Sakhisizwe -Building the Nation - Bou Die Nasie

In today’s show, we were joined on the line by Abrie De Villiers – CEO of Learning through Fun. The Learning through fun NPO exists to bring fun-based, innovative, learning programmes to previously disadvantaged communities in South Africa. The intention is for the children and adults of those communities to experience that learning can be easy and fun, thereby expanding their knowledge quicker and increasing the likelihood of them earning a higher income and reducing the levels of dependence and poverty. We spoke about the organisation and how children can learn while maintaining a certain level of fun. If you would like to find out more about the organisation, you can email Abri to learningthroughfun@whatspossible.co.za We were also joined Instudio by Nobuntu Nkanyuza – Director of Ikhaya Labantu Homeless Shelter and Eyabantu Educare. The purpose of the shelter is to provide a sanctuary to anyone who finds themselves in the traumatic position of being homeless. The home helps to reha...

In today’s show, we spoke to Roy Abott - from Retina South Africa. As it is retina awareness week, we were talking about the retina, and also Roy told us more about what they do at the association. Retina Week for the Prevention of Blindness hopes to raise awareness about the vision impairing disease Age-related Macular Degeneration and about Retinal Degeneration in general. If you want more information you can call their sharecall on 0860 59 5959 or send a sms for their fundraising campaign on 38267, sms costs R10, alternatively contact Roy at the Tygerberg Association of the Blind on (021) 939 6999. We also played an interview I had with Win Van de Bergh - Chairperson of the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation of South Africa. September is the Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month. Muscular Dystrophy is the name given to a group of more than 70 neuromuscular disorders, resulting in progressive wasting and weakness of the muscle. Men, women and children of all ages and races can be affected by...

In today’s show, we were joined by David Lurie - an internationally recognised photographer and author. David was born in Cape Town and went on to study economics, politics and philosophy at the University of Cape Town. He is currently busy with his fourth book- Fragments from the edge, which will be released at the Cape Town Book fair next year. He will also be exhibiting his latest collection of photographs at the Joao Ferreira Gallery from 1st October till the 1st of November 2008. Seeing as the month of September is dedicated to photography, we spoke about the exhibition, also entitled Fragments from the edge. If you want more information about the exhibition, you can call the Joao Ferreira art Gallery on (021) 423 5403. We also heard from Paul Birchall - an artist who is exhibiting his latest work called ‘Wood’ at the Dorpstaad art Gallery in Stellenbosch till the 23rd of October. Born in London, Paul studied art at Wimbledon School of Art and Delhi School of Art. He has a BA Hono...

In today’s show, we spoke to Derek Haupt – vice chairperson of FEDUSA. We were talking about the rights of union workers. Employers won't listen if one worker asks for more money. An employer will just say 'you must leave the job'. Some of the other problems facing workers are bad working conditions, lack of respect, grievances not dealt with, neglect of work ers' health and safety, retrenchment and no chance to get more skills. So all in all the employer has a lot of power compared to the worker but what happens if the employer is a union who do you turn to in order to protect your rights. If you want to know more about SACCAWU, you can contact their offices on (021) 424 3137 or FEDUSA on (021) 422 1610 or go to www.fedusa.org.za We also heard from Delene Roberts from the Carpenters Shop. The Carpenter’s Shop is a NGO which provides rehabilitation services for the poor and unemployed people in Cape Town. Vagrants, who have the desire to better their situations, with th...

Today we spoke to Joey Hasson - from Equal Education Khayelitsha. This is a community advocacy organisation that has been working in Khayelitsha over the last 8 months. Equal Education works with school educators and learners in communities as well as academics and activists to address inequality in South Africa's public education system. We all know education is a basic human right. If you would like to find out more about what they do contact their offices on (021) 361 8160. We were also joined by Willem Van der Velden from the Centre for Creative Education. Willem is the Academic Head of the Centre for Creative Education and trainer on their programme for Primary Teacher Education. He was accompanied by Eefka Young - one of the trainers for Early Childhood Development. The centre believes that children who are taught in a creative way will learn to appreciate their schooling. Creativity creates the desire to discover and to work together with others. Based on Waldorf Education, ...

In today’s show, we spoke to Dr Sydney Carstens - an occupational medicine specialist working in the department of community health. We will be talking about asbestos. Asbestos has poisonous qualities that could have harmful effects on your health if inhaled too often. It is considered to be so toxic that its usage has been banned in many countries. But because this versatile substance is so affordable, here in South Africa, this materiel is often used in roofing of subsidised housing projects. Being in regular contact with asbestos can lead to serious illnesses. We were focusing on the effects asbestos has one ones health. For more information contact your nearest health facility. We heard from Dr Felix Potocnik – from Stikland Hospital. We were talking about dementia, what exactly is it and what kind of treatment is available for it. According to medical experts, a proper medical diagnosis is needed whenever anyone develops dementia-like symptoms and does not appear to be getting an...

In today’s show we were joined by Billy Nell - from Africa Aeorspace and Defense. AAD has been exhibiting Africa’s largest aerospace, defense and security air show since Monday and the AFB Ysterplaat international air show will be taking over the sky from the 20th and the 21st of September. All of the major suppliers of civil and military aerospace, defence, and security equipment to the South African government will be represented in Cape Town by top ranking executives. So we were talking about the Air show. If you want any additional information about the show, you can contact the Africa Aerospace and Defense media centre on (021) 511 5141 or visit their website www.aadexpo.co.za We also heard from Jenny Altschuler - from the South African Centre for Photography. Jenny is the 2008 director of this dynamic Triennial festival of Photography. The festival will display photographs taken by 115 photographs from all over South Africa and the pictures can be viewed at a number of art galle...

In today’s show we spoke to Jan Truter – Director at Labourwise. LabourWise offers logical and practical information for business owners, HR specialist and manager to support them in the successful management of their labour force. This includes guidelines in labour and employment related matters such as labour laws, employment contracts, labour disputes, unfair dismissal, retrenchment, arbitration, and strike action. We were speaking about different types of leave and the terms and conditions of taking leave as well as briefly touching on the Unemployment Fund. If you want to know more about LabourWise, you can contact their offices on (021) 852 3499 or visit their website www.labourwise.co.za We also spoke to Theresa Joffen - from the Camphill Village West Coast. This organisation aims to provide care and employment for adults with physical or intellectual disabilities - particularly those who are at risk within their families or communities. The work and home environments at Camphil...

We were joined on the line by Charlotte Powell - from the City of Cape Towns Disaster Risk management. This year we have experienced quite a long winter season. And with it comes heavy rains and in recent months, even flooding. The city’s disaster risk management team has been on high alert to assist where flooding has taken place. So you can imagine how busy the department has been. We discussed the recent flooding that the city attended to. To report emergencies, contact the department on (021) 597 5000 or 0860 103 054 to report emergencies. Sarita Sirmongpong - from the Christine Revell Children’s home was also here today. This Athlone based home is a sanctuary for abandoned, neglected and orphaned children. The centre strives to help young children in need, regardless of their race or gender and works towards a successful re-intergration into a family and the community. We spoke about the home and what they do at Christine Revell. If you would like to find out more about Christine...

In today’s show we spoke to Nathan Charles - a community health worker at Hope Cape Town. Hope Cape Town Trust and association is a non-profit organisation specialising in HIV, AIDS and TB in the Western Cape. They provide outreach programs and counselling, in various communities, to those affected and infected with the diseases. HOPE Cape Town is co-located and associated with the Ithemba Infectious Paediatric Ward at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town and linked to the University of Stellenbosch. We spoke about the organisation and how their health workers better the lives of the patients they serve. If you are interested in finding out more about Hope Cape Town trust and Association, you can call their offices on (021) 938 6660 or visit their website http://www.hopecapetown.com/ . Zulfa Abrahams – from the Health & Stroke Foundation was Instudio to talk about Stroke and Heart Awareness. This week is a National Stroke Week and forms the basis for supporting public education about st...

In today’s show we were joined by Langa Mancunga – from LMN Entertainment. We were talking about the Speak the Mind Poetry Session, which is presented by LMN Entertainment and the Artscape. We also spoke to Bulelwa Basse - Founder of the Lyrical Base Project, an organisation which seeks to elevate the profiles of writers from marginalised communities through community publishing projects, performance poetry, cultural and corporate events. Bulelwa will be hosting the Opening Performance on Tuesday the 16th at the Speak the Mind Poetry Session, which is presented by LMN Entertainment and the Artscape. We also heard from Phumlani Msutu and Wanelisa Albert - members of the Lyrical Base Project they will be performing on that night. Speak the Mind Poetry Session starts on Tuesday the 16th till Saturday the 20th of September at the Artscape Arena. Tickets range from R30 to R50. For further information go to http://www.artscape.co.za/ or book via Artscape Dial-a-Seat on (021) 421 7695 or at ...

In today’s show we spoke to Paul Cooley – Labour Law Specialist and founder of Workplace Strategies. In the workplace, legally, an employer has every right to set standards of work ethics, behaviour and excellence. These standards must however be reasonable and must be made known to all employees. Many employees do not know their rights when it comes to laws in the workplace, so we were discussing unfair dismissals and disciplinary procedures. If you would like any information on the topic of disciplinary procedures or unfair dismissals, you can visit their website at www.workplacestratergies.co.za We also heard from Sphetho Siyengo - Director of Buyolo Business Advisory Services. We were talking about the Black Economic Empowerment. According to the government, South Africa's policy of black economic empowerment (BEE) is not simply a moral initiative to redress the wrongs of the past. It is a pragmatic growth strategy that aims to realise the country's full economic potential....

In today’s show we heard from Theresa Raizenberg and Maureen Levenberg - from Out in Africa which is the Southern Africa Gay and lesbian Film festival. Even though the right of gays and lesbians are protected by the South African law, many same-sex relationships are still frowned upon by South Africans. This year celebrates the 15th year of Gay cinema in South Africa. The festival aims to highlight difficulties faced by homosexuals. We spoke about the Film festival as well as the challenges faced in Gay cinema. It will be at Nu Metro – at the V&A Waterfront, from Thursday the 11th till Sunday the 21st of September. If you would like any information about the festival, you can visit the Out in Africa website http://www.oia.co.za/ We were also joined on the line by Lauren Crofton. Lauren owns two successful businesses and wrote an article for the Parents guide - a magazine publication that shares necessary information with parents. The article is about what Lauren termed “Momproneurs...

Today we were joined Instudio by Clive van Zyl – Manager of the Monte Rosa home for the aged. This centre is owned by Badisa, which acts as an umbrella for numerous other organisations that assist people in various ways. We briefly spoke about Badisa’s function as a whole, and focused on Monte Rosa, specifically with regards to elder abuse. For more information, you can call Badisa on (021) 957 7130 or the Monte Rosa Home on (021) 423 8173. You can also check out their website on www.badisa.or g.za Lenin Nzulu Go na – from the Social Justice Coalition were also here today. The Social Justice Coalition is an independent group that believes in freedom, equality, non-violence and human rights, and was launched in June 25th. One of their aims is to actively use the South African Constitution to ensure that private and governmental policies and conduct are always based on consideration of the needs of poor and marginalised people. He told us more about what they do. If you want more informa...

Today we heard from Leana Olivier – from the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research. We were talking about Foetal Alcohol Syndrome. FAS is the most serious set of permanent physical and mental birth defects associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Tomorrow is the World Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Day. This day is held each year at nine minutes past nine on the ninth day of the ninth month to draw attention to the fact that women should not drink alcohol for nine months whilst pregnant. If you would like more information you can contact the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research at (021) 686 2646 or visit www.nofas.org We also spoke to Margot Mc Chomsky - from Diabetes South Africa. We were talking about diabetes and what can be done to lead a normal life if you suffer from diabetes. Diabetes South Africa aims to inform, encourage and support those who have diabetes. Their work also includes negotiating for better fascilities as well as for more affordable medication. D...

In today’s show we were joined by Ed Scott- Co-director of Aviva, a volunteering company based in Cape Town and is said to be one of the leading volunteer organisations in South Africa. Aviva aims to provide volunteers with the most affordable packages so that they can experience a wide range of carefully researched projects, providing our own unique tours throughout the country. Aviva strives to be the company of choice for international volunteers traveling to our beautiful country. For more information you can call AVIVA on (021) 557 4312, or visit their website http://www.aviva-sa.com/ We also spoke to Sarah Struys - Events & Centre Manager at the South African National Biodiversity Institute. We were talking about the Chelsea Spring Festival that is happening at Kirstenbosch from today till the 14th of September. This is an opportunity for the whole family to spend a relaxed day at the glorious Botanical Garden to see floral art, botanical art, gardening talks as well as speci...

Today we spoke to Waseema Herabai - a disability employment specialist. Waseema started a company called Extrinsic last year, which aims to find employment for disabled persons after putting them through learnership and internship programs. Even though the employment rate of people with disabilities has increased, Waseema says that the current figure falls short of the employment equity target. She believes that those people suffering with disabilities deserve to be given sufficient opportunities to develop their skills. We were talking about disabilities in the workplace as well as the laws implemented to protect people living with disabilities. For more information on Extrinsic call (021) 633 4335. We also heard from Shaun Hattingh - from the International Labour Research and Information Group. This Non-governmental organisation provides education, publications and research for the labour and social movements in South Africa. We were talking about the importance of unions and the rig...

Just a recap of today’s show, we heard from Jenni Williams - National Coordinator for the Women of Zimbabwe Arise or WOZA. Later today the African Gender Institute and the International Center for Transitional Justice will launch the report titled “Counting the Cost of Courage: Trauma Experiences of Women Human Rights Defenders in Zimbabwe” produced by Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA). WOZA creates space to allow Zimbabweans to speak out on issues they may be too fearful to raise alone. The movement has conducted peaceful protests on various issues of civil rights and social justice in its six-year existence. WOZA activists have been consistent at standing up to oppression despite arrest, harassment and imprisonment. The report seeks to quantify the mental and emotional trauma suffered by the activists, in the hope that healing can be prioritised in any transition. Some of the women interviewed have a 30-year record of civic activism and have never been recipients of any form of counsell...

Today we spoke to Vuyani Nohashe – from the Western Cape Education Department. He is the acting deputy chief education specialist who deals primarily with assessment. This week is dedicated to adult literacy, so we were talking about Adult education and training. Earlier this year the education department embarked on a Mass Literacy Campaign, aimed at reducing adult illiteracy in the province. Research showed that 161 000 out of 4,7 million adults, who have never attended school and cannot read, write nor count, are living in the Western Cape. The education department hopes that by 2012 these adults will all have attended adult literacy classes. The classes were set to be at community centres, schools and churches across the country. Mr Nohashe explained how that campaign has progressed. I hope that more and more adults plan on applying to broaden their knowledge, because like they say, one is never too old to learn. If you are interested in finding out where you can get information on...

Today we spoke to Lucretia Petersen – from UCT’s Audiology department we were talking about hearing loss. This week is the Deaf Awareness Week and it is dedicated to educating the public about hearing loss, Deafness, Deaf Culture and Sign Language. The aim is to ensure that hearing people understand Deafness and the culture of the Deaf Community. Remember to always remain positive and relaxed when communicating with the Deaf. Show that you care – your attitude can build confidence. That interview was brought to you by the National department of health and funded by the European Union. Please contact the Audiology department at your local provincial hospital for further assistance. For information, call the Audiologists Association on 086 1101 924. We also spoke to Gary Black from the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa and Ian Craggs - who is a Pharmacist at Graceland Pharmacy in Khayelitsha. We were speaking about generic medication and how the quality differs from original brands....