18 September - Labour

In today’s show we spoke to Jan Truter – Director at Labourwise. LabourWise offers logical and practical information for business owners, HR specialist and manager to support them in the successful management of their labour force. This includes guidelines in labour and employment related matters such as labour laws, employment contracts, labour disputes, unfair dismissal, retrenchment, arbitration, and strike action. We were speaking about different types of leave and the terms and conditions of taking leave as well as briefly touching on the Unemployment Fund. If you want to know more about LabourWise, you can contact their offices on (021) 852 3499 or visit their website www.labourwise.co.za

We also spoke to Theresa Joffen - from the Camphill Village West Coast. This organisation aims to provide care and employment for adults with physical or intellectual disabilities - particularly those who are at risk within their families or communities. The work and home environments at Camphill Village West Coast have been made mutually therapeutic and culturally and spiritually fulfilling to all. We were talking about the Village and the types of projects they run. If you want to know more about Camphill Village, you can contact their offices on (021) 571 8600 or visit their website www.camphillwestcoast.org.za

We heard from was Brendan Guy – an attorney working in the field of Labour relations from Maserumule Incorporated. The company exists to provide sustainable, efficient and professional legal services to their clients. We were talking about poor work performance and absenteeism. It is reported that Absenteeism in the workplace could be costing the South African economy as much as R12-billion a year, that is according to the South African Chamber of Business (Sacob). Some Employers feel that absenteeism is a form of sabotage as it impacts on the bottom line over time. Brendon explained more on that. If you have any queries about the topic discussed in the interview, you can contact the Maserumule offices on (021) 418 7151 or visit their website www.maserumuleinc.co.za

17 September – Gender

On Wednesday, we spoke to Freddy Nkosi - from Sonke Gender Justice Network. We were talking about their Refugee Health & Rights Project. Sonke's work with refugees and migrants focuses on addressing the specific gender and HIV vulnerabilities of refugees and migrants, on challenging xenophobia and the frequent violations of rights faced by refugees and migrants and on advocating for access to vital health and social services. Freddy explained more. For more information go to www.genderjustice.org.za or contact (021) 423 7088.

Sharon Cox and Marlow Valentine from the Triangle Project were also part of today’s show. Their mission is to contribute towards eradicating discrimination against and within the LGBT community. We were speaking about bisexuality. The topic of bisexuality is not as well understood as gay or lesbianism. So we discussed the factors surrounding bisexuality to give our listeners a better understanding. For more information about the Triangle Project, you can visit their website www.triangle.org.za or call them on (021) 448 3812.

We also spoke to Lindiwe Bardill – Associate Reseacher at AWID. We were talking about the 11th AWID International Forum titiled the Power of Movements. The International Forum on Women's Rights and Development is both a conference and a call to action. The AWID Forum brings together women's rights leaders and activists from around the world every three years to strategize, network, celebrate, and learn in a highly charged atmosphere that fosters deep discussions and sustained personal and professional growth. It will be hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Center in November. Participation in the AWID Forum is open to anyone who works or has an interest in women's rights, international development, and social justice. AWID particularly welcomes women and men from the Global South, young women, and marginalized groups that have had difficulty getting their agenda heard on a global stage. For more information to go www.awid.org or contact Lindiwe on (021) 425 3682.

We closed off the show with an interview with Mary Magdalene Wuin-Tale – From the Whole World Women Association. The organisation was founded in 2002 as a self help support group for refugee women in the Western Cape. Their primary purpose is to empower refugee women and improve their self image, self esteem & quality of life. With the recent xenophobic crisis in the country, people have turned to the organisation for help. Mary explained more on the role they playing in assisting displaced refugee women. For more information or if you like to assist contact Mary on 083 723 7809.