As the host of The Midday Report on 702 and Cape Talk, a weekly columnist for EWN, and an award-winning author, Mandy Wiener is one of the most trusted voices in South Africa’s media landscape.

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ABOUT MANDY

Mandy is one of the country’s best known and most credible journalists and authors. She is the current host of the Midday Report on 702 and Cape Talk and is a regular columnist for EWN.

She has published numerous best-selling books and is a prominent social media commentator.

For the past two decades Mandy has worked as a multi award-winning reporter specialising in investigative journalism and legal matters.

Covering stories such as the trial of former national police commissioner Jackie Selebi and the murder of Brett Kebble, she earned a reputation for her work in exposing South Africa’s criminal underworld. These included exposes on Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir, Teazers boss Lolly Jackson and other mysterious murders.

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WRITING

Mandy was short-listed in the prestigious ‘Alan Paton Sunday Times Literary Awards’ for her book, ‘Killing Kebble’ which was a local publishing phenomenon, selling in excess of 100 000 copies. It was also chosen as Jenny Crwys-Williams’ ‘Book of the Year’ in 2011.

Her second book, ‘My Second Initiation’, written with former head of the NPA Vusi Pikoli, was also short-listed for the Alan Paton award and was Crwys-William’s non-fiction book of the year in 2013. In 2014, she published ‘Behind The Door: The Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp Story’ with her colleague Barry Bateman.

The book was released internationally and contained new, exclusive information about the trial. Her 2018 book, Ministry of Crime, took a deep dive into organised crime, police corruption and politics. In 2020, Mandy published The Whistleblowers highlighting the stories of several South African whistleblowers and advocating for a change in legislation and culture.

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SPEAKING

Mandy is a regular feature on the speaking circuit. She addresses conferences, corporates and gatherings and also facilitates panels and discussions with a unique perspective on current affairs and how history unfolds in South Africa.

She focuses on ‘Hope Dealers’: the good people who did their jobs, the whistleblowers who felt compelled to speak truth to power, the civil society activists who stepped into the breach and the journalists who dug up the dirt to hold authorities to account.

There are lessons in these stories for corporates and for individuals on what needs to be done to improve governance, to change legislation and to create a speak-up culture in order to root out corruption. Most importantly these stories will inspire the audience not to be apathetic or complacent, but to fight for a better South Africa.

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MEDIA TRAINING

Thanks to her extensive background in media and journalism, Mandy has gained a lifetime of insight into how best to handle interviews and media.

In personalised training sessions, she offers theory and practical training, covering topics such as the SA media landscape, messaging for media, media rights and how to deal with journalists and crisis communications. Sessions also include training on writing for media, including thought leadership and opinion pieces. Click the button below to book Mandy for media training.

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ACCOLADES

Mandy has won a number of National and Regional Vodacom ‘Journalist of the Year’ awards, has been named ‘The CNN African Radio Journalist of the Year’ and has received several commendations in the Webber Wentzel ‘Legal Journalist of the Year’ awards.

In addition, she has received the National Press Club award in the Radio Category and the Social Media category and was awarded the ‘Rising Star – Women in the Media’ award in 2011.

On the writing front, Mandy was short-listed in the prestigious ‘Alan Paton Sunday Times Literary Awards’ for her book, ‘Killing Kebble’ which was a local publishing phenomenon, selling in excess of 100 000 copies. It was also chosen as Jenny Crwys-Williams’ ‘Book of the Year’ in 2011. Mandy’s second book, ‘My Second Initiation’, written with former head of the NPA Vusi Pikoli, was also short-listed for the Alan Paton award and was Crwys-William’s non-fiction book of the year in 2013. Ministry of Crime was long-listed for the Alan Paton.

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ON CAMERA

Mandy is the host of Great African Crimes, the HISTORY Channel Africa documentary series that became the channel’s top primetime broadcast in 2024 and returns with a second season of meticulously researched, true-crime storytelling.

Blending her award-winning investigative experience with on-camera depth, Mandy travels to the original scenes of some of the continent’s most astonishing historic crimes—cases like South Africa’s first unrecorded serial killer, Pierre Basson, and Maria Mouton, whose 18th-century trial shocked society. The series goes far beyond retelling events: each episode unpacks the cultural, historical, and psychological forces surrounding these buried stories, supported by expert interviews and extensive archival research. Mandy’s presence brings gravity, empathy, and sharp insight to these layered narratives, guiding viewers through mysteries that blend crime, history, and human drama into compelling, atmospheric storytelling.

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TWITTER

Two sold out full house events at @FranLitFest. My panels are done but there are other great sessions planned. Always excellent to catch up with people and talk about books, politics and current affairs!

Tickets available via Webtickets: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/EventCategories.aspx?itemid=1589974554

#FLF2026

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Yesterday was an incredibly difficult and emotional day for our Station 42 crew.

Our crew responded alongside emergency services to devastating flooding along the Old N1 between Worcester and Rawsonville, where families were left trapped on rooftops as floodwaters rapidly rose

🚨 N1 CLOSED | Avoid all travel through the Cape Winelands in both directions.

Du Toitskloof, Bainskloof, Huguenot Tunnel & Mitchells Pass all closed. Multiple N1 sections closed due to flooding.

Do not travel unless absolutely essential. ⚠️ More info: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02yEfnQMg2XCfGMx8Exokw7ZTQHGYwEfjEEG16RRWXRTcybsEy2oSXWMcWkQhYKUrAl&id=100044248635136&mibextid=wwXIfr

JUST IN : Vincent Magwenya tells me on #TheCMShow that the President’s legal strategy is NOT to interdict the impeachment committee while he takes report on review, at this stage. He says the onus is on parliament to decide what to do while the report is taken on review.

Urgent announcement: N1 closed at Worcester, along with various passes along the escarpment. This is severely impacting access to and from Cape Town. We strongly advise anyone currently using the N1 towards CT to find a safe place to stop and sleep until other routes open up.

Severe weather continues to disrupt electricity supply across the Western Cape. Eskom recovery teams face challenges due to flooding and unsafe conditions while working with Provincial Disaster Management. We urge your patience as we restore power. Thank you for your support.

[JUST-IN] ANC National officials are this morning since 10:30 meeting with the Speaker of Parliament Thoko Didiza, Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli and Adv Thembeka Ngcukaitobi who represented the President on the Section 89 #PhalaPhala Report at the Constitutional Court. #sabcnews

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Mandy Wiener
Mandy Wiener1 day ago
The President has fired Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe.
Mandy Wiener
Mandy Wiener2 days ago
Being "on the hustings" is a colourful, age-old political idiom that means actively campaigning for an election. When candidates hit the hustings, they are out on the campaign trail delivering speeches, participating in debates, and meeting voters to win their support. It comes from the Old Norse word husting, which translates to "household assembly" or "council". When politicians are “on the hustings”, they are making speeches, pressing the flesh and kissing babies.

But not Helen Zille.

She is rowing a boat down a Soweto road, zip lining across a sinkhole, snorkelling in a pothole and playing tennis on an overgrown court. At 75 years old, she is game for anything.

I had an opportunity to interview the DA’s Joburg mayoral candidate about her energetic and attention grabbing election campaign during a fireside chat for Citadel Investment Services clients.

At the heart of it is getting the vote out. This is going to be a ‘turnout election’. It all comes down to whether the DA can get enough people registered, into polling stations and making their mark on the ballot paper. Getting people aware that there is actually an election happening in November so that they can register is what is most urgent.

Traditionally South Africa has very low voter turnout for local government elections. Zille and her team have crunched the numbers and believe a 50+1 majority is possible, if they can get a complacent electorate off their bums.

The ANC on the other hand benefits from a low voter turnout. It’s yet to even announce its mayoral candidate in Joburg.

Joburg is going to be a key battle site in these elections. Zille describes it as ‘high noon’ for the city. I’m looking forward to watching the politicians “on the hustings” over the next few months.
Mandy Wiener
Mandy Wiener4 days ago
President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will not resign. He is going nowhere. "I remain here and I'm not resigning," he said in his address to the nation.

He has announced he will take the report of the independent panel on the Phala Phala matter on review. (This is his legal right so he is exercising it).

Ramaphosa says he fully intends to continue serving the people of South Africa and advance their interests. ‘There is still so much to be done’.

He says nothing in the Constitutional Court judgment compels him to resign. No finding on alleged conduct or whether there was prima facie evidence of misconduct.

“I respect the Constitutional Courts ruling, commitment to the rule of law. I have reflected on what the judgment means for our country, rule of law and the office of the Presidency. I am mindful of the need for stability at this time more than any other.”

Ramaphosa says he has consistently maintained that he has not stolen any public money, committed any crime or committed an offence against his office. He has cooperated with all investigations and will continue to do so.

What this all means – the impeachment process will likely be stalled until the court review is finalized. He will have to formally interdict the impeachment process.
Mandy Wiener
Mandy Wiener1 week ago
What the Phala Phala judgment actually MEANS…
Mandy Wiener
Mandy Wiener
Mandy Wiener1 week ago
BREAKING The Constitutional Court finds that the vote of the National Assembly on Phala Phala is inconsistent with the constitution, invalid and set aside.

The report of the independent panel is referred to the impeachment committee.

Three separate judgments in total, a lengthy judgment, but in short the EFF and ATM has won.
Mandy Wiener
Mandy Wiener1 week ago
Today is a huge day in politics in South Africa. The Constitutional Court will hand down its long awaited Phala Phala judgment.

This is why the decision of the apex court could have a big influence on the future of the country.

I’ll start from the beginning. In February 2020, $580 000 dollars in cash was stolen from the President’s Limpopo farm. The money was ostensibly payment for cattle that had been sold to a rich businessman from Sudan.

The President never made the theft public but he did report it to authorities. Fast forward two years and former spy boss Arthur Fraser dropped the bombshell and made the scandal public.

What is called a ‘Section 89’ inquiry was instituted by Parliament. The panel was chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo. The panel found that Ramaphosa had a case to answer to and there was prima facie evidence that he may have violated his oath of office. At the time it was released, CR was on the brink of resigning but his close allies talked him off the ledge.

The ANC used its majority in Parliament (it still had one then) to block an impeachment process.

The EFF and ATM went to the Concourt to complain that Parliament had not acted constitutionally and rationally when it voted against adopting the report.

It has taken forever and a day for the court to release its judgment.

If the court rules in favour of the EFF and ATM, that Parliament failed in its constitutional duty, the process could be reopened again. The ANC no longer has a majority in Parliament so it won’t be able to block the process. It would look to its GNU partners for help and that would put many of them, particularly the DA, in a real bind.

The ANC also couldn’t look to the EFF for help, which is its partner in coalition in some Gauteng metros. Instead, you can expect Julius Malema to use the victory as leverage in an election year.

If the court rules in favour of Parliament, Ramaphosa will take the win and add it to the decisions already made by the Public Protector, SARS and the SARB, who have all cleared him of wrongdoing.

But the taint of the cash in the couch will continue to linger in the court of public opinion.

The judgment will also impact on perceptions of impartiality in the judiciary and the credibility of the Constitutional Court. You can expect criticism whichever way it goes – expect the bench to be divided.

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Loved your presentation, you're on top of your game and a very dedicate investigative journalist. Our country is all the better for your positive insight into the way forward for preservation of our democracy and economy.

Mandy Wiener's talk was inspiring, urging us to embrace collaboration and active citizenship. I left motivated to flip the narrative and find hope for South Africa's future.

Mandy delivered an excellent, transparent, and thought-provoking keynote at the 17th Annual Africa ACFE Conference.

Mandy delivered an insightful talk on the political landscape, inspiring us with stories of civil servants' initiatives and communities uniting in times of need. Her message highlighted the beauty and potential of a united South Africa.