For many years, the Free State functioned as the personal fiefdom of one of South Africa’s most prominent – and most dangerous – politicians: former drama nerd, “internal exile” and Secretary General of the African National Congress, Elias “Ace” Magashule. Nokwanda Ngombane and her family experienced firsthand the thrall Magashule held over the province from the 2000s until his fall from power in 2021, and paid the ultimate price for their role in trying to rid the Free State of factionalism and corruption.

Featuring:

Elias Sekgobelo “Ace” Magashule, former Free State leader and former Secretary General of the ANC

Nokwanda Ngombane, former chief of staff to former Free State premier, Beatrice Marshoff

Petrus “Pat” Zanemvula Matosa, struggle stalwart and former ANC Free State leader

Pieter-Louis Myburgh, investigative journalist at Daily Maverick Scorpio

Archive & Music Credits:

Associated Press / SABC News / eNews Channel Africa / Periscope Film / SA History Online

Written, produced & directed by Richard Poplak and Diana Neille

Fact checking and editorial oversight by Sasha Wales-Smith

Editing & sound design by Diana Neille, Bernard Kotze & Tevya Turok Shapiro

Original soundtrack & visual aesthetic by Bernard Kotze

Additional music by Janus van der Merwe

Additional voice work by Ayanda Charlie

Transcriptions by Gloria Cooper

Project Manager: Kathryn Kotze

Marketing lead: Sarah Koopman

Editor-in-Chief: Branko Brkic

Deputy Editor: Jillian Green

Executive Producer: Styli Charalambous

Produced with support from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation

(The content may not necessarily reflect the Foundation’s views or opinions) The Highwaymen