Ep. 20 - “The Absence of free choice” with Martin van Staden

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion with Martin van Staden, Head of Policy at the Free Market Foundation. Martin breaks down the Tobacco Bill, examines its real-world impact on South Africans, and shares insights from his experience engaging with government processes. We also tackle the attempted outing of Action SA’s Dr. Letlape and explore what it reveals about South Africa’s political landscape. This episode is full of critical perspectives on personal freedom, policy, and the future of tobacco regulation—essential listening for anyone interested in the intersection of law, politics, and choice.

00:36 – Martin shares his overview of the Tobacco Bill, introduces the Free Market Foundation, and explains his role as Head of Policy.
04:20 – A discussion on the bill’s stated intent versus its real-world impact on ordinary South Africans, with a focus on freedom of choice.
13:12 – Kurt and Martin unpack the flaws in public hearings, with Martin drawing on his own experiences of engaging with government processes.
23:24 – The conversation shifts to the attempted outing of Action SA’s Dr. Letlape and its implications for South Africa’s political landscape.
34:29 – Closing thoughts as Martin reflects on where the Tobacco Bill may be headed and what the future holds for policy and personal freedom.