Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit

John Maytham speaks to David Bellairs about cycling etiquette and road safety. John shares a story from Wilderness Search and Rescue about cyclists ignoring a cordoned-off emergency area and recounts his own near-miss with a cyclist who ran a red light. With cycling season underway, they explore why some cyclists disregard the rules and how to promote safer behaviour.

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John Maytham speaks to renowned comedian and observational behaviour specialist Allan Committie about the lessons 2024 has taught us and how we can approach 2025 with wisdom and resilience. Reflecting on Steve Jobs’ iconic words about connecting the dots in hindsight, the discussion delves into personal growth, adapting to change, and finding humour even in challenging times.

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John Maytham speaks to Basil Manuel, Executive Director of NAPTOSA, about the devastating impact of over 2,400 teachers in the Western Cape losing their jobs. The cuts follow the Western Cape Education Department’s decision to reduce posts due to a R3 billion budget shortfall announced by the national government last year. Manuel highlighted the far-reaching consequences for educators, learners, and the province’s education system, emphasizing the urgent need for solutions to address this crisis.

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John Maytham speaks to Sabelo Ntshanga, DENOSA Western Cape Provincial Secretary, about the rise in alcohol-related emergencies and the impact on nurses during the festive season. They discuss the increasing pressure on healthcare workers and the need for public responsibility to ease the strain on the system.

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John Maytham speaks to City of Cape Town law enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyson about the effectiveness of increased roadblocks and enforcement measures in the lead-up to the festive season. They discuss whether these efforts made a noticeable impact on curbing unlawful behaviour and ensuring both residents and tourists enjoyed a safer, more responsible holiday period.

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As the new year begins, many set goals for physical health, but what about mental well-being? John Maytham speaks clinical psychologist Mark de la Rey discusses the "Three Good Things" exercise—a simple technique shown to improve happiness and reduce depression. He explains how focusing on positive daily experiences can have lasting benefits, and how we can easily incorporate this practice into our routines for a healthier mind in 2024.

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John Maytham speaks to David Nel, Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) spokesperson, about a helicopter rescue on Table Mountain when a firefighter was injured while responding to a blaze. He also discusses safety measures for hikers as they are having to respond to numerous incidents on popular trails.

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John Maytham speaks to JP Louw of SANParks ahead of New Year’s Eve. Authorities have made an appeal to the public to avoid using fireworks in and around the Table Mountain National Park as they fear it may lead to fires.

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John Maytham speaks to Vhahangwele Tsotetsi, Founder of Project Youth SA, Democracy Elect Group CEO and political consultant, about the violence erupting in Mozambique after the confirmation of the election results. He says the ANC and SADC leaders are to blame because of their support for oppressive regimes.

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John Maytham speaks to Nadine Mather, a partner at Bowmans and data protection and employment law attorney, about the battle by the Information Regulator to get the Department of Basic Education to not publish the matric results as it violates privacy regulations contained in the Protection of Personal Information Act(Popia).

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