Lester Kiewit questioned what goes on in the minds of those who steal from the state and then flaunt their wealth so brazenly. Reflecting on the SIU’s raid at the Sandhurst home of businessman Hangwani Maumela, linked to the Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal, he explained how investigators trace assets back to stolen public money and move to recover them for the state.

But what fascinated him most was the psychology behind it. Reports of Maumela’s mansion detailed luxury cars, including a Lamborghini Aventador, designer furniture, and expensive art. Lester asked why someone who knows their money is dirty would live so loudly. Why flaunt ill-gotten wealth instead of keeping a low profile? What does that reveal about power, guilt, or greed?

He connected this to the legacy of whistleblower Babita Deokaran, whose courage exposed corruption at Tembisa Hospital and cost her life. Her family has rejected proposals to rename the hospital after her, saying they want justice, not gestures. Lester broadened the reflection to the names of South Africa’s failing municipalities that honour struggle heroes. He asked what those names now mean to young people growing up in broken communities — places where the names of Chris Hani or Walter Sisulu are no longer symbols of pride, but of dysfunction. If it were his family, Lester said, he would rather see their name removed until justice and integrity are restored.

Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is a podcast of the CapeTalk breakfast show. 

This programme is your authentic Cape Town wake-up call. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is informative, enlightening and accessible. The team’s ability to spot & share relevant and unusual stories make the programme inclusive and thought-provoking. Don’t miss the popular World View feature at 7:45 am daily. 

Listen out for #LesterInYourLounge which is an outside broadcast – from the home of a listener in a different part of Cape Town - on the first Wednesday of every month. This show introduces you to interesting Capetonians as well as their favourite communities, habits, local personalities and neighbourhood news. 

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