Sakhisizwe -Building the Nation - Bou Die Nasie

In today's show we were joined on the line by Carina Bruwer - Manager & Electr ic Flautist for Sterling Electric Quartet. On the 13th of February, Sterling EQ will be hosting a live show at Artscape. The concert, which will include songs from their debut album NOVA, as well as a few new surprises, will be filmed for their Live DVD. Sterling EQ described as SA’s “Instrumental supergroup” feels that the Live DVD release will further build on the band’s popularity and the groundbreaking contribution to this genre-defying instrumental style. Carina explained more about their music and what influence its unique style. If you want to see them perform live and hear some of their electrifying instrumental sound, you can attend the concert at Artscape on the 13th of February. Tickets are priced from R120-R150 and are available from Computicket by visiting www.computicket.com or for more information go to www.sterlingeq.co.za Poster : www.sterlingeq.co.za

We also heard from Jill Trappler – An Artist. We were talking about her exhibition titled “Notions of Being/Moments of Being” opening tomorrow at the Stellenbosch Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery from 11am. The exhibition can be viewed until the 20th of February. For more information you can call the gallery on (021) 887 3607 or visit www.smacgallery.com alternatively visit www.jilltrappler.co.za Nigel Vermaas was here for this week’s Arts update.

We were also joined by William Rezant – General Manager for the Western Cape Musicians Association. The association is responsible to address the needs and challenges of musicians and composers across the Western Cape. Mr Rezant explained more about the challenges they face. Tomorrow they will be hosting their AGM and musicians are invited to attend at the Good Hope Centre from 9h00AM. For more information visit www.wcma.co.za or contact their offices on (021) 421 7643.

In today's show we spoke to Diane Salters – from Phaphama Initiatives. Phaphama Initiatives and the Satyana Institute are facilitating a series of groundbreaking training workshops on Gender Reconciliation. These workshops are for men and women, they provide a unique forum to jointly confront the realities of gender disharmony, and engage in constructive dialogue and healing work on some of the most divisive and seemingly intractable gender issues. Diane explained more. The workshops are residential, and will be taking place from the 12th till the 14th of March 2010. Limited bursaries are available. Registration forms and payment needs to be received by the 10th of February 2010. If you are interested in holding a workshop especially for your group or organisation, they are happy to hold additional workshops and develop a programme for you. For more information you can contact Anna Lerner on (011) 487 1798 or send an email to office1@phaphama.org

On Sakhisizwe today we were joined on the line by Buhle Mpofu-Makamanzi – from African Monitor. The African Monitor is an independent African Body which acts as a catalyst to monitor development funding commitments, delivery and impact on the grassroots, and to bring strong additional African voices to the development agenda. We were talking about Africa for Haiti Project. Across Africa, government, church, business and civil society leaders are mobilizing support for the people of Haiti as they try to rebuild after a devastating Earthquake that recently struck that country. The Africa for Haiti Project will identify, in partnership with Haitian civil society organizations, initiatives in which it can assist. It also hopes to provide Africans from all walks of life, an opportunity to demonstrate their collective solidarity and support for the people of Haiti thereby uniting Africans in compassion and giving but Mrs Mpofu-Makamanzi explained more. For more information on the Pan-African

We also heard from Dr Chris Steytler – a Medical Doctor from Heideveld Clinic. We were talking about the Unity workshops that are planned for organisation leadership in the Heideveld Area. The workshops are planned for this coming Friday and Saturday the 30th of January starting at 9AM till 4PM. For more information contact Dr Steytler on 082 735 8177.

In today’s show, we spoke to Yael Joffe - Nutritional genomics specialist. We were talking about Nutrigenetic testing. Nutrigenetics is research into the way that your diet, genes and lifestyle interact. It provides the basis for being able to use information from your genetic make-up to provide you with personalized diet and lifestyle advice. It is said that this knowledge can give us a great deal of control over our health but Yael explained more. For more information visit www.dnalysis.co.za or email info@dnalysis.co.za

We were also joined by Christina Pretorius – From the International Fund for A nimal Welfare. We were talking about the Parvovirus vaccination campaign. The emergency vaccination drive has been launched to save Khayelitsha dogs after a severe outbreak of canine parvovirus in the Somerset West, Gordon's Bay and Strand area. According to media reports, a vet from the Tygerberg Animal Hospital warned that the contagious virus could spread to dogs elsewhere in the city. The disease is highly infectious and is spread from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their feces. Christina explained more about the vaccination campaign. Tomorrow they will be at the library in Site C and Mzizi Hall. If members of the public would like to donate to this urgent Parvovirus vaccination campaign you can make a deposit to the Mdzananda Animal Clinic. For more information you can contact them on (021) 367 2302.

In today’s show, we were joined on the line by Irmie Bonze. We were talking about the 7th Suidooster Festival that will kick-off on the 26th of January at the Artscape Theatre Centre. The weeklong family festival caters for all cultures. It offers exciting performances including children’s productions, jazz music, drama, films, book discussions, gospel, as well as a thirteen hour-long presentation on District Six. This year’s festival will feature well known Artists like Melanie Scholtz, 13th Street, Nomfusi, Lira, Alistair Izobell and many more. For more information visit www.suidoosterfees.co.za or contact (021) 446 1558.

We also heard from Candis Angelene. Candis is a soprano star who has just released her debut album entitled “Ancient Light”, beautifully blending her classical and contemporary roots. She explained more about her journey in putting together this album. The album is available at Look & Listen or you can buy online by visiting www.candisangelene.com Nigel Vermaas was here for this week’s Arts update.

We closed off with an interview with Chris Swepu – Pan South African Language Board Acting CEO. The Pan South African Language Board has announced that the annual multilingualism awards for 2010 are now open for entries. Individuals and organisations that promote and preserve multilingualism will be awarded in eight categories - music, media, language and literature, technology and business, public sector, education, interpretation and translation and the chairperson’s special award for a lifetime achievement but Mr Swepu explained more. For more information or to download entry froms visit www.pansalb.org.za Entries close on the 5th of February 2010 and can be e-mailed to communication@pansalb.org.za , mailed to PanSALB, Private Bag X08, Arcadia, 0007 or delivered to PanSALB’s head office, 523 Church Street, 5th floor, Provisus Building, Arcadia, Pretoria.

Today we were joined Instudio by Noorunisa Paleker – An Attorney fro m the Legal Aid Board. This tax-funded organisation provides legal advice and representation to poor and vulnerable South Africans has particular focus on vulnerable groups, such as women, children, rural poor and the landless. But you must pass a means test, based on income, to qualify for assistance. We were talking about Divorce, maintenance & custody - what are the women's right when it comes to these issues. Ms Paleker explained more. They do have offices in Athlone, Atlantis, Bellville, Cape Town and Stellenbosch. If you want more information contact (021) 426 4126 or visit www.legal-aid.co.za

On Sakhisizwe today, we spoke to Tererai Mafukidze – Director at the Southern African Legal Information Institute. The Institute collects and publishes legal materials from Southern and Eastern Africa for free online access. Their current collection includes superior court judgments from Botswana, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Institute is a member of the Free Access to Law movement. We spoke about their projects and why access to the law is important. For more information you can visit www.saflii.org or email to data@saflii.org alternatively contact (011) 339 3697. PIC: taken from www.saflii.org

We also heard from Khaya Yozi – Provincial Secretary of the South African Students Organisation or SASCO. We are on the second week of the school year but some students are still not yet registered as they either have no registration fee or they still owe the institution money from the previous year. Education is not a privilege; it is a right of every individual who wants to be educated. But what happens if you cannot afford to pay for it. Who is responsible for denying you that right? Well SASCO has echoed the commitment by the Higher Education Department to improve access to higher education institutions. Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg last week Thursday, SASCO President Mbulelo Mandlana announced that the organisation will launch a "right to learn" campaign during a mass rally at the Free State University in Bloemfontein this week. SASCO says it has erected help-desks on all campuses where students can gain assistance regarding financial and academic exclus

On Sakhisizwe today’s show, we were joined on the line by Sakhile Tsotsobe - City of Cape Town’s Coastal Coordinator. Yesterday the City of Cape Town withdrew the Blue Flag status granted to Big Bay Beach amid various water management issues. It is the first Cape Town beach to lose its Blue Flag status since South Africa joined the programme in 2001. We were the first country outside of Europe to implement the Blue Flag programme and since 2001, the programme has become a truly global initiative with 38 countries participating and a further seven countries undertaking the feasibility stage. Mr Tsotsobe explained more on the criteria needed to keep the Blue Flag status. In Cape Town the following beaches have a Blue Flag accreditation: 1. Bikini Beach, Gordon's Bay 2. Mnandi Beach 3. Clifton 4th Beach 4. Camps Bay Beach 5. Muizenberg Beach 6. Strandfontein Beach For more information on Blue Flag, visit www.blueflag.org

We were also joined Instudio by Charlene Maslamoney – an artist who is very involved with various creative initiatives to assist the development of Cape Town’ underprivileged. We were talking about her artwork and her art classes. For more information about the classes contact her on (021) 447 2054 or 071 783 9726 alternatively send her an email to charlomas@gamil.com

In today’s show, we spoke to Lynne Smit - From Thumzup. Thumzup is a new, independent, consumer website offers you the opportunity of posting real reviews – for anyone to comment on. This is a place where you can find out which products and services are good and which should be avoided. Lynne explained more. For more information or to find out how to become a reviewer or to ask for your product or service to be reviewed, go to www.thumzup.co.za or send an email to info@thumzup.co.za

We heard from Ronald Fortune – Principal at Christel House Academy, an independent school for disadvantaged children. The first grade 12 class of the school achieved a 97% matric pass rate which is way above the national average of 60%. According to Mr Fortune, the results are a vindication of the School’s philosophy that it is possible to break the cycle of poverty through properly managed education which focuses on developing children not just teaching them a curriculum. He explained more on what makes Christel House different from other schools. Christel House South Africa operates through the generous donations of businesses and individuals in South Africa. If you would like to become a donor or simply want more information about the school, please call Sharon Williams on (021) 704 9400 or visit www.christelhouse.org One hundred per cent of your donations go directly toward the educational and extra-mural programme for the children.

In today’s show, we spoke to Lorencia Hamilton – Media Officer for Arise Health and Fitness. This is a fitness group based in Delft. We were talking about their activities as they try to encourage the community of Delft to be more health conscious. For more information or if you want to join the group you can contact Valerie Snell on 072 150 3855 or Rita on 074 338 7182 alternatively send an email to believer@smartcape.co.za

We were also joined by Anthea Truebody and Darren Manuel. We were talking about Crohn's disease, which is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines. It primar ily causes ulcerations in the small and large intestines, but can affect the digestive system anywhere between the mouth and the anus. They explained more about the symptoms and whether it is treatable or not. It is reported that most patients with Crohn's disease will experience periodic increases in activity of the disease when symptoms of abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding worsen. Medications for the treatment of active Crohn's disease include salicylate preparations, corticosteroids, antibiotics, and medications that suppress body immunity. Anthea has started a support group for people interesting in knowing more about this disease. For more information email Anthea to antheat@vodamail.co.za or you can join her facebook group by visit www.facebook.com PIC: as always by Busi Mtabane