Shahan Ramkissoon will host the final episode of current affairs programme, The Last Word
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After three years and 258 episodes, current affairs programme The Last Word with Shahan Ramkissoon will air its final episode tonight, bringing to a close a show that positioned itself as a platform for holding South Africa’s political leaders accountable.
The programme, broadcast on eNCA and e.tv, was launched to interrogate political leadership and public policy, with host and executive producer Shahan Ramkissoon leading interviews that often featured direct and challenging questioning of politicians across party lines.
“Everything I did on the show was in the interest of this country and its people. I wanted to ask difficult but necessary questions, and remind South Africans that their vote matters. Things will only get better if we demand better leadership and real accountability,” said Ramkissoon.
He thanked political figures who appeared on the programme, noting that many participated despite anticipating tough interviews.
“There were many brave politicians who gave me their time and were willing to be challenged. Some walked away angry, others reflected and later said those interviews pushed them to do better. That meant a lot to me, because at the heart of it all was a genuine effort to make sure our leaders do what is best for South Africa and its people,” he said.
The final episode is set to feature highlights from the programme’s most notable interviews and investigations, including specials on the Joshlin Smith case and the use of Ozempic. It will also include updates on past stories, behind-the-scenes laughable moments, and messages from production staff and political figures who appeared on the show.
Ramkissoon, who has worked in television since 2007, began his career as a reporter on eNews Prime Time and later anchored South Africa Tonight. The Last Word marked his first role as both executive producer and host of a current affairs talk show.
Reflecting on the programme’s impact, he said it sought to challenge what he described as a culture of complacency around governance.
“We had accepted incompetence and greed for a long time as a country, and this show helped to expose that,” he said, adding that it encouraged viewers to engage more critically with political leadership.
"I never enjoyed making politicians feel uncomfortable. All I did was ask the questions that needed to be asked. I do not stand for corruption and I wanted people to stand up against it," he said. He said the show helped him tackle incompetence.
"We had accepted incompetence and greed for a long time as a country and this show helped me to expose that. It got people to think differently and it got people to understand the power of their vote. What I did was make people start listening and thinking differently based on the answers politicians gave me," said Ramkissoon.
Ramkissoon confirmed he will step back from full-time broadcasting after completing an executive MBA, adding that he wants to transition into his business interests.
"Whatever I do on TV or any other platform would have to be my side hustle now. I didn't study the executive MBA to still be doing just journalism. I want to do a little bit of both. I'm just shifting focus and reinventing myself.
"I will focus on business and help departments and municipalities to function better through what I learnt from my executive MBA. I want to make this country run better," he said.
He said he will be launching something soon for people to watch, but it may not be on the traditional platforms.