28 February – Gender

Today we spoke to Greg Andrews – a Methodist Minister who has openly spoken out against prejudice and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people in general, specifically challenging the church’s response & resistance to accept LGBT persons. He recently won the Triangle Project Community Award for his efforts. If you want to know more information on Homosexuality you can contact Triangle Project at (021) 448 3812 or visit their website at www.triangle.org.za

27 February – Human Rights

Today we spoke to Xolile Ndzoyi – Project coordinator from the South African Mobile Library Association. SAMLA is a grassroots initiative that seeks to create an environment where ordinary people make informed decisions. The organisation was officially launched in March 2001 and has so far established 2 libraries first one in a classroom at Nobantu Primary School and the other one in 4 cargo containers, situated at Elukhanyisweni Multipurpose Centre in Gugulethu. They are appealing to the members of the public to assist by donating cleaning materials, paint and brushes as well as availing personnel for the maintenance of SAMLA Children's Library. If you want more information about SAMLA or you want to make donations you can contact Xolile at 0738623662 or contact Mongezi Tamana at 074 3512087.

And we also spoke to Teresa Joffin – fundraising coordinator from Camphill Village. Camphill provides care and employment for adults with physical and intellectual disability. Their aim is to create work and home environments which are mutually therapeutic, culturally and spiritually fulfilling to all. For more information you can contact the Camphill Village at 021 571 8600 or Teresa at 083 941 9042 alternatively you can visit their website at www.camphillwestcoast.org.za
PICS: www.camphillwestcoast.org.za

26 February – Health

Today we spoke to Dr Madan Kataria – Founder of the laughter yoga movement. Dr kataria is on his first visit to South Africa and will be hosting laughter yoga seminars on Thursday 1st of March and Friday the 2nd and will also be hosting a public session tonight at 7PM to 9PM at Observatory Community Recreation Center. If you want more information about those sessions you can contact Janine at 082 516 7047.
PIC:www.laughteryoga.us

23 February – Arts, Culture and Environment

Today we spoke to Mr Haasim Salie – chairman of the South African Melayu Cultural Society. The society was formed to revive traditional Melayu culture; promote and preserve Melayu culture and also to enrich the youth from underprivileged areas. Mr Salie says four students are currently in Indonesia learning about the Melayu culture with the aim of coming back and sharing what they have learned with their peers. For more information about the society you can contact Mr Salie at (021) 697 3042.

And we also spoke to Annie Beckhelling – Founder of Cheetah Outreach. Annie launched the project with the aim of ensuring the long-term survival of the cheetah and its ecosystem through a multi-disciplined and integrated conservation programme of research and education. Schools can contact the Cheetah Outreach to arrange educational visits at no cost to the underprivileged schools. For more information about Cheetah Outreach you can contact their offices at (021) 809 1188 or email them at cheetah@intekom.co.za alternatively you can visit their website at www.cheetah.co.za

PICS: www.cheetah.co.za

22 February – Labour

Today we spoke to Juan De Lora - Programme Manager from Jobstart Training Centre. Jobstart Training Centre is a skills development centre where they offer unemployed people practical career-orientated skills training aimed at assisting their graduates secure employment. If you want more information about the Jobstart Training Centre you can call (021) 461 1404 or Fax them at (021) 461 1511 or visit their website at www.jobstart.org.za

PIC:www.jobstart.org.za

21 February – Gender

Today we spoke to Nokuthula Mbethe - Project Leader of Young Womens Forum from Quaker Peace Centre. This project focuses on raising awareness of issues affecting young women and how best to use the rights they have, as they generally do not have opportunities for their joint voice to be heard. The forum will enable young women to come together, network, address issues affecting them and work towards change. For more information about the project you can contact the Quaker Peace Centre offices at 021 685 7800 or visit their website at www.quarker.org

20 February – Human Rights

Today we spoke to Judy Sobotker - fundraising coordinator at Bel Porto. Bel Porto is a special Needs School that caters for children with intellectual or physical disabilities. The school is struggling to survive and they need our help as community members to make donations in order to buy training equipment and also to keep certain facilities going. Remember every child has a right to quality education. They also sell calendars with beautiful paintings done by the pupils. So if you want more information about the school or want to make donations you can contact Judy at 021 697 2986 or the School Principal Mr Pieter Dorfling at 021 696 4134.

We also spoke to Anoushka Hadjidakis from the Keep the Children’s Dream. The organisation was established by five women who are passionate about caring for the less fortunate. They distribute food and clothing to the disadvantaged people in different areas ranging from Athlone, Mitchell’s Plain to Hout Bay. If you want more information about the organisation you can contact their offices at 021 637 7217.

19 February – Health

Today we spoke to Teboho Monyamane - Project Manager from the South African Depression and Anxiety Group. We were talking about Teen Suicide Prevention Campaign. The organisation answers the National Toll Free Suicide Crisis Line which takes a huge number of calls from teens who are calling for themselves or on behalf of a friend. This line has already saved thousand of lives, and with funding from various donors during 2004, over 110,000 children in the North Western Province and the Northern Cape were given workshops specifically addressing how to help a friend who was showing some of the signs of suicide. This program not only encourages teens to come forward but also tells them where to go for help in their own community and how to contact the Suicide Line. For more information you can contact SADAG at (011) 783 1474/6 or visit their website at www.sadag.co.za. The National Toll Free Suicide Crisis Line is 0800 567 567 or send an SMS to 31393.

And we also spoke to Kholeka Bukani- Programme Director of children’s programme at the Heart and Stroke Foundation. We were talking about Rheumatic Heart Disease. Rheumatic fever is the most common cause of heart disease and the most common cause of heart failure in patients under 30 years of age. The condition is of great concern in poor and overcrowded communities, repeated infections cause damage to the heart and by their late teens or early 20's the victims then need expensive valve replacement surgery. If detected early, rheumatic fever can be treated. For more information about the Heart and Stroke Foundation you can contact their offices at (021) 447 4222 or visit their website at www.heartfoundation.co.za

And our last interview was with Dr Mitsch Besser – Medical Director of Mothers 2 Mothers project. The project was developed in recognition of the special emotional, psychological, social, and economic needs of pregnant women and new mothers living with the HIVirus, as well as importance of peer education in preventing mother-to-child transmission of the disease. The project won an Impumelelo Award on Saturday in recognition of the great work they doing in the community. For more information about the Mothers 2 Mothers project you can contact them at 021 466 9160 or you can visit their website at www.m2m.org

16 February – Arts, Culture and Environment

Today we spoke to Atholl Hay – Jikeleza Dance Project Administrative Director. The Jikeleza dance project was initiated to provide children from disadvantaged communities with a safe nurturing environment in which to express themselves and an opportunity to develop social skills and broaden their horizons. For more information about Jikeleza you can contact their offices at (021) 434 3100 or visit their website at www.jikeleza.co.za

And the last interview was with Grant Angus and Gugulethu Zuma. Grant is the Director of a multiple award winning film SINDISWA and Gugulethu plays Sindiswa. SINDISWA is a great film with a powerful, emotional message that focuses on the need for tolerance and respect, especially when dealing with the threat and devastation of HIV in South Africa. The film is set in rural "Kwazulu Natal" about Sindiswa a young woman, her son Bhekithemba and Nomzamo her Sangoma Mother-in-law who is against ARV treatment as she says it goes against their Zulu Culture. The film has been selected as the official South African nomination for the 34th Student Academy Awards in the category of Honorary Foreign Film. For more information about the film, free to contact AFDA Cape Town campus at (021) 448 7600 or if you have access to the internet you can visit their website at www.filmdramaschool.co.za
PICS: Courtesy of AFDA.

15 February – Labour

Today we spoke to Patricia Anderson – Project Manager for Isibindi project. The Isibindi project trains unemployed community members in child and youth care work who are then deployed in their own communities under the supervision of a qualified social worker to work with children at risk as a result of poverty and HIV/AIDS. The project has successfully facilitated the development of several functional Isibindi projects in 6 provinces who have together serviced many orphans and vulnerable children who would otherwise not have had access to social services. If you want more information about the project you can call (021) 762 6076 or Fax them (021) 762 5352.

And our last interview was with Wilmond Arendse. Wilmond is the Project Coordinator of the No-messing in Bonteheuwel Project. The project provides temporary employment opportunities for unemployed residents to clean the area. For more information about the project you can contact their office at (021) 376 1135 or send a fax to (021) 376 1760 or Wilmond’s cell at 073 214 8407.

14 February – Gender

Today we played an interview we had with 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

Our last interview was with Laura Van der Pohl. Laura is a Resource Development Officer from the Community Resource Organisation and they help women in different communities by running a range of empowerment programmes. They are currently running an income genrating project called Mama’s Coin Factory. The project aims to develop and implement reliable, convenient and creative models of coin collection to create sustainability for the grassroots women’s savings network. For more information you can contact the organisation at 447 6757 or if you want more information about the mama’s coin factory you can email to info@mamascoinfactory.org.za

13 February – Human Rights

Today we spoke to Stafford Isaac – Acting Social Development Manager from the Cape Flats Development Association or CAFDA. CAFDA is a non-profit Child and Family organisation that provides numerous services to disadvantaged communities on the Cape Flats. They also have Child Abuse Empowerment Service which is directed at young victims of child abuse. If you want more information about CAFDA you can contact their offices at 021 706 2050 or visit their website at www.cafda.org.za

PIC:www.cafda.org.za

Our last interview was with Ulpha Robertson – Director of Yabonga. Yabonga aims to bring about meaningful change in the lives of HIV positive women and their affected communities. Their objective is to promote positive healthy living. This includes improved self-esteem, prospects for work and the provision of food and better health for themselves and their families. If you want more information about the organisation you can contact them at 021 761 29 40 or email Yabonga@mweb.co.za or visit their website at www.yabonga.co.za

PIC:www.yabonga.co.za

12 February – Health

Today we spoke to Louise Goosen – from Milk Matters. Milk Matters is a breastmilk bank, which gives babies without access to breastmilk from their own mothers the immeasurable gift of donated pasteurized breastmilk. Louise says the project is approved by the department of health. For more information about Milk Matters or if you want to donate breastmilk you can contact Louise at 021 659 5599 or 082 924 9593 or Jenny Wright at 083 771 6230.

And we also spoke to Jonathan Sauls – clinical councilor from Seeds of Change Recovery Centre. Seeds of Change is not only a drug recovery centre but it also caters for the treatment of alcoholism, gambling and eating disorders. For more information about Seeds of Change you can contact the clinic at 021 863 3259 or Traci at 082 719 8028.

09 February – Arts, Culture and Environment

Today we spoke to Zolani Kibiti – chairman of the Multi-Purpose Talent Group. Zolani and his coordinator Nceba Sandlana host talent shows at the Gugulethu Sports Complex every Friday with the aim of grooming talent among young people. For more information about the group you can contact Zolani at 083 540 0731 or his coordinator Nceba at 072 208 4455.

And I also spoke to Mark Esbin – project Coordinator from Centre for the Book. The centre promotes the writing, publishing, reading, marketing and distribution of South African books in order to develop a truly South African literary culture in all South African languages. If you are an aspiring writer you can visit their premises and see what they have to offer they are located at no 62 Queen Victoria Street in the city centre. For more information about the center, feel free to contact them at 021 423 2669 or you can visit their website at www.centreforthebook.org.za

Our last interview was with Renata Ceglowski. Renata is looking for people with skills, anything ranging from art and pottery to life skills, dance and music to volunteer their service in helping the learners at Ukhanyo Primary School in Masiphumelele. They are also looking for volunteers to plant trees at the school on Tuesday the 20th of February. If you are interested you can contact Renata at 076 858 887 or email her at renata@mailme.co.za or you can even contact the school at 021 785 2442 or fax them at 021 785 5632.

08 February – Labour

Today we spoke to Georgie Tovell – Marketing officer from Open Africa. Open Africa is an alliance of individuals, corporations and institutions committed to optimising job creation through tourism and conservation in Africa. If you want more information about Open Africa you can contact their offices at 021 683 9639 or email :info@tourcapers.co.zaalternatively you can visit their website at www.openafrica.org
PIC: www.openafrica.org

And we also spoke to Ian Stein – Managing Director of Monviso Knitwear. Monviso is one of South Africa’s largest and most competitive clothing manufacturers. And they have embarked on a recruitment drive, inviting committed matriculants who are interested in joining the company to be trained in all aspects of Clothing Production Management. If you want more information about Monviso Knitwear you can call their offices at (021) 505 3600 or Fax them (021) 534 8476.
PIC:www.seardel.co.za

And our last interview was with Garikai Nyaruwata. Garikai is a student at the University of Cape Town. And he is involved in a project called Masizikhulise. Masizikhulise is a SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) affiliated SHAWCO project that offers 4 month courses on entrepreneurship, combating social issues, employment search skills and IT to over 70 currently unemployed young adults aged between 18 to 25 in the Nyanga Community. As we know that unemployment is a crippling problem in Nyanga, so the Masizikhulise project is one of the many efforts in community building. For more information about the project you can contact the SHAWCO offices at (021) 386 7800.

07 February – Gender

Today we spoke Vista Kalipa – media coordinator from Triangle Project. The organisation will be awarding the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community members who are community activists. So if you know someone who deserves recognition for personal service to the LGBT community then you can nominate that person. For more information you can contact Triangle Project at 021 448 3812 or fax them at 021 448 4089 or visit their website at www.triangle.org.za

We also spoke to Amanda Madyosi. Amanda is from Women in Action - an organisation for Lesbians and they are based in Makhaza Khayelitsha. For more information about the organisation you can contact her at 082 217 3850.

06 February – Human Rights

Today we spoke to Joanie Fredericks and Claudia Lopes. Joanie is the executive director of REACH and Claudia is the Training and Counseling Director. REACH is an NGO that addresses sexual harassment and sexual violence on women in farms in the Western Cape. They also run campaigns that empower members of the communities that they work with. If you want more information about the organisation you can contact them at 021 638 3111 or email info@reach.org.za or visit their website at www.reach.org.za.

And we also spoke Lukhanyo Mzinzi, SRC President from CPUT Bellville Campus and Musa Nikani from SASCO. As we all know that we are on the third week since school re-opening but some students are still not yet registered as they either have no registration fee or they still owe the institution money from the previous year. We were talking about financial exclusions. If you are student and you are facing the same dilemma, why don’t you visit your campus’ SRC offices I’m sure they are more than willing to help? After all they are there to represent student’s interests. They are the agents of access and success.

05 February – Health

Today we spoke to Ingrid Schloss and Sofie Rasmussen. Ingrid is a nutrition and dietetic consultant while Sofie does visceral manipulation and cranio-sacral therapy. They decided to work together in helping people who suffer from digestive problems. For more information about the work that they do you can contact them at 021 422 5140. For consultations you need to book two weeks in advance.

This week is the Sexually Transmitted Infections Week and the provincial health department is running educational campaign on STI’s. Remember STI’s increase the spread of HIV and early treatment of STI’s provides cure and prevents further infection to others and prevents complications caused by STI’s. If you have any questions about HIV and AIDS and STI’s you can phone the free 24-hour AIDS Help line at 0800-012-322 or you can visit your nearest clinic.

02 February – Arts, Culture and Environment

Today we spoke to Inspector Sue March from the Cart Horse Protection Association. The association will be hosting its annual street collection tomorrow and they need about 500 volunteers to help. They have over 100 collection points from Table View to Somerset West. So if you have nothing to do tomorrow, why don’t you join them it’s for a good course. If you are willing to volunteer you time please contact Megan or Cathy at 021 535 3435 or for more information about the association you can visit their website at www.carthorse.org.za

And I also spoke to Nceba Mqolomba. Nceba is a co - director of a film called Soccer Songs and will be premiering on the 4th and the 11th February 2007. The film celebrates the culture of football in South Africa and will be broadcasted on etv, Part 1 on the 4th at 6.30PM and Part 2 on the 11th also at 6.30PM. For more information about the film feel free to contact Little Bird offices at 011 4300 555.

At 1:30 we were joined by Jeremy Blackburn from Milnerton Players. Jeremy is directing Geraldine Aaron’s comedy “My Brilliant Divorce” that will be staging in March and is looking for people who are interested in being part of the production. If you interested you can contact Jeremy at 082 940 4836 or Sheila McCormick at 021 557 32 06.

01 February – Labour

Today we spoke to Faizal Gangat – owner of Cape Capers tours. Faizal used to work as an on-board guide for a large Tour Company in Cape Town. He soon realized that tourism was not benefiting the majority of Capetonians on the Cape Flats that’s when he started his tour company. He has won a number of awards in the tourism industry and serves on a number of advisory committees in the townships. If you want more information about the Cape Capers tours you can contact their offices at 021 4483117 or email info@tourcapers.co.za alternatively you can visit their website at www.tourcapers.co.za.

And we also spoke to Johaness Mangali – owner of Retrospective Trade CC. Johaness co – owns a boat-making business with his 21-year-old son Moses. He started his company after working as a boat maker for about 20 years. Johaness just like Faizal are two ordinary South Africans who once had a job but decided to do their own thing which will make them reap the rewards in future. For more information about Retrospective Trade you can contact their offices at (021) 696 98 28 or 076 411 5156.