Cover of The Republic Tapes

The Republic Tapes

The Republic Tapes

By: After Freedom
Listen for free

Season's Savings | 0.99 €/month for 3 months

5.99 €/month thereafter - terms apply. Cancel monthly.

Where storytelling meets politics and true crime.

The Republic Tapes is a narrative-driven podcast exploring the forgotten and often overlooked political stories that have shaped modern South Africa. From unsolved assassinations and mysterious disappearances to whistleblowers, trials, and betrayals — each episode focuses on one true story, using it as a window into the deeper history and power dynamics of the republic.

Whether it’s the disappearance of Mbuyisa Makhubo, the assassination of Chris Hani, the death of Gavin Watson, or the story of Khwezi — this podcast reconnects audiences with the real people behind the headlines and the unresolved tensions that still define South African politics today.

Blending true crime, political history, and investigative storytelling, The Republic Tapes brings to light the stories buried in archives, silence, and memory — revealing how the past continues to echo through the present.

© 2026 After Freedom SA (Pty) Ltd Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Samora: The Plane That Fell From The Sky

    Samora: The Plane That Fell From The Sky
    23 Jul 2025

    Was Samora Machel’s 1986 plane crash a tragic aviation accident—or a Cold War assassination? In this episode, we explore the life and controversial death of Mozambique’s first president, a revolutionary leader and Pan-African icon whose fight against colonialism and apartheid made him a powerful symbol in Southern African politics.

    Through declassified reports, conspiracy theories, and eyewitness accounts, we unpack the competing narratives: Was Machel killed by South Africa’s apartheid regime? Betrayed by his own party? Or caught in a geopolitical crossfire between the Soviet Union, the CIA, and Western interests?

    This episode is a deep dive into Cold War Africa, political assassinations, liberation movements, and the legacy of one of the continent’s most complex figures.

    instagram: @afterfreedomsa

    tiktok: @afterfreedom

    email: afterfreedomsa@gmail.com

    Produced By:

    Sthembiso Matenjwa

    Tatum Damons

    After Freedom SA (Pty) Ltd
    Show more Show less
    40 min
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet