Sakhisizwe -Building the Nation - Bou Die Nasie

Today we spoke to Robin Malan – Acting Chairperson of the International Board on Books for Young People. They serve as an umbrella body to bring together everyone involved in books and young people, ranging from readers, writers, illustrators, translators, editors, publishers, booksellers, librarians, teachers, parents, care-givers and book enthusiasts of all sorts. For more information you can contact (021) 448 7186 or visit www.ibbysa.org.za PIC: www.ibbysa.org.za And we also had an interview with Given Jikwana – from the Khayelitsha Arts Project. The Khayelithsha Arts Project is calling all community theatre practitioners in Khayelthsha to the Masisebenze Artists Symposium to be held at the Shawco center today starting at 2pm. For more information you can contact him at 076 050 0618. We also spoke to Nigel Vermaas for the Arts update in and around the city. Today is the closing date for the SASWA writer’s course for more information check last week’s update. Renowned poet Finuala D...

Today we spoke to Anthea Rossouw – founder of the Dream Catcher Foundation. The foundation supports the development of small, medium and micro tourism service business -and peripheral enterprises of individuals, groups and local community in South Africa, who can make a significant difference, to create work in their communities and in turn contribute to quality of life, peace and stability for their family and that of their community. For more information you can contact (021) 976 9372 or visit www.dreamcatcher.co.za We also spoke to Colleen Malindi – from CallingtheCape. They are offering a free training to enter a contact center learnership. CallingtheCape has provided a CADET learnership programme for previously disadvantaged unemployed individuals who have passed matric. Majority of these individuals are coming from the township like Khayelitsha, Guguletu, Mitchell’s Plain and the surrounding suburbs. So if you are interested then make sure you apply, the closing date is tomorrow ...

Today we spoke to Ilsa Pienaar – Associate Publisher of Top Women in Business & Government. The only publication of its kind, showcasing the top performing gender empowered and women-owned organisations in South Africa to a local and international business audience. They are calling for nominations for the 2007 Top Women Awards and the closing date is the 30th of June, that is the coming Saturday. For more information you can contact their offices at (021) 421 6636 or visit www.businesswomen.co.za We also spoke to Mmabatho Matiwane – Head of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Gender and Women Empowerment Unit. The unit was established with a mandate of transforming the gender component of the dti's employment profile. Ms Matiwane explained more on how far they have come and how they have assisted women in business especially entrepreneurs. For more information visit www.thedti.gov.za and click on the Gender & Women Empowerment link or contact (012) 394 9500 PIC: www.bu...

Today we spoke to Marguerite Quimpo – Case Manager for Schools P rogramme at B ig Brothers Big Sisters of South Africa. This is a mentoring programme that matches youth in need with carefully selected and trained adult volunteers in one to one relationships that help them maximize their potential. For more information you can contact their offices at (021) 551 6996 or visit www.bbbssa.org.za PICS: www.bbbssa.org.za And we also joined by Bobby Fitchen – from the department of Labour’s Isivuno project. The department of Labour and Umsobonvu Youth Fund are offering a free learnership for matriculants to further their studies in the film industry remember there are conditions applied. For more information contact (021) 887 6154 or email to info@isivuno.co.za Our last interview was with Karen Mentor – coordinator of the Inter-generational programme. The programme is aimed at creating activities where youth and elderly people can interact on more serious issues. Unemployed young people from ...

Today we spoke to Karel Dampies – from the ChildWelfare Western Cape. He also runs a project called Asibavikele. Social Workers together with trained volunteers help children in need. For more Information you can contact Karel at 082 471 3895 or send an email to wcws@mweb.co.za We also spoke to Thembi Mgini – Social Worker from the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence or SANCA. We were talking about Substance Abuse. One of SANCA’s objectives is to develop and implement substance abuse prevention and awareness programmes based on experiential and life style principles to particularly vulnerable target groups in their areas of operation. For more information contact their offices at (021) 945 4080/1 or visit www.sancawc.co.za The last interview was with Dee Majola, Nombulelo Mabutho, Thembisa Nkumpela and Nozizwe from Manyanani @ Empilisweni clinic. The clinic is based in Gugulethu and offers free services on HIV counselling and testing for Couples. They are ...

Today we were joined by Latifah Erasmus – from the Department of Social Development. We were talking about a cultural Competition for people who are 60 years old and over that the department is hosting. Categories will range from cultural, ballroom dancing, singing, drama, arts and crafts. The closing date to enter that competition is the 30th of June. For more information can you please contact Latifah at (021) 370 48 06. Nigel Vermaas was also here for the Arts update in and around the city. And a reminder again SASWA is running a radio dramas writers’ course, beginning on Saturday 14th July. It will be facilitated by renowned film & TV script editor Dermod Judge, and by Nigel. The course will involve attendance at two-day sessions for two consecutive weekends, followed by individual sessions with editors developing scripts, and then a final weekend in August. Applications close on 29 June 2007. The fee for the course is R1200 which includes membership of SASWA. The fee for SASWA...

Today we played interviews we had with three women who are promoting gender equality in South Africa. The first interview was with Liesel Theron – founder and CEO of Gender Dynamix. Gender DynamiX is the first and currently, the only African based organisation for the transgender community. Their aim is to create awareness and visualize transgenderism. For more information about the Gender DynamiX you can contact Liesel at 083 3207691 or visit www.genderdynamix.co.za The other woman was Marietta De Vaal – Head of Research Unit from the Commission on Gender Equality. The commission is planning workshops and Gender Dialogues to be conducted throughout the country as a means of reaching out to the community and at the same time change the mind sets of those members of the society that need education in relation to gender equality. For more information you can contact them at 021 426 4080/3 or their Johannesburg office at (011) 403 7182 or visit their website at www.cge.org.za The last int...

Today we spoke to Tseliso Thipanyane – from the Human Rights Commission. We were talking about the National Association of People Living with HIV/Aids or NAPWA’s petition to the Commission. NAPWA is calling for a review of the social grants policy so that it allows all HIV-positive people to receive social grants. Currently the policy does not provide for HIV-positive people who are "healthy" and whose CD4 count is above the level specified by government. In addition to the above complaint, NAPWA is calling for the scrapping of deregistration of those whose CD4 has improved and are therefore considered "healthy". If you have any thoughts on this matter email us at nation@bushradio.co.za We also spoke to William Van Niekerk and Pauline Como – from the Cape Town Junior City Council. The Junior City Council provides a forum for the introduction of school-going youth to civic and community affairs, and the development of management and leadership skills. It does so to e...

Today we were joined by Dr Bronwen Hendricks and Sister Thandi Makhaleni – from the Khayelitsha Cervical Cancer Screening Project. The Project is based at two different clinics in Khayelitsha, Site B Day Hospital and Michael Mapongwana Day Hospital. We were discussing cervical cancer and the importance of pap smears. For more Information you can contact their offices at (021) 406 6012 or Site B Day Hospital at (021) 361 0853 and the Michael Mapongwana Day Hospital at (021) 363 1365. We also spoke to Anthea Emmanuel - Programme Co-ordinator from Epilespsy South A frica. We were talking about Epilepsy. This week is the Epilepsy Week aimed at creating as much awareness as possible about epilepsy. South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes has epilepsy and he is a living proof that you can live a normal life with this condition you just have to learn to manage it correctly. For more information contact their offices at (021) 703 9426 or visit www.epilepsy.org.za PIC: www.epilepsy.org.za Our last...

Today we spoke to Sandile Magidigidi – from Cape Town Tourism. We were tal king about Cape Town on sale initiative. This initiative was introduced to attract the people of Cape Town and the Western Cape to discover and explore the beauty right here in our own backyard. For more information you can contact (021) 487 68 00 or visit www.tourismcapetown.co.za/capetown We were also joined by Nigel Vermaas for the Arts update in and around the city. SASWA is running a radio dramas writers’ course, beginning on Saturday 14th July. It will be facilitated by renowned film & TV script editor Dermod Judge, and by Nigel. The course will involve attendance at two-day sessions for two consecutive weekends, followed by individual sessions with editors developing scripts, and then a final weekend in August. Applications close on 29 June 2007. The fee for the course is R1200 which includes membership of SASWA. The fee for SASWA members is R800. But there are a couple of bursaries available. For det...

Today’s show was only 30 minutes long due to a live broadcast from Paarl. We spoke to Julie Cleverdon – Acting Head of the MTN Sciencentre. The MTN Sciencentre will hos t a series of events celebrating Antarctica month. This includes a mini-exhibition, a screening of a documentary "Endurance of Antarctica", a talk by Dr Pierre Cilliers on South Africa's involvement in the International Polar Years in Antarctica as well as the rare opportunity to explore the SA Agulhas. For more information or bookings visit www.mtnsciencentre.org.za or phone (021) 529 8100 POSTER : www.mtnsciencentre.org.za

Today we spoke to Nondumiso Mpande – coordinator of the Gender Project. The Project is one of The Big Issue’s support programs. They encourage women to be Big Issue Vendors. For more information you can contact their offices at (021) 461 6690 or visit www.bigissue.co.za We also spoke to Henry Valentine – Director of Antar ctica and Islands from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. The Department of Science and Technology has declared June Antarctica Month to make South Africans more aware of the unique and exciting research done by South African scientists on this frozen continent. The MTN Sciencentre will host a series of events celebrating Antarctica during June. This includes a mini-exhibition, a screening of a documentary "Endurance of Antarctica", a talk by Dr Pierre Cilliers on South Africa's involvement in the International Polar Years in Antarctica as well as the rare opportunity to explore the SA Agulhas. For more information or bookings visit www...

Today we spoke to Sharon Williams – Marketing Director of the Christel House Learning Centre in Athlone. Christel House is an independent school that was started five years ago and has about 500 students drawn from some of Cape Town’s most socially disadvantaged areas ranging from Langa to Mannenberg. Five learners from that school are heading off to the US next week where they will attend the prestigious Kyran Anderson Academy summer school at the North Carolina State University to boost their maths and science. If you want more information about the Christel House Learning Centre you can contact their offices at (021) 697 3037 or visit their school they are located at no 38 Banford Avenue in Athlone. We also spoke to Pat Lingdren – Director of the Action on Elder Abuse South Africa. We were talking about their work and also the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day that is coming up on Friday the 15th of June. This year's theme is "MOVING FORWARD." If you want more informat...

Today we spoke to Lynn Erasmus – Public Relations Officer from the Weste rn Cape Blood Transfusion Services. June is Blood Donor Month - the Western Province Blood Transfusion Service has issued a call to all Capetonians to help alleviate pressure on the province's blood supply by attending donation clinics. According to the organisation the current cold spell and an increasing number of regular donors suffering from colds and flu have impacted negatively on the Service's O blood group stocks, which currently stand on a four day supply. The Western Province Blood Transfusion Service will be hosting a number of donation clinics on Thursday, 14th of June 2007 ( World Blood Donor Day ) to encourage new donors and to thank those who help them make a difference. This year’s theme is Safe Blood for Safe Motherhood. For more information or if you want to donate contact their offices at (021) 507 6300 or visit www.blood.org.za PICS: www.blood.org.za We also spoke to Professor Neil Mybu...

Today we spoke to Rob Small – from Abalimi Bezekhaya an urban agriculture and environmental action association operating in the townships of Khayelitsha, Nyanga and surrounding areas on the Cape Flats. They assist individuals, groups and community based organisations to initiate and maintain permanent organic food growing and nature conservation projects. For more information you can contact (021) 371 1653 or www.abalimi.org.za PICS: www.abalimi.org.za We also spoke to Sindile Gulwa and Yvonne Xatalaza an actress in a play called Udaba Bafazi which is currently running at the Baxter theatre. Sindile is the director of the play. The show is about women openly sharing their stories, wisely finding solutions and ultimately, celebrating their African womanhood and will be running till the 16th of June. For bookings call Computicket on 083 915 8000 or the Baxter Theatre Centre on (021) 680 3989. For discounted block, corporate or school bookings, charities or fundraisers call Sandiswa on 0...

Today we spoke to Trudy Vlok – Managing Director of The Big Issue. The Big Issue is a socially responsible organisation which enables willing, unemployed and marginalised adults living in South Africa to take responsibility for their own lives through a developmental employment programme. For more information you can contact their offices at (021) 461 6690 or visit www.bigissue.org.za We also spoke to Roland Govender and Sammy Sheldon from the Syntell Foundation. The foundation was established in 2005 to contribute to the upliftment of the society by contributing to community development initiatives and employment creation. One of the projects that were assisted by Syntell is the Phakamani cement blocks project in Khayelitsha. It has equipped 15 unemployed women and is now growing from strength to strength. The project was a joint venture between Syntell, the Department of Social Services and Megamix. For more information or if you have a project that needs assistance you can contact S...

Today we spoke to Barbra Jackson – Founder and Co-director of MonkeyBiz South Africa. Monkeybiz is a non-profit, income-generating art and health project and about 450 women are involved in the beading project. Thanks to Barbra and her two co-founders Mathapelo Ngaka and Shirley Fintz the project has created employment and empowerment for disadvantaged women in the townships. For more information you can contact their offices at (021) 426 0145 or visit www.monkeybiz.co.za PIC: www.monkeybiz.co.za We also spoke to Steve Kanyon and David Vandorsten – from Rainbow UCT. Rainbow UCT is a society for all people who appreciate sexual diversity. They offer support to people coming to terms with their own sexuality and strive to create an environment that is accepting, tolerant and free of homophobia both on campus and in the wider community. For more information visit www.rainbowuct.org or email to info@rainbowuct.org Our last interview was with Fiona Tudor Price and Nicky Newman from Wom en ...

Today we spoke to Mukelani Dimba – Assistant CEO of the Open Democracy Advice Centre. The centre is inviting people who have issues with the estates of the deceased relative or spouse who passed away 7 or more years ago and whose estate was handled by the Cape Town Master of the high court’s office to come forward as they can assist those individuals in obtaining a report in forensic investigation into the Master’s office. Remember they invite only those who cannot afford the services of an attorney. If you want more information you can contact their offices at (021) 461 3096 or visit their offices they are located at no 6 Spin Street in Cape Town. We also spoke to Marion le Fleur – Public Relations Officer from the Volunteer Centre. We were talking about the importance of volunteering as we know that this week is the national volunteer’s week. If you want more information about the centre you can contact their offices at (021) 418 1116 or visit www.volcent.co.za We were also joined by...

CHILD PROTECTION MONTH & ECD AWARENESS WEEK Today we spoke to Gill Naeser – from the Centre for Early Childhood Development. The Centre for Early Childhood Development provides training, support and advice in the field of early childhood development by offering courses and programmes aimed at enhancing individual and organisational capacity. For more Information you can contact their offices at (021) 683 2420. We also spoke to Lorna Siers - Training Manager from Rapcan. We were talking about child protection. RAPCAN is committed to developing child abuse prevention strategies to combat the patterns of abuse which affect the lives of children and adults everywhere. For more information contact their offices at (021) 782 6932 or visit www.rapcan.org.za PIC: www.rapcan.org.za

Today we spoke to Michelle Sholto-Douglas – from Footprints Recycling. Footprints collects recyclable items and separate them. Collected waste is then either turned into compost or sold on to conventional recycling companies. They also have a project called Waste-to-Art and are turning rubbish into treasures, and creating job opportunities. For more information you can contact her at (021) 794 5863. We also spoke to Janine White – Hosting coordinator from AFS Interculture South Afr ica. AFS is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit making which provides intercultural learning opportunities to help develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. They provide exchange programmes for close to ten thousand participants annually, and offers each year nearly 1,000 bilateral exchange programmes across the globe. For more information about AFS Interculture South Africa you can contact (011) 447 2673 or visit www.afs.org.za PIC...