Sakhisizwe -Building the Nation - Bou Die Nasie

In today’s show, we spoke to Suzy Bell - Amani Arts Festival Director. This an annual arts festival in Khayelitsha presented by African Artists Unite as One, a voluntary community of Pan African and local South African artists based in Cape Town who cross-culturally collaborate. As cultural activists they present this site-specific arts festival in celebration of African Human Rights Day and cultural diversity. The festival will be at the Lookout Hill tomorrow from 11AM and is open for free to the public. Come hear true street hip-hop from Phillipi, Gugs, Langa and Khayelitsha bare its soul. There will be yummy Pan-African snacks and beautiful original music with songs and poems especially written for this festival. For more information, visit www.uniteasone.org.za or www.facebook.com/unite.as.one

We also heard from Naomi Phiri – From the Bridgetown Theatre Company. Twelve of Bridgetown theatre company’s members are chosen to be part of the Performing arts network of South Africa’s (PANSA) upcoming 3 original one act musicals. According to the BTC artistic Director, they are very proud of their 12 member’s selection into the cast of prestigious PANSA musicals. Their selection brings to fruition one of BTC’s aims of providing a platform and opportunity for their members to excel. The exposure they will receive for being part of the PANSA musicals will stand them in good stead for the future performing arts career. Naomi explained more about the Bridgetown Theatre Company. For more information check www.bridgetowntheatre.wordpress.com or send an email to bridgetowntheatre@gmail.com alternatively their offices on (021) 637 6723. The PANSA festival will be on Sunday 30 October at 6.00pm at the District theatre (Next to District six museum) Buitenkant Street (Near the castle) C...

We closed off the show with an interview with Blaze – A Rastafari music group. Based in Hout Bay, the group is part of the people who were evicted in Hangberg. They say they are community activist using art as a tool to raise their concerns. Tonight Blaze will be performing at the District Six Museum in an event organised by the Cape Cultural Collective from 7PM. The theme of tonight’s event is “This Land is our Land”. They feature artists like Jahm, Blaq Pearl, Noni D Poni and many more. For more information about Blaze contact on 078 536 3668 or send an email to johan.october@yahoo.com

In today’s show, we spoke to Stanford Dzititi – from Young People for Development. The organisation is based in Hout Bay and they run a resource center to empower young people from that area. If you would like to assist the organisation with resources or for more information you can email Stanford to youngpeoplefordevelopment@gmail.com or check their facebook page at www.facebook.com/youngpeoplefordevelopment

We closed off the show with an interview with Justice Tshifularo – Senior Manager for the Workplace Challenge Programme. The Workplace Challenge Programme is a supply side measure of the dti, managed by Productivity SA. Their mandate is to improve productivity and competitiveness of South African firms and sectors through constructive labour relations and the implementation of continuous improvement principles at the workplace. Justice explained more on how they do that. For more information visit www.workplacechallenge.co.za or www.productivitysa.co.za

In today’s show, we spoke to Alphonse Niyodusenga - Programme Evaluator and Researcher at the Institute for Healing of Memories. Tomorrow they will be hosting A Dialogue on Community Healing at the Mowbray Town Hall. One of the objectives for this dialogue is to reflect on the dynamics and issues that hinder the community healing in our new Democratic Society. If you would like more information you can contact their offices on (021) 683 6231 or send an email to alphonse@healingofmemories.co.za alternatively visit www.healingofmemories.co.za

We also heard from Mark Weinberg – National Co-ordinator of the Right to Know Campaign. The R2K is an umbrella campaign representing a broad front of civil society groups. The Campaign is concerned that the Protection of Information Bill - also known as the Secrecy Bill - currently before Parliament will fundamentally undermine hard won constitutional rights including access to information and freedom of expression. Tomorrow they will be marching to Parliament and members of the public are asked to wear red and blow their vuvuzela's to show their support for the campaign. The March will commence from Keizersgracht Street at 10:00 AM and they will be at Parliament at 12:00PM. For more information contact Mark on 074 103 6We also heard from Mark Weinberg – National Co-ordinator of the Right to Know Campaign. The R2K is an umbrella campaign representing a broad front of civil society groups. The Campaign is concerned that the Protection of Information Bill - also known as the Secrecy...

In today's show, we spoke to Toni Brockhoven – from Beauty Without Cruelty. This week is a World Vegan Week and they will be hosting Africa’s first Veggie Pride Parade on the 30th of this month. Toni explained more about the parade and we also apoke about their Meat Free Monday’s campaign, which they say is an attractive way for individuals to reduce carbon emissions in order to slow the rate of climate change, protect the environment, improve your health, and express compassion for the rights and needs of animals. For more information visit www.bwcsa.co.za or www.supportmfm.co.za

We also spoke to Dr Elliot Shevel - Chairman of the South African Headache Society. We were talking about the hay fever headaches. It is said that October and November are peak allergy months in Cape Town, and with the Western Cape now consistently recording pollen counts of over 30 - considered extremely high - allergic people should be sure to seek help soon because there is still a long time to go. Hay fever headaches cause a dull, deep, throbbing pain. Some of the symptoms of hay fever headaches are pressure like pain in one specific area of your face or head, face is tender to the touch, pain is worse with sudden movements of the head and bending forward and worse pain in the morning. They are caused by an inflammation in your sinuses. Headaches often begin as soon as you get up in the morning, and may be better by the afternoon. Dr Shevel explained more about the available treatment. For more information contact the Headache Clinic on 0861 678 911 or send an email to www.headclin...

We closed off the show with an interview with Kathleen Mc Quaide-Little – from the Sports Science Institute of SA. We were talking about the OptiFit Running Programme. This 12 weeks to 10km or 8 weeks to 21.1km hands-on training programme is designed for novices and trains people to take part in races of different distances. You will also undergo various fitness and health assessments and can select either a dietary or running injury risk assessment. There are up to three evening sessions a week and one weekend session on the 21.1km programme and you are fully trained by Sports Scientists. On completion of the course, all your health and fitness assessments are redone and the entire group participates in an official 10km or 21.1km event (Two Oceans) together. The 10km course starts in Cape Town on the 23rd of January and the 21.1km programme on the 28th of February 2011 and there are limited places available, so book now. You are also given the opportunity of joining the SSISA’s Fitnes...

On Sakhisizwe today, we spoke to Andreas Späth – from While You Were Sleeping. While You Were Sleeping is a Cape Town-based non-profit collective committed to bringing progressive, non-mainstream documentary films with important social and environmental messages to South African audiences. This coming Moday they will be showing The Most Dangerous Man In America , a Documentary about freedom of information at the Labia in association with the Right2Know Campaign and the Tri- Continental Film Festival . The screening will be followed by a facilitated audience discussion. Tickets are R20 and can be reserved by calling The Labia on (021) 424 5927. This is a once-off screening and they strongly recommended that you reserve tickets to avoid disappointment. For more information, visit www.whileyouweresleeping.wordpress.com or contact Andreas on 084 772 1056.

We also heard from Roshnie Moonsammy – Director of the Urban Voices International Poetry and Theatre Festival. The 2010 poetry and theatre festival will feature international award winning artists from hip hop theatre and performance poetry eclectically influenced from Asia, USA, Puerto Rico and South Africa. “Urban Voices 2010¨ continues with its programmes of mutual learning with Africans on the continent and in the diaspora which the organization says it must capture the enthusiasm over South Africa and the continent, particularly building on the social gains of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The poetry menu is filled with voices that will fill the soul, and they are: From New York: Patricia Smith and Lemon Andersen, From Los Angeles: Asian-American Beau Sia and various poets from South Africa including Natalia Molebatsi. The poetry festival will be at the Baxter on Wednesday, the 27th of October at 8pm and on Thursday, the 28th of October at 11am and 8pm. Tickets costs R120 and you are e...

We closed off the show with an interview with Nicole Klassen – from the Cape Music Industry Commission. We were talking about the Southern Youth Film Festival. The Southern Youth Film Festival in partnership with the Minor Foundation for Major Challenges, DigiCape, NUFF, Tvibit and the Bart’s African Foundation has opened a Call for Entries for the Youth Film Competition 2010. The festival accepts short films in the genres / sub – genres of drama, action, thriller, comedy, animation and factual. Films can be between 5 minutes and 15 minutes in length. This competition is open to youth filmmakers from all over the world between the ages of 14 and 35 years old. The top 4 films at the SUFF Film Festival in December will win the opportunity to attend and screen their films at the Nordic Youth Film Festival held in Tromso, Norway in June 2011 along with many other great prizes! Should their films be selected filmmakers must guarantee that permission from the rights holder is secured for a m...

In today’s show, we heard from Kojo Baffoe - Newly appointed editor of DESTINY MAN. Destiny Man is Ndalo Media’s alternate-monthly men’s business and lifestyle magazine. Kojo’s career ranges from writer, poet, columnist and speaker, to scriptwriter, content producer, television producer and media consultant. He has worked for numerous publications, including Blaque magazine and City Pulse, a supplement for City Press newspaper and is the founding member of Monstafunk Productions. We were talking about the future of the magazine and the general overview of their target market. Make sure you get a copy of November-December issue as it features a man who's been under unsympathetic scrutiny by the media, Mr Sandile Zungu. For more information visit www.destinyman.com and www.destinyconnect.com PIC: www.mediaupdate.co.za

In today’s show, we heard from Mr. K. Chiliza – LoveLife Youth Centre Coordinator and Luthando Dumakude - Groundbreaker. Through their programmes they are promoting a holistic lifestyle approach aimed at encouraging youth to maintain an HIV-free lifestyle and achieve their aspirations through youth leadership and self-motivation. Currently they are running the groundBREAKER leanership that is opened for the youth from the ages of 18 to 25. Mr Chiliza explained more about the requirements. For more information contact (021) 695 0003 or at kchiliza@lovelife.org.za for those who wish to email their CV and the closing date of this opportunity is 25th of October 2010. They can also fax their CVs to (021) 695 3848 for the attention of the Youth Centre Coordinator Mr. K. Chiliza.

We were also joined by Nkwame Cedile - Western Cape Organiser of the Right to Know Campaign. The R2K is an umbrella campaign representing a broad front of civil society groups. The Campaign is concerned that the Protection of Information Bill - also known as the Secrecy Bill - currently before Parliament will fundamentally undermine hard- won constitutional rights including access to information and freedom of expression. The Right to Know Campaign believes a responsive and accountable democracy able to meet the basic needs of our people is built on transparency and the free flow of information. This week they are running the Right to Know week of action and Nkwame explained more. For more information contact Nkwame on 078 227 6008 or visit www.facebook.com/nkwamecedile or go to www.r2k.org.za

In today’s show, we spoke to Tineke Boshoff - from the Down Syndrome Association of the Western Cape. She was joining us on the line to talk more about Down syndrome as we know that on Wednesday the 20th of October is the National Down syndrome Awareness Day. Down syndrome is a genetic condition that causes delays in physical and intellectual development. It is not related to race, nationality, religion or socioeconomic status. The most important fact to know about individuals with Down syndrome is that they are more like others than they are different. Tineke explained more about this condition. For more information you can contact the Down Syndrome Association of the Western Cape on (021) 919 8533 or visit www.downsyndrome.org.za

On Sakhisizwe today, we spoke to Di Smith – from G2 Art. G2 Art provides diverse original contemporary South African art including painting, ceramics, sculpture, prints and photography. We were talking about a mixed exhibition by Cape Town based artist, Diane Harper titled: “a place, a memory, a feeling”. The exhibition opened on Wednesday and features beautiful pieces like “All about us” and “Distant”. Diane says her paintings are mostly meditative, with clues to or glimpses of the details that make up our world forming a continuous thread. The exhibition closes on the 27th of October. For more information contact (021) 424 7169 or visit www.g2art.co.za for the gallery opening times.

We also heard from Belinda Langenhoven – Project Manager for the Cleanest Town Competition. Last night they awarded the 2010 Cleanest Town Competition Award to Overberg Municipality. The 2010 competition engaged 20 local municipalities as participants for the annual prestigious award. It is reported that since, inception in 2001 the provincial round of the Cleanest Town Competition has enjoyed greatly improved participation, clearly showing its significance to municipalities in the province. Belinda explained more. Nigel joined us on the line for this week's Arts Update.

We closed off the show with an interview with Clare Stopford – from New Africa Theatre. The New Africa Theatre Association’s graduate training programme is presenting, 11-41, based on a script by Gary Wentworth and Andre Darling. Originally performed to critical acclaim at Artscape in 2009, this new version is directed by Clare Stopford, assisted by Mbulelo Grootboom and performed by the New Africa Theatre Trainees. The play strongly features the incisive work of struggle-and-beyond poet James Matthews. The play will run at the New Africa Theatre in Sybrand Park from the 20th of October to 6th of November 2010. Tickets are available at the door. To book call (021) 696 2392 or 082 786 8044 or email amulet04@gmail.com Original script by: Gary Wentworth and Andre Darling Produced by: New Africa Theatre Association(NATA) Director and reworking: Clare Stopford Assistant Director: Mbulelo Grootboom Actors: ...

In today’s show, we heard from Arianna Baldo – from Fairtrade Trade Label South Africa. In its efforts to promote fair trade, sustainability and poverty reduction, Fairtrade Label South Africa in conjunction with Fair Trade South Africa scooped the Be Fair Award South-South. The prize is awarded to an organisation that has shown initiatives for the promotion and sales of fair trade products and services. The project embraces the wider variety of fair trade initiatives, therefore including the agricultural, craft and tourism sector. Arianna explained more about what they do. For more information contact (021) 448 8911 or go to www.fairtradelabel.org.za

We were also joined by Vincent Daniels – from the Cape Town Society for the Blind. They are a vehicle to facilitate sustainable employment opportunities of Visually Impaired Persons. It is reported that less than 3% of blind people are employed in South Africa, and due to lack of opportunities to learn skills, and a lack of resources to start businesses most are left dependent, or earn low incomes, they have poor self-esteem and live in social isolation. Mr Daniels explained more about their programmes. For more information contact their offices on (021) 448 4302 or visit www.ctsb.org.za alternatively email virgenia@ctsb.org.za

On Sakhisizwe today, we heard from Andy Schwab – Founder of Planet Kids. Planet Kids is a huge indoor play centre for children with all abilities up to the age of 12 years based in Muizenberg and this coming Sunday they will be hosting a Single Parents Play Date in conjunction with Mommalicious Mammas, a community forum and chat for single moms. For more information contact (021) 788 3070 or go to www.planetkids.co.za alternatively visit www.mommalicious.co.za

We were also heard from Dee Jacobs – Member of the Breast Friends for Life Network. As part of a worldwide, celebrity-driven campaign for breast cancer in October, the "Breast Friends" campaign focuses on the importance a "Breast Friend" has on women throughout a breast cancer experience. They say it's all about friendship and having a supportive friend to be available at such a difficult time. Anyone can be a "Breast Friend" from a partner, relative or close friend. Dee explained more. For more information contact their hotline on 083 306 1941 or visit www.her2.co.za

In today’s show, we spoke to Jephney Ngobeni – Director at Changeable Development Centre. They provide services that help ex-offenders get settled upon release from jail, residential, substance abuse recovery program, or following any difficult life transition. We were talking about the upcoming Reentry Conference. The conference is aimed to promote and engage organizations, families and communities to assist offenders with education and development while reintegrating into the communities and to ensure quality of care, treatment and well being for offenders and the community. The reentry conference is important for communities, private and public leaders to exchange ideas about social reintegration and is free to all community members and organizations. The organisation would welcome donations as they are struggling financially. If you would like more information or to help you can contact Japhney on 083 475 7955 or send an email to changeable@live.co.za

We also heard from Abdul Karriem – Member of the Right to Know Campaign. The R2K is an umbrella campaign representing a broad front of civil society groups. The Campaign is concerned that the Protection of Information Bill also known as the Secrecy Bill, currently before Parliament will fundamentally undermine hard won constitutional rights including access to information and freedom of expression. The Right to Know Campaign believes a responsive and accountable democracy able to meet the basic needs of our people is built on transparency and the free flow of information. You can sign the online petition by visiting www.r2k.org.za

We closed off the show with an interview with Nonkululeko Godana – Mentor for the Students for Humanity Project. This initiative was started in 2008 by three online mentors working with youngsters in the Netherlands and students from Khayelitsha. Their aim is to create a united voice for students around the globe. Through this project, they mix of students from privileged and underprivileged communities by connecting online. They currently looking for mentors and students intersted in becoming part of the initiative. For more information on Students for Humanity visit www.studentsforhumanity.com or send an email to nonku@studentsforhumanity.com

In today’s show, we spoke to Hilary Goeiman – Deputy Director of the Nutrition Programme. From the 9th – 115th of October is the National Nutrition Awareness Week. It is reported that stunting and being underweight are the most common nutritional disorders afflicting South Africa’s preschool children, with the 2005 National Food Consumption Survey showing that nearly one out of 10 children aged 4 – 6 years is underweight and four out of 20 are stunted. It’s against this backdrop that the Department of Health and the Department of Social Development, along with UNICEF, the Association for Dietetics in South Africa, the Consumer Education Project of Milk SA and the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa, embark on National Nutrition Week 2010 under the theme Healthy Eating for Preschool Children. The campaign aims to encourage healthy eating among preschoolers to ensure adequate nutritional intake, essential for positive growth and development and the establishment of long-term healthy e...

We also spoke to Bukeka Mqumbisa – Counselor at Empilweni. Empilweni is a mental health center for children based in Khayelitsha. Their goal is to improve the quality of life of children, adolescents and their families within their communities by providing culturally appropriate, child centered, community based mental health support and counselling. October is Mental Health Awareness Month with the aim of creating public awareness about mental health and to prevent mental disorders. Bukeka explained more about mental health and the stigma attached to it. They would welcome some financial assistance as the organisation is struggling to survive as an NGO. For more information contact (021) 361 7063 or visit www.empilweni.org

On Sakhisizwe today, we were joined on the line by Jocelyn Jacobson Cole – An Artist. We were talking about her current exhibition Colours of the Sun, which is on at the Raw Vision Gallery. Jocelyn grew up in Zimbabwe but lived for many years in both Botswana and South Africa. She has also traveled extensively throughout most of the Southern African countries including Namibia, Mozambique, Swaziland and currently she is in the UK. It is through these travels that she found her inspiration to be that of Africa. It is said that her enduring love for her homeland is apparent in her work, seen in her bright colours and humorous paintings. She explained more about her influences. The exhibition will run till the 19th of October at the Raw Vision Gallery at number 89 Sir Lowry Road in Woodstock. They are open Monday – Friday, between 09:00 - 17:00PM. For more information contact 076 581 9468 or go to www.rawvisiongallery.com Nigel Vermaas was here for the Arts Update.

In today’s show, we heard from Kate Shuttleworth – Founder of Kingdom of Hearts – a social romantic network. Their objective is to banish loneliness and offer the hope of companionship, friendship and romance combined with a frisson of excitement. According to experts, when you put your prlfile together make sure your profile serves you well. You want your profile to reflect your best self, so invest the time to make it well written and lively. Kate told us more about her services. For more information visit www.kingdomofhearts.co.za alternatively call (021) 811 9900 or 071 609 9292.

We also heard from Charmian Altamirano – A relationship expert from Imago Relationship Therapy. We were talking about whether sharing passwords with a partner is ever a good idea. Charmian explained more about the importance of open communication in a relationship. For more information on her services visit www.imagocapetown.co.za or send her an email to chaltamirano@telkomsa.net

In today’s show, we spoke to Ryland Fisher – Executive Chairperson of the One City, Many Cultures Project. The One City, Many Cultures Project which incorporates the Cape Town Festival in collaboration with the Cape Town Partnership will host 700 elderly at the first annual Senior Citizens Day event tomorrow, the 2nd of October at the Cape Town Convention Centre between 09h00 and 14h00PM. The line up includes “Mama Kaap” Sylvia Mdunyelwa, the Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and the band, Authentic headed by Sam Pono, from the Ntonga Music School. The Senior Citizens Day event forms part of the One City, Many Cultures Project and the CTF’s pre-festival activities designed to carry the message of tolerance, integration and unity to the people of Cape Town throughout the year, ahead of the ever-growing flagship event in March. For more information, visit http://www.capetownfestival.co.za/ or email info@capetownfestival.co.za

We also heard from Sindile Moya – Chairperson of the Marimba All Stars Project and Stage director for the Indigenous Music, Dance and Praise Poetry show. The show is taking place Artscape Theatre from yesterday till tomorrow the 2nd October at 20:00PM. This production forms part of the Artscape’s Indigenous Arts Department which was established in 2007, aiming to develop, mentor and preserve South African indigenous customs through the arts at grassroots level. For more information check www.artscape.co.za and for ticket bookings contact Computicket on 083 915 8000 or the Artscape Dial-A-Seat on (021) 421 7695. Ticket price is only R40. Nigel was here for the Arts Update.

We closed off the show with an interview with Neo Muyanga – from the Pan African Space Station. The Pan African Space Station or PASS is an annual 30-day music intervention from the 12th of September to the 12th of October, on the internet, as well as live in venues across the city of Cape Town. Tomorrow they will be hosting a big bash at Guga S’Thebe Centre in Washington Road, KwaLanga. The event will feature Johnny Cradle, Thandiswa Mazwai Trio, Dr. Philip Tabane & Malombo and many more. Tickets costs R30 pre-booked and R50 at the door. Tickets are available via Computicket visit www.computicket.com or call 083 915 8000.