Randall Abrahams goes beyond the soundbite with new podcast on South Africa’s pressing issues

Straight-talking, poker-faced, former "Idols SA" judge Randall Abrahams is set to launch a new podcast called "Both Sides". 

Set to premiere on Sunday, August 24 at 12pm on eNCA, the podcast brings a fresh perspective to South Africa’s most pressing issues. 

In the debut episode, Abrahams will sit down with the Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Council Chairperson, Helen Zille.

Their discussion will dive straight into the challenges facing South African policing and Zille's call for a serious inquiry into the matter. 

They will also discuss how police operate and what needs to change to keep everyone safe.

According to a statement by the channel, one of the biggest topics Zille will address is Johannesburg, a city that has been struggling with many problems, including a municipal crisis.

She will share what she believes is a solid plan to help improve the city, which includes making sure basic services work, encouraging people to pay their rates and ensuring the city can act and make changes effectively. 

"She also signals her intention to run for Mayor of Johannesburg, pending party approval. She revisits her path from school-governance activism to provincial leadership, frames sustained economic growth as the only durable way to address historic injustice, and weighs the promise and peril of AI." 

"She warns that unless South Africa closes the digital divide, inequality will deepen as the nation moves toward an altered 2029 political landscape," the statement shared. 

Meanwhile, Abrahams noted: "'Both Sides' is a space for strong claims backed by clear reasoning. We slow the pace and push past soundbites so audiences can then judge ideas on their merits."