Sakhisizwe -Building the Nation - Bou Die Nasie

On Sakhisizwe today, we heard from Professor Shirley Walters - Director at the UWC Division for Lifelong Learning. Professor Walters will be facilitating a workshop for Popular Education Practitioners. She says this workshop will adopt a body centred, mindfulness approach to dealing with tricky, sticky moments which popular adult educators work with regularly. The workshop will be hosted at the University of Western Cape on the 3rd of February from 8:30 till 15:00PM. It costs only R50. RSVP to Bettie Damon at bdamon@uwc.ac.za or Tania Oppel toppel@uwc.ac.za or phone (021) 959 3339.

In today’s show, we spoke to Lauren Pretorius – Chairperson at Campaigning for Cancer. Campaigning for Cancer is an advocacy organisation that was formed in 2008 to give South African patients and those affected by cancer a voice. For more details visit www.campaign4cancer.co.za or contact 0861 ASK NOW.

We also spoke to Helen Lieberman – Founder of Ikamva Labantu. Ikamva Labantu is one of South Africa’s longest standing social development NGO’s and last month they launched the Enkululekweni Wellness Centre in Khayelitsha. The Centre forms part of the organisation’s community health programme which focuses on empowering communities to embrace preventative health as opposed to struggling with avoidable chronic and acute health problems. For more information you can contact their offices on (021) 461 8338 or visit www.ikamva.org.za

In today’s show, we played a feature about the Artscape annual Educatio n Youth Skills Development programme launch. The guests were entertained by the likes of uMthwakazi and her band, Puppets from the International Union of Puppetry South Africa or UNIMA, and the highly talented heavenly quartez from Khayelitsha. For more information visit www.artscape.co.za

We were also joined by Basil Appolis – Director of ’n Plekkie in die Son...Mitchell’s Plain se Mense. This music theatre production features acclaimed stars such as Emo and Loukmaan Adams, rapper Blaq Pearl, opera singer and SA’s Got Talent winner James Bhemgee and Melanie Jones. It consists of storytelling and singing to deftly sketch the stories of Mitchell’s Plain’s people since its establishment to the present. The show opens on Wednesday the 15th of February at Artscape Theatre at 19:30 with a final performance on the 17th of February 2012 at 18:00. Tickets cost R60 and are available from the Artscape Box Office, Artscape Dial-A-Seat on (021) 421 7695, Computicket outlets or www.computicket.co.za alternatively visit www.artscape.co.za We also heard from Nigel Vermaas for this week Arts update.

We closed off the show with an interview with Katherine Traut. Katherine has released two singles and says she have become consumed with the beauty of making her own music. We spoke about her music career. For more information go to www.katherine.co.za or check her on www.facebook.com or www.twitter.com

In today’s show, we heard from Vuyo Ngaye – from The Business Place Philippi. The centre offers a free walk-in-business support service and basic training for entrepreneus. They are looking for entrepreneurs who want to grow their business to attend their eight week business bridge course starting next month. There will be sessions in Phillipi on Wednesdays and in Cape Town on Thursdays from 9AM to noon. For more information you can contact her on (021) 371 3350 or (021) 425 7816 alternatively send an email to vuyon@tbp.co.za

We spoke to Khanyisile Mathenjwa - Deputy Director the Department of Trade and Industry. We were talking about the dti's Co-operative Incentive Scheme. Today at the Cape Town Premier Yearling Sale cooperatives that have been funded by the dti will be selling their horses. The cooperatives, which are from KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Western Cape received grants ranging from about R150 000 to R300 000 from the Cooperatives Incentive Scheme of the dti in an effort to increase the participation and competitiveness of small enterprises in a high value niche sector such as the horse breading industry. Ms Mathenjwa explained more. For more information about the dti's Co-operative Incentive Scheme visit www.thedti.gov.za

We closed off the show with an interview with René Truter – Director at the Micro Enterprise Development Organisation or MEDO. MEDO connects large companies with emerging micro and small enterprises that are at least 50% black-owned. By partnering with large organisations based in South Africa interested in improving their standing under the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, MEDO facilitates micro and small business development and supplier relationships. Last week they facilitated a workshop in Gugulethu as part of their nationwide campaign to train and advise people on basics of starting and running a business. Rene explained more. For more information contact 0 10 500 5000 or visit www.mymedo.co.za

In today’s show, we heard from John Gardener – Chairperson of the African Scholars' Fund Board. The African Scholars' Fund's goal is to ensure that no child whose progress is satisfactory is prevented from proceeding with his/her schooling at the High School level for reasons of finance. If you want to know more about the fund you can contact their offices on (021) 689 9094 or visit www.asf.org.za

We also spoke to Marlene Le Roux – Director of Audience Development and Education Department. On Thursday, Artscape will be launching its annual Education Youth Skills Development programme. Marlene says their vision is to offer culturally diverse educational, youth and skills programmes to all communities of the Western Cape. This year they aim to expand their vision of taking theatre to the people, and making it accessible to all. For more information visit www.artscape.co.za

And our last interview was with Niki - Jay Bougaard - Director of Ubunye. Ubunye is a student-run outreach programme dedicated to providing educational advancement, opportunities for leadership and life-skills development, and mentorship and guidance to motivated high school learners in Cape Town. Niki explained more. For more information about the project you can contact them via email to info@ubunye.org.za or visit their website at www.ubunye.org.za

In today’s show, we were joined instudio by Nutritional consultant - Vanessa Ascencao. She came to talk about a new “eco diet” she has developed that encompasses mostly organic, natural and raw food and supplements. According to Vanessa, the eco diet is aimed at healthy weight loss, increased energy and looking and feeling great. She explained more. For more information visit www.vdanutrition.com or send an email to vanessa@vdanutrition.com alternatively visit www.ecodiet.co.za

In today’s show, we were joined on the line by Tarien Roux – Creator and Organiser of Eco Kids Film Initiative Film Festival. EKFI’s goal is to inspire real change through the children of today and generations to come by promoting a proactive strategy to environmental awareness through film as medium. The second annual EKFI film festival is calling for entries. This year they are asking for films with the following themes or topics: • Earth, air and water • Conservation/wildlife • Sustainability. The guiding philosophy for the selection process is ‘earth action’ and ‘earth inspiration’. The films should be between 2 minutes to 15 minutes in length. They accept documentaries and narratives that are either live-action or animated. Entries should be for children, not necessarily be about children. The target age group is 4-15 years in age. Entries should reach them no later than the 30th of April, 2012. The filmmakers will be notified no later than the 30th of June, 2012. The festival wil...

We also spoke to Ramarumo Tshikosi – Organiser of the Pan African Film Festival. The event is taking place tomorrow at the Salt River Community House, ILRIG board Room at 41 Salt River Road in Salt River. It starts at 1:00pm until 4:00pm. For more information contact Ramarumo on 079 874 5490 or Nkwame Cedile on 078 227 6008. Nigel Vermaas was also in today for the Arts Update.

We closed off the show with an interview with Simric Yarrow - Poet, writer and actor. We were talking about the Soul Theatre course that he will be facilitating on the 9th of February till the 29th of March. He says Soul Theatre is an exploration of other ways of being, thinking, feeling, exploring that open up from work with performance art forms. The course costs R900 for 6 sessions. For more information contact him on (021) 788 6613 or send an email to simric1@gmail.com

In today's show, we spoke to Jan Truter – Director at Labourwise and Edureach. On the 20th of March they will be hosting a workshop on Employment Contract: Understanding the different forms of contracting. It is reported that many employers out there do not provide employment contracts but according to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act – section 29, every employer is required by the law to provide the employee with a written contract of employment not later that the first day of commencement of employment. Time: 09h00AM to 12h30PM Cost: R750 per person (all inclusive) Who should attend: HR, line managers & business owners If you want to know more you can contact their offices on (021) 852 3357 or visit their website www.edureach.co.za

We closed off with an interview with Mike Klink - Entrepreneurial Mentor, Coach and Business Skills Developer. He is offering Free Career Skills Workshop at the Cape Town Central Library on Saturday from 9:30am until 12:00pm. The workshop is opened to 16 years old and up. The workshop will cover the following: Job Interview Preparation & Job Hunting Skills. Helping you to improve your opportunities on finding a job and faciliate career transition. For more information you can contact him on 073 956 6621 or you can also check him on facebook.

In today’s show, we spoke to Winston Middleton – From the University of the Western Cape. Tomorrow the University kicks off its Orientation Programme. The programme is conducted to facilitate the induction, transition, and adjustment of new first year students to the campus environment and to university life. It sets a foundation for the retention of the students to ensure they settle in with the least amount of anxiety. The Orientation Programme will be launched at the official welcome by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Brian O’Connell, for new students and their parents on the first day of the Programme, tomorrow the 18th of January. Parents will be given an opportunity to visit different campus facilities. For more information visit www.uwc.ac.za

We also heard from Dr Kosie Smit – Director at the Institute for Mathematics and Science Teaching at the University of Stellenbosch. We were talking about the Science and Mathematics Bridging Programme at Stellenbosch University or SciMathUS Programme. The SciMathUS programme offers talented and motivated students, who are educationally disadvantaged and who did not qualify to be admitted to university programmes, a second chance to do so. Students may apply for SciMathUS if they have passed Grade 12 with a minimum of 50% in Afrikaans or English, a minimum of 30% in Mathematics and Physical Sciences, or 80% in Mathematical Literacy and also 50% in any four of the subjects designated for university admission. The next programme will start on the 25th of January 2012. Prospective student may apply for the programme now. Application forms may be downloaded from www.imstus.sun.ac.za/scimathus.html alternatively contact (021) 808 3032 or send an email to apool@sun.ac.za

On Sakhisizwe today, we were joined on the line by Ricky Lee Gordon - Founder/Curator of A WORD OF ART. We were talking about a new show called 'WE ARE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS #2 PUPPETS AND PIRATES" that is opening tomorrow the 14th of January at their studios in Woodstock. The event starts at 8PM till 2AM. Entrance is R60. Go to www.a-word-of-art.co.za for more information or buy tickets online at www.quicket.co.za/ViewProduct.aspx?productid=309 Nigel Vermaas – Our Arts fundi was here to tell us what’s hot and what’s not in the art sector.

We closed off the show with an interview with Harry Curtis - Musician and Accountant by profession. Harry's singing and recording career started as recent as February 2005 when he performed at the Dockside Theatre in Century City together with six other bands. He says has always loved singing and admired artists with good voices, which are comfortable to listen to. He explained more about his music. For more information visit www.harrycurtis.co.za alternatively send an email to harry@curtisco.co.za Image courtesy of: www.harrycurtis.co.za

In today’s show, we heard from Mario Wanza - Chairperson at Proudly Manenberg and Sulyman Stellenboom -Coordinator of Proudly Mitchells Plain. We were talking about the upcoming People's Jobs, Land & Housing Summit. A number of different communities will be hosting a 3 day conference demanding a better future. They say they will no longer beg for jobs, land, housing and the right to the city. They will march from different townships and communities to take the Rondebosch common to hold a People’s Summit to demand decent jobs, land, and housing. The group says they will no longer allow political parties, politicians and their corporate funders to dictate to the people the pace of change. Mario explained more. The Summit will be held at Rondebosch Common(opp Red Cross Hospital) from the 27th till the 29th of January. For more information contact Sulyman 078 333 3072 or Mario on 082 413 7600 or send an email to news@csc.za.net or visit www.csc.za.net or find them on Facebook.

We also spoke to Karel Swart - Commercial, Stevedoring, Agricultural and Allied Workers Union Deputy General Secretary. We were talking about the Speak-Out Campaign. The Commercial, Stevedoring, Agricultural and Allied Workers Union (CSAAWU), the Mawubuye Land Rights Forum, the Trust for Community Outreach and Education, and the Democratic Left Front (DLF) launched the Speak-Out Campaign on the 27th of November 2011. The Speak-Out Campaign aims to bring an end to the oppression and exploitation of farm workers and farm dwellers by coming together to build solidarity, strength and hope amongst the rural working class. Karel says the Speak-Out Campaign is building workers confidence and hope in the possibility of change. On the 29th of January the Speak-Out Campaign will hold a mass meeting at Karingmelk farm, agter Paarl, in Durbanville and they are calling on working class organisations and progressive forces to stand in solidarity with the rural poor and working class. If you want mor...

We closed off the show with an interview with Dennis George - General Secretary of the Federation of Unions of South Africa or FEDUSA. The Federation says it is very concerned by ESKOM’s recent announcement that there is a very high risk of rolling blackouts around the country, potentially set to affect households and businesses for the rest of this month. According to Mr George, an irregular electricity supply is the last problem the domestic economy currently needs as South Africa tries to move into a state of economic recovery and job creation in 2012. He explained more. For more information about the Federation visit www.fedusa.org.za or contact (011) 279 1800.

In today’s show, we heard from Kim Woolrich - Registered Biokineticist & TRI-Fit programme manager at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa. We were talking about the Sports Science Institute of South Africa’s 8 week TRI-Fit programme specifically designed for women. They say whilst the programme will have a fun and spirited focus, with great camaraderie, SSISA’s expert staff will provide a professional and safe environment in which you train. It kicks off on the 2nd of February 2012 and with limited spaces available. Book now by e-mailing fit@ssisa.com or phoning (021) 659 5600. You can also visit their website by following the link www.ssisa.com/programmes/high-performance/tri-fit-/

We also spoke to Ramon Thomas – South Africa’s Number one dating coach. He specialises in helping people expand their social circle, social influence and creating a lifestyle that brings new people to you. And we were talking about whether it is ok or not to date your ex’s best friend. Is it about following one’s heart or anyone who would date their friends ex boyfriend has some serious moral issues? Ramon explained more. For more information about his services you can visit www.datingcoach.co.za or contact 081 4399 555 if your request is urgent.

On Tuesday, we spoke to Brett Herron – City of Cape Town’s Naming committee chairman. According to media reports, the NY street names which stand for “Native Yard” are the City’s next target as it plans to put 52 NY name change recommendations out for public comment. Herron says the committee intends to deal with the NY names in the next few months and the process would be taken to the public, and the city would conduct extensive public meetings. The city’s public participation unit is busy preparing a public participation programme that will roll out during February and March. Brett explained more.