As the host of a relatively popular podcast, I regularly get asked to recommend South African podcasts. Now, when I started podcasting, I’d just tell people to listen to Lesser Known Somebodies by Simmi Areff and leave it at that. Most of my podcast consumption was international. There just weren’t many South African podcasts I vibed with. So much has changed since then. Podcasting in SA has grown into a force to be reckoned with. Naturally, my subscription feed has steadily filled up with local voices sharing their stories. There’s no need to listen to This American Life when South Africans are way more interesting. While I’ve tried to include a decent mix of podcasts to suit a variety of tastes and interests, these are podcasts I actually listen to on a regular basis. There are definitely bigger podcasts out there at the moment, but you probably know about those already. Consider this an introduction to voices you might not have heard before and voices you might be familiar with doing new things. Here are the top 5 South African podcasts you should listen to in 2022.
1. The NDL Show
Nondu Lehutso easily has one of the best voices in South African podcasting. Straight up. Not only that, but she’s an insightful and empathetic host who nudges her guests down enlightening paths. The NDL Show covers a diverse range of topics with a focus on the arts and the socio-political. One week, you might get to know an up-and-coming musician, the next, learn more about the politics and nuances of body aesthetics with a cosmetic surgeon. At time of publishing, The NDL Show has over 60 episodes so there’s plenty for you to dig into.
2. Tell Us More
Hosted by comedian and TV personality Mojak Lehoko, Tell Us More has gone through a few different iterations in the 4 years it’s been around. From starting out as an audio-only podcast to becoming an interactive livestream during the peak of the pandemic, and back to audio-only in 2022, the only thing that has been consistent is Mojak’s ability to draw previously untold stories out of his guests. Mojak’s position in the industry gives him access to some of the biggest names in SA comedy, entertainment, and art. According to his mini-episode at the beginning of the year, Mojak is looking to expand his range of guests to a broader selection of industries. No matter who he gets next, it’ll be an engaging conversation.
3. What’s IGN Crushing On?
In the words of Bernie Mac, “I’m tired. My body weary.” I’m just not as on top with pop culture as I used to be. Thankfully, there’s What’s IGN Crushing On? to help me understand my Twitter feed these days. Hosted by entertainment journalist Caryn Welby-Solomon, the podcast sits down with various local celebrities, entertainers, and pop culture fans and gives them a chance to gush about something in the pop culture zeitgeist that they love. It’s also a great way to find out about exciting local projects from the people involved. With 70 episodes under their belt, there’s a ton of pop culture for you to catch up on.
4. Finance for Hippies
Since The Fat Wallet Show decided to call it quits, there’s been an opening for a laidback local finance show to take it’s place. While they’ve been around since 2017, 2022 is the year where Finance For Hippies has really stepped up their game. Their guest selection has been on point and the casual approach to finance is welcomed. Teethswag and Ndarkie have a great rapport and routinely take the piss out of each other, which is the sugar that makes the financial medicine go down. Their goal is to give creatives and artists information on how to make the most of their finances. If you don’t know the difference between an ETF and an NFT, this is the podcast for you.
5. Behind The Catalogue
The newest podcast on the list but also the one with the highest production value and one of the more unique concepts. Behind The Catalogue has come out swinging with season one. Created by two of southern Africa’s most knowledgeable hip-hop journalists, Sabelo Mkhabela and Tseliso Monaheng, and featuring the silky smooth narration of Amarafleur, Behind The Catalogue takes a deep dive on a particular musician’s career over a series of podcast episodes. Season one is titled “The Last OG”. It sees BTC jumping into a submarine and going down to the seafloor with SA hip-hop legend Stogie T. Considering the cred of the team and the excellence of their first season, I’m excited to see what’s next.
So those are my top 5 South African podcasts you should listen to in 2022. Are you already a fan of any of the above podcasts? Let us know in the comments so other people can see how dope they are. If there are any other South African podcasts that you’re loving at the moment, drop those too.
If you want to start your own podcast, I wrote a guide for that.
Header Image by Emmanuel Ikwuegbu from Unsplash.
