Unpacking the toxic trends in SA's podcast scene

FROM BANTER TO BIGOTRY ...

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

"COLOUREDS apparently chow each other chief, siblings ... I would believe that because coloureds are crazy.

A seemingly casual remark, yet these words from the Open Chats Podcast have sparked a profound uproar across South Africa, disrupting the nation’s dialogue on race, dignity and freedom of speech.

The reaction was swift, raw and loud from celebrities to political parties to fellow podcasters: “We've had enough.”

While the Open Chats Podcast hosts Am, Cino and Mtho are hardly household names, they've now become so for all the wrong reasons.

Social media creator Kwezi summed up what many felt: “Your freedom of speech ends where my dignity begins. What you’re doing isn’t brave or edgy. It’s lazy racism dressed up as opinion.

“We've seen this before. Say something inflammatory, target a vulnerable group, rake in the clicks, and apologise when the pressure mounts. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.”

It’s a formula that’s worked for controversial creators like MacG, Andrew Tate, Joe Rogan, and the Fresh & Fit crew in the US, whose brands thrive on humiliating women and weaponising shock for views.

And South Africa? We're just catching up.

“They made it mainstream: misogyny, transphobia, slut-shaming, anti-blackness and casual vulgarity, all packaged as entertainment,” said digital activist and pop culture commentator Roman Botha, who’s been vocal about global podcast trends.

“What we're seeing here is no different. Our local podcast boom is simply importing a toxic blueprint. The global podcasting model is simple: monetise outrage, sell the dehumanisation, and repeat.”