The Daily Friend Show
The Daily Friend Show is a 30-minute current affairs podcast featuring analysts and writers from the SA Institute of Race Relations. It presents a liberal perspective on political, social, and economic issues, releasing episodes Monday through Friday at 17:00. On Fridays, a live show is broadcast on YouTube at 13:30. The podcast covers a wide range of topics with no taboos, offering commentary from South Africa's leading liberal opinion site.
Episodes
The election is HERE
Hermann Pretorius and Nicholas Lorimer give their final thoughts before the local government elections. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
The ANC is looking depressed
Today's livestream featuring John Endres and Nicholas Lorimer. They discuss the local government elections and illegal mining. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
DA set to become biggest party in SA's cities
Nicholas Lorimer and Michael Morris discuss the latest polling from various outlets and what it suggests about next week's local government elections. They also chat about allegations that the state spy agency tried to infiltrate the EFF. Lastly, they chat about how desperate South Africans are for a job in the police. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Factions battle across MK and the ANC
Today's livestream featuring Ofentse Donald Davhie and Nicholas Lorimer discusses the latest developments in South African politics. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
BEE is NOT in the "National interest"
Makone Maja explains to Nicholas Lorimer how recent defenses of BEE as being in the 'national interest' are nothing but a smokescreen for political resource extraction.
Read article: https://dailyfriend.co.za/2026/10/19/minister-ntshavheni-is-bee-of-national-interest-or-anc-patronage-networks-interest/ Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Fikile Mbalula collapses: Fear in the ANC
Nicholas Lorimer and Hermann Pretorius discuss the ANC's court victory, which puts their missing candidates on the ballot in a number of municipalities. They also talk about a political murder near a hostel and tensions between the IFP and MK in Joburg. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
The sweet insidious ideology of "cakeism"
In another episode of Writers' Room Reads, Nicholas Lorimer reads his article "I love Democracy" on the politics of no trade-offs. The article first appeared here: https://dailyfriend.co.za/2026/08/07/i-love-democracy/ Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Demagogues vs Journalists
Makone Maja and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the public clash between News24 journalists and Jacinta Ngobese Zuma. They also chat about Jacob Zuma's health and the future effects on the MK party.
Image: Jacinta Ngobese/Instagram
Also check out our WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDM3hc5PO0xSZyqaT2k Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
The Mbeki Code and the latest polls
Terence Corrigan and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the latest polling from News 24 about the upcoming local government election. They also discuss the Thabo Mbeki monograph and its claims about BEE and race relations in South Africa.
Also check out our WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDM3hc5PO0xSZyqaT2k Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Huge battle in Mpumalanga
Today's Live show with Ricardo Teixeira, and Nicholas Lorimer discusses zama zamas run amok, more trouble on the African continent and a feisty political debate moment. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
South Africa's bark is bigger than its bite | Chris Hattingh
Nicholas Lorimer speaks to Chris Hattingh about his recent article in the Daily Friend on South Africa's ability to defend its sovereignty.
You can read Chris' article here: https://dailyfriend.co.za/2026/09/21/is-south-africa-serious-about-its-sovereignty/
Also check out our WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDM3hc5PO0xSZyqaT2k Website · Facebook · Instagram &mi
Who is really behind Zuma?
Hermann Pretorius and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the strange monograph from the Thabo Mbeki Foundation titled: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE FUTURE OF THE AFRIKANERS IN SOUTH AFRICA. You can find it linked here: https://x.com/TMFoundation_/status/2104173724023054388?s=20
They also chat about an NHI scandal.
Also check out our WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDM3hc5PO0xSZ
IDAC must be scrapped | Paul Hoffman
Advocate Paul Hoffman explains why IDAC needs to be scrapped and replaced with an institution that has the independence and mandate to properly tackle corruption.
Read the article here: https://dailyfriend.co.za/2026/09/14/preserving-the-idac-in-any-way-would-be-a-mistake/
Follow The Daily Friend channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDM3hc5PO0xSZyqaT2k Website · Faceboo
Chaos at EFF KZN event
Nicholas Lorimer and Ofentse Donald Davhie discuss a class between supporters of Ngizwe Mchunu and the EFF over the weekend in KZN. They also talk about ANC factional conflict and efforts in Nelson Mandela Bay to get people out to vote. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
75 parties on the Joburg ballot |The Daily Friend show LIVE
Today's Daily Friend Show with Nicholas Lorimer and Anlu Keeve. They react to the latest in the wild and whacky land of South Africa. They discuss the latest local government election developments, crime and the rural economy. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
SA's economy needs a radical change
Jonathan Katzenellenbogen and Nicholas Lorimer discuss weakening business confidence and how to fix SA's economy. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
ANC candidate lists in chaos: Fikile says it's the enemy within
Michael Morris and Nicholas Lorimer discuss an internal ANC report about how the ANC failed to submit its candidate lists on time to the IEC. They also discuss the battle between the minister and the DG in the education department. They also discuss the battle between taxis and buses in the rural Eastern Cape. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Zille attacked from all sides ! | The Daily Friend Show Live
Today's Daily Friend Show with Nicholas Lorimer and Makone Maja sees them react to election campaigning kicking off in earnest. They discuss the 702 Joburg mayoral debate where Helen Zille fended off attacks from all sides, some of the adverts from the big parties and how the ANC seems out of juice. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Writers' Room reads: "Anyone for a nice, cheap shot of cynicism?" | Hermann Pretorius
Hermann Pretorius reads his latest article for the Daily Friend about the price of being too cynical in politics.
Read the article here: https://dailyfriend.co.za/2026/08/23/anyone-for-a-nice-cheap-shot-of-cynicism/ Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
The new IPSOS poll is crazy
Nicholas Lorimer and Terence Corrigan discuss the latest IPSOS poll on the South African Local government elections. They also talk about fixing local government, the ANC's candidate debacle and the strange case of SA solider being told they need to give "donations" to Cuba. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
ANC fails to submit candidate lists
Today's Daily Friend Show with Nicholas Lorimer and Ricardo Teixeira. They discuss the reports that the ANC has not managed to submit all of its candidate lists for the upcoming local government election. They also answer some listener questions, talk about the future of Denel and the Airlink flyover. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Johannesburg could be that shining city on the hill | Sindile Vabaza
Nicholas Lorimer chats to Sindile Vabaza about what it means to have a vision for Johannesburg, why a city needs a vision, and what Joburg has going for it. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Women hold the key to the ANC's victory or defeat
Michael Morris and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the latest polling report by the IRR on the importance of female voters in the upcoming 2026 local government elections. They also discuss unemployment, March and March and foreigners. Lastly they discuss AI, fake news and the information environment. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Dada Morero makes new friends in Joburg
Today's live show with and Nicholas Lorimer and Ofentse Donald Davhie. They discuss the selection of council candidates, the importance of education in politicians, coalitions and Dolly Parton. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Can fixing local government fix our economy?
Terence Corrigan and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the importance of fixing local government if we want to end our unemployment crisis and get South Africa working.
Read more: https://dailyfriend.co.za/2026/08/24/how-can-municipalities-get-local-economies-moving/
Follow The Daily Friend channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDM3hc5PO0xSZyqaT2k Website · Facebook · Insta
ANC can't even select its mayoral candidates
Nicholas Lorimer and Hermann Pretorius discuss the ANC's failure to launch its candidates, its manifesto launch, and the JRA's asphalt plant not operating.
Follow The Daily Friend channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDM3hc5PO0xSZyqaT2k Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
March and March marches on!
Today's live show with Makone Maja and Nicholas Lorimer reacts to the latest weird, wonderful and woeful news in SA. They discuss March and March, their meeting with Afriforum, Nomvula Mokonyane giving an interview on Women in SA and the accusations levelled at the DA's Mark Burke.
Join our WhatsApp channel here: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDM3hc5PO0xSZyqaT2k Website · Facebook &mid
South Africa abandons its swimmers | Leah Potgieter
Nicholas Lorimer speaks to the DA's Leah Potgieter about South Africa's swimming athletes, the role of sport in building a better society, and why quotas are bad in sports.
Read the article here: https://dailyfriend.co.za/2026/08/15/the-medals-we-celebrate-and-the-swimmers-our-system-may-never-discover/ Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
ActionSA's Tshwane troubles
Nicholas Lorimer and Dr John Endres discuss the fracturing coalition in Tshwane, the troubles of Joburg and its potential sunny future and how the UK is worse off than SA.
Join our WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDM3hc5PO0xSZyqaT2k Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
The incredible fakeness of social media
Today's TDF live show with Nicholas Lorimer and Hermann Pretorius. They chat about the problem and scale of fake content on social media and how society might adapt. They also discuss the DA's manifesto launch and local government campaign. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Fighting tyranny and funding freedom | Makone Maja
Nicholas Lorimer chats to Makone Maja about her recent trip to Ghana, the fight for freedom in Africa, Pan-Africanism, and foreign funding of NGOs
https://dailyfriend.co.za/2026/08/07/lets-get-over-our-africa-fatigue-and-be-courageous-africans-instead/
Please check out our new Whatsapp channel for the latest from the Daily Friend: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDM3hc5PO0xSZyqaT2k Website &m
The local government elections announced! Start the campaign clock.
Today's TDF live show with Nicholas Lorimer and Ricardo Teixeira. They discuss the looming local government election, MK's latest power struggle and the arrest of Julius Mkhwanazi. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
SA’s new reality since June 30th | Jonathan Katzenellenbogen
Jonathan Katzenellenbogen discusses the new reality that South Africa finds itself in since the June 30th protests against immigration. They reveal a state which has largely lost control over law and order and its ability to direct events.
Article discussed: https://dailyfriend.co.za/2026/07/29/sas-new-terrain-since-june-30th/ Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Decentralized digital war the Russia-Ukraine War | Greg Mills
Nicholas Lorimer asks Dr Greg Mills about the incredible pace of innovation in Russia-Ukraine. They discuss drones, revolutions, and centralized vs decentralized approaches. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Zuma the accountant
Hermann Pretorius and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the news that Jacob Zuma is now the chief accounting officer of the MK party. They also discuss the Daily Maverick's writing on the DA and its relationship with Resolve Communications. Lastly, they discuss the Rule of law and law and order in SA. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
How to send SA's politicians to jail | interview with Paul Hoffman
Hermann Pretoius speaking to Paul Hoffman, founder of Accountability Now! About how to tackle corruption. Paul makes the case for an independent corruption-busting watchdog. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
How to send SA's politicians to jail | interview with Paul Hoffman
Hermann Pretorius speaking to Paul Hoffman, founder of Accountability Now! About how to tackle corruption. Paul makes the case for an independent corruption-busting watchdog.
Under the Swinging Arch can be found here: https://www.accountabilitynow.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9781485150268-final-under-the-swinging-Arch.pdf Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Thuli Mandonsela is wrong | Terence Corrigan
Nicholas Lorimer and Terence Corrigan discuss the recent remarks Professor Thuli Madonsela made in response to Terence on social media and the dangers of an Us vs Them politics. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Space based internet is coming to SA
Nicholas Lorimer and Ofentse Donald Davhie discuss the introduction of Amazon Leo to South Africa in 2027. They also chat about perceptions of the United States around the world, the value of soft power, and the soccer World Cup. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Duel of the mayors
Today's Daily Friend Show Live with Anlu Keeve and Nicholas Lorimer. They discuss and contrast the campaigns of Helen Zille and Dada Morero for control of Joburg. They also talk about protest and what it accomplishes. Lastly they discuss the importance of remembering South Africa's history in full. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Young people just aren't voting and why it matters with Sara Gon
Sara Gon and Nicholas Lorimer discuss getting the youth to vote, what it means to be a good citizen and civic education. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Tshwane gone mad
Makone Maja and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the madness of the Tshwane council sitting from last week. They also talk about the latest from the Madlanga commission and the ANC's candidate for Joburg mayor. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Humour and politics
Today's Daily Friend Live with John Endres and Nicholas Lorimer. They discuss the story of Count Binface and the role of humour in politics. They also discuss the new minister of agriculture. Lastly they chat about China's new space rocket. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Crushing the construction mafia
Nicholas Lorimer and Anlu Keeve discuss a new government plan to tackle South Africa's construction mafias. They also discuss the Joburg rubbish crisis and ask South Africans abroad for their views on why they immigrated.
Link to the survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfdCvpNzESz8rhLuHtTYVMsxJVI2Ohg55gJwiiV_aJuV6P3hA/viewform Website · Facebook · Instagram · Tw
Constitutional court rules against development
Michael Morris and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the Tafelberg School constitutional court ruling they also discuss the importance of the middle class and they chat about the treasury restricting payments to municipalities. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
ANC spooked by March and March
Nicholas Lorimer and Chris Hattingh discuss the ANC's response to March and March, the war over the Eskom transmission grid and national government suspending payments to Joburg. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
By-election trends suggest ANC seeing collapse in the near future
Nicholas Lorimer and Terence Corrigan discuss Gareth van Onselen’s analysis of by-election data from across the country. They also chat about the response by Tony Leon to John Steenhuisen’s interview with News24. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
The citizen state
Anlu Keeve and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the speech by DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis about his ideological vision for the DA and the country. We also talk about the Centre for Risk Analysis' new Joburg rates tool.
Check out the video version YouTube: https://youtu.be/OdWunM9lG5U Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
The Shadowy world of SA political influencers
Nicholas Lorimer and Makone Maja discuss the growing sophistication of online influence campaigns on South African social media. They also chat about the new minister of Social development Dina Pule and Thabo Mbeki trying to rescue SA-US relations. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Cabinet reshuffled but don't miss the real problem
Nicholas Lorimer and Michael Morris talk about the cabinet reshuffle announced by the president, the Madlanga commission, and Zuma in India. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
The Day South Africa didn’t burn down
Nicholas Lorimer and Chris Hattingh discuss the June 30th marches against immigration. They also chat about Steenhusien's reaction to his demotion and inflation worries. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Inside South Africa’s Political Future | Full interview with John Endres
Nicholas Lorimer interviews the CEO of the Institute of Race Relations about South Africa's political landscape. Where is the country headed? Can it be rescued from its current crisis? Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
SA holds its breath for June 30th | The Daily Friend Show Live
Today's Daily Friend Show with Ricardo Teixeira and Nicholas Lorimer. They chat about the looming 30th of June deadline for all foreigners to leave SA. They also discuss the Madlanga commission and SA's policy towards BRICS. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Joburg to be cut off from national funds
Nicholas Lorimer and Michael Morris discuss the impending cut off of national funding for Johannesburg. They also discuss fixing South Africa's mining industry and the looming threat of June 30th. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
South Africa’s privatized police force
Hermann Pretorius and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the growing cooperation between the police and private security in the lead-up to the 30th of June. They also discuss the ANC’s candidate selection process for Joburg mayor. Lastly, they discuss the resignation of Keir Starmer. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
South Africa's worsening political violence crisis
Nicholas Lorimer and Terence Corrigan discuss the spate of political violence over the weekend, the Speaker of Parliament trying to protect the president, and de facto weed legalization. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
South Africa Could Be a Mining Superpower—Why Isn't It? | Interview with James Lorimer
Nicholas Lorimer interviews DA shadow minister of mining and minerals James Lorimer (disclaimer: his father) on South Africa's mineral wealth and mining industry. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Ramaphosa vs Parliament
Makone Maja and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the latest impeachment committee news, Park Tau defending BEE, and Zille meeting March and March. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
DA demotes Steenhuisen
Nicholas Lorimer and Hermann Pretorius discuss the DA's reshuffle of their representation in national government. They also discuss the strange goings on in the FF+ and the celebration of No More Race Laws Day. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Remembering June 16th with Barry D. Wood
Nicholas Lorimer asks veteran American journalist about his career and his experience witnessing the events of June 16th, 1976. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
No one likes us and we don't care!
Today's Daily Friend Show with Anlu Keeve and Nicholas Lorimer. They discuss the anti-South African sentiment in South Africa evidenced on social media around the soccer world cup. They also discuss the public service culture in government and the failure of basic services in courts and police stations. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
South Africa’s fat bloated government
Ofentse Davhie and Nicholas Lorimer discuss calls for a restriction on the size of the government executive in South Africa. They also talk about the incredible vulnerabilities of the South African government’s web infrastructure, and they lastly discuss the banning of a Somali soccer official from the World Cup. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Economy growing, but is it enough?
Nicholas Lorimer and Chris Hattingh discuss the latest GDP figures for the 1st quarter of 2026. They also discuss the mining department's failure to implement new systems, and they discuss the DA's visit to the Zulu king. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Malema’s dodgy cop ally
Malema’s dodgy cop ally
Ricardo Teixeira and Nicholas Lorimer discuss Malema's connections to Feroz Khan which have emerged at the Madlanga commission. They also discuss Morero's new promotion and more xenophobia. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Schools may have admissions criteria restricted
Nicholas Lorimer and Terence Corrigan discuss restrictions on school admissions criteria proposed by the department of Basic Education. They also talk about the president’s address on immigration and business fixing Joburg. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Bad cops rule, good cops suffer
Ricardo Teixeira and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the latest from the Madlanga commission, the shock from the Iran war. Lastly, they discuss new rules at Stellenbosch res. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
South Africa's extortion economy
Nicholas Lorimer and Terence Corrigan discuss the extortionate role in the South African economy played by both criminals and government. They also discuss ghost workers and the Patriotic Alliance. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Judging Ramaphosa: Impeachment committee chair elected
Makone Maja and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the election of an impeachment committee chairman for Ramaphosa's impeachment trial. They also discuss who funds NUMSA's leader and they discuss Liam Jacobs returning to the DA. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Cadres, imaginary budgets, motte-and-bailey, and a rocket blows up
Today's Daily Friend Show with Ofentse Donald Davhie and Nicholas Lorimer. They talk about the ANC's human capital problem, Joburg's latest budget, immigration and a rocket that blew up. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
DA wins its first Gauteng township election
Hermann Pretorius and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the DA's historic win in a township ward in Gauteng. They also discuss what non-racialism means in our constitution. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
South Africa doesn't look like you think it does
Michael Morris and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the latest General Household Survey from StatsSA. They also chat about Ramaphosa's challenge to the impeachment enquiry and the broken South African asylum system. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Joburg seeks to hire EVEN more managers
Makone Maja and Nicholas Lorimer chat about Joburg hiring more staff, yet it can't afford to as it loses control over its own finances. They also discuss a court defeat for Minister Steenhuisen and the Department of Agriculture. Lastly, they chat about the ongoing divorce of the ANC and SACP. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
ANC mayor fail
Nicholas Lorimer and Terence Corrigan discuss the struggles of the ANC to find a mayor for Joburg. They also ask if the anti-foreigner movement is real or manufactured. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
The hell which traps 13 million South Africans
Today's Daily Friend Show with Nicholas Lorimer and Anlu Keeve. They discuss the unemployment crisis, anti-immigration marches and demographic representativity. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Do you have what it takes to be an ANC mayor?
Nicholas Lorimer and Hermann Pretorius discuss the ANC's call for outside talent to apply to be their mayoral candidates. They also chat about Joburg losing control of its electricity billing to Eskom. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
South Africa hit by rising prices
South Africa hit by rising prices
Nicholas Lorimer and Chris Hattingh discuss the surge in inflation in April. They also chat about how out of touch Gwede Mantashe is with the reality of the mining industry. Lastly, they discuss the problems with the UIF system and citrus growing success. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Government STILL coming for your healthcare
Terence Corrigan and Nicholas Lorimer discuss the dogmatic obsession with the NHI from the health department. They also talk about “study groups” and the use of the SANDF as an employment agency. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
DA flooded with calls to save Ramaphosa
Nicholas Lorimer and Michael Morris discuss the calls to the DA to protect Ramaphosa. They also discuss the over-million-rand salary of the average Eskom employee and the latest court defeat for the NHI. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Ramaphosa claims mining is proof of BEE success!
Today's Daily Friend Show with John Endres and Nicholas Lorimer. They discuss Ramaphosa's answers to a Q&A in parliament. The place of the MK and EFF party in the impeachment hearings, the cold reality of provincial finances and the Madlanga commission. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
Ramaphosa fires Tolashe
Nicholas Lorimer and Terence Corrigan discuss the firing of Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe. They also discuss sweatshops in KZN and the ANC’s sink or swim moment. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
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