Producer -  CHARLES IKANENG

Mandisi Dyantyis Musician

Sbu Mkwanazi – Travelling Journalist

Guest: Brent Downard, Head of Credit at Merchant Capital

July is National Savings Month, a time when the spotlight is focused on the importance of managing personal finances wisely. While individual savings strategies often take the centre stage, it’s equally vital to recognise how crucial saving is for small businesses and micro, small, and medium enterprises (SMEs). For these businesses, effective financial management and the ability to build financial reserves are often the difference between growth and closure.

https://www.uwc.ac.za/news-and-announcements/news/how-can-south-african-entrepreneurs-su

Guest: Abigale Calisse & Azeezah Muhammad, Cofounders of AA Gallery

Bertha was at the National Art Festival which ends today, and while she was marvelling at the beauty created by artist in and outside the country, she had an epitome of looking at art as a healing tool. Apart from the part that art has long been recognised as a powerful tool for healing and restoration, offering a safe and expressive space for individuals to confront and process difficult emotions and experiences. 

Guest: Bunmi Adeniba - Senior Director and Coca-Cola Category Lead for Africa

African names are powerful symbols of identity that encompass regional, cultural, and spiritual dimensions. They serve as living links to ancestral wisdom, community values, and spiritual beliefs, both within Africa and across the diaspora. These names do more than identify; they connect individuals to their heritage, reinforce their sense of purpose, and serve as enduring manifestations of their collective history and spiritual well-being.

African names serve as profound markers of identity, history, and cultural heritage, weaving together the rich tapestry of the continent’s diverse communities. These names often encapsulate more than just individual identity; they embody regional traditions, spiritual beliefs, and ancestral connections that have been passed down through generations. In many African societies, a name is not merely a label but a vessel of meaning, encapsulating hopes, circumstances of birth, or aspirations for the child's future. The Yoruba, Igbo, Zulu, Akan, and Amhara communities, among myriad others, each have distinctive naming conventions that reflect their unique linguistic and cultural nuances. For example, Yoruba names like Adebayo signal joy at birth ("the crown has met joy"), while Igbo names such as Chibuzo reveal a connection to family and community aspirations. These names often carry stories of origin, societal values, and spiritual beliefs, anchoring individuals within their cultural roots.

Guest: Dr. Sello Galane – Musicologist, Composer, Educationist and Music Performer 

On Africa Day, a moment of reflection and celebration unfolds across the continent, honoring its rich cultural tapestry and resilient spirit. This year, South Africa's theme, "Drumming to Silence the Guns," invites us to explore the profound cultural significance of drums in Africa, not merely as musical instruments, but as powerful symbols of unity, identity, and peace.

Throughout Africa’s diverse cultures, drums have been central to social, spiritual, and political life for centuries. They serve as a universal language that transcends linguistic boundaries, conveying messages that words sometimes cannot. The rhythmic patterns of drums are deeply embedded in communal gatherings, rites of passage, and ceremonial events, establishing a sense of shared identity and collective memory. In many societies, the drumbeat is considered the heartbeat of the community, bringing individuals together to celebrate, mourn, or communicate in moments of joy or distress.

Beyond their musical function, drums embody the ethos of African communities by reinforcing social cohesion. The process of drumming often involves collective participation, where everyone’s rhythm complements others to create harmonious unity. This collective act underscores the importance of cooperation, interdependence, and solidarity, values that are vital to fostering peace and stability on a continent historically marked by conflict.

Moreover, drums hold spiritual significance across various African cultures. They are believed to connect the earthly realm with the spiritual, serving as conduits for ancestral communication or divine invocation. Traditional drumming ceremonies often invoke protection, fertility, and harmony, emphasizing the cultural importance of balance and spiritual wellbeing. These spiritual dimensions reinforce the understanding that peace and unity are fundamental to social harmony, echoing the deeper aspirations for a continent that embraces its diverse identities while striving for collective wellbeing.

Guest: Kate Moia - Energy Alchemist

Energy cleansing is a practice that helps to clear negative energies, stagnant thoughts, and emotional clutter from your environment and personal aura. Engaging in energy cleansing, especially at the start of a new week, can be particularly beneficial for several reasons.

Guest: Dr Zhakieyyah - Homeopathic Practitionier

Guest: Khanyisa Mbina - Marketing and Wellness Assistant

Homeopathic healing, or homeopathy, is a holistic approach to medicine developed in the late 18th century by Samuel Hahnemann. Its core philosophy is based on the principle of "like cures like," meaning that substances that produce symptoms in a healthy person can be used in extremely diluted forms to treat similar symptoms in a sick person.

Mpho Sebina is a talented and emerging singer-songwriter from Botswana, known for her evocative voice and compelling storytelling through music. In October of last year, she released her highly anticipated album, which she affectionately describes as a "love letter to Africa." This album reflects her deep appreciation for her roots and the diverse cultures that make up the continent. 

One of the standouts tracks from her album is the single "Alkebulan," a song that not only showcases Sebina's vocal prowess but also pays homage to Africa's rich heritage. The title "Alkebulan" is one of the oldest names for Africa, symbolizing the continent's diversity and resilience. Through this song and the rest of the album, Mpho Sebina explores themes of identity, love, and the connection to her homeland, resonating deeply with listeners across the continent and beyond.