Sakhisizwe -Building the Nation - Bou Die Nasie

In today's show, we spoke to Sedick Jordan - Awareness Officer for the Cape Town Society for the Blind. We were talking about how the soaring price of cane in Indonesia is threatening the livelihoods of the blind locally. According to media reports, a countrywide shortage of imported cane is putting the blind community’s income and work opportunity at risk since one container of raw cane brought in from either Indonesia or Malaysia is still more than three months away. The Society met with Alan Winde MEC of Finance, Economic development and Tourism yesterday regarding cane shortage and Mr Jordan said it was a fruitful meeting. For further information you can contact the Society on (021) 448 4302 or visit www.ctsb.org.za

We also heard from Simon Eppel - A researcher for the Southern African Labour Research Institute or SALRI to tell us more about why the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union is opposing Eskom’s electricity tariff hike application. SALRI is a trade union research unit associated with SACTWU. SACTWU members are currently protesting at the NERSA hearings into ESKOM’s electricity tariff hike application that’s currently underway in Johannesburg . The trade union’s concerns are that companies have indicated generally overwhelmingly that there could be large scale retrenchments and also factory closures and therefore they cannot condone actions which threaten the jobs of local workers particularly in the context in which there is such massive unemployment, such poverty and inequality in South Africa . They have been allocated a slot to make a formal submission in that regard today. For more information about SACTWU go to www.sactwu.org.za or contact their offices on (021)...

On the show today, we spoke to Funeka Soldaat - Chairperson at Free Gender. Free Gender, the only black lesbian organization operating in Khayelitsha will be embarking on a walk for justice from Luzuko Township to Guguletu police station to handover a memorandum. This follows the escape of Andile Ngcoza in 2011 on the day of his sentencing. Andile is still on the run after being convicted for the brutal rape of Millicent Gaika. The walk for justice is happening on Saturday the 2 nd of February. They need assistance on the road with fruit and water. For more info contact Funeka on (021) 362 9491 or send an email to freegender2008@gmail.com For more information go to http://freegender.wordpress.com

We also heard from Melanie Botha - Spokesperson for Women in IT. She was speaking to us about their forum. The Women in IT Forum was launched in September 2005 with the aim of providing support and information to women in IT as well as those entering the industry through leadership, education, mentoring/coaching and networking. It consists of a bursary and mentorship programme that helps to grow and develop women within the information technology sector and create formal and informal networks between female IT students, tertiary institutions, South African IT professionals and corporates. For more information go to  www.womeninit.za.net   or contact (011) 467 4935.

We closed off with Neesha Fakir - Programme officer for the United Nations Women in SA to tell us more about the UN Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women and its call for Proposals: Cycle 17. The United Nations Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women is accepting applications for its 17 th grant cycle (2012) from government authorities, civil society organisations and networks including non governmental, women’s and community based organisations and coalitions and operational research institutions and UN Country Teams (in partnership with governments and civil society organisations). It’s inviting proposals in the following areas of action such as closing the gap on the implementation of National and Local Laws, Policies and Action Plans that address violence against women and Addressing violence against Adolescent and Young girls. The deadline for submission of applications is the 12 th of February 2013 . Applicants are ...

In today's show, we spoke to Mandla Hadebe - From the Economic Justice Network to tell us more about the 4 th Alternative Mining Indaba that’s taking place next week in Cape Town . The Indaba will raise issues about poverty of communities adjacent to mining activities, the lack of adequate job creation, and the environmental impact of mining activities on these communities as well as generally sustainability after mining operations end. It also hopes to reflect on what actually caused the unrest and ultimately the strife in the mines preceding the Marikana Massacre. The event’s happening from next week from the 3 rd of February till the 5 th , 2013 at the Strand Towers Hotel. For further information you can contact (021) 424 9563 or visit www.ejn.org.za

We closed off with Anele, Indigenous, Khusta and Zanzolo – Members of Soundz of the South. Soundz of the South or SOS is a cultural resistance movement, aimed at building a counter culture to the one prevalent in our disadvantage communities. We were talking about the Afrikan Hiphop Caravan. This is an initiative of a number of grassroots Hiphop Kollektives and aims to use hip-hop as a tool for social justice, as well as its relevance to community struggles. The Afrikan Hiphop Caravan kick-starts in Cape Town on February 11 th , 2013, it moves across the continent and brings a week of shows and events to Johannesburg, Harare, Nairobi and Dakar before ending at the World Social Forum in Tunis at the end of March. For further enquiries about the Afrikan Hiphop Caravan contact 083 447 2939 or 073 212 1444 alternatively visit www.indiegogo.com/AfrikanHiphopCaravan

On Sakhisizwe today, we spoke to Dr Shahroch Nahrwar - A clinical haematologist at the Cape Haematology about blood related ailments and disorders from anaemia to dread diseases like Lymphoma, myeloma and leukemia. It emerged last year that iron deficiency is the most common and widespread nutritional disorder in the world as two billion people, or over 30 percent of the world’s population are anemic according to the World Health Organization (WHO). While in developing countries, 50 percent of pregnant woman and about 40 percent of pre-school children are estimated to be anemic. Anaemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells that provides oxygen to body tissues. Besides contributing to 20 percent of all maternal deaths anaemia also contributes to poor brain and physical development, extreme fatigue and an increased risk of death in children. Initially, it can be mild and can go undiagnosed until the symptoms intensify which is weakness, shortn...

Dr Roux Martinez - Medical officer for the Burns Unit at Red Cross Children’s Hospital joined us on the line to tell us more about the number of cases they saw over the festive season and holidays, preventative measures and cause of action following a burn. The Specialist C2 Burns Unit at Red Cross Children’s Hospital is the only specialised burns unit treating children under the age of 13 with burn injuries in the Western Cape . It’s also a referral centre for patients with severe burns from all over South Africa , due to a lack of similar facilities in South Africa and southern Africa . As the only dedicated paediatric burns specialist unit in Africa , more than 3500 children with serious burns are treated at the Hospital every year of which 85% of the patients are younger than six and 98% are from disadvantaged communities. Burn Victims face prolonged and painful treatment and in many cases are physically disabled and scarred for life. So please protect your children especially wh...

We closed off with Dr Yussuf Saloojee - Executive director of the National Council against Smoking. We were talking about the new WHO treaty against tobacco smuggling that South Africa signed. The treaty aims to reduce tobacco smuggling worldwide and promote measures that governments can adopt to eliminate smuggling and encourages international co-operation between countries in identifying tobacco smuggling routes and trends, and in apprehending smugglers. The Protocol will help to protect people across the globe from the health risks of tobacco as 44 000 are killed every year in South Africa due to tobacco that is 3 times as many as are killed in road accidents. For further information you can contact the National Council against Smoking on (011) 720 3145 or visit www.againstsmoking.co.za

In today's show, we were joined by Jared Kruger – Project Co-ordinator at the Chaeli Campaign. We were talking about the DisABILITY Dreams Short story competition that they running. Through this competition, writers are encouraged to create stories challenging current understandings, and misunderstandings, of disability in South Africa . The deadline for submission is 22 nd of March 2013 and entry is free . Stories can be in English, Afrikaans or Xhosa and must be 600 words or less and be the previously unpublished exclusive work of the entrant. They also running the Art and Poetry Competition and the closing date for this competition is 10 th of May. Entries can be emailed to jared@chaelicampaign.co.za or sent to The Chaeli Cottage, 18 Culm Road , Plumstead 7800 Cape Town . All entries must contain the entrant’s name, physical address, date of birth and contact details as well as the story’s title. For more informattion visit www.chaelicampaign.co.za

Busi, Lindiwe & Yugendree We were also joined by Singer/songwriter - Lindiwe Suttle. Her debut album “Kamikaze Art” is said to talk about political corruption, being bullied in high school, her love for fashion, the internal struggle between good and bad and social justice songs of unity. On Sunday January 27 th , she will be opening for Toya Delazy at the Old Mutual Summer Sunset concert at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden from 17h30 – 19h00 . Gates open at 16h00. For further information and ticket prices, please contact (021) 799 8783/8620 or visit  www.sanbi.org  or www.oldmutual.co.za/music . Tickets can be booked on www.webtickets.co.za . On Monday Jan 28 th , she will be perfoming at The Waiting Room in Cape Town, Western Cape , 273 Long Street, 8001 Cape Town, Western Cape. Nigel Vermaas was Instudio for this week's Arts Update.

Ruchen, Rique, Busi, Craig & Vinny     We closed off with Craig Potgieter – Bassist, Ruchen Christians – Pianist/Keyboardist & Producer, Vinny Ortell - Synth Keys/Producer and Rique Nelson – Vocalist for The4Mula. The4Mula is a group of 4 musicians from different genres who combined their art to create a unique sound of afro pop. We were talking about their recently released debut album. The album is available at all good music stores. Their first official launch concert is on the 28 th of February at Jamrock in Brackenfell from 8h00PM. Tickets costs R80 and bookings can be made via bookings@nuelight.co.za or for more information visit www.facebook.com/The4Mula

On Sakhisizwe today, we spoke to Mandla Gqamlana - Programme co-ordinator for Masifundise Development Trust. We were talking about their concerns regarding what they term "bureaucratic delays that’s robbing fishers of their livelihoods". Masifundise Development Trust is urging the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to issue interim relief fishing permits immediately so that fishers can exercise their right to earn a living. Unfortunately the department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries was not available for comment. For more information about Masifundise Development Trust you can contact Mandla on (021) 685 4549 or send an email to mandla@masifundise.org.za  

We heard from Alex Fraser - Chairperson of the Silicon Cape Initiative. The Silicon Cape Initiative is a non-profit, community owned and driven movement that aims to improve the environment in the Western Cape to create more and better startups as well as increase access to capital. It envisions of an ecosystem that serves to attract and bring together local and foreign investors, the brightest technical talent, and the most promising entrepreneurs to foster the creation and growth of world-class global intellectual property start-up companies in an environment that competes with other similar hubs around the world. For further information visit www.silicon.com or follow them on twitter.com/SiliconCape  

We closed off with Idris Seedat - Manager of the JSE's Education Division. He was speaking to us about r egistrations for the annual schools and universities JSE Liberty Investment Challenge. JSE Liberty Investment Challenge is an educational youth programme that’s aimed at introducing high school learners and university students to the world of investment and teaches them the fundamentals of investment strategy and is a good opportunity for each student to get insights on the how to invest and the importance of investing on the exchange. The 40 th game commences on the 11 th of March, 2013 and requires learners to form teams which will be given an imaginary sum of R1 000 000 each to invest in JSE-listed shares. Every month the best performing team in each game will win R3 000 and there are five top prizes for the annual winners valued at R60 000 per portfolio in the schools challenge while the university Challenge has three top prizes also valued at R60 000 plus an all-expen...

In today's show, we spoke to Isabé Loubser - Operational manager for Matiisetso or M-TC. We were talking about project Makhosikazi that they run in partnership with the South African Women’s Agricultural Union and Agri SA. The project seeks to empower women living on farms across South Africa to improve their quality of life and that of their families, enabling them to generate an income for themselves, to make informed choices and ultimately transfer their newfound strength, life skills, leadership and knowledge to their children. The project addresses six areas of learning , namely , leadership , health , financial literacy , education , social literacy and small business development. For more information contact 079 898 5697 or send an email to isabe@m-tc.co.za

In today's show, we spoke to Oscar de Waal - Leader of the SA2Uganda Team. We were talking about the outcome of their long-haul ride in support of quality education in South Africa . Four intrepid bikers namely Peter Pretorius, Gerhard, Oscar and Rosca de Waal have arrived safely back in Cape Town after they departed for Kampala , Uganda , in early December last year. Following the adventure, dubbed SA2UGANDA , that was undertaken to raise money for Quality Education for South Africa which is an initiative of Symphonia for South Africa , focused on improving the state of education in the country through its School @ the Centre of Community programme. The team averaged up to 550 kilometres on some stretches having passed through some of Africa’s most remote communities in the course of their expedition, the group visited a total of ten countries (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Lesotho) - battling blistering heat, treach...

Azubuike Okparaugo We were also joined by Azubuike Okparaugo – President of the Nigerian Union Western Cape to tell us more about the outcome of their recent march to parliament regarding what they term "inhumane acts of police brutality against Nigerians in South Africa" . This comes after a 32-year old Nigerian migrant, Mr. Obinna Chinatu Ugboaja, who was an employee of First Coast Technologies, mysteriously died in the custody of some members of the South African Police Service. The Union demands to see those responsible for his untimely death brought to justice according to the law. We also heard from Moses Dlamini – Spokesperson for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate or IPID is a government department that was established to investigate complaints of brutality, criminality and misconduct against members of the police and the municipal police service. Moses explained more on how people can lay a compla...

We closed off with Councillor Danny Christians of Ward 81. We were talking about the indigent grant programme that he will be running next month. The programme will be in Portlands Indoor Sports Center in Mitchell’s Plain. The sessions will deal with who qualifies for their rates and water arrears to be written off by taking documents such as ID, 3 months bank statements, payslips, pension slips, death certificates of spouses or letter of authority from the master’s office and a divorce decree. It’s happening from next week Friday February 1 st , 8 th , 15 th and 22 nd , 2013 from 10AM until 2PM . For further information you can contact Councillor Christians on (021) 391 5505 or 084 411 1166 alternatively send an email to daniel.christians@capetown.gov.za  

In today's show, we spoke to Peter Laubscher - Director of the Leprosy Mission South Africa . We were talking about Leprosy. The 27 th of January marks World Leprosy Day and the theme is “Inclusion for all”. Leprosy mainly affects the skin and nerves and clinically appears in most of the cases as patches with discoloration and numbness of the affected area. If untreated, there can be progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes. Peter explained more about the causes and the available treatment. And the good news is that Leprosy is a curable disease and when treated in the early stages, disability can be avoided. With minimal training, leprosy can be easily diagnosed on clinical signs alone. It is said there is fantastic drug called Selodomite that helps leprosy but it’s very expensive.The Leprosy Mission aims to teach the community about leprosy, support those suffering from it and to help patients and their families overcome their fear and shame. For furt...

Busi and Tony Cedras In today's show, we were joined by multi-instrumentalist -Tony Cedras. Tony has performed or recorded, most often on accordion, with various well-known artists, including Paul Simon, Harry Belafonte, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, and many more. He will be hosting a Performance Art Concert at Barans Restaurant on the 24 th and the 25 th of January 2013. The concert will feature Errol Dyers, Steve Newman, Hilton Schilder and many more. Tickets for the concert start at R100 per performance or R160 for dual performance package. The concert starts at 8PM till 11PM . For bookings contact 076 835 9007.

We also heard from Cheryl Roberts – Publisher of Sparkling women . We were talking about her book titled “Challenges Of Gender Justice in South African Sport: Reflections On Women And Sport In South Africa”. The book features a collection of some of her many articles written over the past twenty years on women and sport in South Africa , particularly our struggle for gender justice in sport, for recognition and acknowledgement of the sports prowess of sportswomen. The launch is on Monday, 21 st of January at South Club in Newlands Cricket Ground, Newlands from 6PM till 8PM . For more information send an email to cherylroberts872@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/SparklingWomen Yugendree Naidoo joined us for this week's Arts Update.

Jeremy Angani and Sylvestre “The bottle”Kabassidi We closed off with Jeremy Angani and Sylvestre “The bottle” Kabassidi . Sylvestre is said to be a rebel with a sensitive soul whose music breaks stereotypes and takes African song into a new dimension. His music is of French African folk, with a blend of an acoustic guitar and percussions and exerts his poetic lyrics in a sensual melody. On Sunday he and his band will be performing at the newly opened Piano Bar in number 47 Napier Street , Cape Town . Cover charge is R80 and booking is essential. To book call 081 851 6000 or 083 309 3805 or 082 833 4559. For more information about his music visit www.kabassidi.com  or www.soundcloud.com/sylvestrekabassidi  

Marieke Aaris and Solly Mtengwane In today's show, we spoke to Marieke Aaris and Solly Mtengwane - From Harambee to tell us more about the opportunities that they provide for unemployed youth. Harambee is a business initiative that provides a sustainable way to successfully employ and retain first time entrants into the world of work. Presently they are looking for young people between the age of 18 and 27 who were not able to enter tertiary institution for different reasons, with less than one year work experience and who are interested to work in a call-centre environment. For further information you can contact Harambee on (021) 425 3111 or visit www.harambee.co.za

We also heard from Wessel Geldenhys - Chairman of the Cape Learning Foundation. The Cape Learning Foundation is a Non Profitable Organization, based in Mitchell’s Plain founded to assist students who can’t afford expensive training courses. It strives to be the best training service provider for rural and disadvantage communities in the Western Cape and surroundings. The Cape Learning Foundation is offering a waiter training course at the Town Centre library from next week Monday January 21 st , 2013 . Registration will take place up until Monday and costs R100 but there are only 50 seats available. For further information you can SMS your name, surname and identity number to 074 315 1838 or contact Kim Flowers on 074 315 1838 alternatively send an email to capelf@live.com or visit www.clf.wozaonline.co.za

 Craig Dumont and Angelo King  We closed off with an interview with Craig Dumont and Angelo King - From Reconstructed Living Lab (RLabs) to tell us more about the 120 scholarships that they are offering to matriculants. The course will cover leadership, entrepreneurship, technology and it also offers internships. It will also empower individuals to  become entrepreneurs, employable and social conscious leaders who will transform their communities and other sectors. The course will run every Tuesday and Thursday from 8am to 4pm . It is opened to young people between the ages For further information you can contact RLabs on (021) 699 1453 or send an email to info@grow.org.za

In today's show, we spoke to Shamiel Slamang - Course coordinator for the Sakinah Foundation. We were talking about the 2013 marriage course – Fiqh of love that will commence tomorrow. The course intends to create a harmonious relationship with one’s spouse devoid of petty arguments and constant nagging, and to create a dynamic team between married people. Classes will commence from tomorrow Thursday January 17 th and thereafter every Thursday until the 28 th of March, 2013 from 7PM to 9PM at Taronga Road Mosque in Rondebosch East. The course cost R430 for new students while current students pay R330 because they do not pay registration fees provided they have a student number. For further information you can contact the Sakinah Foundation on (021) 762 6745 or visit www.ctme.co.za/marriage-course-2013-fiqh-of-love

We also heard from Jobst Olschewski - A Level 2 Instructor for the CrossFit HQ. We were talking about Fittest in Cape Town 2013 competition. Fittest in Cape Town (FiCT) is calling on both men and women to enter their FiCT 2013 competition that will be taking place in Cape Town for the third time after its first two editions in March 2011 and February 2012. FiCT is a test of functional fitness, in which Africa ’s fittest athletes compete in a variety of workouts in order to determine who are the fittest woman, man and gym/team in the mother city. A team consists of 3 women and 3 men and has to be announced upon signup for the competition. Apart from holding the legitimate title " Fittest Woman/Man and Team/Gym in Cape Town" cash prizes worth R20 000 is also at stake. First prize for individuals will be R4 000 for men and women while the winning team will receive R10 000 for their gym. For further information you can visit www.capecrossfit.com

In today's show, we heard from Axolile Notywala - Junior researcher for the Social Justice Coalition. We were talking about the outcome of yesterday’s court judgement regarding the Khayelitsha commission of Inquiry. The O’Regan Commission of Inquiry emerged victorious after the Western Cape High Court ruled in its favour on Monday, following Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s attempt to launch an interdict against the Khayelitsha Commission of Inquiry into policing. The commission was established by Premier Helen Zille in August to investigate allegations of police inefficiencies in Khayelitsha. For further information about SJC you can contact Axolile on (021) 361 8160 or 074 289 5220.

We also spoke to Rifqa Abrahams - Peace Project leader for Community Action towards a Safer Environment or CASE. She was speaking to us about their latest project, the memorial wall in Hanover Park . CASE strives to break the cycle of violence in communities inflicted by years of trauma through various projects and techniques that are implemented to transform communities via the development of community members, creating a positive cycle of healthy individuals, families and community. They launched a peace project last month in Hanover Park that aims to restore dignity to the violent-ridden area by setting up a temporary memorial wall as a reminder of those who have died in the ongoing violence. For further information you can contact CASE on (021) 691 7066 or send an email to ra@case.za. org alternatively visit www.case.za.org

Mthobeli Qona and Nkwame Cedile We closed off with Nkwame Cedile – From the Right2Know Campaign and Mthobeli Qona – Chairperson of the Abahlali baseMjondolo. The Right2Know Campaign in the Western Cape calls on members of the community to assist victims of the fi re that ravaged the BM section of Khayelitsha on the 1 st of January 2013 with food, clothing, toiletries and any other items that may be of assistance. Collection points have been arranged at the following sites: Equal Education Bookery at 20 Roeland Street in Cape Town. Treatment Action Campaign at Town 1 Properties in Sulani Drive, Site B, Khayelitsha. Bush Radio: 330 Victoria Road in Salt River. Pick ‘n Pay: All Western Cape stores.   For more information please contact Nkwame on 078 227 6008 or Mthobeli on 071 351 8483.