Lunch with Pippa Hudson

Everybody’s been talking about the Korean TV series Squid Game, and I guess it was only a matter of time before someone started staging their own variations for real-time fun – without the deadly consequences of course.

For those who haven’t watched it, the Netflix show sees a group of debt-ridden Koreans compete in a series of traditional children’s games, in the hope of winning enough money to change their lives.  Lose the game or get caught in a mistake, and you've executed on the spot. It’s a grim commentary on humankind and on issues of class struggle and financial mobility, and it’s definitely not going to be everyone’s cup of tea.

But a Squid Games event happening in Cape Town later this week might be.  

The event is being hosted by Playalot, a kids' indoor play and party venue in Kuils River – but this Friday evening, the gr4own-ups are welcome as well. 

Guest: Chantal McCallum who is their events manager 

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Today marks the 161st anniversary of the arrival in South Africa of a ship called the Truro. She had set sail from Madras, India months earlier, and onboard were 342 Indian nationals who had signed on as indentured labourers to work on the sugarcane plantations of Natal.  Recruited by the South African government, they were the first of several tranches of workers who would come to this country in the hope of building a better life for themselves and their families – but who would find that their living and working conditions were a far cry from the vision that had been sold to them in India.

As we mark this anniversary it is my great pleasure to welcome to the show someone who has spent the last few years of her life immersed in researching this story, bringing it to life in her gorgeous debut novel called Children of Sugarcane. 

She is my former colleague and highly respected media professional, Joanne Joseph. 

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In today's music segment, we feature the sounds of South African musician, Bongi Archi. Some might remember Bongi from way back in 2010, when he appeared in SA Idols, performing under his birth name Bongi Mthombeni.

In the time since then, Bongi's been a busy man, doing live shows, corporate events, performing on Disney cruise liners as well as regular appearances on other TV shows.

He's now heading into a new phase in his career as a recording artist under the new name, Bongi Archi, having recently released his debut single, Excuse Me.

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A literary event taking place this weekend is the 9th edition of the annual Poetry in McGregor Festival. The event brings together more than 80 different poets who will share their work with festival-goers at a series of small, Covid-compliant events.

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Guest: Stephanie Fick | Executive Director of the Accountability Division at OUTA - Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse

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Chantal Lascaris is the author of the popular “All Sorts of” series – we’ve previously chatted to her about All Sorts of Healthy Dishes the Mediterannean Way, and All Sorts of Tapas. But just in time for summer, she’s released a bumper new book of salads which is packed with inspiration for light, healthy and delicious dishes both as the main event and a gorgeous side dish. 

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La Colombe openings 

New beach club 

Chuckles ice Cream 

Guest: Tessa Purdon: Head of Content at Eat Out and Food 24 

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We are catching up with a young student from Sierra Leone who has just won a significant international prize recognising his creative work in the green energy space. His name is Jeremiah Thoronka and last week he was declared the first-ever winner of the Chegg.org Global Student Prize. It’s an event launched by the Varkey Foundation as a companion to the annual Global Teacher’s Prize.  This version is designed to recognise students who have made a real impact on the lives of their peers and society.  

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Taking us through our entertainment guide are:

Show producer Rafiq Wagiet

EWN reporter Chanel September

Deputy Editor of TVPlus Craig Falck

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Guests

Dr. Rob Evans | A biokineticist 

Undere Deglon | One of the centre’s patients. 

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