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THE READINESS REPORT

Redi Tlhabi on why SA Army Chief’s Iran visit is a diplomatic disaster in the making

In this episode, The Readiness Report’s host, Redi Tlhabi, takes apart the Army Chief’s eyebrow-raising trip to Iran, in the very week South Africa is scrambling to ease US tariffs. She calls it an own goal of epic proportions, a foreign-policy free-for-all, and a masterclass in how not to win friends or influence markets.
Redi Tlhabi on why SA Army Chief’s Iran visit is a diplomatic disaster in the making

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Hosted by Redi Tlhabi
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 Emilie Gambade, Bernard Kotze & Joel Seboa
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Comments (4)

G H Aug 15, 2025, 09:23 AM

Brilliant Redi. You perfectly capture the sense of outrage which should be felt by all South Africans at the incompetency, irresponsibility, corruption, and carelessness of our circus of a government. The clowns are jostling for power, while the ringmaster is paralysed by fear. Not one of them have South Africa's best interest at heart.

D'Esprit Dan Aug 15, 2025, 10:27 AM

Spot on, except the ringmaster is asleep at the wheel, not paralysed by fear. Heads must roll - obviously the SANDF idiot, but also Motshekga: if she authorised the visit, it's utter madness given our issues with Trump; if she didn't, it's obvious that the military have no respect for her. In sporting parlance, she's lost the dressing room. Either way, time to go as one SA's most useless Ministers since 1994.

Chris Mill Aug 15, 2025, 10:45 AM

Thank you Ms Tlhabi for reminding the ringmaster in the circus of clowns we have representing us and managing our country, what he should be doing.

koosstadler@me.com Aug 15, 2025, 11:14 AM

Excellent, thank you Redi. Another critical aspect that you may want to highlight, is that buddying up with Iran will be alienating Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the rest of the moderate Arab world, particularly the Sunni block. Maphwanya clearly had no idea how complex geopolitics in the Middle East are. Making more enemies besides the US is not the way to go, Rudzani!

Patterson Alan John Aug 16, 2025, 05:50 AM

As I wrote recently. Ramaphosa, the Ringmaster, has no idea where all the clowns are and what they are doing and here we have one of the clowns leaving the circus area and performing at a gig far from home. He had his clown outfit and decided to use it to gain some special attention. Sorry Ringmaster, I was a bit bored with my role at the SA circus and branched out into the International arena. I'll be home soon.