with a rope.
In this episode we discuss Ellen's early years and the horrific abuse she went through, how addiction destroyed her family, the days leading up to the tragic incident with her son Abie, and the reasons behind her actions. We also went into great detail about the day she murdered her son and what happened afterwards!
In this week's episode of the Wide Awake Podcast I had a conversation with the leader of the DA, John Steenhuisen. During our chat we discussed John's epic clashes with Cyril Ramaphosa in Parliament, the questionable release of Jacob Zuma from prison, the riots that erupted in Durban and Cape Town, Cyril Ramaphosa's $4 Million Couch Scandal, John's thoughts on becoming the president of South Africa, addressing the growing issue of homelessness in Cape Town, the challenges related to drugs and gangs in the Cape Flats, concerns about police corruption, Gayton Mckenzie, what BRICS means, the recent legalisation of marijuana in SA and much more!
In this week’s episode of the Wide Awake Podcast I had a chat with the leaders of the Bad Boys gang and Pastor Andie. During this episode we talk about what it was like growing up in one of South Africa’s most dangerous areas, how they joined and eventually became the leaders of the Bad Boys gang, life inside South Africa’s most notorious prison, how they make money for the gangs, corruption in South Africa, where they see themselves in 10 years and much more!
In this week’s episode of the Wide Awake Podcast, I had a chat with Penuel Lungelo Mlotshwa, self-proclaimed "God Penuel". During this episode we talked about Penuel’s journey of self discovery, his pursuit of knowledge and identity, how he made and lost millions of his own and other people’s money, being reborn as a God and starting his own “religion” which he calls a Cult.
We also had a heated debate about Antisemitism, Andrew Tate, Kanye West, how Cult leaders use their influence to manipulate their followers and much more!
From Social media to one of South Africa’s fastest rising musical talents. This week I speak to Will Linley. This chat was one of the most insightful discussions I’ve had about the music industry and what it takes to become successful at such a young age. During this episode we discussed what Spotify actually pays artists, the story behind the song that put Will on the map, advice for other artists trying to make it in the industry, opening for One Republic and much more.
In this week's episode of the Wide Awake Podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Jonathan Shapiro, South Africa's most acclaimed and controversial political cartoonist, better known as Zapiro. Despite facing lawsuits, death threats, and enduring a stint in South Africa's notorious Pollsmoor prison, he remains unwavering in expressing his opinions and fearlessly confronting influential figures. Tune in to hear the remarkable journey of this acclaimed and controversial artist!
In this weeks episode of the Wide Awake Podcast I spoke to social media influencer and medical doctor, Dr Siya.
We spoke about how Siya gained over 3 million followers on social media, the reality inside South Africa's township hospitals, how Siya survived a brutal attack by Skinheads in Russia, sex education and medical misconceptions, the strangest injuries he has treated and much more.
In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast, I had a heartfelt conversation with my dad. We delve into his upbringing, the challenges he faced, and how he emerged as the amazing person he is today. We also talked about my recent trip to America and shared stories about some of our favourite guests from previous episodes.
During this episode we also discussed my journey as a recovering addict, the changes I've experienced over the past four years and some SHOCKING new developments.
In this weeks episode of the Wide Awake Podcast I speak to former gang member, Thando. His journey is unique because instead of joining a street gang he chose to stand alone in Africa’s most dangerous city, Cape Town.
During this episode we discussed his childhood and how he transformed from an innocent kid to a ruthless gangster. Thando also shared his experiences inside Pollsmoor, South Africa's most notorious prison. We delve into the story of the Numbers Gang, how he survived after being shot 11 times, his confrontations with other street gangs and the reasons behind his decision to leave his life of crime. Thando also shared some of the most unbelievable stories I have ever heard and much more..
In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dariusz Dziewanski. Dariusz is an experienced researcher, journalist, and author who has dedicated the last fifteen years to international development and humanitarian work.
He specialises in research, monitoring, evaluation, and learning, with his main focus on gangs. His extensive academic research has resulted in the publication of a book titled "Gang Entry and Exit in Cape Town: Getting Beyond The Streets in Africa’s Deadliest City," as well as numerous articles in esteemed peer-reviewed journals.
During our conversation, we delved into Dariusz's journey of working with gangs in South Africa and explored why Cape Town holds the unfortunate distinction of being Africa's deadliest city. We discussed the Cape Flats and examined the most influential gangs in South Africa. Additionally, we explored the reasons behind individuals joining gangs and the various pathways they take to exit such environments. Dariusz also shared an insane story about a lone gangster engaged in an extraordinary battle and much more…
In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jack Parow, a South African rapper, actor, and record producer who has deep Afrikaans roots. Our conversation covered a range of interesting topics, including how Jack first discovered his passion for rap music, his personal journey from an ordinary kid to one of the most well-known artists in South Africa, his experiences performing alongside famous artists such as Eminem and Snoop Dog, the wild stories he encountered during his tours, his thoughts on psychedelics, and much more.
In this weeks episode of the Wide Awake Podcast I speak to former arms dealer, David Packouz. David was an arms dealer during the War in Afghanistan. As a partner of AEY Inc, a prominent weapons contractor for the U.S. Department of Defence, he and his friend Efraim Diveroli landed a $300 million government contract in 2007 to provide ammunition and weapons to the Afghan Army. At this time David was just 24 years old and his friend Efraim was 20. Their story has since been adapted into the popular movie War Dogs, featuring renowned actors Jonah Hill, Miles Teller and Bradley Cooper.
In this weeks episode of the Wide Awake Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Russ Cook, an extreme athlete widely known as Britain's Hardest Geezer. During our conversation, Russ shared how running helped him overcome a difficult period in his life. In recent years, he has transformed into a superhuman athlete and achieved remarkable feats. For instance, he made history by completing a 71-marathon journey from Asia to London in just 66 days. Additionally, Russ holds the world record for the fastest marathon while pulling a car and even survived being buried alive for an astonishing seven days. Russ is now gearing up to take on his most gruelling challenge yet - becoming the first person to run across Africa, covering a distance of 15,000km, which equates to 360 marathons in just 240 days.
In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast, I had the opportunity to interview Larry Mazza, a former Mafia hitman who worked closely with Greg Scarpa, the notorious captain of the Colombo crime family, also known as the Grim Reaper. Larry has publicly confessed to taking the lives of four individuals and is rumoured to have been involved in approximately 25 additional homicides.
During our conversation, we delved into Larry's transformation from a regular kid with a supportive family to one of the most dreaded members of the Colombo Crime Family. Additionally, we explored his clandestine affair with Greg Scarpa's wife, the extent of his mentor's murderous deeds, and how he managed to evade justice for so long. Furthermore, we provided a detailed account of some of the murders that Larry participated in and the reasons behind the downfall of the Colombo Crime Family.
In this weeks episode of the Wide Awake Podcast I speak to Michael Dowd. He is considered the most Corrupt Cop In New York’s history. During his career Dowd stole money and dealt drugs while patrolling the streets of Brooklyn. He was also a criminal associate of the Diaz organisation. When he was eventually caught he was facing life in prison and upon his release a True Crime documentary called The Seven Five was filmed and it detailed Dowd's Life as a Dirty Cop.
During this episode we talked about the events that led Dowd to a life of crime. How much money he made from stealing, drug dealing and working with gangsters. The time he confronted a man that placed a hit on him. The corruption that spread though New York’s police force. How he was eventually caught. His life in prison and much more!
In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast I speak to Ex-Con Artist, Matthew Cox! Matthew is a former mortgage broker and convicted mortgage fraudster. During his time as a con-artist Matthew defrauded banks for roughly 55 million dollars. Due to his crimes Matthew was eventually put on the secret services most wanted list. When he was caught he was facing a sentence of up to 125 years in prison.
In this weeks episode of the Wide Awake Podcast I speak to Lawrence Sullivan also known as Joker Gang! Lawrence is a controversial social media personality based in Florida. He first went viral after he was arrested and his mug shot was released to the public. In this episode we talk about the meaning behind his face tattoos, multiple arrests, friendship with the Island Boys, childhood and the relationship with his friends and family. He also shared his views on society and American politics.
In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast I speak to former drug smuggler Tim Mcbride. Tim is a former Marijuana smuggler living on the edge of the Florida Everglades. From 1979 to 1989 he ran Southern waters and the Caribbean with a band of modern day pirates known by locals as Salt Water Cowboys. At a very young age Tim became the boss of an operation that was responsible for smuggling roughly 30 million pounds of Marijuana into America!
In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast I spoke to explorer, adventurer and public speaker, Davey Du Plessis. Two months into a solo source to sea navigation of the Amazon river Davey was ambushed and shot 4 times within the isolated jungles of Peru. The adventure turned into an intense moment to moment struggle to survive as he made his way, wounded, through the dense jungle, seeking rescue and safety.
In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast I speak to G Boy who is a former member of the band Die Antwoord. We talked about how he met Die Antwoord, How they treated him, an incident where he was set on fire without the proper training, Die Antwoord's gangster movie, dancing in front of a Cheetah for a music video, a big fight he had with Ninja, why he left Die Antwoord and so much more...
In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast I speak to double Great White shark attack survivor, Shannon Ainslie! We talked about the day the attack took place, how he survived, his injuries, another massive shark attack that happened during a shark week episode, the biggest great white shark alive called Deep Blue, Shannon's Orca encounter, surfing in the Arctic and much more!
In this weeks episode of the Wide Awake Podcast I speak to a homeless soldier called Gavin about a tragic event that happened while he was in Rwanda. This event lead to him spending many years in some of South Africa's most notorious prisons. We also speak about the events that lead to him living on the streets, his struggle with addiction, how he got shot during a fight with a gang member and much more...
In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast I speak to a homeless man that has been living on the streets for over 10 years! We talk about his drug addiction, life on the streets, spending time in prison, getting shot during a gang fight and much more...
In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast I speak to Nicole Engelbrecht, host of the True Crime South Africa podcast, about the life and crimes of South Africa's most notorious serial killer: Moses Sithole. Moses killed between 37-76 people before being caught. We speak about his life before becoming a killer, his crimes, how he was arrested, his prison sentence and much more...
In this episode of the Wide Awake Podcast I spoke to ex-gangster, Turner Adams. We talked about life behind bars in one of South Africas most dangerous prisons, Pollsmoor, where he spent over 18 years. We also talked about growing up in the Cape Flats, his tattoos and much more.
In this emotional and inspiring episode of the Wide Awake Podcast we talk about how my parents helped me get through my addiction. From rehab, car accidents and getting arrested. We talk about everything in a truly unfiltered and raw way.