In this episode of Talking Sense, Gabriel Makin is joined by Frans Cronje, James Myburgh, Simon Lincoln Reader, and Richard Tren to discuss South Africa’s ecological risks, American election dysfunction, Russian money in London, South Africa’s illicit economy, and why cold weather may help trigger unrest.

The panel opens with an awful proposed synthetic fuel and green hydrogen project near Hopefield on the West Coast. James explains why the site sits in one of South Africa’s most sensitive ecological zones, near aquifers feeding Langebaan Lagoon and the Berg River estuary. Gabriel adds the local tourism and environmental stakes, while Richard and Frans question whether European green mandates are pushing environmental costs onto South Africa.

The discussion then turns to California’s elections, where Richard explains the Los Angeles mayoral primary, mail-in ballots, ballot harvesting, voter ID rules, and why delays in vote counting are damaging trust in democratic outcomes. Simon compares the Los Angeles contest to wider left-wing urban politics in the United States.

Simon then introduces London Falling, Patrick Radden Keefe’s book about the death of Zach Brettler, the influence of Russian oligarch money in London, and the way dirty capital reshaped parts of British society. The panel discusses Russian wealth, elite schools, organised crime, policing failures, and the broader contamination of London by foreign oligarchic money.

The conversation returns to South Africa with James unpacking the latest crime statistics, including declines in murder and aggravated robbery, alongside the rise of kidnappings and digital crime. Frans then explains The Common Sense’s work on the illicit economy, arguing that illegal mining, tobacco, alcohol, and counterfeit goods are no longer just economic problems, but signs of a shadow state challenging South Africa’s sovereignty.

Finally, Frans discusses why winter cold may matter in South Africa’s protest cycles. He explains how prolonged cold stress may weaken impulse control and increase threat response, making already strained communities more vulnerable to violent unrest when food, transport costs, and incitement are also present.