Sakhisizwe -Building the Nation - Bou Die Nasie

On 30th, July,2019, we had an interview with Sylvestre Mido an Eve from Congolese Action Youth Platform(CAYP), born in UK on 2011. Sylvestre Mido is a Congolese British IT professional and activist and he is the spokesperson of the Congolese Action Youth Platform. His family fled in Congo in 1999, due to the civil war when he was 16 years old. As his interest and activist spirit grew ; so did his activities around this and naturally became the spokesperson for Geno-Cost. This year ,Sylvestre completed a marathon to raise funds and awareness for the cause and now organizing the events for 2nd and 3rd August to commemorate the mass genocide that happened and continues to happen in DRC. The Geno-Cost is an initiative from the Congolese Action Youth Platform for the recognition of the Genocide against the people of DRC. The campaign aims to happen the 3rd of August to recognize and commemorate this day to remember all those we have lost in Congo. The event is open to everyone and ...

On 30th, July,2019, we had an interview with Janome Montaqu from Mother Theresa Healing Centre. Mother Theresa Healing Centre is a Non-profit Organisation that is situated in Austinville, Blackhealth. The centre was established in 2013 and offers intermediate home-based care to both senior citizens and mentally challenged individuals. The centre was established in response to the vast number of public hospitals that do not have adequate beds or other much needed resources to provide quality aftercare to their parents.  He focus on the organisation , their collaboration with public hospitals, services they provide to offer intermediate home-based care to both senior citizens and mentally challenged individuals and how patients can participate to get accommodation or medicals needs. For more information, you can contact them on:  Call: 021 907 9049 or 064 191 84 59 E-mail: mothertheresahc@gmail.com

We had an interview with Kim Webster from The Sunflower Fund. Sunflower Day'#IAM-HOPETAG'. One of the many ways the Sunflower fund raises funds and awareness is through campaigns like Sunflower Day. Sunflower Day is an annually event that is all about rallying support for individuals diagnosed with life-threatening blood diseases like leukaemia. Over the past 16 years, it has grown beyond the sale of TOPES to an open source campaign through which schools, corporate's,supporters and the general public celebrate Sunflower Day and raise funds for the Sunflower Fund. She focus on Sunflower Day, the aim of #IAM-HOPETAG and their campaign. This year the Topes comes in six different colors with an encouragement message. For more information, you can contact them on: Call: 0800 12 1082

We had an interview with  Alrika Hefers    from St Joseph's home for chronically ill children. St Joseph’s Home (SJH) is a registered non-profit organization which has been a pioneer in the field of paediatric intermediate health care in South Africa. They provide free transitional care for chronically ill children from disadvantaged families, from hospital to home through a holistic health and wellness programme.  St Joseph's takes care of children who have been diagnosed with life threatening illnesses such as HIV/Aids, cancer, arthritis, type 1 diabetes, heart-lung-kidney failures and congenital abnormalities.  Today they host about 500 children per year and they care for disadvantage children and children who don't have any medical support.  Alrika focus on the organization and their Paediatric Rehabilitation Service , services they provide to take care of children. For more information, you can contact them on:  Website: www.s...

We had an interview with Delene Roberts from Sisters Incorporated, that aims to help every woman, teenager and child in crisis heal physically, emotionally and spiritually. Sisters incorporated plays a role in protecting, supporting and empowering women and their children who are survivors of domestic violence, abuse and stigmatization that is so prevalent and widespread in our communities. Sisters Incorporated in been around since 1959 and they are actually celebrated their 60th year. They accommodate between 28 women and children. They planning to lunch a book which will be call survivors on 31th August,2019. She focus on the organisation, programs that they offer to help women and children. She also talked about the celebration of their 60 years. For more informations, you can contact them on:  Website:www.sisters.org.za Call: 021 797 4190

Imagine a net zero energy house... Well, Team Mahali is making that a reality. The house will be built and part of the Solar Decathlon Africa 2019 competition, the house will be built in Morrocco and the winners will be announced on 27 September 2019. Shawn Alimohammadi spoke to us about this amazing project. Having zero energy houses would solve not only our ecological problems but some of our social issues too. In South Africa the house would not be possible yet, but the design is there and they are working on finding ways of reducing the construction cost of the house, so that it is affordable to those who really need it. They would appreciate collaboration with companies and individuals. In the making of the house that will be competing in the Solar Decathlon Africa 2019 Competition they have partnered with The Plastic Project, which is a women’s social enterprise based in Franschhoek valley. To get involved and watch the progress you can follow them on Ins...

We had an interview with Anita Mfinyongo, owner of Afrogrunge. Anita Mfinyongo is a fashion designer and owner of the brand Afrogrunge. AfroGrunge is mostly inspired by her and her personal experiences. She talked about Afrogrunge, why she want to do fashion and the challenges she face. Messages that she want to give to young entrepreneur is "don't create an instagram account just because you got a name for your brand, you have to work on your strategy , have a plan , have a prototype, create a product and then do your social media advertising". Her designs are available at a store in 31 Loop Str, Cape Town. Check the store's Instagram account: localgirlgang_popup Fore more information, you can contact her on: Instagram: afrogrunge Twitter: afrogrunge Facebook: afrogrunge Anita Mfinyongo wearing on of her designs.

Will Stevens, Public Affairs Officer US Consulate CT, about the DreamBuilder Programme 2019 - 2020. The US Consulate together with DreamGirls Academy have partnered up to empower women through the DreamBuilder Programme. The aim is to equip women with practical skills needed to create investable and sustainable businesses. This will enable women to fulfill their potential and increase economic stability, security and prosperity for themselves and others. DreamGirls Academy is a Dynamic female empowerment organisation. The organisation encourages young women to educate themselves, plan for the future and fulfill their potential to ensure success. Will Stevens explained that they are hoping that women can create, grow and sustain their businesses so that they can get a larger place in the economy and therefore larger voice. He believes that women should take the risks and that they will also need skills to make business plans and attract investors.  These skills will taught i...

We had a conversation with Marion Thomas from Western Cape Street Children Forum. WCSCF is an organisation that collaborates with other organisations to ensure that children can remain children and get off the streets. She explained to us that there are two types of street children, those that live on the streets and those that have homes, but will be on the streets "working" in the street during the day, after school and then go home. Marion explained that it isn't always easy to get these children off the street because they are already used to the street life and are now street-smart and perhaps even on substances. The other issue is that on the streets a child can make a R1000 daily. Marion Thomas from Western Cape Street Children Forum This is why they urge and educate the public to not give the children money but rather interact with the child by asking them who they are and information about their homes. So that they can contact the police,  social deve...

On 23th July, 2019, we had a telephonic interview with  Richard Bolland from New Hope SA .  New Hope SA is a voluntary association that helps the homeless through their 'Road to Independence' program. Their vision is to see long-term sustainable pathways out of homelessness towards healthy independence and their mission is to walk a sustainable journey with people from dependency to dignity by being the ‘holding, connecting and empowering organisation’ as people move between various services. They currently operate out of the St Peters Community Dinners and have been helping people into shelters, rehabilitation, job readiness and health care since 2010. They also provide training & resources for people wanting to help the homeless. Their program   'Road to Independence'  and their community dinner that they organize every Thursday from 6pm to 8pm at MOWBRAY in Cape town for the public to make them feel. He also talked about how they help peop...

Ielhaam Petersen who has been working in the addiction and mental health industry when she started the organisation Assist. Assist was only launched this year and what they do is work with clients whereby they connect families of those suffering with mental illness with people and organisations who can help take care of their ill person. They don't just focus on that; they also have a 12 step program. This is where they will help the people get back onto their feet after having been hospitalized. They provide support and put you into contact with other people that will encourage them. People with mental disorders do sometimes want to isolate themselves, this is not good for the heeling process. Ielhaam explained personality (mental) disorders as being a disorder when the behavior starts to affect the person's normal life. She also mentioned that most South African Psychiatrists are not too quick to diagnose a mental illness, they do a working diagnose, this is to ensure ...

We had an interview with Yolanda Sihlali and Nwabisa from Fugly Art Gallery based in Khayelitsha, the first gallery in the township. Fugly Art Gallery is one of its kind, a shack art gallery in Cape Town, that opened in December 2018 and they are in collaboration with other organization like Inxwala and Cape Town Tourism. They focus on their gallery, what does Fugly Art Gallery do exactly and their inspirations to open an art galley and specifically in the township. They also talked about the challenges they face and the challenges that artists face in general. Fugly Art Gallery does different art forms, painted art, photography, film, beading and they are open to any type of art. According to them, “when you working in something that you know, building a legacy, you are not building today, 5 or 10 years from now you will be the first person who had an art gallery in the township, you are building a prototype”. They have an exhibition on 28 th of July 19, 2019...

Employers must pay unemployment insurance contributions of 2% of the value of each worker’s pay per month. The employer and the worker each contribute 1%. So, as an employee make sure that on your payslip you see the UIF deduction; because this will mean that should you become unemployed then you can go to the Department of Labour and claim your UIF benefits while you look for your next job. Who can claim for UIF benefits? A person can claim UIF benefits when their contracts of employment are ended under the following circumstances: Dismissal Retrenchment Fixed term contract expires (contract comes to an end) You can also claim for UIF while on an unpaid maternity leave and if you have adopted a baby under the conditions described in the Child Care Act and the baby is under 2 years old. Only one partner or spouse may claim if a couple adopts. How to claim? Step 1 :   Gather the following documentation: completed UI-19 form (your previous employer needs to p...

Molo Songololo is an organisation that works with and for children to promote their rights, care and protection, as well as their participation in public decision-making. They motivate and empower children/youth on human rights and especially the rights of the children. We spoke to the director, Patric Solomons, who told us about how the new law, WESTERN CAPE COMMISSIONER FOR CHILDREN’S ACT, 2019, is important. Having a commissioner is very important because the commissioner will be able to oversee how government is implementing children’s rights and what our communities are doing to protect and improve the lives of children. The commissioner will also be able to see how the children’s rights are being violated. The organization promotes children participation, which is why on Friday 20 July they will be having a children’s forum, Have Your Say Children’s Consultation. This will consist of 200 children from around the province who will come together to discuss the act and the ...

On 16th of July 2019, we had an interview in studio with Judy Sikuza, new CEO at The Mandela Rhodes foundation, the late Nelson Mandela’s official legacy organisation for leadership development. The central purpose of The Mandela Rhodes Foundation is to build exceptional leadership capacity in Africa (whilst also seeking to foster better reconciliation and entrepreneurship) through its various programmes and, to this end, aims to be the leading protagonist in Africa for such endeavors. The Mandela Rhodes programmes will develop leadership and vocational capacity across African society, to help the continent achieve success and prosperity and full equal participation in the global world. Judy were born and raised in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and she was a Mandela Rhodes Scholar from the Class of 2007 and now she is the new CEO of the Mandela Rhodes foundation. During the show, Judy focus on the organization, their main purpose and their programs. They provide post gradua...

Charlotte Lombard from Heart Kids SA spoke to us about Congenital Heart Defects, how Heart Kids support families with babies that have CHD and their upcoming fundraising event. Heart Kids was formed when Charlotte lost her grandson in 2014 to CHD. The condition is usually picked up during pregnancy when the mother goes for the 22 weeks’ scan. In her daughter’s case, and many other people’s, it isn’t picked up until after birth. Congenital Heart Defects means that the baby’s heart is either deformed and/or it does not function normally. This malfunction occurs during the first 6 to 8 weeks of conception. It can happen to any mother, even the healthiest. There is nothing that can be done to prevent CHD. Heart Kids’ aim is to support the parents emotionally who go through this. They are there for the new parents so that they can get advice and just someone to speak to. The experience is very traumatic, the chances of these parents losing their babies is high, especially be...

On the 15 th July 2019 we had a telephonic interview with Janna from Earthchild Project, a Non-Profit Organization operating in the Western Cape, South Africa. The Earthchild Project offers complimentary education to under-resourced schools with a focus on the environment, health and self-development. Their approach to education is holistic, focused on health and wellness, life skills and the environment through different programmes integrated with the school’s curriculum. Earthchild Project has a vision of a world where individuals are inspired to connect with themselves, each other and the environment. Janna talked about the organization, their main purpose and their projects. She also talked about their programmes and practical skills like yoga, mindfulness & organic gardening, hiking to over 3500 children and 300 teachers they teach. According to Janna, yoga and meditation can have a lot of benefits; It provides physical benefits to children and can help them to ...

African Brothers Football Academy aims to assist with the uplifting and improving of school sports facilities, and provide children with skills they can use in the future. Craig Hepburn, the director, spoke to us about what they do. They started out in Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay more than 20years ago. The original purpose of the project was to get people who are illiterate and unemployed and integrate them back into football. At that time there wasn’t facilities in that area so they moved it back in to the city central. They then focused on government school, such as Gardens Commercial High School where they fixed the facilities. That one school took 3 years to complete, but has been sustainable since then. They are able to meet with the students for one hour per day in the afternoons. They would have the soccer practises for a bit longer but sadly due to complaints from neighbours who don’t see the vision of the project they can’t. The main focus of the project is to fix up ...

Today we had MAD CPT in studio, a versatile group from Woodstock consisting of individuals that come from different backgrounds and different struggles. The focus of MAD CPT is youth development and community upliftment, because a lot of the areas are surrounded with gangsterism, drugs and a lot of other social ills as well as how they use music as a vehicle for change. They have been selected by Coast 2 Coast to perform and compete in New York City at their Coast 2 Coast LIVE Competition in August. For more information, you can contact them on: Facebook: Make A Difference Worldwide Instagram: madcptworld

Riyaad Avotuur is making a difference in his community through Bonteheuwel Central Athletics Club. Riyaad, shared with us that the club started with him and his daughter running together, and then some children from around the area saw them and asked if they could join. What started so humbly is now a great initiative that contributes to keeping the children occupied and therefore away from substance abuse and crime. Riyaad, dealt with drug abuse himself, he is now 368 days clean, so he is able to motivate and inspire the children from experienced. Most of these children come from disadvantaged families and during this cold season some of them come for practice wearing slippers and t-shirts only, they do not have warm clothing. It is for this reason that Bonteheuwel Central Athletics club is running its Mandela Day project.  They would like to collect 500 running shoes by the 20 th July for these children and others in the community. If you have a pair that is s...

We spoke with Allan McDonald from Career Planet, a website with tips and tricks to get your career started. You can upload your CV and scroll through job descriptions. There are also head hunters on the platform so who knows you will met your future employer there! More information? Go to their website .

Leah Hawker is a photographer and creative who works with women's issues and really focuses on women's empowerment.  She is the creator of the book Breastfeeding 101. B reastfeeding 101 is filled with photographs and short stories by and about women. She started this controversial yet empowering project after becoming aware of the negativity on social media about public breastfeeding. The project and book Leah has created aims to break the negative stereotype of something as beautiful as feeding a child with "personalised milk", no two women's milk is the same. Breastmilk is filling and it's a medicine of its own, she reported. Even though Leah is not a mother, she fully sympathises with this important women's issue and says that creating the book Breastfeeding 101 was an opportunity to be supportive. To get your hands on this incredible book go onto the website: www.breastfeeding101.co.za. There are different options to choose from inclu...

Many times young people get a serious reality shock when they exit high school and enter the “real world”, and too often, they do not cope well. Hilary Alexander shared with us how they go about to prepare these young women so that whether they decide to go study or work they are better prepared. Great Girls runs workshops, that consist of 5 modules. They provide mentorship, assistance with constructing CVs, presenting skills and budget couching. “To let them know they are still worthy and women of substance despite their circumstances”, They do take children from schools in Belhar and Lavender Hill. They welcome people to join as mentors in February every year and you can donate throughout the year. To get more details to donate or become a mentor go onto their website: www.greatgirls.co.za. You can also send an email to info@greatgirls.co.za and follow them on Facebook; their Facebook page is Great Girls.

We had in our studio Thando Doni Cast Member of #JustMen and Fahiem Stellenboom The head of marketing and media from the Baxter. #JustMen is an honest and empowering, multi-lingal docudrama, performed by south African men who tell their own stories and confront their own toxic masculinity, as a contributing factor in the violence perpetuated against women and children. “The production was produce to try and deal with the issues of toxic masculinity, violence against women and children in our society”.  As the statistics are completely out of control and proportion.  The production was created first last year in not to create a space that is seen of judgement, but to create better men. #JustMen runs at the Baxter golden Arrow Studio from 17 July to 3 August at 7:30pm nightly, with three school matinee performances on Thursday 25 July at 11am, Tuesday 30 July at 11am and Thursday 1 August at 11am. The focus of the production highlights violence against women and childr...

Christelle Heskwa from Mikhulu Trust came in to tell us more about wordless books. They run programs such as book sharing whereby they have the parents share the book with a child. The books have no words so that allows the parent or caregiver to create the stories as they go with the child. This allows them to bond while they are assisting in the development of the child. Research has found that this allows kids to be more imaginative, assists with the child's problem solving skills and be vocal with their feelings. They have now published 6 new books which were illustrated by South African illustrators. All of them tell South African stories. This allows our kids to be able to relate better than with the existing American and European authors.  For more information you can contact them from the below: Website: www.mikhulutrust.org Email address: info@mikhulutrust.org Contact number: 0216379144

Today we had in our studio Charles Grey from PSFA (Peninsule School Feeding Association)  a registered non-profit organisation that addresses hunger in young learners and students attending Primary. As we know chilhood hunger is still a massive issue facing our communities and many children still up to school on an empty tummy; That's why PSFA want to bring an end to this crippling epidemic. Sunday 25th August 2019, PSFA is pleased to announce that entries are now open for their 51st popular annual fundraising event, the Blisters for Bread Charity Family Fun Walk in association with Lucky Star. Today, Charles Grey from PSFA focus on who they are , their projects and their programs to helped children in need. He also focus on their big event , The Blisters for Bread in association with Lucky Star. The event will start in the Green Point Precinct adjacent to the Green Point Cricket Club and will include two routes along the Sea Point Promenade, a 10km walk that starts at 7:30a...

Epilepsy South Africa is a dynamic organisation providing developmental services nationally to promote equal opportunities for people with epilepsy and other disabilities. Jaydene Basson from Epilepsy SA, Western Cape branch came in to have a chat with us about the different things the organisation does. She clarified some things about epilepsy such as that it is mainly caused by an injury to the brain or some trauma and not many of the myths that we hear. Speaking of myths, it is a myth that you should put something in the persons mouth when they are having a seizure. The steps you should in fact take is: Check the time - if the seizure last more than 6 to 10 mins then you should call for medical help. Protect the head - place something (soft, to support it) underneath the persons. Put him/her in recovery position, which is in their side - to prevent them from chocking from their liquids, e.g saliva.  They are hosting an Mandela day event, at their premises, whereby ...

On our Doorstep Music Broadcast, also Zolani Mfihlo was performing. Want to see and hear more of him? Or get in contact? This is his facebook page.

Zandre also known as Z the Stunna came all the way from Steenberg to join our outside broadcast Salt River. He said "I'm good at rapping, so I'm going to push that". Zandre is a young man who is focusing his energy in grooming his talent and getting his music out there, which is why when he heard we were having an outside broadcast he came all the way to Salt River and bravely walked up to us to ask if he could rap. He wasn't exaggerating, he really is good. He performed for us live and it was absolutely beautiful. To check out more of his music, follow him on Facebook: Z the Stunna and YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFMddaScFhgNliuaZux-Sag

Today we had Roberto Stemmet together with Jasmina Naomi  Stemmet in studio telling us more about their organisation, Youth Impact and Sustainable Solutions.  The organisation is based in Hanover Park and 90% of their focus is on helping the youth and leading them down the right path. Most youngsters are faced with challenges of  either being unemployed, involved with drugs and substance abuse, crime and gangsterism,  teenage pregnancies , imprisonment or dropping out of school. What YISS does is teach these young people skills so that they can better themselves, become more employable. They offer courses in hairdressing, bakery, massage therapy, etc. They also offer anger management classes with the youth because most children rebel because of the situations at home. To find out more about them you can contact them on 0647908052 and at jstemmet@yisss.co.za or go via wecanchange .