As South Africa prepares for the 2026 local government elections, voter frustration, shifting political loyalties and the contradictions of coalition politics are coming into sharper focus. In this special edition of SA Explained, host Naledi Moleo sits down with political satirist and anthropologist Conrad Koch and his outspoken puppet Chester Missing to examine a political landscape where campaign promises, personal ambition and public expectations frequently collide. From the growing influence of identity politics to the uneasy relationship between politicians and those who mock them, the conversation explores what humour can reveal about political power, accountability and the changing attitudes of South African voters.
But when political dysfunction becomes a source of entertainment, does laughter expose the problem or make it easier to tolerate? Koch examines the pressures that shape political satire, while Chester challenges coalition arrangements, political personalities and the promises made to communities struggling with everyday service delivery. Together, their observations raise a more consequential question ahead of the vote: are South Africans prepared to demand measurable change from their elected representatives, or will political spectacle continue to overshadow the issues that matter most?
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Chapter List
00:00 Introduction: South Africa’s 2026 local elections
01:09 Are voters losing faith in traditional parties?
03:38 Finding humour in difficult times
07:20 Chester Missing’s encounter with Cyril Ramaphosa
08:44 Can satire hold politicians accountable?
11:01 The commercial and political limits of comedy
15:54 Madlanga Commission and political satire
17:01 Chester Missing on voting and election promises
21:09 Municipal politics, populism and service delivery
24:00 Election candidates and the IEC
26:09 Coalition politics and broken expectations
28:30 Political scandals and accountability
29:37 Skeem GP and public trust
31:42 What should voters demand on 4 November?
33:50 Conrad Koch’s live shows and closing conversation
36:50 Final reflections and sign-off
