MacG Shares Why He Believes Julius Malema Is Targeting ‘Podcast and Chill’: “He Loved Us”

• MacG addressed Julius Malema's public attack on Podcast and Chill during a recent episode that aired on 6 August 2026
• The EFF leader had slammed the podcast at a press briefing on 30 July 2026, accusing MacG of depoliticising South African youth
• MacG revealed that powerful figures in politics, media, and the alcohol industry all feel threatened by the platform's growing influence

MacG has finally broken his silence on why Julius Malema has turned on Podcast and Chill, and his explanation cuts deep into South African politics, media control, and even the alcohol industry.

Speaking on a Podcast and Chill episode that aired on Thursday, 6 August 2026, MacG told his co-host that the tension with Malema traces back to a specific moment: when the show read out the Economic Freedom Fighters' manifesto on air. He believes that reading triggered Malema because it had a real impact on people's perception of the party.

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"If Open Chats Podcast had read that manifesto and it didn't land anywhere, he wouldn't say anything," MacG said. "Because we mentioned it, he'd be ashamed of what is written on their manifesto because it's affecting their bag."

MacG went further, arguing that the whole reason the EFF is losing ground is tied to the immigration debate, and that Podcast and Chill "put fuel to that" simply by amplifying what was already in the party's own documents.

What Malema said about MacG

Malema had taken aim at MacG during an EFF press briefing held at the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg on 30 July 2026, describing the podcast as a tool designed to steer young people away from political awareness.

"It's called MacG Podcast. It's a political party, that thing. Its role is to depoliticise the youth," Malema said.

He also criticised the show's "chiller" culture, suggesting it encouraged youth to speak dismissively about Black and African identity. He even took a dig at MacG's casual style, saying:

"He thinks he's special. He thinks wearing flip-flops is something special."

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MacG reveals why Julius Malema attacked his podcast

MacG's response went beyond Malema, widening the conversation to include media companies, the radio industry, and alcohol brands. He revealed that a major drinks brand recently dropped its prices by eight rand specifically to compete with Chilla Sponge, the podcast's own beverage label.

"They know we can't drop our prices because we're not going to make money because the margins are so low," he said, adding that the move reflected the kind of pressure powerful industries are now placing on the platform.

MacG drew on his own experience in radio to explain the pattern, saying staff at SABC were historically warned never to criticise the ANC on air or risk losing their jobs. He framed Malema's criticism as an extension of the same culture of narrative control, arguing that the politician had previously been warm towards the show until it stopped playing along.

"Before we mentioned that manifesto, he loved us," MacG said. "We are not following that narrative. What do you think he's going to do? Attack!"

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Watch the full Podcast and Chill discussion that sparked the debate.

Malema’s warning to MacG resurfaces

Previously, Briefly News reported that an old clip of Julius Malema speaking directly to MacG resurfaced after the EFF leader's explosive press briefing.

In the video, Malema offered the popular podcaster advice, a moment that has since taken on new meaning following his 30 July 2026 remarks accusing Podcast and Chill of acting as a political tool that depoliticises South Africa's youth.

Source: Briefly News