Leigh-Anne Williams

For children living with disabilities, having the right support and equipment can make a significant difference to their independence, development and quality of life. However, access to appropriate assistive devices, mobility support and inclusive environments remains a challenge for many families.

Shonaquip Social Enterprise works to improve the lives of people with disabilities through assistive technology, specialised mobility solutions and support for families and caregivers.

Joining us to discuss the importance of appropriate support, mobility and inclusion for children with disabilities is Colleen Frances, Head of Strategic Oversight: Impact and Learning at Shonaquip Social Enterprise, and a registered Speech Language Pathologist.

Swimming is more than a sport. It is a life skill that can save lives, build confidence and open doors to opportunities. Our Warrior Woman is Oneida Cooper, a former competitive swimmer who represented South Africa internationally and went on to use her passion for swimming to make a difference in the lives of young people. Through Making Waves Together SA, she is working to make swimming and water safety more accessible to children from disadvantaged communities.
Oneida Cooper is a former South African competitive swimmer, psychologist and youth swimming advocate. She represented South Africa internationally and founded Making Waves Together SA to help children from disadvantaged communities access swimming and water-safety education. Her 2018 Robben Island to Bloubergstrand swim honoured her father and raised awareness and funds for a cause close to her heart.

More than 35 million South Africans are estimated to live in homes outside the formal property system. These include informal homes, RDP houses, backyard dwellings and homes on communal or rural land.

For many people, the challenge is not having a home, but being able to prove where they live. Without recognised proof of address, they may face barriers when accessing financial services, credit, insurance and other opportunities.

DigiDeeds is a South African technology company aiming to bridge this gap by creating digital home records verified through identity checks, location mapping and confirmation from neighbours.

We spoke to Jaco Carstens, co-founder and CEO of DigiDeeds and a former Credit Executive at Capitec, about how the platform works and whether it could help unlock financial opportunities for millions of South Africans.

• How it works: Users submit identification, pin their home's location, upload a photograph of the property and obtain confirmation from seven neighbours.

• What members receive: A DigiDeed certificate that provides a verified residential record. It is not a registered title deed and does not confer ownership of the land.

• Reported growth: Since launching in March 2026, DigiDeeds says it has attracted more than 4,200 members and received over 34,100 neighbour confirmations.

• Financial inclusion: The company provides institutions with residential data and a Stability Indicator scored from 0 to 100, which may assist with assessing risk.

• Business model: DigiDeeds says financial institutions have tested and paid for its data.

• Future plans: The company aims to connect verified households with services such as solar power, connectivity, security, sanitation and home sales and rentals.

Key point: A DigiDeed does not guarantee approval for credit or other financial services. Its value depends on how institutions use and accept the information.

A Guide-Dog is so much more than a companion. For a person who is blind or visually impaired, a Guide-Dog can offer greater independence, confidence and freedom to navigate the world.

We were joined by Angela Blackwell, a Guide-Dog owner, who is here with her Guide-Dog, Jaydee. Angela has an inspiring personal story to share, giving us insight into her journey, the challenges she has navigated and how Jaydee has made a difference in her everyday life.

The interview aims to raise awareness about the role Guide-Dogs play in supporting people who are blind or visually impaired. It will explore independence, accessibility, the bond between a handler and their dog, and the training required to create a successful partnership.Angela's story has also been featured by Good Things Guy. The discussion can be adapted to include any particular experiences or milestones from her journey that she would like to share.

World Osteoporosis Day was observed on 20 October, putting the spotlight on the importance of bone health, early detection and prevention.

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weaker and less dense, making them more fragile and increasing the risk of fractures. What makes it particularly concerning is that it can develop without noticeable symptoms, meaning many people only discover they have it after breaking a bone.

So, how do we protect our bones, who is most at risk, and what can we do to reduce our chances of developing osteoporosis?

To help us unpack this, we’re joined by Dr Marius Roos from the Institute for Osteoporosis at Louis Leipoldt in Bellville, a specialist practice focused on the assessment, prevention and management of osteoporosis.

The Cape Town Society for the Blind was established in 1929 and has spent decades helping people develop practical skills, build confidence and work towards greater independence. From Braille and computer literacy to career development, entrepreneurship and employment support, the organisation works to ensure that visual impairment does not have to stand in the way of opportunity.

But what does it take to turn skills training into meaningful employment, and how can we create a society that is more accessible and inclusive?

Our eyes play such an important role in how we learn, work, connect with others and experience the world around us, yet eye health is something we can easily overlook until there’s a problem.

Although World Sight Day was observed on 8 October, the conversation around eye health and access to eye care remains just as important. Today Sandile Buthelezi Engagement Officer Craig Bowen General Manager at OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation tells us why regular eye checks matter, the importance of early detection and how we can make eye care more accessible to those who need it.

Dr. Goodness Thandeka Ngcongo is an award-winning medical doctor, healthcare entrepreneur and corporate health strategist with over 10 years of clinical experience. She holds an MBChB from the University of Cape Town and is the Founder and CEO of Orchid Medical, a healthcare and wellness company focused on preventative healthcare, women's health, occupational health and mobile medical services.

Orchid Medical is helping address gaps in healthcare access by taking diagnostic and preventative services directly to workplaces and underserved communities. Under Dr. Ngcongo's leadership, the company launched South Africa's first privately Black-owned mobile mammography and cancer screening unit. Its services include mobile breast and cervical cancer screening, occupational health services, corporate wellness programmes and digital healthcare solutions.

Dr. Ngcongo's work has earned international recognition, including a 2026 Global Recognition Award and selection as a Female Founders Initiative Global 50 Under 50 winner.

We’re joined by Chartered Accountant and founder of Heiko Invests, Heiko Böhmer, who is on a mission to make personal finance easier to understand for ordinary South Africans. From building an emergency fund and managing your spending, to tax-free savings accounts, retirement annuities and DIY investing, his goal is to help us make smarter decisions with the money we already have.

Seven Steps Academy for the Deaf is a specialised school in Cape Town catering for learners from Pre-Grade R all the way through to Grade 12. The school follows an oral-aural approach, supporting learners to develop spoken language and listening skills while receiving their education in an environment designed around their individual needs.

With around 104 learners, the school provides a learning journey that takes children from their early years right through to matric. But education at Seven Steps extends beyond the traditional classroom. The school is also creating opportunities for learners to discover their talents and interests, including through creative arts, with a dedicated creative arts classroom forming part of that experience.

The focus is ultimately on equipping deaf learners with the skills, confidence and independence to participate fully in society and to prepare for life beyond school, whether that means further education, employment or pursuing their own passions.