30 March - Arts, Culture and Environment - Kanyi launches debut album & Arts Update

In today’s show, we were joined by Kanyisa Mavi – Cape Town lyricists. Kanyi will be officially launching her debut album "Iintombi-zifikile" on Sunday night at Zula Sound Bar. Tickets cost R60 at the door and R140 with CD. For more information check www.twitter.com/kanyi_mavi or www.facebook.com/Khanyi-Mavi

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My Producer - Yugendree Naidoo was in for the Arts Update, Nigel is busy with the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.  

Jeremy Olivier releases a new single

We closed off the show with an interview with Jeremy Olivier – Cape Town based guitarist and vocalist. Jeremy is currently working on an album of original music which he says "will guarantee a world class combination of wonderful vocal ability, catchy melodies and passionate performances". We were talking about his newly released single, ‘Serendipity’ which is currently available for download on iTunes and Amazon. You can see Jeremy perfom live every Tuesday at UpperEastside Hotel and every Wednesday at the 12 Apostles Hotel and at Café Roux in Noordhoek Farm Village every Thursday. For more information on Jeremy’s music visit http://www.jeremyolivier.com/ or check him on http://www.facebook.com/

29 March - Labour - ICASA promotes consumer rights

In today’s show, we spoke to Xolile Mateza - From ICASA’s Cape Town regional office Consumer Affairs Division. We were talking about World Consumer Rights Day. It was commemorated on the 15^th of this month and the theme was our money, our rights campaigning for real choice in financial services. The following eight basic consumer rights such as the right to satisfaction of basic needs, to safety, to be informed, to choose, to be heard, to redress, to consumer education and to a healthy environment were developed over time by the consumer movement and is now the vision which define and inspire the work of the consumer international and its members do around areas such as financial services and communications. For more information you can contact ICASA on (021) 431 9800 or visit the website http://www.icasa.org.za/

Labour Minister to visit farms in Paarl

We also heard from Musa Zondi - Spokesperson for the Minister of Labour, Mildred Oliphant. Musa told us more about the minister's visit to the Western Cape for a blitz inspection to enforce labour laws in the agricultural sector on the farms of Paarl, which will be followed by the public participation programme Imbizo at the Mbekweni Sports Field, tomorrow and Saturday. Local communities will have an opportunity to engage with the minister at the Imbizo from 9:00am, where they will be able to raise their issues regarding their workplaces experiences. The aim of the event is to engage all the employees particularly the farm workers by bringing the services of the Department of Labour to the people. For further information you can contact the department on (021) 441 8000 or visit the website http://www.labour.gov.za/

SADTU hosts policy conference

Our last interview was with Jonovan Rustin - Secretary of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) in the Western Cape. He told us more about their recent policy conference that took place in Gauteng last weekend. The conference adopted resolutions on matters pertaining to education, labour and gender which will be incorporated into policy once they have been adopted by the Nation Executive Committee of the Union. On labour, the conference called for the reintroduction of the senior and master teacher system with clear job descriptions. For further information you can contact Sadtu on (021) 930 8316 or visit the website http://www.sadtu.org.za/

28 March - Gender - COSATU hosts 3rd National Gender Policy Conference

In today's show we spoke to Elma Geswindt - Western Cape Gender Co-ordinator for the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu). She joined us on the line to talk about their 3^rd National Gender Policy Conference that’s taking place in Rietvlei, Pretoria. Representatives from all affiliates of COSATU, other federations, all alliance partners, civil society groupings, domestic worker, sex workers as well as NGOs are in attendance. “Fight Inequalities, Promote Decent Work and Build Economic Alternatives for the Total Emancipation of Women” is the theme for this year’s conference. The discussion include amongst others, issues on the following Sex Workers, Domestic Workers, Maternity Protection, Gender and Politics, National Gender Machinery and Bargaining Agenda for Gender (BAG). The conference is held to evaluate the federation’s progress on gender issues and discuss draft resolutions to be tabled at the National Congress and also to map the way forward on how to take forward the gender struggles in the trade union movement and society as whole. For more information you can contact Cosatu on (021) 448 0045 or visit the website http://www.cosatu.org.za/ 

PMHP launches latest site at Hanover Park

We closed off the show with an interview with Ingrid Meintjes - Advocacy and communications coordinator of the Perinatal Mental Health Project. We were talking about the launch of their latest site at Hanover Park Maternity Obstetric Unit. PMHP is an independent initiative based at the University of Cape Town. It provides a counselling service in 4 public obstetric facilities in Cape Town as one out of three women living in poverty in South Africa will suffer from a mental health problem related to her pregnancy. For further information you can contact PMHP on (021) 689 8390 or visit the website http://www.pmhp.za.org/

27 March - Human Rights - Youth violence explored

On Sakhisizwe this Tuesday, we heard from Catherine Ward - One of the contributors and editor of a book titled "Youth Violence: Sources and Solutions in South Africa". Ward is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology, and chairs the Safety and Violence Initiative (SaVI), a research initiative that seeks to understand violence and promote safety, at the University of Cape Town. Her research interests lie in youth violence prevention and promoting the healthy development of children. The book reviews the evidence for effective interventions in the contexts of young people’s lives – their homes, schools, leisure activities, interactions with gangs, in the criminal justice system, in cities and neighbourhoods, and with sexual offenders. It is available at leading book stores R 269.95 and as eBook at www.kalahari.net for R 200.95.

Listening Circles on Race commences meaningful conversation on race in South Africa

We were also joined by Nqaba Bucwa – From Listening Circles on Race. This is an eclectic group of Capetonians who have a desire for a meaningful conversation on race in South Africa. Nqaba spoke to us about the outcome of their recent public listening circle on race which took place at Green Point Urban Park this past Saturday. The discussion was about the racial legacy of Apartheid and the observation that black and white South Africans are increasingly growing further apart. For further information you can check www.facebook.com/listeningcircles

Founder of adoptmom talks about her book

Our last interview was with Terri Lailvaux - Founder of adoptmom. Terri is an adoptive mom of a 6 year old boy named Alex and author of a children’s story book about adoption called "The Greatest Gift" which is also available in Afrikaans, Xhosa, German, Italian and French. She is a qualified counselor who runs discussion groups for people with any interest in adoption (pre or post). For more information about her workshops you can contact (021) 761 0745 or visit www.adoptmom.co.za

26 March - Health - TB is curable

In today’s show, we spoke to Dr Greg Symons - A Pulmonologist at Groote Schuur Hospital and UCT’s Lung Institute. This past Saturday, 24th March was World TB Day dedicated to raising awareness about the global epidemic of TB and efforts to eliminate the disease since one third of the world’s population is currently infected with TB according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). It infects about 9-million people worldwide each year and is responsible for about 1,4million deaths. WHO is working to cut TB prevalence rates and deaths by half by 2015. The Stop TB Partnership, a network of organizations and countries fighting TB, organizes the Day to highlight the scope of the disease and how to prevent and cure it. This year’s theme allows people all over the world to make an individual call to stop TB in their lifetimes by visiting www.mystoptb.org to make your own poster or upload a video with a personal message. TB is the commonest cause of death in South Africa with close to a half a million cases being treated in SA annually and it’s also the commonest opportunistic infection seen in HIV-infected persons. You can do your bit to tell the world what you want to see in your lifetime by making an individual call to stop TB in your lifetime. Go to www.mystoptb.org and make your own poster which is entertaining and only takes three minutes to make your wish heard, then upload a video get creative with a personal message and finally share it on facebook or twitter so everyone can hear your call. This year’s objective is to feature South Africa as the country with the most individual calls against TB. Use your three minutes wisely an upload your poster, personal video or both.

Professor Kalla talks about Rheumatoid Arthritis

We were also joined Instudio by Professor Asgar Kalla - Head of the rheumatology department at UCT’s department of medicine. We were talking about Rheumatoid arthritis. Last week Thursday the 22nd of March was Rheumatoid Arthritis Day and according to the Arthritis Foundation of South Africa, one in seven South Africans has some form of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation of the peripheral joints of the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees and feet, usually on both sides of the body, potentially resulting in damage. Women are affected about two to three times more often than men. The incidence increases with age difference. Rheumatoid arthritis is seen around the world and all races are affected. For further information you can contact the Arthritis Foundation of South Africa National Helpline: 0861 30 30 30 or visit www.arthritis.org.za

Western Cape Health Department rolls out Prevenar 13 vaccine campaign

We closed off the show with an interview with Angelique Jordaan - Communications officer for the Western Cape Department of Health. She will be informing us about their four month campaign to ensure that all children between 18 months and three years old as well as high risk children under six receive the best possible protection from Pneumoccocal diseases such as meningitis and pneumonia, in the form of the Prevenar 13 vaccine. The illness kills approximately 1 million children under the age of five annually. For further information you can contact (021) 483 3563.

23 March - Arts, Culture and Environment - Cape Town Carnival to ignite the Mother City

In today’s show, we were joined by Nolufefe Racula – A teacher from Qingqa Mntwana Primary School and some of her dancers. Learners from Qingqa Mntwana will be participating at this year’s Cape Town Carnival. The annual Cape Town Carnival ignites the Mother City with life for the third time tomorrow, the 24th of March at the Fanwalk, Somerset Street, Greenpoint, bringing together a spectacular celebration of art, music and dance. The theme this year is “Cape to Cairo” and is said to celebrate the rich art, music, culture and heritage of the African continent, it also helps raise awareness around important issues like Xenophobia. For more information visit www.capetowncarnival.com or contact (021) 406 2947.

Hot Water to rock Franschhoek Oesfees & Arts Update

We also spoke to Donovan Copley - singer, song-writer, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, facilitator and Hot Water band leader. Hot Water’s music is said to incorporate elements of traditional South African music such as kwela, mbaqanga, sakkie-sakkie, ghoema, maskandi and kwasa kwasa with folk, blues and indie-pop rock. For more information or bookings contact Jessica on (021) 758 6847 or visit www.hotwater.co.za Tomorrow they will be perfoming at the Franschhoek Oesfees. This year the headline acts include David Kramer, Theuns Jordaan, Chris Chameleon, Emo Adams, Hot Water, Tribal Echo and Hannes Coetzee, and many more. Tickets cost R95 for early birds, R110.00 per person if pre-booked. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate for R130. Free entry for Children under 12yrs if accompanied by their parents. Tickets exclude food and beverage coupons, which are available for purchase at the event. For information, see www.solms-delta.co.za or call (021) 874 3937 or email info@solms-delta.co.za Follow them on facebook.com/solmsdelta and Twitter@solms_delta Twitter hashtag #oesfees.




Nigel Vermaas was also in today for the Arts update in and around the city.

Magnet Theatre presents Autopsy

We closed off the show with an interview with Dann-Jacques Mouton and Mandisi Sindo – Cast members of Autopsy. Autopsy is the title of Magnet Theatre’s latest work which opened for a season from the 16th of March until the 1st of April. It is a detective thriller directed by Mark Fleishman and features Dann-Jacques Mouton, Jennie Reznek, Faniswa Yisa and Mandisi Sindo with visuals by Sanjin Muftic. The actors get to play a host of other characters, from Chinese politicians, to traditional healers, shebeen owners to wealthy oil magnates. Performances are Tuesday to Saturday at 20.00 and Sundays at 16h00 at Magnet’s Theatre which is situated at Unit 1, The Old Match Factory, corner St Michaels and Lower Main Roads in Observatory. Ticket prices are R80. Students, pensioners and groups of 10 or more cost R50. Special offers are available. Please contact Margie and also to find out more about the Sunday performances on (021) 448 3436 or send an email to margie@magnettheatre.co.za Bookings are through www.webtickets.co.za and there is free safe parking.

22 March - Labour - SEDA and DWDE to host Business Seminar for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities

In today’s show, we were joined by Denise Dookoo - Marketing Specialist at SEDA and Karina Fischer Mogensen - from DWDE. The Small Enterprise Development Agency will host a day long seminar at the River Club in Observatory on Tuesday, the 27th of March organised by Disability Workshop Development Enterprise. SEDA wants to create awareness of their offerings to specifically the disability sector and reinforce inclusivity in the economy. The seminar is geared towards creating stable partnerships between DWDE and other organisations in the disability sector. Persons with disabilities will have access to engage with Seda and other business developers and investigate how they can start their own businesses. A database of persons with disabilities – especially entrepreneurs – will be established to create a network of opportunities. Stakeholders will exhibit services to assist entrepreneurs with their businesses. Business advisors will meanwhile host free consultation sessions on the day. This event is free but seminar seats are limited to 100 persons with disabilities. Interested persons must RSVP info@dwde.co.za or call (021) 674 6139 by latest March 20. Transport will be provided from Observatory train station between 8am and 9am.

Zenzele empowering unemployed

We closed off the show with an interview with Young Qwase - Manager of Zenzele Training and Development. Zenzele is a community based project which focuses on vocational and business skills training, mentorship and small business development for the unemployed people, especially the youth from Khayelitsha and surrounding areas. To date the organization has trained more than 9000 people in woodwork, sewing, pottery and welding skills and has assisted with either finding formal employment or becoming self-employed through Zenzele’s Business Development Department which provides after care support. They are currently fundraising to buy a bigger building and would like assistance from the public. For further information you can contact Zenzele on (021) 361 1840 or send an email to zenzele@iafrica.com

21 March - Gender - Gender disparities and inequalities impacts on participation in professions

In today’s show, we heard from Dr Angelique Wildschut - Research Specialist of Education and Skills Development at the Human Sciences Research Council. We were discussing how gender inequality impacts on participation in professions and specifically in the health profession. The ESD programme researches education, skills development and capability enhancement at the individual, institutional and systemic levels. For further information you can contact her on (021) 466 7980 or send an email to awildschut@hsrc.ac.za

UCT’s Law, Race and Gender research group is against the Traditional Courts Bill

We also heard from Dr Sindiso Mnisi-Weeks - Senior Researcher for UCT’s Law, Race and Gender research group. We were talking about how the Traditional Courts Bill will impact on the rural communities, women in particular. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development introduced the Traditional Courts Bill in March 2008 on the basis that it would improve “access to justice” by giving proper recognition to the traditional justice system in a manner consistent with values in customary law and the Constitution. Dr Mnisi-Weeks says the Bill is unconstitutional and should not be passed into law. The Bill, now sitting before the National Council of Provinces, is undergoing a nationwide provincial consultation process, which began last week and is scheduled to conclude in May. For further information you can contact visit their website www.lrg.uct.ac.za

19 March - Health - This week marks World Salt Awareness Week

In today’s show, we spoke to Lucy Gericke – A registered Dietician from the Heart and Stroke Foundation. This week marks World Salt Awareness Week and according to the World Action on Salt and Health, 3 million women and 2.5 million men die from stroke every year worldwide. This year’s WASH’s World Salt Awareness Week theme is salt reduction and stroke prevention since salt is the major factor that raises blood pressure and high blood pressure is the single most important risk factor for stroke. Lucy explained more about the benefits of salt reduction. For more information you can contact their sharecall on 0860 143 278 or visit their website www.heartfoundation.co.za

Flying Needle Project offers Acupuncture clinics

We also spoke to Gidon Levenbach – Creator and Developer of the Flying Needle Project. We were talking about free Acupuncture clinics he runs in Cape Town. The mission of the Flying Needle Project is to provide complementary healthcare to the impoverished and vulnerable populations living in South Africa and HIV/AIDS infected people. It utilizes registered Acupuncturists and Doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine who practice Acupuncture and adjunctive therapies. The clinic offers services to those with little or no resources. Gidon explained to us the health benefits of acupuncture. How it works and conditions that can be treated using acupuncture. For more information your can visit www.flyingneedle.org or send an email to flyingneedleproject08@gmail.com

16 March - Arts, Culture & Environment - Ismaël Lô to perfom in Cape Town & Arts Update

In today’s show, we were joined by Bulelwa Makalima-Ngewana - Managing Director of Cape Town Partnership and spokesperson for the City Hall Sessions. City Hall Sessions launches its 2012 season on Tuesday the 20th of March, in celebration of Human Rights Day, by hosting Senegal’s Ismaël Lô at the Cape Town City Hall for one night only. Joining the bill is the Azania Ghetto Sound band, the internationally active reggae group from Nyanga. City Hall Sessions is a project of the Cape Town Partnership’s Creative Cape Town programme, and is aimed at bringing a diversity of world class music performance into the heart of the City. City Hall Sessions works within the historic space of the City Hall, pushing musical and presentation boundaries. Tickets for this show are priced at R75 (unreserved) and R120 (reserved seating upstairs), available from Computicket. The concert starts at 8pm. For more information contact (021) 419 1881 or visit www.cityhallsessions.co.za
PIC taken from: www.cityhallsessions.co.za

We closed off the show with arts update brought to you by our arts fundi Nigel Vermaas.

15 March - Labour - Youngster launches portal for jobless youth

In today's show, we spoke to Bruce Dube – Founder of Youthjobs.co.za, a portal that aims at facilitating or better access to jobs among the youth. The portal strives to avail job posts that the youth can easily apply to, jobs that do not require too much work or academic experience, a criteria most youth do not fit. For more information you can contact him on (012) 335 8461
or visit www.youthjobs.co.za

NETwork empowering unemployed

We closed off with an interview with Ruben Coetzee - Manager of NETwork. The organisation empowers people to stand on their feet in response to unemployment by inviting them to workshops, building relationship, facilitating a transformational job readiness process and creating links to work opportunities. They also offer English lessons. For more information about (021) 761 5370 or visit their website www.network.org.za

14 March - Gender - Young Women’s Leadership Project hosts ‘Talking Sexual Pleasure’ campaign

In today's show we spoke to Christel Antonites – From the Young Women’s Leadership Project. We were talking about the ‘Talking Sexual Pleasure’ campaign. The Young Women’s Leadership Project at the African Gender Institute hosted a range of events under the campaign, ‘Talking Sexual Pleasure’ which happened from Monday, the 27th of February to Thursday the 1st of March. They will conclude the campaign with a formal funtion next week Monday at 19H00. If you want more information contact the African Gender Institute contact (021) 650 4206 or visit www.agi.ac.za

Male sex workers share the highs and lows of the industry

We closed off with an interview with Innocent and Prince (not their real names) - Members of Siyasebenza. Siyasebenza is a support group for male sex workers who meet on a weekly basis to share narratives about their work experiences, gain insight through workshops, and participatory group in the areas of male sexual health, human rights abuse, HIV, STI’s, TB, substance abuse and other mental health issues. We were talking about about some of the highs and lows of being male sex workers. They have a helpline for sex workers in trouble on 0800 60 60.

13 March - Human Rights - Director of Heal our Children challenges the Education Department

In today’s show, we heard from Theresa Witbooi - Director of Heal our Children a Mitchell’s Plain based initiative but also welcoming youth from across the metropole to join their workshops. Her latest fight is for children who do not have access to further education because they either troubled or require special needs. Witbooi is a community worker who has taken on the very necessary and admirable task of uplifting the youth she works with, changing their realities and empowering them one workshop at a time. For further information about her work you can contact Theresa on (021) 371 3528 or on 084 333 0946.

Researcher at the Children's Rights Project explains Children’s Act

We also spoke to Lorenzo Wakefield - Researcher for the Children's Rights Project at the UWC’s Community Law Centre. We were talking about parts of the Children’s Act that is said to be invalid. Wakefield informed the listeners about the recent constitutional court ruling whereby parents whose children have been removed from their care by the state now will have access to automatic review of that decision. This will help fill the gap in the Children’s Act that has in the past made it difficult for disenfranchised families to challenge state officials who have wrongfully removed their children according to child rights activists. The Children's Rights Project works towards the recognition and protection of children's rights within the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The focus of the CRP is on marginalized and vulnerable children. For further information you can contact the Children’s Rights project on (021) 959 2950/1 or visit their website www.communitylawcentre.org.za

South African Human Rights Commission to host public hearings on water and sanitation

Our last interview was with Cameron Jacobs - Senior Researcher at the South African Human Rights Commission. The commission will be hosting public hearings on water and sanitation tomorrow, the 14th of March 2012, at 6 Spin Street opposite Parliament from 08h30-14h30. The discussants will analyse the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation’s report on the status of water and sanitation in the country, receive input from the Makhaza community and consider preliminary findings from the other provinces. The Commission will also launch its 2012-13 campaign to ensure accelerated service delivery of this right. For more information you can contact them on (011) 877 3600 or visit their website at www.sahrc.org.za

12 March - Health - March marks Intellectual Disability Awareness Month

In today’s show, we spoke to Gadija Koopman - Deputy Director of Cape Mental Health Society. We were talking about Intellectual Disability as we know that March marks Intellectual Disability Awareness Month. Intellectual disability or more commonly known as mental handicap refers to a significant deficiency in people's cognitive or intellectual functioning and an inability to acquire the skills needed to function in society. However compared to the past where intellectually disabled people were frequently institutionalised, community care is becoming the norm. Despite the existence of policies and services for the population with intellectual disabilities in South Africa, recognition of and provision for their needs carries low priority according to a study by UCT's department of psychiatry and mental health. For more information you can contact their offices on (021) 447 9040 or visit www.capementalhealth.co.za

DOH continues the diarrhoea campaign

We also spoke to Sister Ruth Maqhasha – From Masincedane Clinic in Athlone. She joined us on the line to talk about Diarrhea. It is a common problem that is usually not serious and can be effectively treated however severe or persistent diarrhea requires specific diagnosis and treatment. Sister Maqhasha explained more more about the diarrhoea campaign that the department is running. For more information your can visit your nearest clinic or day hospital.

This month is Colorectal Cancer Month

We closed off the show with an interview with Dorothy Du Plooy -General Manager of services at CANSA Western Cape. We were talking about Colorectal Cancer. This month is Colorectal Cancer Month which shifts the spotlight to men since one in 83 South African men is at risk at getting colorectal cancer while the rate for women is one in 131 according to the Cancer Association of South Africa. For further information you can contact CANSA on (021) 689 5381 or on the Toll free call centre 0800 22 66 22 or visit their website www.cansa.org.za

09 March - Arts, Culture & Environment - Mixing it up festival & Arts Update

In today’s show, we were joined by Gillian Bosman – Project Manager at the British Council. We were talking about the Mixing it up festival which is an international hip hop dance theatre that’s taking place in Cape Town and Johannesburg. This new South African hip hop dance theatre festival aims to showcase the best of South African dance crews and will give audiences the opportunity to experience leading edge hip hop dance theatre with a uniquely South African flavour. Its happening this weekend at the Artscape Theatre. Performance start at 20:00pm on Saturday and 15:00pm on Sunday. Remember tickets are available at computicket at a cost of R50 and R30 for students on presentation of a valid student card. Mixing it Up is made possible by the British Council in collaboration with Matchboxology Creative Incubator, Heal the Hood Project, Artscape Theatre, Goethe Institut, French Institute, the University of Johannesburg, French Embassy, EUNIC, DJ Switch, and Bush Radio.

We closed off the show with the arts update brought to you by our arts fundi Nigel Vermaas.

08 March - Labour - The Kraal Gallery empowering women

On Sakhisizwe today, we heard from Alex Daniel - from the Kraal Gallery. It is a family business that trains, employs and empowers women to become qualified master weavers and individual fibre artists. The Gallery is socially and environmentally committed to best practices and to creating hundreds of jobs through comprehensive skills transfer and ongoing training. The most recent project has recently begun in the rural Western Cape town of Genadendal. For further information you can contact Alex on (021) 419 6534 / 082 433 3540 or visit their website www.thekraalgallery.com

Cosatu marches against labour brokering

We also heard from Michael Louw - Educator and Organiser for Cosatu’s Regional office in the Western Cape. Mike was briefing us about yesterday’s nation-wide protest against labour brokers and to scrap plans of e-tolling whereby a vehicle is identified electronically by means of an e-tag, the vehicle licence plate number or other electronic means in order to affect the payment of toll. For further information you can contact Michael on (021) 448 0045/6 or visit their website www.cosatu.org.za

07 March - Gender - Cape Chamber of Commerce celebrates International Women’s Day

In today's show we heard from Viola Manuel - Executive Director of the Cape Town Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She was speaking to us about International Women’s Day. The event took place at 15 On Orange in Cape Town. The UN’s International Women’s Day theme this year was Empower Rural women - end hunger and poverty.

Soil for Life greening the townships

We closed off with an interview with Pat Featherstone - Director of Soil for Life, an organisation which teaches people how to build the soil and grow healthy plants so that families can sit down to plates of safe, fresh nutritious food at night, all year round. The low cost methods enable gardeners to harvest large amounts of food from small spaces using very little water and no harmful chemicals. Their Green Revolution is no dream but instead a product of their experience, having worked in townships with people for the past eight years. They run a year long gardening, life and business skills programme and by the end of this programme, people are able to put food on the table and generate an income for themselves and their families. It costs R2 000 to put one community member through the programme. You can help change multiple lives by sponsoring a community member to go on the programme. For more information you can contact Soil for Life on (021) 794 4982 or visit their website www.soilforlife.co.za

06 March - Human Rights - UCT's Children's Institute to host Child Rights and Child Law short course

In today's show we were joined on the line by Paula Proudlock - from UCT's Children's Institute. She joined us to talk about the Short course in Child Rights and Child Law for Health Professionals that they are offering. The course carries Continuing Professional Development (CPD) ethics points and is targeted at doctors, nurses, managers and trainers responsible for child health at all levels of the health care system. It aims to deepen health professionals understanding of children's rights in international and national law, and to enable them to apply these rights in their daily practice. The course also provides up to date training on the new Children's Act, in particular consent to medical treatment and the reporting of child abuse. It takes place in the third week of this month. For more details or to book your space you can contact the institute on (021) 689 5404 or visit their website www.ci.org.za

David Steward to give a talk about the constitution

We closed off with an interview with David Steward - Executive director of the FW de Klerk Foundation. Mr Steward will be giving a talk on the Constitution: 15 years after it came into effect hosted by the University of the Third Age Atlantic this coming Thursday, 8th March. Entry is R5 for members and R10 for visitors, including tea and biscuits. For more information contact Bonnie on (021) 483 8910. For more information about the FW de Klerk Foundation go to www.fwdeklerk.org or contact (021) 930 3622.

05 March - Health - Dr Sher talks about treating mouth ulcers

In today's show, we were joined 0n the line by Dr Marc Sher - a dentist. We were talking about mouth ulcers. It is reported that most of us get mouth ulcers from time to time. They are those painful sores that can appear on the inside of the cheeks, lips and gums that look a little bit like blisters or heat lumps. If you do suffer from mouth ulcers on a regular basis, make sure you visit your nearest dentist. Dr Sher explained more about the available treatment. For more information you can contact his practice on (021) 439 1141 or visit www.the-dental-practice.co.za

This week marks Kidney Awareness Week

We closed off the show with an interview with Professor Charles Swanepoel -Managing director of the Cape Town Kidney and Dialysis Centre. He’s also an associate professor in the Renal Unit at Groote Schuur Hospital. This week marks Kidney Awareness Week and according to the National Kidney Foundation of South Africa, 10% of all people in the world have some form of kidney disease. The foundation says that ten thousand South African men and women, young and old will die of kidney disease or kidney failure every year. However there are luckier patients who can be treated by dialysis or having a kidney transplant. Professor Swanepoel explained more. For further information you can contact the centre on (021) 683 7119 or visit their website www.dialysiscapetown.com

02 March - Arts, Culture & Environment - 5th annual Infecting the City Public Art Festival kick starts next week and Arts Update

In today's show we were joined by Athi-Patra Ruga – One of the artist that will be featured at the Africa Centre’s, 5th annual Infecting the City Public Art Festival, taking place from the 6th to the 10th March 2012. Infecting The City is the largest and most diverse annual public arts festival in South Africa. This year the programme will include 32 works that include installations, dance, poetry, theatre, performance art and music. Athi-Patra explained more about his work titled “Ilulwane”. The 45 minute performance takes place on Wednesday the 7th of March at 9.00pm and Friday the 9th of March at 8.45pm at the Long Street Baths in Cape Town. If you want more information about the festival contact the Africa Centre (021) 422 0468 or visit www.infectingthecity.com/2012

Nigel was also Instudio for the Arts Update.

Greatmore Studios Lionel Davis Award calls for nominations

We will close off the show with an interview with Lionel Davis - Honorary Board Member. We were talking about the Greatmore Studios Lionel Davis Award. This award is aimed at addressing issues faced by artists living and working in semi-rural and rural communities in the Western Cape. It seeks to provide access to opportunities to highly motivated and talented artists from these areas by inviting one artist to participate in a three month residency at Greatmore Studios. During that time the artist will be able to interact, learn from and work with the resident artists at the Studios as well as the visiting artists who will be in residence at the same time. For more information contact (021) 447 9699 or visit www.greatmoreart.org

01 March - Labour - SACOTU commit to worker unity

In today’s show, we spoke to Koos Bezuidenhout – President of the South African Confederation of Trade Unions or SACOTU. Trade union federation leaders from the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) and National Council of Trade Unions (NACTU) recently met to discuss the obstacles and constraints to establish worker unity in South Africa and to develop a programme of joint action. Mr Bezuidenhout explained more about the confederation's mandate. For more information you can contact him on 082 372 0020 or SACOTU Deputy Secretary Joseph Maqhekeni on 078 031 8605.

Community Exchange System is becoming popular

We also heard from Dawn Pilatowicz. We were talking about the Community Exchange System which is an internet based network that allows people to trade goods. It enables sellers to trade their goods to people who will make better use of. Internet networks are becoming ever popular in the corporate world and the community exchange system is just one of the many companies that will help ordinary people to do extraordinary things with their money. Dawn told us more on how it works. For more information about Community Exchange System visit www.ces.org.za or www.community-exchange.org alternatively contact Dawn on 083 226 8250.