The Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS) at the University of Johannesburg launched the JIAS Podcast on 21 October 2026, introducing a new platform for conversations connecting scholarship, culture and public life.

The launch brought together guests in person and online for a screening of the inaugural episode, featuring celebrated actor, playwright and director Dr John Kani in conversation with Prof Siphiwo Mahala, Acting Director of JIAS.

The episode explored current affairs, the complexities of the arts sector, the enduring violence of apartheid and pressing social concerns, including gender-based violence. Drawing on a lifetime in theatre, storytelling and public engagement, Dr Kani brought experience, insight and wisdom to a discussion that connected South Africa’s past with questions shaping its present.

His participation offered a fitting beginning to the podcast. An internationally recognised cultural figure, Dr Kani’s work demonstrates the capacity of the arts to preserve memory, challenge injustice and open conversations across generations.

The JIAS Podcast builds on the Institute’s programme of seminars, book launches and public discussions, extending these exchanges to audiences beyond its physical spaces. It creates opportunities for academics, artists, cultural practitioners, and public intellectuals to share ideas in an accessible format.

Future episodes will feature different presenters and guests, reflecting the diversity of disciplines and perspectives associated with JIAS. Conversations will span subjects including literature, history, education, health, current affairs and the arts, encouraging engagement across fields of knowledge.

Delivering the keynote address at the launch, UJ Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya welcomed the initiative as a contribution to public discourse and accessible knowledge. She highlighted its potential to strengthen connections between the university and society, while encouraging audiences to think critically and engage with difficult questions.

The inaugural episode was recorded and produced by UJ TV, whose collaboration helped bring the initiative to life.

With its first episode, the JIAS Podcast begins an ongoing invitation to listen, reflect and participate in conversations that matter. The platform will extend the reach of the Institute’s work while creating a digital record of ideas, experiences, and cultural perspectives.

Watch the inaugural episode featuring Dr John Kani and Prof Siphiwo Mahala: