Sakhisizwe -Building the Nation - Bou Die Nasie

In today's show, we were joined by Zenariah Barends – from the Cape Cultural Collective. The Cape Cultural Collective is an inter-generational, non-sexist, non-racist volunteer cultural group that promotes social activism. Late today they will be hosting an event at the District Six Museum to celebrate Mirriam Makeba. The event will feature poets and musicians like Bradlox, Chris Ferndale, Amanda Nodada and more. It starts at 7PM till 9PM at the District Six Museum number 25A Buitekant Street in Cape Town. For more information contact the District Six museum on (021) 466 7200 or Zenariah on 082 441 0433. We also heard from Dizu Plaatjies - Indigenous music maestro. We were talking about Embo – A place in time which is a project of the Artscape Indigenous Arts Department. Researched and written by Fatima Dike this production will feature Dizu Plaatjies, Ibuyambo Ensemble, Maskandi Waseendulo ,Utyityimbo Dance Group and also Guest Artist Hilton Schilder. It will run from the 4th till...

In today’s show, we spoke to Victor Lakay – Western Cape representative of the South African National Aids Council or SANAC. On World Aids Day SANAC is asking South Africans to take action at noon starting with a minute of silence for their first ever workplace stoppage. The campaign is supported by government, trade unions, businesses and civil society. Victor explained more about the campaign. On Sunday they will be hosting a World Aids' Day pre_event at Mzoli's Place in Gugulethu from 12:00 till 5PM. If you want to know more about this campaign, you can contact the TAC offices on (021) 422 1700 or send an email to sanacdeputy@alp.org.za Peter Milne - media expert and General Manager of Mediaweb was also part of today’s show. We were talking about how can Cape Town’s entrepreneurs and businesses maximise their Public Relations, without breaking the bank. In the current economic crisis, companies are constantly thinking of ways to cut costs. Now budgeted items such as Market...

In today's show, we spoke to Dr Marjolijn Dijksterhuis - Women in Leadership programme Course Director. Women business leaders will be given a unique space to grow both personally and professionally when the Women in Leadership programme kicks off at the UCT Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) in February next year. The Women in Leadership course is designed to be a catalyst for personal leadership transformation and participants need to share their challenges and experiences to achieve the desired outcome. Women in Leadership is aimed at middle and senior women business leaders looking to enhance their leadership ability at a level beyond that of just technical skills. It takes place over two modules – the first looking at personal leadership and the second focusing on leadership within the broader organisational context. Dr Dijksterhuis says “to be an authentic leader means knowing who you are and living out your values in your professional role, while at the same time understa...

In today's show, we were joined by Anna Brom – Founder of the Anna Foundation. The mission of the organisation is to uplift rural communities by providing academic, social and environmental support and equipping children with skills for life long learning. Anna explained more about the projects they have. All activities initiated and implemented by the Anna Foundation rely on funding and donations. A donation received, no matter how big or small, will change the lives of the children they work with so if you would like to donate or volunteer your services contact (021) 880 2183 or go to www.annafoundation.com We heard from Dr Helen Scanlot – From the International Centre for Transitional Justice. The International Center for Transitional Justice assists countries pursuing accountability for past mass atrocity or human rights abuse. The Center works in societies emerging from repressive rule or armed conflict, as well as in established democracies where historical injustices or sy...

In today's show, we spoke to Martha Molete – Head of Communication at the Cancer Association of South Africa. We were discussing Skin Cancer. It is reported that skin cancer is the most common cancer in South Africa and it affects all people – those with light skins and dark skins. That is why the Department of Health and the Cancer Association of South Africa are encouraging all South Africans to be SunSmart this summer. Summertime is EXTRA protection time. The good news is that skin cancer can be prevented if people respect the sun and learn how to be SunSmart by following advice from Cancer Association of South Africa. For more information, contact CANSA’s toll free on 0800 22 66 22 or visit www.cansa.org.za That interview was brought to you by the National department of health and funded by the European Union. November is Red Ribbon Month-- 'STOP HIV AND AIDS, RECOMMIT YOURSELF'. And we also spoke to Professor Mark Nicol – from the UCT’s Institute of Infectious Diseas...

In today's show, we were joined by Phumezwa Mgxashe – Communication Manager at Table Mountain National Park. We were talking about Tourist Safety Programme. Table Mountain National Par and the Western Cape provincial government’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism have completed an agreement that is aimed at improving the safety and security of tourists and hikers on Table Mountain. Tourists and members of the public will be able to hire accredited mountain guides at a rate of R150 per day, plus R35 per person, up to a limit of six people. The 14 guides are employed by the TMNP on a retainer for guiding on the Hoerikwaggo Trail and through this partnership with the Department, are able to earn additional commission for guiding the public on additional routes. For bookings, visitors should call the Table Mountain National Park Hoerikwaggo Trail office on (021) 465 8519, between 07h30 and 16h00PM, week days. We also heard from Professor Jimmie Earl Perry and Professor Jan...

In today’s show, we were joined in studio by Pieter van Rynsberg – from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. The department will be hosting a workshop tomorrow the 21st of November at the Cape Sun Hotel. They are inviting SMMEs to an information session on procurement opportunities in the department. They are looking at encouraging entrepreneurs and groups to register with the department for them to be in a position to be called upon for services that includes catering, performing artists, equipment hire and other community entertainment services. Procurement in the department is undertaken in line with the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act and therefore they aim to attract communities, groups and individuals from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. For more information you can contact their offices on (021) 950 7161 or Rosa on 950 7117. We also heard from Hams Pettenburg-Perwaord – A debt counsellor from Debt Therapy. If you are struggling to pay your debts, y...

Thank you, to the guests who were part of today’s show, we spoke to US Consulate General Alberta Mayberry. We were talking about the International Education Week. This is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education’s efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States. This is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. Campaign on study in the USA will be launched tomorrow at the newly opened USInfo@Central, a PAS outpost in the Cape Town Central Library. This will include a talk on Education USA's services, and posters around the library and the distribution of informational sheets regarding study opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the U.S. For more information on International Education Week, please go to http://iew.state.gov/index.cfm We als...

In today's show, we were joined by Liat Davis – From the Social Justice Coalition. The Social Justice Coalition is an independent group that believes in freedom, equality, non-violence and human rights. 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. Last week Tuesday they staged a mass rally at St Georges Cathedral to demand an independent inquiry into the Arms Deal. In addition the SJC also addressed the need for Safety and Security for all on the basis of social justice. They say they want to share facts about the arms deal to increase people's understanding, and increase pressure on the government to institute a commission of inquiry. Liat explained more. For Further information please contact Liat Davis on 083 299 9718 or you can contact their offices on (021) 422 1490.You can also visit there website on We also sp...

In today's show, we were joined on the line by Professor Eric Bateman - Professor of Respiratory Medicine and director of the UCT Lung Institute. We were talking about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD. Tomorrow is World COPD day and the theme of this year’s World COPD Day is “Breathless not Helpless.” This positive message emphasizes that effective treatments are available to help people who have been diagnosed with COPD feel better and live more active lives. In addition, it raises awareness that breathlessness is not just an inevitable part of getting older. For people who have not been diagnosed with COPD, breathlessness is a signal that they should see their doctor and ask about a spirometry test to check their lung function. People who have COPD have difficulty breathing because they develop smaller air passageways and have partially destroyed alveoli. Professor Bateman explained more. For more information you can contact the COPD Education Group by sending an ema...

In today's show, we were joined by Mark Hoben - from Soundtrack 4 Life. Soundtrack 4 Life equips high school communities of the Western Cape with skills to face the challenges of HIV and Aids. It offers life skills training and performing arts at schools, enabling participants to explore personal choices in an interactive environment. The 2008 leg of the Soundtrack 4 Life is already underway and has so far reached 8 schools, 88 learners and 31 educators with a series of exciting and intensive theatre workshops aimed at creating vibrant, interactive audience participation that could result in sensible decisions in real life situations. High school learners from all communities are invited to attend these workshops as this work helps to empower the youth participants with life skills and some theatre arts training in an interactive manner. For more information on Soundtrack 4 Life, contact Mark on 082 397 9868 or 021 410 9986 or email them at st4l@artscape.co.za . Nigel Vermaas joine...

In today’s show, we heard from Roger Brown – An Attorney from Labour Protect. We were talking about polygraph testing at the workplace. Labour Protect specializes in assisting employees facing labour problems at work. It is reported that employers are often faced with misconduct or criminal activities such as misappropriation of property or theft in its work environment, without knowing exactly where, how and by whom it is committed. So as this ends crippling the business, some employers come up with their own solutions. Some of the measures they take tend to be illegal like sending all the employees for a polygraph test but can one trust the results of a polygraph test? It has been widely accepted by the Labour Court and the CCMA that, polygraph testing in the workplace is highly contentious and the admissibility of its results remains debatable. Roger explained more about polygraph testing in the workplace. For more information you can contact their offices at (021) 421 8631 or visi...

In today's show,we spoke to Cindy Clark – Executive Director for the Association for Women's Rights in Development or AWID. AWID is hosting an International Forum on Women's Rights and Development at the Convention Centre till Monday the 17th of November. The forum titled the Power of Movements is the largest recurring event of its kind that brings together women's rights leaders and activists from around the world every three years to strategize, network, celebrate, and learn in a highly charged atmosphere that fosters deep discussions and sustained personal and professional growth. Cindy explained more about the forum. For more information about AWID Cape Town contact their offices on (021) 425 3682 or go to www.awid.org

In today's show,we were joined on the line by Margot McCumsky – From the Diabetes Association of South Africa. On Friday is World Diabetes Day. World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign of the diabetes world. It was introduced in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to the alarming rise in diabetes around the world. It is reported that Diabetes affects 2.6 % of men and 3.9 % of women according to the 2003 Demographic and Health Survey. This is made up in population categories for men as 1.8 % of the African population, 11.4 % of the Asian population, 3.1 % of the Coloured population, 8.6 % of the White population. But Margot will explain more. For more information you can contact the Diabetes Association of South Africa on (021) 425 4440 or go to www.diabetessa.co.za That interview is brought to you by the National Department of Health and Funded by the European Union. We were also joined by Dr Li...

In today's show, we were joined on the line by Alison Kelly – Blue Flag programme National Co-odinator. South Africa launched the 8th season of Blue Flag on Wednesday, the 5th of November. At the start of the new season, South Africa has 35 beaches participating in the programme. Of these thirty-five, nineteen received official Blue Flag accreditation for the next year. Cape Town and Port Elizabeth between them managed to have 10 of the 19 beaches that were officially awarded Blue Status. South Africa was the first country outside of Europe to implement the Blue Flag programme and since 2001, the programme has become a truly global initiative with 38 countries participating and a further seven countries undertaking the feasibility stage. Alison explained more about the aims of the Blue Flag programme. In Cape Town the following beaches have a Blue Flag accreditation: Bikini beach in Gordon's Bay, Mnandi Beach, Strandfontein, Clifton 4th beach, Camps Bay beach, Muizenberg beach,...

We heard from Tinus Boshoff – Director of Labourguide. On the 19th of November Tinus will facilitate a workshop on the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the responsibilities of Management. This course is intended for all managers who should know the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the consequences of non-compliance. The Act was introduced to provide for the health and safety of persons at work and for the health and safety of persons in connection with the use of plant and machinery. Tinus explained more about the importance of legal compliance and fundamental elements of effective safety management. The workshop will be at the Sports Science Institute in Newlands, Cape Town. It costs R 980 per delegate. The price includes course material, certificates, legislation and catering/ refreshments and Safe and secure parking. For more information about the workshop contact Magda on (012) 661 3208 or send an email magda@labourguide.co.za We closed off w...

In today's show, we spoke to Adil Peters, Lesley van Rooyen, Jaymien Batts, and Christine – from the Reach for Life Foundation. They will be starting a support group for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex community in Manenberg. Their goal is to connect with others in discussions of common concern and provide a safe and supportive environment. For more information contact Christine on 074 282 1627 or Adil on 079 615 6574. We also spoke to Nontembiso Mevana – from Sizakuyenza. Their vision is to see the most vulnerable getting protected from abuse, comprehensive access to health services, strong awareness around the major health and social risks, opportunities to participate in their own development. For more information contact their offices on (021) 374 0800 or 083 772 4331 or 074 111 2442 or visit www.courc.co.za We closed off the show with an interview I had with Dr Steven Pretorius - Founder of Fathers-4-Justice South Africa. Fathers4Justice is a pressure gr...

In today’s show, we were joined by Advocate Paul Hoffman – Director at the Centre for Constitutional Rights. The Centre operates as a unit of the FW de Klerk Foundation and reports to the Foundation’s Board through the Executive Director. Their mission is to uphold the constitutional accord of 1993-1996, as articulated in the 1996 Constitution. Advocate Hoffman explained more about their activities. For more information go to www.cfcr.org.za or contact (021) 930 3622. We also spoke to Dr Fanie Du Toit – Executive Director at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation. Last week the institute launched the Truth Justice Memory, w hich is a twelve part DVD video clips, each about 20 minutes in length, covering a series of important aspects in the TRC's work. This first-of-its-kind course, conceptualised as part of the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation's Education programme, aims to expose learners to the TRC event in a sensitive but forthright manner. The TRC DVD and Cou...

Today we spoke to Dr Neil Cameron – from the University of Stellenbosch. We were talking about Malaria. The World Health Organisation agree that greater awareness is needed. The world health community recognizes malaria as a global emergency that knows no borders. This week is the Tourist Malaria Awareness Week with the aim of informing the public to take precautionary measures if they visit malaria high-risk areas to avoid infection. That interview was brought to you by the National Department of Health and Funded by the European Union. We were also joined instudio by Dr Hubrecht Brodey – an Ophthalmologist from the Cape Eye Hospital and Sharon Munnik from the Eye Bank. We were talking about cornea transplant. The Eye Bank is a registered non-profit organisation, authorised by the Department of Health to obtain and distribute eye tissue to Surgeons for transplant purposes in order to restore or improve the sight of persons who are blind or partially blind. The Eye Bank would like to ...