29 June - Arts, Culture and Environment - City Hall Sessions back with a bang!

David, Busi & EJ

In today's show, we were joined by EJ von Lyrik - Hip Hop and funk artist and Actor - David Isaacs. They will be part of the City Hall Sessions. The City Hall sessions brings the heat to Cape Town’s winter with a second line-up for 2012, starting on Thursday the 5^th of July, with its final show on Saturday the 7^th of July. The three day ‘minifest’ of music will offer a range of voices and explore pieces from the jazz genre to contemporary African flavour. It will feature artists like EJ, Zolani Mahola, Joe Nina, MXO, Madala Kunene and a rare Cape Town performance from the great Caiphus Semenya. 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 the event are priced from R 40 to R 150, including substantial discounts for students, and are available from Computicket. They say the March programme of City Hall Sessions sold out a week prior to the concert therefore bookings are essential. The concert starts at 19h30 on Thursday and 20h00 on both Friday and Saturday evening, at the Cape Town City Hall. For more information visit www.cityhallsessions.co.za

Dean Joseph ready to explore & Arts Update

Dean

We were also joined by Dean Joseph - performer, singer, songwriter and a youth activist. He is a lead vocalist for the Dean Joseph band. The band consists of 6 members. Dean's dream is to perform some of his favorite tunes and chant freedom on the biggest reggae trance parties ever. He has just released his second album entitled "Legend". For more information about the band, the album or for bookings contact him on 078 609 9354 or send an email to d.lackay@yahoo.com alternatively check his
facebook page on www.facebook.com/dlackay  


We heard from Nigel with this week's arts update calling us from the Grahamstown National Arts Festival.

Catch Azishe! Jazzart Dance Theatre Festival at Artscape

Jackie Manyaapelo - Jazzart Artistic director was here to tell us about Azishe! Jazzart Dance Theatre Festival. Jazzart Dance Theatre’s popular Danscape has been rebranded as Azishe! in 2012. Translated from isiZulu “azishe” means “let it burn”, the festival name is inspired by the energy, passion and hunger to succeed that its young participants have brought to the Danscape festival stage since 1999. It will be taking place from the 5^th  till the 8^th of July at the Artscape Theatre. Tickets costs only R70 or R50 for block bookings and are available from Computicket or Artscape's Dial a Seat on (021) 421 7695 or visit www.artscape.co.za

28 June - Labour - Grow Academy to host a Boot Camp Programme for unemployed youth

Christine, Justine, Rabia and Monique  

In today's show, we were joined by Monique Ross of Grow Academy and Christine Taphel – from Reconstructed living lab to tell us more about the five day Boot Camp Programme for unemployed youth and the digital passionate that they will be hosting in collaboration with the Rlabs. Grow graduate Rabia Adamson and current intern Justine also joined us. Grow Academy aims to make a difference in the city and South Africa by providing a stepping-stone for school leavers and the digitally passionate unemployed to get back into the job market. The five day Boot camp programme for unemployed youth and the digital passionate will consist of four modules including Social Media, Word Press web design, Search Engine Optimization and Crowd sourcing. In addition the recruits will also be introduced to soft skills like business writing and presentation in the work environment. It will be lead by industry experts and focus on the practical implementation of skills, to prepare graduates for their internship positions where they can gain experience within the non - profit industry in the hope that it leads to long term employment and the birth of young entrepreneurs. The boot camp will take place from July 9 to 13, 2012 at Rlabs from 8:00am till 4:00pm. For further information you can contact Grow Academy on (021) 699 1453 or info@grow.org.za

How to get over the tax season with little stress

Johan Swart - Tax manager at Legal & Tax joined us at 13:10PM. He gave us tips for a painless tax season. The tax season is with us again, with filing for the 2012 tax year set to begin on the 1^st of July and end on the 30^th of November. This tax year covers March 1^st 2011 to February 29^th 2012. Johan gave us few tips to help you get through tax filing time with as little stress and heartache as possible. He says filing an income tax can be a surprising amount of work. It’s best to get an early start so that you can submit your return before the rush starts. If you are due a refund, the sooner you file, the sooner you’ll get your money. And if you have underestimated your tax contribution, you may be able to save substantially on penalties and interest payable if you submit early. Remember don’t wait until the absolute deadline to file since SARS offices can be very busy at this time and the eFiling service has been known to fold under deadline demand. For more information you can contact your nearest SARS office or visit www.sars.gov.za and for more information on Legal & Tax, visit www.legalandtax.co.za or call 0860 587 587 or email info@legalandtax.co.za. Follow them on Twitter @LegalandTax or join them on Facebook 

Starfair Business Consulting to host FREE Business Information Session

We closed off with an interview with Ezzad Fakier of Starfair Business Consulting and Marion Le Fleur - marketing manager. They were speaking to us about the FREE Business Information Session that they will be hosting next month. SBC is running a FREE Business Information Session to all persons interested in starting their own business. It will cover - what it takes to start up a business, understand the different types of businesses, be informed as to where and how to register and finding out more about accessing finance. The session is taking place on Wednesday July 11^th 2012 in Lower Klipfontein and Springbok Street, Athlone from 9:00am till 12:00pm. For further information you can contact Marion on (021) 637 3769/ 0640 or send an email to info@starfairbc.co.za 

27 June - Gender - SAFA to face CGE on Gender transformation

In today's show, we spoke to Janine Hicks - Lead commissioner for Gender, Democracy and Good Governance at the Commission for Gender Equality. We were talking about their call on SAFA President to account for Gender transformation. The Commission for Gender Equality will host a public hearing for investigation purposes on South African Women Football Association’s (SAWFA) complaint against South African Football Association (SAFA). The hearing will serve as a platform to determine both the kind of challenges that beset SAFA and measures that may be put in place to address them in line with the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000. This comes after it was evident from findings of an investigation that there is no gender transformation in South African Football. The hearing will take place tomorrow Thursday June 28, 2012 at Constitution Hill, Braamfontein from 09h30 to 16h00. For further information you can visit  www.cge.org.za

SWEAT is hosting a seminar on Sex Work and Feminism

We also heard from Ntokozo Yingwana - Advocacy Officer for Sweat to tell us more about the Cape Town Sex Workers' Open University seminar on Sex Work and Feminism that’s currently underway. A Cape Town Sex Workers' Open University Seminar Sex Work and Feminism is hosted by Sweat questioning “Is there room for sex work in feminism and is there room for feminism in sex work? Can a sex worker call herself/himself a feminist? And what do feminists have to say about that? The seminar entailed feminists and sex workers unpacking these and more as the guest speakers included Dr Benita Moolman - a feminist Researcher, Writer and Activist of the Human Sciences Research Council, Shane Petzer - Sweat Co-founder, Oratile Moseki - Advocacy Manager, Kholi Buthelezi - Sex worker feminist, and Sisonke National Coordinator - Theresa Olesen who has a BSc in International Development Studies and Performance Design MA student from the Roskilde University Centre (Denmark). For further information you can contact Sweat on 0800 60 60 60 or send an email to info@sweat.org.za

Gender Reconciliation International to host Gender Reconciliation Workshops

We closed off with an interview Shamiema Mcleod - From Gender Works to tell us more about the Gender Reconciliation Workshops that will be held here in Cape Town on the 27^thto the 29^th of July. The workshops are hosted by the Gender Reconciliation International and provide a unique forum for women and men to explore, separately and together, the realities of gender disharmony, and engage in constructive dialogue and healing work on some of the most divisive and seemingly unsolvable gender issues. The process is simple and structured yet touches deep places of healing and compassion as the methodology is experiential and enables men and women to build respectful and meaningful relationships and to share and address issues that are rarely discussed which frequently leads to breakthroughs in mutual understanding, forgiveness and reconciliation. Professionals, the religious, community workers, students, those in strained relationships and all with an interest bridging the gender divide will benefit from the workshops as it aims to improve relationships with the opposite and your own gender, listening skills, less fear and more understanding. Admission costs R600 and the non-profit rate is R300. Limited amount of bursaries are available, please enquire. For more information about specific workshop dates and for registration contact Shamiema on 073 153 9274 or Laurie Gaum on 083 456 1986.

26 June - Human Rights - City of Cape Town launches June school holiday programme

In today's show, we spoke to Vivian Miller - A City of Cape Town seasonal play leader. He joined us to talk about the sport and recreational activities that they offering as part of their June school holiday programme. With the June school holidays comes the concern that children are vulnerable to all kinds of danger as they left to their own devices. The City of Cape Town's Sport, Recreation and Amenities Department is hosting about 500 holiday programmes at its many sports facilities, community centres and libraries to keep youngsters busy from June 25 to July 13 2012, and encourages parents to make use of the daily programme. The City's Library and Information Services Department is also hosting a number of activities at its public libraries, including games, puzzles, art and crafts, storytelling, DVD shows, face-painting, soup kitchens, art classes, painting, reading clubs and magic shows. The indoor programmes include board games, gymnastics, rope skipping, karate, pool, poetry and drama, concerts, indigenous games, cultural dances and fitness training, Hip Hop dancing, sports and fitness activities, talent shows and arts and crafts.  Outdoor programmes include five-a-side soccer, mini-netball, basketball, cricket, hockey, sport against crime, big walks, fun runs, jumping castle, face painting, trampoline, touch rugby and various recreational activities and family fun festivals. For further information you can contact Vivian on (021) 397 2629 or 073 231 2641 alternatively send an email to bishopmiller@hotmail.com  

Today marks World Drug Awareness Day

We also heard from Enya Van Zyl – Admissions co-ordinator at Badisa's Ramot Treatment Center for Addiction.Today is World Drug Awareness Day, and the spotlight will be focused on increasing substance abuse and addiction worldwide and measures taken to counteract the problem. Badisa says everyone should take note of its scope and lend their support to rehabilitation centres and the police. Badisa manages two of these facilities: Toevlug in Worcester and Ramot in Parow. Badisa found that although drug and alcohol dependence was not related to a given age group, race or gender, younger people did show a preference for tik, heroin, dagga, Mandrax, cocaine and over-the-counter substances, while alcoholism was mainly a problem amongst people over the age of 35. Enya explained more. On the 3^rd of August, Ramot will be hosting a workshop free of charge for businesses who want to implement a drug policy as part of their commitment to occupational health and safety legislation. Those interested can contact Ramot on (021) 939 2033 or by email at admin@ramot.co.za 

Social Justice Activist challenges necklacing

Nkwame, Busi & Daniel Weeks

We closed off with an interview with Nkwame Cedile – Social Justice Activist. Nkwame is on a hunger strike to draw attention to the acts of vigilante necklacing in Khayelitsha. He has written a letter to Premier Helen Zille and Mayor Patricia De Lille highlighting concerns about necklacing and intends to send the letter to President Jacob Zuma as well. He said there are deeper social ills that needs to be addressed instead of focusing on the symptomps and ignoring the actual cause. Is necklacing an answer to the issue of crime? For more information contact Nkwame on 078 227 6008 or visit www.facebook.com/nkwame.cedile

25 June - Health - Tomorrow marks the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

In today's show, we spoke to Ruth Fortuin – Assistant Director at the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence or SANCA Tygerberg. We were talking about Substance Abuse. One of SANCA’s objectives is to develop and implement substance abuse prevention and awareness programmes based on experiential and life style principles to particularly vulnerable target groups in their areas of operation. Tomorrow marks the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This important day was created by the United Nations General Assembly to help create a society free of illegal drugs and drug abuse. For more information about SANCA contact their offices on (021) 945 4080/1 or visit www.sancawc.co.za

22 June - Arts, Culture & Environment - NWU's Artéma dreams to be a leading role-player in SA arts industry

In today's show, we spoke to the Chris de Bruin – Manager at the Institute for Arts Management and Development or Artéma at the North-West University. He joined us to talk about the institute. Artéma dreams to be a dynamic, leading role-player within the Southern African arts industry presenting training in Arts Management and all related disciplines on an international level and by the successful running of other related arts businesses. For more information contact (018) 299 2850 or send an email to artéma@nwu.ac.za alternatively visit www.artema.co.za

PIC: www.nwu.ac.za

Arts and Culture Minister to address Youth Imbizo & Arts Update



Paul Mashatile     

We also spoke to Abaram Lekalakala - Youth and Development directorate from the department of Arts and Culture. Tomorrow, Arts and Culture Minister, Paul Mashatile will host the youth at a special Youth Imbizo in Diespsloot, as part of the Government's Public Participation Programme. The event is aimed at youth practitioners from the arts, culture and heritage sector, providing them with an opportunity to talk to Minister Mashatile about the role and contribution they can make toward the successful implementation of Mzansi Golden Economy. The MGE strategy, adopted by the Department last year, aims to better position the creative economy in South Africa, which has the potential to be a leading sector in generating economic growth, employment, trade and skills development. The theme of the meeting is “Strengthening Mzansi's Golden Economy for Youth”. Abaram explained more. For more information visit www.dac.gov.za or contact him on (012) 441 3662.
Pic: www.sahistory.org.za 

We heard from Nigel Vermaas with this week's Arts Update.

Freedom Dialogue to be showcased in Paarl

Winslow Schalkwyk joined us instudio. He was here to talk about the Poetry Production Freedom Dialogue. The production has been accepted into the Arts Lounge Program at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival 2012. It aims to revisit the South African struggle for freedom and to create a dialogue about freedom using poetry and percussion. Directed by Eldene Jones -Winslow and Glen Arendse, will examine our notions of freedom and deliver commentary from pre and post 1994, and flow through history remembering not only the Cape Town struggle or South Africa's struggle for freedom but also the struggle to be a human, to be free, to be comfortable in your own skin and be classified as South African. Tomorrow they will be performing in Paarl from 2PM as a fundraiser to get the crew to the National Arts Festival Grahamstown. Entrance is R50. For more bookings contact 079 256 2080 or visit www.freedomdialogue.blogspot.com or check him out on www.facebook.com/WarriorWinslow

21 June - Labour - Cape Chamber of Commerce launches Chamber Youth Desk

In today's show, we spoke to Viola Manuel – Executive Director of the Cape Chamber of Commerce. The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry has officially launched the Cape Chamber Youth Desk. According to the Cape Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber Youth Desk will become a representative embodiment of the development and promotion of youth entrepreneurial activity in the Cape Region and beyond. It will also become a key partner in engaging and lobbying government institutions to create a more favourable business environment for Youth Owned Businesses and to significantly reduce the cost of doing business for young entrepreneurs. Viola said they will be calling on big businesses to support the programmes of the Chamber Youth Desk and will also engage with their international partners to create an International Youth Fellowship Exchange programme. For more information you can contact their offices on (021) 402 4300 or send an email to youth@capechamber.co.za

ILRIG to host public forum on Youth Wage Subsidy

Michael Blake

We were also joined by Michael Blake - Researcher and education officer at the International Labour Research and Information Group or ILRG. Next Thursday ILRIG will be hosting a public forum on Youth Wage Subsidy: Will this address unemployment and who is driving this agenda? The R5 billion youth wage subsidy for the unemployed announced by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan last year was due to be implemented two months but Cosatu's refusal to discuss the policy has resulted in its delay. In the policy, a company employing a worker between 18 and 29 years old would receive 50% of the worker's salary back from the taxman, provided the worker earned less than the personal income tax threshold, which was raised from R57, 000 a year to R59, 750. But Cosatu is arguing that the subsidy would exploit workers and result in companies retrenching older workers in favour of cheaper labour. Makashule Gana – from the Democratic Alliance Youth was also part of the discussion. The DA has embarked on the ‘Youth Wage Subsidy Now’ campaign to lobby for the implementation of the Youth Wage Subsidy. They say the implementation of the subsidy will be a means of helping to alleviate the unemployment crisis facing South Africa’s youth. The public forum will start from 6:00PM at the Salt River Community House at number 41 Salt River Road in Salt River. Speakers will be confirmed. For more information contact their office on (021) 447 6375 or visit www.ilrig.org

20 June - Gender - Founder of "A Women’s Path" talks women empowerment!

In today's show, we were joined by Nwabisa Lisa – Founder of "A Women’s Path". The aim of the project is to uplift and encourage women, to find their own purpose in life in order to follow their own destiny. It encourages women to look back to where they come from, acknowledge where they are, and find a way of moving forward. On Saturday the 23^rd of June she will be hosting a workshop where I will be a guest speaker talking about “women, the builders of society”. The workshop is going to be hosted at the Grand Daddy Hotel at 38 Long Street in Cape Town. Starting from 10:00AM till 15:00PM, tickets cost R120. For bookings or more information you can contact her on 083 688 6497 or send an email to nwabisa@awomanspath.co.za alternatively visit www.awomanspath.co.za

Ubuntu Women empowers the youth

We also heard from Sadia Diedericks – Founder of Ubuntu Women. The organiasation focuses on skills development, training and providing employment opportunities for young people in Mitchell's Plain. They currently work with Rocklands high school. Sadia explained more about their services. For further information you can contact her on (021) 392 7874.

19 June - Human Rights - Refugees to "Protest for Human Rights"

In today's show, we were joined by Jean-Claude Lubwa – From Worldwide women association. He was here to talk about the "Protest for Human Rights" on World Refugee Day. A protest is being organised against the Department of Home Affairs’ plan to close Refugee Reception Offices which provides essential services for refugees and asylum seekers in cities and instead move them to remote boarder posts. Tomorrow Wednesday June 20^th is World Refugee Day which was established by the United Nations to honour the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homes under threat of persecution, conflict and violence. It appears there are over 43.7 million refugees and internally displaced people around the world. Moving them to distant boarder crossings will have devastating consequences on the rights of refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa. In addition to the protest organisers will also hand over a memorandum of grievances to the honourable speaker of parliament. The Protest Against the closure of the Refugee Reception office in Maitland will proceed from opposite CPUT in Keizergracht Street at 11:00AM. For further information you can contact Braam on 084 319 1764 or Jean-Claude on 076 243 4841 alternatively visit www.passop.co.za  

PHM to host People’s Health Assembly

We also heard from Louis Reynolds - Associate Professor at the Education Development Unit at UCT’s Faculty of Health Sciences. He was speaking to us about the People’s Health Assembly that will be taking place at the beginning of July. The People’s Health Assembly, organised by the PHM, is a global event bringing together health activists from across the world to share experiences, analyse global health situations, develop civil society positions and to develop strategies which promote health for all. It will look at forums of action to address identified challenegs and build capacity among health activists to act. The 3^rd People’s Health Assembly will take place on July 5, 2012 at UWC. For further information you can visit www.phmovement.org  or PHA3 Facebook group

City wants to evict ABFA

We closed off with an interview with Pieter Wesselink – Director at the African Brothers Football Academy. The Academy leased the fields of Gardens Commercial, for five years and in terms of the lease the Academy undertook to improve the facility but on the 16^th of March 2012 they received a notice from the City of Cape Town requiring that they cease all activity at the Academy. According to ABFA, the City argues that they are in contravention of the Zoning Regulations applicable to the property in that they are using the facility for business purposes or as a place of instruction or as a place of assembly. The city believes that the current consent use for the property covers only pupils from the Gardens Commercial High School. The Academy feels that compliance with their notice will deprive all the other schools which use the facilities. We were also joined on the line by Michael Wilter – from the Western Cape Department of education to give the department' side of the story as they were involved when this project was initiated. To prevent the City of Cape Town from closing down ABFA you can sign a petition at www.abfa.co.za or send an email to support@abfa.co.za