Season 3
The Big Debate is a South African current affairs talk show devised by Ben Cashdan and produced by Broad Daylight Films which hosts "town hall"-style debates across the country and in other countries on topical, controversial issues with leading activists and public personalities as well as community leaders and ordinary citizens.
The Big Debate travels across South Africa and beyond, holding our leaders to account and giving a voice to ordinary residents and communities. Nothing is off limits, from health to education, land reform to racism and more.
The show grapples with the most controversial issues and tries to find solutions. From movers and shakers to the masses, everyone is given a chance to air their views.
Over the years the show has featured decision makers and activists from across the world, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, world music icon Angelique Kidjo, former World Bank president Robert Zoellick, former African Union Chairperson Bingu wa Mutharika, former Botswana President Festus Mogae, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
It has also included the voices of residents and community leaders from as far afield as Khayelitsha in Cape Town, New York and New Delhi as well as Bolivia and Colombia.
The show was devised by Ben Cashdan in 2009 and is produced by Broad Daylight Films Foundation, a non-profit production company based in Johannesburg.
Season 3 was filmed as four episodes of the BBC World News programme The World Debate, using the same format as The Big Debate. The four episodes aired sporadically, and three of them were incorporated into the fourth season on SABC2.
Presenters: Zeinab Badawi, Redi Tlhabi
Executive Producer: Ben Cashdan
Main Broadcaster: BBC World News
Additional broadcasters: Several national broadcasters in Southern Africa
Locations: New York, Lusaka, Johannesburg
Topics
1. Millennium Development Goals: What's Holding us Back?
2. Is Homosexuality Un-African?
3. Does Mining Benefit Africa?
4. Why Poverty?