Sakhisizwe -Building the Nation - Bou Die Nasie

On Sakhisizwe today, we spoke to Claire Homewood - Founder of the Muizenberg Festival. The Muizenberg Festival is a community-created festival to celebrate the people, businesses, organizations, projects and perspectives that are working together to develop Muizenberg’s combined potential and sustainability and will be officially launched tonight at 36 Palmer Road, The Village, Muizenberg from 6PM to 9PM. For more information visit www.muizenbergfestival.co.za or www.facebook.com/MuizenbergFestival2014 alternatively www.facebook.com/madeinmuizenberg

Anna & Bulelani Anna Teske and Bulelani Futshane - from the South African Education and Environment Project or SAEP were Instudio. SAEP’s projects have developed in response to community needs to help the next generation build academic and life skills, prepare for and succeed in higher education and employment, and contribute as leaders to South Africa's economic and social development. They are looking for riders to be part of the Cape Argus Pick n Pay SAEP Charity Team and today is the last day they can enter riders. Riders must be willing to donate R1500 riding fee. For more information contact their offices on (021) 447 3610 or visit www.saep.org Nigel Vermaas was also Instudio for this week's Arts update.

We closed off with Micky van der Hoeven – from the Schools Environmental Education and Development or SEED. SEED is a non-profit organisation that works towards facilitating teacher and school- driven movements which aim to build outdoor learning environment through Permaculture   and this Saturday and the next Saturday they will be running a food gardening workshop in Mitchell’s Plain for Mitchell’s Plain residents only. For more information or to book contact (021) 391 5316 or send an email to micky@seed.org.za  

In today's show, we spoke to Dr Melanie Brown – Executive Director at the Communiversity of South Africa. The Communiversity is a new and exciting venture in urban and rural community education focused on the present need for relevant trades, skills, and professional development. It provides truly practical post-secondary education and training to a growing population of bright and deserving high school graduates and non-graduates. The Communiversity brings young people successfully into the work force while providing them with opportunities for in-depth personal growth, so they can become outstanding entrepreneurs, inspiring community leaders and model citizens, as well as sought-after employees. For further information you can contact (021) 824 0055 or visit www.communiversitysa.org

Melilizwe Gqobo - Partner at the Hubspace Khayelitsha joined us on the line. Hubspace is a Social Enterprise that provides the most talented and promising in Khayelitsha, with access to a shared work environment, advisory services, capital and a collaborative network of professionals, interns, trainers and mentors. For further information you can contact their offices on (021) 363 2964 alternatively visit www.hubspace.co.za

We also spoke to Nashira Abrahams - Dispute Management and Prevention Commissioner at the CCMA about Employment Contracts. 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. For more information contact the CCMA on their call centre on 0861 16 16 16 or go to www.ccma.org.za

Albert Fritz - Western Cape MEC for Social Development joined us on the line to talk about the newly launched Rocklands Youth Café. The Youth Café is designed to provide young people between the ages of 17 and 25 with opportunities, skills development and entrepreneurship training. It is a partnership between the provincial Department of Social Development and RLabs. For more information you can contact (021) 391 0292.

On Sakhisizwe today, we spoke to Mareldea Sonday and Dilsha Ishmael - From the Mitchell’s Plain Network Opposing Abuse about the anger management workshop they hosted last Saturday. We also heard from David Kannemeyer who participated in the workshop. For further information about these workshops you can contact their offices on (021) 376 4788.

Patrick Godana – National Manager Sonke Gender Justice was Instudio. We were talking about Gender Based Violence with a special emphasis on children and what men can do in ending Gender Based Violence. The programme is brought to you by MenCare. MenCare is a global campaign to promote men’s involvement as equitable, responsive and non-violent fathers and caregivers. For further information you can contact Sonke Gender Justice on (021) 423 7088 or visit www.men-care.org or www.genderjustice.org.za

We closed off with William Simmers - Coordinator of the Mitchell’s Plain Advice Office. We were talking about their first outreach programme on youth and children development and the effects of abuse, domestic violence, crime and substance abuse they will be hosting tomorrow at the Mitchell’s Plain midwife obstetric unit between 10AM and 11AM. For further information you can contact the office on (021) 392 2000 or send an email to mitchellsplainadv@telkomsa.net  

In today's show, we spoke to Lorenzo Davids – CEO of the Community Chest of The Western Cape. Last week Tuesday the Board and the Management of the Community Chest announced their decision to cancel this year’s Community Chest Carnival. The carnival is a fundraising platform. The money raised at the Carnival is then distributed amongst some 300 social development organizations which the Community Chest supports in the Western Cape . Mr Davids explained more about the reasons that led to this decision. Over the following nine months the Board and the Management will work with all volunteers and stakeholders to strategize a new and exciting Carnival 2015 in order to provide the necessary funding to community organizations at an acceptable level. For further information you can contact (021) 424 3344 or visit www.comchest.org.za

Charles Ainslie – Director at the Learning Trust joined us on the line. The Learning Trust is a non-profit, funding organisation that makes grants and provides capacity development support to emerging organisations whose focus is to improve the educational experience of South African learners while strengthening local communities. For further information you can contact their offices on (021) 705 2756 or visit www.thelearningtrust.org

We closed off with Dez Jansen – Vice-Chairman of the Rotary International Youth Exchange. We were talking about the Rotary Youth Exchange program. They are inviting students to apply and be part of the program next year. The program offers numerous benefits to its young participants and their Rotarian hosts and mentors, as well as to the community at large. They have the Long-term exchange which usually last one year and the Short-term exchange. These exchanges vary from several days to several weeks; they often take place when school is not in session and usually do not include an academic program. The closing date for applying in the 7 th of February this year. For further information on the long term exchange you can contact Gavin Schachat on 084 578 5080 or send an email to robla717@iafrica.com or James Robertson for the short term exchange on 083 255 4324 or send an email to james@silasvalley.com

In today's show, we spoke to Peter Laubscher - Director of the Leprosy Mission South Africa . We were talking about Leprosy. Yesterday it was World Leprosy Day and this day is observed each year on the last Sunday in January by organisations involved in leprosy including the World Health Organisation. 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. 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 furth...

Bukiwe, Samantha & L uthando   On Sakhisizwe today, we spoke to Bukiwe “B” Njani, Luthando “T-Dos” Buje and Samantha “Sammy” – members of Hip-Notix. We were talking about their music careers and their new single called “Ndimbonile”. Hip-Notix is said to be the next big thing out of Cape Town. For more information or bookings contact Lusanda Plaatjie on 078 487 3896 or Nhlanhla Ndlovu on 072 437 2212 or go to www.facebook.com/Khetshe-Production

We heard from Andy Mac of MacStanley. The band will perform with friends at the Old Mutual Summer Sunset concert at Kirstenbosch on Sunday the 12 th of January. The friends that will be joining this popular group are Ard Matthews, former front-man of Just Jinjer and Craig Hinds of Watershed. Tickets cost R120 for adults and the special Youth Ticket (6-21 yrs) cost R85. Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concerts take place at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden . Rhodes Avenue , Newlands, Cape Town on Sundays from 17:30 - 19:00 . For further information please call (021) 799 8783/8620 or visit www.sanbi.org   or dogreatthings.co.za/music/kirstenbosch/kirstenboschconcert-programme Book online: www.webtickets.co.za Follow the music: Facebook:  OldMutualSA or Old Mutual Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts Twitter: @OldMutualSA or #OMKBRocks Nigel Vermaas was Instudio for this week's Arts Update.  

Andy DaSoul - Sound Engineer, Music Composer, Producer and Filmmaker was Instudio. We were talking about his production company. He is looking for more talent this year starting from musicians, composers and song writers to enlarge his library data base. For more information about you can visit www. dasoulproductions.co.za or send an email to dasoulproductions @gmail.co m or follow him on twitter at @AndyDasoul

Captain Ezra October and Sergeant Hilton Malila In today's show, we spoke to Captain Ezra October and Sergeant Hilton Malila – From the South African Police Service about the SAPS Recruitment Drive. The SAPS is inviting young, energetic, intelligent, physically and mentally fit individuals for enlistment in the Basic Police Development Learning Program for vacancies at various stations in the Western Cape Province . Selected applicants shall participate in a Basic Police Development Learning Program:- ten months training at a designated SAPS Academy during which the SAPS will provide free training gear, meals and accommodation; twelve months training at a designated Field Police Development police station during which the trainee shall be responsible for his/her own meals and accommodation; two months Integrated Assessment at a designated SAPS Academy (free meals and accommodation).   Upon successful completion of the program trainees will be considered for permanent appointm...

We also heard from Nashira Abrahams - Dispute Management and Prevention Commissioner at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration or CCMA. We were talking about Working Hours and Notice Periods. The Basic Conditions of Employment laws set maximum working hours and minimum rest and break periods for workers. The law states that workers may not work more than an average of 45 hours a week. Nashira explained more about the basics of working hours. For more information contact the CCMA on their call centre on 0861 16 16 16 or go to www.ccma.org.za

Mike Anderson - National Small Business Chamber Founder & CEO. We were talking about the “ Think Beyond a Job, Create Your Own” National Seminars he will be hosting next month. For further information you can contact Juanita on 0861 SA NSBC (72 6722) or send an email to juanita@nsbc.org.za alternatively visit www.thinkbeyondajob.co.za