761: Bradley Steyn | Undercover with Mandela's Spies Part Two

Taxi Wars

The taxi wars in South Africa were a brutal manifestation of the country's social unrest during apartheid. Jordan Harbinger and Bradley Steyn discuss how rival taxi cartels resorted to violence, including bombings and shootings, to dominate the transportation sector. Bradley recounts his own harrowing experience during this period, where he was ambushed and shot while protecting a key figure in the South African Black Taxi Association 1.

We were driving in a secured convoy to go pick up the head of SABTA's daughter and we came under gunfire.

--- Bradley Steyn

This chaotic environment underscored the extreme measures taken by those involved to secure economic survival and power.

   

ANC Challenges

The ANC's rise to power was fraught with internal challenges and corruption, as Bradley Steyn explains. Despite the initial promise of a "rainbow nation," figures like Jacob Zuma undermined these ideals through cronyism and corruption, leading to widespread disillusionment 2. Bradley highlights the failure of the ANC to protect its citizens and maintain national security, which has left regions like KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in turmoil 3.

This beautiful dream that we had of a rainbow nation... was completely destroyed by the likes of Jacob Zuma.

--- Bradley Steyn

He remains hopeful, however, that with concerted efforts, the situation in South Africa can be improved.