10 July - Arts,Culture & Environment - Abavuki

In today's show we were joined Instudio by three members of Abavuki, a group of young musicians from Langa that was formed towards the end of 2001 and began creating their unique brand of African Jazz. They are using marimbas, percussion, brass instruments and even an operatic trained voice, weaving traditional African rhythms and melodies into a contemporary format, which is highly danceable. They have a new CD out titled: Africa Got Soul and the CD is on sale. If you want more information on Abavuki or you would like to book them for a performance, go to www.abavuki.com alternatively contact (021) 434 2123.

uBuntu Festival!!!

We were also joined on the line by be talking about uBuntu Festival. The aim of the inaugural Ubuntu Festival is to create massive awareness around the adoption of an ‘ubuntu' code of conduct as a solution to the intolerance and ignorance which exists amongst many people. Andrew will explain more about some of the activities planned for the festival. The festival will start on the 13th till the 18th of July. Festivities in Town begin on the weekend of the 18th and 19th July, when St Georges Mall and ChurchStreet become the hub of the free Ubuntu Festival with celebratory events scheduled between ten and six o’clock. For more information log on to www.saubuntu.co.za or contact (021) 481 4000 alternatively send email to resman@mandelarhodesplace.co.za

Arts Update and Gugulethu Tenors!!!

We also heard from Mishkah Anthony with this week Arts update.

We closed off with an interview with Gugulethu Tenors. The quartet consists of Mpendulo Yawa, Siyabulela Gqola, Xolani November and Loyiso Dlova. These self-taught vocalists were selected from Fezeka High School in Gugulethu to enter a music competition called the Prompt Voice Search. They won first place for the best group category and have never looked back. Their ambition goes beyond success as performers – collectively they aim to be role models for South Africa’s youth and, through their singing, to showcase the richness and diversity of South Africa’s cultural heritage. The long-awaited demo CD, O Afrika!, is now available for purchase. Order Online now by visiting www.gugstenors.co.za or for bookings contact 0860 110 309.

PIC & VIDEO: by Busi Mtabane

09 July - Labour - Learnerships for disabled learners

In today's show we spoke to Sharon Snell – Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority or INSETA. According to INSETA performance information released this week, the training body has exceeded the targets set by the Department of Labour for training people with disabilities by 299% during the past financial year. Sharon says they have been very successful during the past year in marketing their learnerships, particularly to disabled learners and workers. For more information contact (011) 544 2025 alternatively go to www.inseta.org.za

Developing youth through mentor programmes

We also heard from Hamieda Ghaniem – Manager of the Azaad Youth Organisation. This is a non- profit organisation that works in the Ravensmead, Uitsig and Belhar communities. Their programs are specifically aimed at the development of the youth. They currently offer various learnership programs to over 500 youth who are also trained to be mentors to the younger generation in their communities. Hamieda explained more. For more information contact her (021) 462 6195 or 073 192 2469.

Empowering union workers around health issues

We closed off the show with an interview with Nikki Soboil – National Director of the SACTWU Worker Health Programme. The programme is about HIV/AIDS prevention & awareness among the Union members. It aims to empower them to make decisions about their own health but Nikki explained more. For more information contact Nikki on (021) 448 5263.
PIC:by Busi Mtabane

07 July - Human Rights - The Public Participation in Education Network

In today's show we heard from Nadeema Musthan – from the Public Participation Education Network. The Public Participation in Education Network is a non-partisan network of concerned citizens committed to high quality public education for all of our children. According to the Network, South Africa has made some important progress since its first elections in 1994 to equalize the system of education but despite a number of policy efforts motivated for redress, the system of education continues to be painfully divided so they are encouraging people to take action to improve education, and to encourage public commitment to reading, writing and the love of learning. You can get involved by signing your name to ‘stand up’ for Education Campaign or other activities by SMSing PPEN to 32858 and that will you cost you R1. For more information go to www.ppen.org.za or you can contact Nadeema on (021) 650 4013 alternatively send her an email to nadeema.musthan@uct.ac.za