Sakhisizwe -Building the Nation - Bou Die Nasie

On Sakhisizwe today, we spoke to Auriol Hays. In 2009 she released her debut album, "Behind Closed Doors". The album is a collection of mature classy alternative pop, fused with some jazzy soul and ballads and her track "Turn up the Volume" has been nominated for this year’s SAMA Record of the Year Award. To vote SMS P to 083 123 7262. Fans have a limit of ten votes each. For more information visit www.auriolhays.com

We also heard from Lonwabo Kilani - Artist. Tomorrow they are hosting an event called Gallery.exe. Gallery.exe is said to be a platform that seeks to create an environment where creative professionals can engage and collaborate. The event will be held at the Old City Library building opposite the Grand Parade from 6:00 till 9:00PM. For more information contact 082 254 1814. Nigel was here for the Arts Update.

In today’s show we were joined by Anwar Adams – Pan Africanist Congress of Azania mayoral candidate. According to analysts Cape Town is likely to be one of the most watched and hotly contested cities during the upcoming local government elections. It is reported that some political parties believe they will run away with the majority of votes. Thirty two political parties and many more independent candidates will battle for the city. Anwar explained more on what his party is going to do differently if they get elected to the hot seat. For more information about the PAC you can contact their offices on (021) 488 9521 or his cell on 079 420 0007 alternatively visit www.pac.org.za

We closed off the show with an interview with Osman Shaboodien – Chairman of the Bo-Kaap Civic Association and councillor Belinda Walker - councillor for the City of Cape Town. The Bo-Kaap informal settlement feels neglected when it comes to basic service delivery. Mr Shaboodien says the community had become an eyesore and that the city administration needs to play a bigger role. For accounts and general enquiries contact the City of Cape Town's call center on 0860 103 089.

In today’s show, we were joined by Brent van Rensburg – Zip Zap circus school co-founder and artistic director. Zip Zap Circus School is the oldest circus in Cape Town and the only social circus in South Africa. They will be hosting six exciting shows of Just Kidding between Easter and Freedom Day. Zip Zap core performers will be joined on stage by members of the school’s two outreach programmes, providing great entertainment for all ages. Brent recently got awarded with this year's Mayor’s Medal for Youth Affairs for his great contribution towards developing youth affairs in South Africa. Brent explained more about the activities they have planned for this Easter season. For more information contact (021) 421 8623 or vist www.zip-zap.co.za

We were also joined on the line by singer/songwriter - Louise Day. Louise’s album “Swallowed by the City” was launched in December produced by one of SA’s top producers, Theo Crous. Good news is that “Swallowed by the City” has been nominated for a SAMA award for best pop album. She explained more about her music influence. For more information or to order a copy of her album go to http://www.louisedayband.com/ or follow her on twitter @LouiseDayBand or on facebook www.facebook.com/Louise.Day.Music We also heard from Kim Saulse with this week Arts update.

We closed off with an interview with was Sange - Vocalist, dancer, drummer, percussionist and songwriter. We were talking about her debut album titled “XOLA”. Sange is said to be very passionate about exploring new grounds in her musical career. She founded the cultural group Buka Entertainers aimed at nurturing the talents of the youth through dance, music and drama. Sange's album is available at all music stores countrywide. For more information go to www.sangemusic.com

In today’s show, we were joined on the line by Jennifer Thorpe – Research and Advocacy Coordinator at Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust. According to http://www.rape.co.za/ , it is estimated that a woman born in South Africa has a greater chance of being raped than learning how to read. While a 2010 study by the Medical Research Council revealed that more than 25% of South African men admitted to having raped someone; and of those, nearly half said they had raped more than one person. These statistics are a grim reminder that rape remains one of the most prevalent gender based crimes in South Africa. Recently, a popular social networking site, featured a hash tag topic, titled “It’s not rape if...” This topic listed so-called instances and myths where rape is not regarded as a criminal act because of various circumstances. The Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust has condemned the list saying it fuels myths and stereotyping around rape. For more information about Rape Crisis contact their offices on

On Sakhisizwe today, we spoke to Tony Ehrenreich - African National Congress mayoral candidate. According to analysts Cape Town is likely to be one of the most watched and hotly contested cities during the upcoming local government elections. Thirty two political parties and many more independent candidates will battle for the city. Tony explained more on what he is going to do differently if he gets elected to be the mayor of Cape Town. For more information about the African National Congress you can contact their offices on (021) 487 1727 or visit www.anc.org.za

We closed off with an interview with Wahseema Roberts – From City at Peace. City at Peace is a Washington based youth development organisation that exists to effect social change through performing arts and in so doing, encourages cross cultural understanding, non-violent conflict resolution and leadership for social change. Cape Town is the location of the first African City at Peace project – an extension of City at Peace. For more information contact her on 082 595 4472 or send an email to wahseema@gmail.com

In today's show we spoke to Tracy Shaw - Facilitator and didactic teacher. We were talking about Biodanza. Biodanza is a fusion of music, movement and emotion which is said to be scientifically proven to raise one’s capacity to communicate, to improve the quality of relationships and one’s overall sense of well-being and happiness. Biodanza originates in Chile and means to dance with life. For more information you can contact Tracy on (021) 790 4375 or send an email to ts.astro@global.co.za alternatively visit their website at www.biodanza.co.za

We closed off with an interview with Sister Anne-Louise Cruickshank - Western Cape Hemophilia foundation Coordinator and Xolisa Tose – a Haemophiliac. Haemophilia is a rare inherited disorder that leads to abnormal bleeding, and specifically the inability to stop bleeding. Yesterday was a World Haemophilia Day so Sister Cruickshank explained more about the importance of this day and Xolisa shared his experience as a Haemophiliac. For more on Haemophilia you can contact the South African Haemophilia Foundation on (021) 785 7140 or Sister Anne on 082 788 1038 alternatively you can visit www.haemophilia.org.za

In today’s show, we spoke to Debbie Damons – from Artscape. The Artscape and the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra will be hosting auditions for the Western Cape Youth Classical Music Festival. Young singers and solo instrumentalists are invited to audition. Auditions are exclusive to musicians residing or studying in the Western Cape. The age restriction is from 10 to 23 years for instrumentalists and up to the age of 27 years for singers - in the year of participation. The auditions will be on Wednesday, the 4th of May 2011 at the Fismer Hall in Stellenbosch and on Friday, the 6th of May 2011 at Artscape in Town. The Concert is on Saturday, the 13th of August 2011 at 19:45. Candidates must arrange for their own accompanists at auditions and be available for all rehearsals at Artscape from Wednesday 10th August 2011. If you want more details, application forms and early preparation contact Debbie on (021) 410 9915 or email debbied@artscape.co.za Forms are to be submitted by 20 April 2011.

We also heard from Jacqueline van Meygaarden – Director and Creator of Paraphernalia and Daniel Robinson – visual performer. Paraphernalia is said to be a quirky theatrical experience that questions the notion of “bigger is better” consumerism. The show incorporates a number of visual theatre styles – mask theatre, puppetry, illusion and stop frame animation. It will be performed at New Africa Theatre Association from tomorrow till the 21st of April. Performance times vary,visit their facebook page for the times. Tickets costs R50 for adults and R30 for learners, block bookings of 10 or more and senior citizens. For further enquiries contact (021) 685 5263 or visit www.cosmosproductionssouthafrica.blogspot.com Nigel Vermaas was here for the Arts Update.

In today’s show, we heard from Chantal Adams – Career Counsellor. Chantal Adams Career Counselling offers you the opportunity to explore your choices, whether you are changing careers, making your first big career move or trying to identify what is preventing you from taking a career decision. She incorporates narrative technique to offer you a unique career counselling experience. Chantal says she feels that narratives are freely explored within the comfort of the client’s home; hence she prefers to work in a quiet space at the client’s home. For more information contact her on 076 971 9049 or email her to chantaldamas43@gmail.com

We also heard from Vuyani Blom – from Dream Concerts cc. The company, which focuses on growth opportunities in South Africa, is calling for entrepreneurs to participate in this year’s Khayelitsha Business Awards. The Awards ceremony will present a platform for SMME’s to showcase their potential in contributing positively in the growth of the economy but Vuyani explained more about the criteria. The 29th of April is the closing date for nominations and the award ceremony will take place on the 27th of May at the Lookout Hill Centre, in Khayelitsha. Reserve your tickets for this event now at R150 per person or R1, 500 per table. For further information about the event contact Vuyani on 083 484 2193 or send an email to vuyani.blom@yahoo.com

We closed off the show with an interview with Sebastian Julie – General Secretary for the Independent Labour Union of South Africa. The union has established offices in Mitchell’s Plain to assist workers in accessing services associated with labour issues. The union is said to represent workers from various disciplines and not affiliated to any federation or political party. For more information you can their offices on (021) 820 3817.

In today’s show, we were joined on the line by Gail Roman – Coordinator of a Support group for women living with cancer. Gail hosts a cancer support group for women in Mowbray. The group essentially exists to provide support and strength to the thousands of women living with cancer in South Africa. According to www.health-e.org.za , one in seven South African women will get cancer in their lifetime, while the same is true for one in six men. The same site lists breast, cervical, colonic, lung and throat cancer as the most prevalent amongst South African women. The group will meet tomorrow at the CANSA offices at 37A Main Road, Mowbray from 1 to 2:30PM. After this meeting they will meet every Thursday from 1 to 2:30PM. For more information contact Gail on (021) 689 5347.

In today's edition of Sakhisizwe, we featured the Academy for Adults with Autism. According to Autism South Africa, an autistic child is born every hour in the country. While globally, autism affects 1 in 150 people. Furthermore, it has been noted that only 0,001% of people diagnosed with autism receive specialised education and training. Inspired by these statistics, Debbie Frugel established the Academy for Adults with Autism to nurture the potential of individuals living with autism through training programmes focussing on the development of life, occupational and social skills. For more information about the Academy visit www.adultswithautism.org.za or call 021 788 7652.

On the 1st of February 2011, MEC for Social Development in the Western Cape, Patricia De Lille announced a six month amnesty period for unregistered day care centres and crèches. The amnesty period, gives these care facilities until the end of July 2011 to apply for registration. This is in accordance with Section 77 of the Children’s Act which states that the MEC for Social Development must keep record of all registered care facilities in the province. Provincial spokesperson Steven Otter joined us on the line to tell us more about the amnesty period. For more information on the amnesty period and process; parents or partial care facility operators and caregivers can call the toll free numbers of the provincial department of Social Development on 0800 220 250 or the City of Cape Town on 0800 872 201.

We closed off today’s edition with an interview with Murray Hunter- National Coordinator for the Right2Know Campaign and Fezile Hlangana. The campaign has called on South Africans to help them draft the SA Secrets Lists as part of the INFO ACCESS NOW! Campaign. According to the organisation, the list will be drawn up from written submissions and verbal testimonies made at a Right2Know public meeting on Wednesday, 20 April between 10am and 2pm at Mowbray Town Hall. To make a testimony or discuss this further, contact Nkwame Cedile on (021) 461 7211 or nkwame.cedile@gmail.com or admin@r2k.org.za alternatively visit www.r2k.org.za