12 June – Human Rights

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 information about the organisation you can contact their offices at (021) 426 5255 or to report a case of adult abuse contact 0800 003081.

We were also joined by Theo Hardenberg, Estell Davis – from the Human Rights Commission and Marius Blumel – from the New World Foundation. One of the foundation’s aims is to empower the poor, disadvantaged and marginalised communities of Lavender Hill, Vrygrond and surrounding areas to take charge of and responsibility for their own lives. They will be having youth programmes at schools during the run up to Youth Day which is on Saturday, June 16. If you want more information you can contact their offices at (021) 7884055 or visit www.newworldfoundation.org.za

Our last interview was with Namhla Naledi Yaziyo – Western Cape Young Communicator Award Winner. Namhla represented the province in the nationals and took second position. Her future plans include studying journalism and probably writing a book. We wish her all the best in her endeavors.