What is the Open Chats podcast? – Meet the South African hosts
Podcast Environment
Exploring a podcast’s rise, its hosts, and the recent controversy that has put it in the spotlight.
The Open Chats Podcast is a popular South African podcast that has gained a large following among young people for its unfiltered and often provocative discussions. The show, which has won a South African Social Media Award, covers a wide range of topics, including relationships, pop culture, and social issues relevant to South African youth.
The Hosts of the Open Chats Podcast
The podcast is hosted by a core group of individuals, with two of the most frequently mentioned hosts being Mthokozisi Methula (also known as Mtho) and Sinothando Kama (Sino). Other hosts and guests frequently join the conversation. The show’s appeal comes from the dynamic between these hosts and their guests, who engage in lively, casual, and sometimes heated debates.
Recent Controversy and Public Apology
Recently, the podcast has been at the center of a major controversy. A clip from one of their episodes went viral on TikTok, in which the hosts made offensive and racist comments about the coloured community. The comments included what was described as “despicable stereotyping,” which led to widespread outrage and condemnation.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), a South African political party, reported the incident to the South African Human Rights Commission. The DA stated that the comments constituted hate speech and were an “assault on the dignity of a community.” The podcast creators have since apologized for the episode and removed the controversial clip, an action the DA has interpreted as an admission of guilt. This incident has brought the podcast into a larger conversation about the limits of free speech and accountability for public figures in South Africa.