Sakhisizwe -Building the Nation - Bou Die Nasie

In today's show we spoke to Phillipa Douglas – Executive Director for the Organ Donor Foundation. We were talking about organ donation in line with National Transplant Day, which is on Thursday the 3rd of November. The Organ Donor Foundation is a non-profit charity, established to address the critical shortage of organ and tissue donors in South Africa through awareness and education campaigns. According to the foundation, currently there are over 3,500 South Africans waiting for organ and tissue transplants. Sadly, as a result of this critical shortage less than 1,000 of them will receive a transplant and the "Gift of Life" this year. Phillipa explained more on how one can go about in giving the “Gift of Life”. Remember there is no cost charged to register as an organ donor. To register or for more information contact the Organ Donor Foundation on 0800 22 66 11 or visit www.odf.org.za

Last but least we were joined by Lucille Sinclaire, Fouzia Titus and Nazley Rogers. We were talking about an event they are planning for the World Aids Day which is tomorrow, the 1st of December. World AIDS Day has been celebrated since 1988. It is about increasing awareness of HIV and AIDS, education and fighting prejudice. World AIDS Day is important as it reminds people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done. It is reported that in Sub-Saharan Africa, 22,4 million people were living with HIV and AIDS in 2008. More than 14 million children had lost one or both parents to AIDS. Although the HIV epidemic in South Africa appear to have stabilized, South Africa still has more people living with HIV than any other country. This year’s theme is 'iBambeni - Take Responsibility'. The event will be at the Golden Acre between 9 and 12h00PM and move to Thibault Square for a human chain between 12h00 and 14h00PM. If you want more information contact L...

In today’s show, we played a feature produced by Busi Mtabane on the opening of Strengths and Convictions: The lives and times of South Africa’s Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu, F.W. de Klerk, Nelson Mandela at the Iziko South African National Gallery. The exhibition includes unique works by artists like Feni Dumile, Gerard Sekoto, William Kentridge, Marlene Dumas, Willie Bester, Araminta de Clermont and Sam Nhlengethwa. The exhibition will be running till the 28th of February in 2010. For more information contact Joe Dolby on (021) 467 4682 or visit www.iziko.org.za

We also spoke to Denis Goldberg – Rivonia Trialist and Chairperson of the Sentinel Experience. Sentinel Experience is hosting the Second Hout Bay Multi Cultural Film Festival with films sourced from local filmmakers, producers and production companies. The films range from social and environmental justice, to globalisation, gender relations, transformation, migration but also music, history, astronomy and democracy. The festival opened yesterday and runs till the 6th of December at the Hout Bay Library in Melkhout Crescent. Entrance fee ranges between R20 and R5. For bookings and other queries regarding the festival email nathalierosabucher@gmail.com or info@sentinelexperience.co.za You can also join their Facebook Group: Second Hout Bay Multi Cultural Film Festival Nigel Vermaas was also in today for the Arts update in and around the city.

We closed off the show with an interview with Tauriq Jenkins – Director for the Independent Theatre Movement of South Africa. The students of the ITMSA will present their final auditions at the conclusion of the 2009 Drama School year tomorrow at the Baxter’s Golden Arrow Studio. Each student will perform excerpts from the texts studied and performed this year, which include Shakespearean and classical Greek pieces and original student works. Students will also showcase excerpts from the professional ITMSA productions in which they have taken part this year. Tauriq explained more about the productions. The performance will be at the Baxter Theatre’s Golden Arrow Studio, between 10:00am to 1:30pm and entrance is free. For more information contact Tauriq on 072 782 5831. PIC: Sani Njini & Tauriq: taken by Busi Mtabane

In today's show we spoke to Kathleen Dey – Director of Rape Crisis. We were talking about the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence Campaign. The Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an internationally recognised campaign held every year between the 25th of November and the 10th of December. The campaign commences with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women which is today and ends with International Human Rights Day on the 10th of December. Kathleen explained more on activities that they have planned for this year including the "Stop the Bus Campaign. If you would like to know more about the campaign or Rape Crisis in general contact their offices on (021) 447 1467 or visit www.rapecrisis.org.za

In today's show we spoke to Nkwame Cedile – from Get up, Stand up Campaign and Braam Hanekom – Chairperson of PASSOP. We were talking about the xenophobic attacks in De Doorns. Last week it was reported that about 1 000 foreign nationals fled informal settlements at De Doorns following a flare-up of xenophobia. This comes after the locals claimed the foreigners - mostly Zimbabweans, were accepting lower wages than locals and robbing them of jobs. GSC have condemned the attacks on foreigners, they are calling upon all social movements, political organizations, faith-based movements, businesses, youth formations, civic structures and women groups to unite in the fight against capitalism and degrading of working conditions. Meanwhile PASSOP has set up a temporary satellite office in De Doorns to coordinate a humanitarian response to the attacks. For more information contact Nkwame on 078 227 6008 or Willard on 078 927 4738 or visit www.passop.co.za

We closed off the show with an interview with Joe Warton – Project Coordinator of Voucher of Hope programme runned by U-Turn. This initiative is aimed at encouraging the public to buy vouchers and give them to the homeless who exchange them for clothing of a meal. Joe says the voucher costs R20 and is available at most Engen Garages and Super Spar. For more information contact him on (021) 674 6119 or visit www.homeless.org.za

In today’s show, we spoke to Dr Benjamin Herr – A Homoeopathic Doctor. We w ere talking about Complementary Therapies. On Thursday the 26th of November is the Complementary Therapies Awareness Day which aims to raise awareness about alternative therapies that can be used along with medical treatment to help the patient feel better. There is growing recognition that complementary therapies can play an important role in our healthcare. Dr Herr explained more the role of complementary therapies. For more information contact his practice on (021) 674 4476, his is practice is located close to Cavendish Square in Claremont or go to www.homoeopathycapetown.co.za or to find a Homoepathic Practitioner near you visit www.ahpcsa.co.za or www.hsa.co.za PIC: by Busi Mtabane

We also spoke to Professor Elvis Irusen - Professor and Principal Specialist at Tygerberg Academic Hospital. We were talking about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD. Last week Wednesday was the World COPD day and the theme of this year 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 Irusen says one important thing is to stop smoking in order to prevent COPD. For more information you can visit www.copd.co.za or www.pulmonolog...

In today’s show, we heard from Eddy Cassar – Organiser for the Spoken Word Festival currently on at the Baxter till tomorrow. The festival showcases poetry, comedy and storytelling. Audiences can look forward to beat-box masters backing poetry, interesting collaborations featuring artists like Ewok, a spoken word artist and Durban-based actor; Teba, a ragga artist; singer, songwriter Keeno-Lee Hector. Eddy says the content of the shows is “learner friendly”, making them ideal for schools to attend. For more information, please contact Eddy by sending an email to info@eddycassarpr or call (021) 438 2595. To make a booking, visit www.Computicket.com

We also spoke to Gary Frier - from Greatmore Studios, Linda Shongwe – a South African Artist, Portia Zvavahera from Zimbabwe and Ana Teresa Fernandez, from Mexico currently based in San Francisco. We were talking about TriLingual - an exhibition that brings together three artists who have participated in Greatmore’s three-month visiting artists’ programme. The artists have all reflected on the unique opportunity Greatmore offers for exchanging ideas and experiences. The exhibition runs until the 24th of November. Greatmore Art Studios is located at 47 - 49 Greatmore Street in Woodstock. The gallery is open weekdays from 10-4PM. For more information contact their offices on (021) 447 9699 or visit www.greatmoreart.org

Nigel Vermaas was also in today for the Arts update in and around the city. We cl osed off the show with an interview with Sivuyile and Stanza – members of SST. SST will be performing at Fourways Lounge next week Saturday the 28th of November starting from 8PM featuring Dj Fisherman from the Afrotainment stable. Tickets are on sale for R30 and R50 at the door. For more information contact Stanza on 084 674 9155. All pics: by Busi Mtabane

On Sakhisizwe today, we spoke to Norman Hlungwani – from the Department of Trade and Industry. The Department of Trade and Industry is awarding comprehensive bursaries during 2010 Academic year to qualifying applicants pursuing or intending to further their studies in scare skills fields aligned to the mandate of the dti. Mr Hlungwani explained more on the requirements. Among the requirements, applicants must be South African youth and they must show proof of admission to a higher education institution where the applied filed of study is offered. Application forms are available on www.thedti.gov.za . The closing date is 30th November 2009. For more information contact Mr Hlungwani on (012) 394 3423 or NHlungwani@thedti.gov.za

We closed off the show with an interview with Mpodumo Doubada – An Entrepreneur. Mpodumo recently won an Entrepreneurship Award for his business called Pimp my Book. Pimp my Book started off providing secondhand textbooks to students at UCT, but has since expanded to also offer its products from premises in Parow to students from other tertiary institutions in Cape Town, as well as to Unisa students. But he explained more about his bookshop. If you want to find out more about Pimp my Book you can contact him on (021) 911 2617 or send an email to info@pimpmybook.co.za

On Sakhisizwe today, we heard from Mabalane Mfundisi – Coordinator for the South African National Aids Council Sport and Entertainment Sector. The South African National Aids Council will be hosting the first-ever, high visibility Symposium aimed at developing a Strategic Plan of Action to be integrated with the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup. The Symposium coordinated by the Sport and Entertainment Sector of SANAC will take place tomorrow, the 18th of Nov 2009 at Parktonian Hotel in Braamfontein. It will focus on communications platforms, advocacy platforms and social mobilization platforms that could be used before, during and post the 2010 FWC to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS in South Africa, within the context of the National Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS, TB and STI’s 2007 – 2011 but Mr. Mfundisi explained more. For more information about the South African National Aids Council visit www.sanac.org.za or contact them on (012) 312 0131.

Luzuko Solomon – from the Mandela Park Housing Crisis Committee was also part of the show. Last week the community of Mandela Park hosted a housing Indaba to address certain issues pertaining to housing and service delivery in general. The community claimed to have invited government leaders to the indaba but none showed up. But according to the Premier’s Spokesperson Robert McDonald – the premier couldn’t not make it because her schedule was busy on that day and the fact that the invite was of short notice, similar reason given by Housing MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela who claimed to have sent a representative on his behalf. To read up about housing issues in Khayelitsha go to www.khayelitshastruggles.com

In today’s show, we heard from Bridey-Lee Momberg – A Physiotherapist. We were talking about Knee Problems. It is reported that Knee pain is an extremely common complaint, and there are many causes. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms so that appropriate treatment can be directed at the cause. Bridey helped us better understand the causes, how to prevent them and how they can be treated. For more information you can contact her on (041) 363 5065 or visit www.omptg.co.za to find a physiotherapist in your area.

We also heard from Gerhard Pieterse – from Autism Western Cape. We were talking about "Putting AUTISM on TOP – Kilimanjaro" project. Eight members of Autism Western Cape will be climbing mount Kilimanjaro in order to raise awareness about Autism. Gerhard says their mission is to put Autism on the top of every South African's priority list, due to the global epidemic in diagnosis. The project will be led by Sean Wisedale, who is said to have successfully climbed Kilimanjaro 8 times. Gerhard explained more about their journey but you can be a part of the journey by following them online as they update live, all the way up to Uhuru peak visit www.zoopy.com/awckilimanjaro For sponsorship, marketing and advertising opportunities or make online donations to Autism Western Cape go to www.autismwesterncape.org.za alternatively contact (021) 557 3573/ (021) 556 2600 or 0861 AUTISM.

In today’s show, we spoke to Dwyn Griesel – Director of Kronendal Music Academy of Hout Bay. Dwyn says the young people of Hout Bay are desperately in need of some form of moral stimulation, constructive supervision and creative outlet that is why the Academy is committed to providing an opportunity for these needs to be addressed. Kronendal Music Academy is in the process of recruiting for "Friends of KMA" membership drive. Dwyn has pledged to find a minimum of 40 people who would be willing to support them by joining at R150 a year. For more information about becoming a friend of KMA you can contact her on 082 331 4062.

In today’s show, we spoke to Underé Deglon - Chief Executive Officer for the Disability Workshop Development Enterprise. DWDE has initiated a project to assess if companies do accommodate employees and customers with disabilities. The purpose of this assessment tool is to raise awareness on people with disability and their access to employment, it also aids in assessing an organization’s ability to accommodate employees and customers with disabilities. Underé explained more. For more information contact DWDE on (021) 674 6139.

We also spoke to Henriette van Twisk – General Manager of Employment Services Certification Institute. This newly set up Institute will be a vehicle for labour practitioners to gain professional status through certification. Henriette explained more about other services they will be focussing on. For more information visit www.escichat.wordpress.com

In today’s show, we played a feature about Angela Read Lloyd’s book launched at the Iziko SA National Gallery. The book titled, The Artist in the Garden - The Quest for Moses Tladi is published by Print Matters. Angela says Tladi was certainly the first black artist to exhibit in the South African National Gallery, and achieved wide acclaim. Tladi's daughter Rekiloe and her daughter Sekhubami Tladi were guests of honour at the event. The book is released in three editions (Collectors’, Subscribers’and Standard edition) and is available in all good book stores. For more information contact Publishing Print Matters on (021) 789 0155 or visit www.printmatters.co.za

We also spoke to Emile van Druten – Director at Environmental Assurance or Envass. Envass provide a comprehensive range of services, primarily to small-medium businesses and local authorities. We were talking about Envirocon 2009. The 2009 theme is "Presenting Environmental Problems, Solutions and Opportunities", it embodies the most pertinent environmental management and conservation issues raised over the past year both within South Africa and abroad, Mr van Druten explained more. The two day conference will open on Wednesday the 11th of November at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. It is suited to anyone involved in environmental matters at strategic or operational level at Corporate, NGO, or Departmental level. For the full conference fee and Exhibition stands visit Environmental Assurance's website at www.envass.co.za or contact Retha Weir on (014) 792 0500 or e-mail envirocon@envass.co.za For complimentary tickets call Phyllis on (012) 460 9768. Nigel Vermaa...

We closed off the show with an interview I had with the icon of South African music – Mr Johnny Clegg. He will be heading the line up and launching the Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concerts series at Kirstenbosch on the 22nd of November. Ticket Prices: Adults – R95 per person, Botanical Society members – R85 per person, Scholars (6 to 17 Years) R70. Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concerts take place at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Rhodes Avenue, Newlands on Sundays from 17:30 - 19:00. For further information and ticket prices call (021)799 8783/8620 or visit the website www.sanbi.org Over the counter tickets may be purchased directly from at Kirstenbosch from the Tuesday prior to the concert. Online booking is already open on www.webtickets.co.za

In today’s show, we spoke to Sharon Snell – Chief Executive Officer for the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority or INSETA. INSETA has just launched the National Disability Awards to recognise the contributions of disabled workers in the insurance sector, and those who champion their progress. The Awards aim to honour and raise the profile of workers with disabilities who are making a remarkable difference in the insurance sector, as well as individuals and organisations supporting the advancement of people with disabilities but Sharon explained more. Award winners will be announced on December 3 and nominations are now open. Individuals and companies wishing to make nominations can call 086 130 130 to obtain a nomination form alternatively go to www.inseta.org.za Nominations close on the 15th of November 2009, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held on International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

We also heard from Gillian Mitchell – Programme Manager at Inyathelo - The South African Institute for Advancement. We were talking about the Inyathelo Philanthropy Awards. These awards recognize extraordinary individuals who have shown outstanding leadership in the area of personal philanthropy in South Africa and who, through their giving, have made a remarkable difference in bringing about sustainable social change. For more information about Inyathelo – The South African Institute for Advancement contact (021) 465 6981 or visit www.inyathelo.co.za

On Sakhisizwe today we spoke to Leon Spamer - Brand Manager for the AstraZeneca Oncology Department. We were talking about Lung Cancer. According to experts, Lung cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men and the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in women. It is reported that lung cancer kills approximately 160,000 people in the United States each year - more people than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined. It is responsible for over a quarter of all cancer-related deaths in the U.S. each year. According to the Cancer Association of South Africa, about 60% of all lung cancer deaths in South Africa are due to tobacco smoking and over 8% of all deaths are due to smoking. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and Leon explained why there is a need for increased awareness of lung cancer. For more information visit www.mycancer.co.za