Alibi is an African investigative podcast series created by Paul McNally and produced by Develop Audio. The first series is hosted by Freddy Mabitsela and McNally. The second series is hosted by just McNally. The third season is hosted by Opoka p'Arop Otto.
| Alibi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Presentation | |
| Hosted by | Paul McNally and Freddy Mabitsela and Opoka p'Arop Otto |
| Genre | Investigative |
| Created by | Paul McNally |
| Language | South African English |
| Length | 30 Minutes |
| Country of origin | South Africa |
| Production | |
| Production |
|
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 15 |
| Publication | |
| Original release | February 2, 2017 |
| Provider | Develop Audio |
| Related | |
| Related shows | Serial (podcast) |
| Website | www |
Season 1
editThe investigation started after Anthony de Vries sent a letter to the Wits Justice Project, a journalism investigative unit based in Johannesburg, South Africa.[1] de Vries was incarcerated at the Boksburg Correctional Centre at the time of recording for seventeen years for double murder and robbery.[2][3][4]
The first season has eight episodes. The first episode discusses the relationship between the police during South African apartheid and de Vries.[5] The third episode of the season visits the scene of the crime in Vereeniging.[4]
McNally cites Serial as an inspiration for the show.[6] Anthony de Vries's story has been compared to Adnan Syed.[7]
Season 2
editThe second season was launched in January of 2020.[8][9] There are six episodes.[10] The second season covers the story of Priscilla Mchunu, a teacher from Laduma High School, who had been assassinated in 2017.[11][12]
Production
editOther production credits include John Bartmann and Kutlwano Serame.[13] The first season was syndicated on a national radio station.[14] The creators of the show spoke at Africa Podfest in 2020.[11]
Other podcasts related to Africa include African Tech Roundup, Sound Africa, Animation South Africa Podcast, and Property Woolf.[15][16]
Reception
editThe show received "Best Radio Feature" at the national Vodacom Journalist of The Year Awards.[13][17] The show was featured in Toyota Connect Magazine as one of the "15 South African Podcasts You Need to Know About".[18] The show had a 4.5 star rating on Apple Podcasts in March of 2020.[19]
The show received criticism for turning a tragedy into entertainment.[5]
References
edit- ^ Stein, Emily (July 12, 2018). "The Essential Crime Podcasts of Summer 2018". CrimeReads. Literary Hub. Archived from the original on November 5, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ Collins, Elena Fernández (April 30, 2019). "The 20 Best True Crime Podcasts (Beyond Serial and S-Town)". Discover Pods. Elite Cafe Media. Archived from the original on April 14, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ Carlson, Talisa (November 27, 2019). "The Top Five Podcasts in South Africa". Media Update. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ a b McNally, Paul (March 21, 2017). "South African 'Serial' Podcast – We Visit the Supermarket and Stand Exactly Where the Two Victims Were Murdered (Episode 3)". Daily Maverick. Archived from the original on April 1, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ a b Breakey, Julia (March 27, 2017). "5 South African Podcasts You Should Be Listening To". Memeburn. Burn Media Group. Archived from the original on March 27, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ McNally, Paul (January 14, 2019). "7 Things I Learned Producing My First Investigative Podcast". Global Investigative Journalism Network. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ Mbatha, Lindelani (December 26, 2019). "5 Outstanding Podcasts From Africa". Podcast Review. Los Angeles Review of Books. Archived from the original on January 18, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ McNally, Paul. "'Alibi Season 2' - Coming in January: SA's First True Crime Investigative Podcast is Back. the First Episode Lands on TimesLIVE on January 21". TimesLIVE. Arena Holdings. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ NcNally, Paul (January 21, 2020). "Podcast | KZN Teacher Gunned Down in Front of Matric Class". The Sowetan. Arena Holdings. Archived from the original on January 21, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ McNally, Paul (January 17, 2020). "Alibi: Laduma High - Listen to All Six Episodes of Season 2 of SA's First True-Crime Investigative Podcast". TimesLIVE. Arena Holdings. Archived from the original on January 18, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ a b "Africa Podfest Newsletter: Africa Podcast Day is Here!". Africa Podfest's Newsy. February 11, 2020. Archived from the original on November 29, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ Dixon, Laura (September 9, 2020). "A Global Tour of Top Investigative Podcasts: The 2020 Edition". gijn.org. Global Investigative Journalism Network. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ a b "Northern Regional Winners Announced for Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards in Johannesburg". Vodacom. Vodafone. October 25, 2017. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ "Lessons on podcasting for Sub-Saharan Africa". The Media Online. Arena Holdings. September 3, 2020. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ Chakanetsa, Kim (July 28, 2020). "Telling Africa's Story: The Future is Podcasts". Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ Zakwe, Sthembile (April 17, 2020). "Self Care: Best South African Podcasts You Should Be Listening To". Zkhiphani Magazine. Archived from the original on December 6, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ McNally, Paul (January 31, 2018). "How African Podcast "Alibi" Started… and Won a National Award". Volume Africa. Medium. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ "Listen Up: 15 South African Podcasts You Need to Know About" (PDF). Toyota Connect Magazine. Toyota. September 18, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ Harrison, Emily (March 8, 2020). "South African Podcasts You Should Be Listening To". pdby.co.za. University of Pretoria. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.