The Speakery

In this episode, Mandy interviews Lord Peter Hain, author of “Smuggler Kingpin”, a political thriller that delves into the illicit tobacco and gold trade between Zimbabwe and South Africa. Drawing on his experiences as an anti-apartheid activist, politician and long-time critic of corruption, Hain explores organised crime, the penetration of criminal networks into legitimate businesses and the challenges of upholding justice when institutions are compromised. They also discuss the relationship between fiction and reality, the real-life experiences that shape his characters, and whether human decency can ultimately prevail in a troubled world.

In this episode, Mandy interviews Takalani M, the bestselling romance author, on her latest novel, “Divine Arrangements”. Set against the richness of the Tshivenda culture, the novel follows Rendani, an independent woman forced to weigh love, family responsibility and the business she spent a decade building. They discuss ambition, sacrifice, cultural expectations and the complexities of starting over, while exploring how romance can hold up a mirror to contemporary women’s lives.

In this episode, Mandy interviews John van de Ruit, the author of "Spud: Two for the Road", the final chapter in the beloved coming-of-age series. They discuss Spud’s journey from teenager to adulthood, the story’s enduring connection with generations of readers, and the challenges of bringing his character’s journey to an end after more than two decades.

In this episode, Mandy interviews Nadia Davids, the author of “Cape Fever”, who uses the past to explore questions that remain painfully relevant. This includes power, prejudice, war, loss and the ways we dehumanise one another.

Listen to the full The Speakery Live! interview between Mandy Wiener and Discovery founder and CEO Adrian Gore at The Capital On The Park in Sandton as he unpacks his book The Four Principles. 

Trend analyst and pet doula Dion Chang presents “A Pawfect Life” as a 21st-century guide to the changing world of pet parenting - from workplaces and AI to the technology shaping how we live with our pets.

Comedian, content creator, actor and author Prev Reddy discusses his debut memoir Qualified Disappointment. Whether you're familiar with Aunty Shamilla or discovering Prev's story for the first time, this conversation is honest, heartfelt and filled with both laughter and vulnerability.

In The House at 6001, journalist Lebo Diseko traces the intertwined lives of her parents and her aunts and uncles who gathered, organised and resisted within their four-room Soweto house. From banning orders and exile to late-night parties filled with music and defiance, their story captures both the intimacy and the enormity of South Africa’s struggle.

Fifty years on from June 16 1976, veteran journalist Max du Preez discusses his new book "The End of Normal" and reflects on witnessing the Soweto Uprising as a young reporter - an experience that challenged everything he thought he knew about South Africa. Max talks about investigative journalism, mental health and the rise of Afrikaner nationalism. 

Rachel Kolisi and Zibu Sithole join Mandy Wiener at The Speakery Live! to discuss their book Falling Forward.