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 ANCNokwanda Ngombane, former chief of staff to former Free State premier, Beatrice MarshoffPetrus “Pat” Zanemvula Matosa, struggle stalwart and former ANC Free State leaderPieter-Louis Myburgh, investigative journalist at Daily Maverick ScorpioArchive & Music Credits: Associated Press / SABC News / eNews Channel Africa / Periscope Film / SA History OnlineWritten, produced & directed by Richard Poplak and Diana NeilleFact checking and editorial oversight by Sasha Wales-SmithEditing & sound design by Diana Neille, Bernard Kotze & Tevya Turok ShapiroOriginal soundtrack & visual aesthetic by Bernard KotzeAdditional music by Janus van der MerweAdditional voice work by Ayanda Charlie Transcriptions by Gloria CooperProject Manager: Kathryn KotzeMarketing lead: Sarah KoopmanEditor-in-Chief: Branko BrkicDeputy Editor: Jillian GreenExecutive Producer: Styli Charalambous Produced with support from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (The content may not necessarily reflect the Foundation’s views or opinions)