---
title: "Watch – Judge Mbenenge on trial: Power, emojis & South Africa’s judiciary reckoning"
description: "When is a peach a peach and an eggplant an eggplant? What does the ear with the hearing aid mean, or the dripping syringe? Daily Maverick's associate editor Marianne Thamm has been following following the tribunal proceedings closely as they unfold."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "VIDEO"
author: "Marianne Thamm"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/mariannethamm/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-10-watch-judge-mbenenge-on-trial-power-emojis-south-africas-judiciary-reckoning/"
published: "2025-07-10T15:31:00"
updated: "2025-07-10T15:31:03"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 89
---

# Watch – Judge Mbenenge on trial: Power, emojis & South Africa’s judiciary reckoning

> When is a peach a peach and an eggplant an eggplant? What does the ear with the hearing aid mean, or the dripping syringe? Daily Maverick's associate editor Marianne Thamm has been following following the tribunal proceedings closely as they unfold.

By Marianne Thamm · Published 10 July 2025, 17:31 SAST · Updated 10 July 2025, 17:31 SAST

## Key points
- In a world where political drama often rivals the best soap operas, Marianne Thamm serves up a side-splitting yet poignant take on South Africa's tumultuous history, reminding us that laughter is often the best lens through which to view our past.
- Marianne Thamm, assistant editor at Daily Maverick, combines journalism and comedy in her work.
- The video features insights into Thamm's unique storytelling approach and her memoir, "Hitler, Verwoerd, Mandela and me."
- Filmed by Bernard Kotze and Joel Seboa, the piece showcases Thamm's multifaceted career.
- Viewers are encouraged to subscribe to the Daily Maverick YouTube channel for more engaging content.

## Content

[YouTube video: "YouTube video"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmLBIFiU-dw)

Reporting by: Marianne Thamm
Filmed by: Bernard Kotze & Joel Seboa
Edited by: Joel Seboa
Produced by: Emilie Gambade
Sub-edited by: Kevin Flynn

Marianne Thamm is a South African journalist, author and stand-up comedian. She is the assistant editor of the Daily Maverick and has written several books. In 2016, she released the memoir, Hitler, Verwoerd, Mandela and me.

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