"Since the Zuma presidency weakened crime intelligence, violent crime surged, with murder rates rising over 75%. South Africa faces severe femicide, and most murderers evade justice. Prisons fail by perpetuating crime; harsher sentences do not help. Edwin Cameron, after visiting prisons, advocates for reform. Along with colleagues, he suggests abolishing minimum sentences, cash bail, and decriminalizing drug use to improve safety and justice."  Jonathan Ball Publishers

What happens when we stop speaking about incarceration and start listening to the lives shaped within it?

In this powerful episode of Nongcebo McKenzie: The Podcast, we sit with the story behind Behind Prison Walls: Unlocking a Safer South Africa with Edwin Cameron, Rebecca Gore and Sohela Surajpal; a book that confronts the realities of the criminal justice system through lived experience, memory, and truth-telling. This is not a sensational account of prison life. It is a careful, courageous exploration of humanity under confinement.

We unpack the emotional, psychological, and social dimensions of life behind prison walls: the weight of isolation, the erosion and reconstruction of identity, the impact on families left on the outside, and the systems that continue to reproduce cycles of silence and stigma. At the heart of this conversation is a question that demands reflection: who do we allow to be seen as fully human, and who do we write off?

This episode invites listeners to sit with discomfort, challenge inherited narratives about crime and punishment, and consider what justice, rehabilitation, and accountability truly mean in a society still reckoning with inequality and exclusion.

Rooted in empathy, context, and clarity, this conversation speaks to readers, activists, policy thinkers, creatives, and anyone willing to engage with stories that are often hidden in plain sight.

The Podcast:
Camera: Mluleki Dlamini & Siyabonga Meyiwa
Sound: Sibusiso 'Dust' Nkosi
Editing: Mluleki Dlamini
Co-ordinator: Phumelele Khambule
Host: Nongcebo Vukile McKenzie

Contact: [email protected]
View episodes on YouTube : Link ➡️ https://youtube.com/@nvmckenzie?si=y8ZcaOQ0yYqjGhA8

Disclaimer:
Some content may include sensitive topics and discussions, listener discretion is advised. The intention is not to offend but to provide information. Proceed only if you are comfortable with potentially sensitive topics. The content on this podcast does not constitute financial, legal, medical, or any other professional advice. Users should consult with the relevant professionals for specific advice related to their situation.

The Podcast is not responsible and cannot be held liable for any damages resulting from reliance on the content provided through the channel's content. All content is provided without warranty.

In this episode, Nongcebo Mckenzie is joined by Gugulethu Xaba, an entrepreneur and development strategist with nearly 15 years of experience in business development across multiple sectors.

Gugulethu is the founder of several organisations, including the Moonlight Economic Development Forum (MEDF) and the Lighthouse Economic Development Institute (LEDI)—two NPOs with extensive networks supporting youth, women, and emerging entrepreneurs.

Together, they explore the realities and opportunities of rural economic development, strategies for empowering communities in South Africa and the broader SADC region and the long-term vision for economic growth across the African continent

A powerful discussion on building sustainable economic ecosystems and unlocking the potential of rural communities.

The Podcast:
Camera: Mluleki Dlamini & Siyabonga Meyiwa
Sound: Sibusiso 'Dust' Nkosi
Editing: Mluleki Dlamini
Co-ordinator: Phumelele Khambule
Host: Nongcebo Vukile McKenzie

Contact: [email protected]
View episodes on YouTube : Link ➡️ https://youtube.com/@nvmckenzie?si=y8ZcaOQ0yYqjGhA8

Disclaimer:
Some content may include sensitive topics and discussions, listener discretion is advised. The intention is not to offend but to provide information. Proceed only if you are comfortable with potentially sensitive topics. The content on this podcast does not constitute financial, legal, medical, or any other professional advice. Users should consult with the relevant professionals for specific advice related to their situation.

The Podcast is not responsible and cannot be held liable for any damages resulting from reliance on the content provided through the channel's content. All content is provided without warranty.

“How do you spot a narcissist?” Nongcebo Mckenzie and Phephelani Zondi break down the patterns, the impact, and the protective steps you can take. A powerful conversation that brings clarity to a topic many struggle with.
In this episode of Nongcebo Mckenzie: The Podcast, psychologist Phephelani Zondi explains the signs of narcissism, how narcissistic behaviour affects relationships, and practical ways to set healthy boundaries. Learn how to identify narcissistic traits and support your emotional wellbeing.

The Podcast:
Camera: Mluleki Dlamini & Siyabonga Meyiwa
Sound: Sibusiso 'Dust' Nkosi
Editing: Mluleki Dlamini
Co-ordinator: Phumelele Khambule
Host: Nongcebo Vukile McKenzie

Contact: [email protected]
View episodes on YouTube : Link ➡️ https://youtube.com/@nvmckenzie?si=y8ZcaOQ0yYqjGhA8

Disclaimer:
Some content may include sensitive topics and discussions, listener discretion is advised. The intention is not to offend but to provide information. Proceed only if you are comfortable with potentially sensitive topics. The content on this podcast does not constitute financial, legal, medical, or any other professional advice. Users should consult with the relevant professionals for specific advice related to their situation.

The Podcast is not responsible and cannot be held liable for any damages resulting from reliance on the content provided through the channel's content. All content is provided without warranty.

A little while ago, Professor Nokuthula Sibiya, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Mangosuthu University of Technology joined us as a guest on The Podcast. Enjoy this insightful conversation on leadership in higher education.

Professor Nokuthula Sibiya’s life and work embody the true essence of heroism through consistent, dedicated efforts to uplift her community. Born and raised in Umlazi, she has a deep connection to her roots and has faced socio-economic challenges firsthand. Her journey from a nurse to being a distinguished academic leader is marked by a profound commitment to education, community health, and women’s empowerment. During her tenure as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation & Engagement at MUT, she has been instrumental in shaping the university’s community-focused strategy. Her initiatives in youth empowerment, digital literacy, and health education have created a lasting impact, making her an exemplary figure in both academia and her community.

Professor Sibiya took the reigns as Vice-Chancellor & Principal of Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) on 01 August, 2024.  This was a historic milestone marking the appointment of Professor Nokuthula Sibiya as the first Umlazi-born and female Vice-Chancellor during the institution’s 45th anniversary. This milestone underscores the university’s longstanding legacy of shaping future leaders and its dedication to advancing higher education in South Africa.  Her vision for MUT includes enhancing the university’s research capabilities, promoting interdisciplinary collaborations, and establishing globally competitive academic programs.
SOURCE: https://www.mut.ac.za/about-mut/the-acting-vcs-desk-2/

The Podcast:
Camera: Mluleki Dlamini & Siyabonga Meyiwa
Sound: Sibusiso 'Dust' Nkosi
Editing: Mluleki Dlamini
Co-ordinator: Phumelele Khambule
Host: Nongcebo Vukile McKenzie

Contact: [email protected]
View episodes on YouTube : Link ➡️ https://youtube.com/@nvmckenzie?si=y8ZcaOQ0yYqjGhA8

Disclaimer:
Some content may include sensitive topics and discussions, listener discretion is advised. The intention is not to offend but to provide information. Proceed only if you are comfortable with potentially sensitive topics. The content on this podcast does not constitute financial, legal, medical, or any other professional advice. Users should consult with the relevant professionals for specific advice related to their situation.

The Podcast is not responsible and cannot be held liable for any damages resulting from reliance on the content provided through the channel's content. All content is provided without warranty.

Award-winning former television and radio news journalist and author , Vanessa Govender, is our guest on this episode of the podcast to talk about her newest book, The Village Indian.

Take one over-the-top, bolshie, city-slicker Indian woman.
One reticent and reserved white husband.
And their three children.

Add them all to a far-flung village in the South African countryside where mixed-race families are somewhat of a rarity, and you get front-row seats to a lifestyle that is both delightful and, at times, decidedly discombobulating. Told with generous dollops of that quirky, sometimes perplexing Indian lingo that is unique to South Africans of Indian origin, and garnished with hilarity and introspection, The Village Indian is a journey of the self and an authentic celebration of identity, culture and food – while not forgetting the confusion and chaos that often go with being a South African. From run-ins with deadly snakes, to everyday encounters with chickens, to sprinklings of small-town scams and skulduggery, mischievous point scoring and attempted coups d’état, this book provides the tea for endless titillation.

And in this village, far, far away, meshugas, there is the unmistakeable magic of a tight, caring community that knows how to display its humanity.

The Village Indian is a tale for all South Africans. SOURCE: www.jacana.co.za/

The Podcast:
Camera: Mluleki Dlamini & Siyabonga Meyiwa
Sound: Sibusiso 'Dust' Nkosi
Editing: Mluleki Dlamini
Co-ordinator: Phumelele Khambule
Host: Nongcebo Vukile McKenzie

Contact: [email protected]
View episodes on YouTube : Link ➡️ https://youtube.com/@nvmckenzie?si=y8ZcaOQ0yYqjGhA8

Disclaimer:
Some content may include sensitive topics and discussions, listener discretion is advised. The intention is not to offend but to provide information. Proceed only if you are comfortable with potentially sensitive topics. The content on this podcast does not constitute financial, legal, medical, or any other professional advice. Users should consult with the relevant professionals for specific advice related to their situation.

The Podcast is not responsible and cannot be held liable for any damages resulting from reliance on the content provided through the channel's content. All content is provided without warranty.

Jeffrey Rakabe explores his personal journey through his book 'Led by Shepherds'  on this episode of The Podcast. The book blends memoir and social critique, reflecting on masculinity, culture, and healing, while sparking dialogue on tradition, identity, and change. 

Led by Shepherds begins with twelve-year-old Jeffrey Rakabe leaving his village to attend an initiation ceremony, believing it to be the key to his manhood. But the weeks-long rite of passage in the mountains is a far cry from the adventure he’d imagined. Years later, as a student, Rakabe discovers the nurturing world of books and thrives within the hush of the Johannesburg Public Library. The presence of caring women in his life, from his concerned mother and supportive partner to a librarian who feeds his intellectual curiosity with a steady supply of literature, spur Rakabe to investigate the possible links between the koma ritual, awash with misogynistic language, and gender-based violence in SA.

Part memoir, part manifesto, Led by Shepherds is a moving, vital and controversial book and Jeffrey Rakabe a brave voice for a new generation.

The Podcast:
Camera: Mluleki Dlamini & Siyabonga Meyiwa
Sound: Sibusiso 'Dust' Nkosi
Editing: Mluleki Dlamini
Co-ordinator: Phumelele Khambule
Host: Nongcebo Vukile McKenzie

Contact: [email protected]
View episodes on YouTube : Link ➡️ https://youtube.com/@nvmckenzie?si=y8ZcaOQ0yYqjGhA8

Disclaimer:
Some content may include sensitive topics and discussions, listener discretion is advised. The intention is not to offend but to provide information. Proceed only if you are comfortable with potentially sensitive topics. The content on this podcast does not constitute financial, legal, medical, or any other professional advice. Users should consult with the relevant professionals for specific advice related to their situation.

The Podcast is not responsible and cannot be held liable for any damages resulting from reliance on the content provided through the channel's content. All content is provided without warranty.

On this episode of Nongcebo McKenzie: The Podcast, the guest is writer and journalist Gavin Evans, author of Son of a Preacher Man. In our conversation, Gavin shares the journey behind the book, the personal stories that inspired it, and the insights he’s gathered along the way. Join me as we explore themes of family, identity, and how those early experiences continue influenced the person he’s become. 

Son of a Preacher Man is a story about a loving but fraught relationship between a father and son in apartheid South Africa.

The father was Bruce Evans, a Jewish-born, evangelical Anglican clergyman who became Bishop of Port Elizabeth. His children grew up in the 1960s and ’70s in a world awash with chapter-and-verse ‘born-again’ Christianity that included ‘talking-in-tongues’, ‘divine healings’ and exorcism.

Gavin, his middle son, who narrates the tale, eventually broke with the religious beliefs he’d inherited and threw himself into the ‘struggle’ for democracy while keeping his father at arms’ length. But they reconciled shortly before Bruce’s death from motor neuron disease in 1993.

The book delves into the psyches of both men and examines how it played out in the 33 years they had together. SOURCE: LOOT.CO.ZA

The Podcast:
Camera: Mluleki Dlamini & Siyabonga Meyiwa
Sound: Sibusiso 'Dust' Nkosi
Editing: Mluleki Dlamini
Co-ordinator: Phumelele Khambule
Host: Nongcebo Vukile McKenzie

Contact: [email protected]
View episodes on YouTube : Link ➡️ https://youtube.com/@nvmckenzie?si=y8ZcaOQ0yYqjGhA8

Disclaimer:
Some content may include sensitive topics and discussions, listener discretion is advised. The intention is not to offend but to provide information. Proceed only if you are comfortable with potentially sensitive topics. The content on this podcast does not constitute financial, legal, medical, or any other professional advice. Users should consult with the relevant professionals for specific advice related to their situation.

The Podcast is not responsible and cannot be held liable for any damages resulting from reliance on the content provided through the channel's content. All content is provided without warranty.

Kaizer Nyatsumba, renowned journalist and commentator turned senior business executive, tells his remarkable story of transition and integrity. From his birth in poverty on a farm at White River in Mpumalanga, to his studies at the University of Zululand, Georgetown University in the United States and the University of Hull in the United Kingdom, becoming a journalist and newspaper editor, and finally a senior business executive on listed and non-listed companies in South Africa.  SOURCE: NB Publishers

Dr Nyatsumba is our guest on this episode of The Podcast to chat about his book, 'Corporate Newsman'. 

The Podcast:
Camera: Mluleki Dlamini & Siyabonga Meyiwa
Sound: Sibusiso 'Dust' Nkosi
Editing: Mluleki Dlamini
Co-ordinator: Phumelele Khambule
Host: Nongcebo Vukile McKenzie

Contact: [email protected]
View episodes on YouTube : Link ➡️ https://youtube.com/@nvmckenzie?si=y8ZcaOQ0yYqjGhA8

Disclaimer:
Some content may include sensitive topics and discussions, listener discretion is advised. The intention is not to offend but to provide information. Proceed only if you are comfortable with potentially sensitive topics. The content on this podcast does not constitute financial, legal, medical, or any other professional advice. Users should consult with the relevant professionals for specific advice related to their situation.

The Podcast is not responsible and cannot be held liable for any damages resulting from reliance on the content provided through the channel's content. All content is provided without warranty.

On this Momentum Corporate Live Studio Chat, be inspired by the personal journey of saving and achieving financial goals. 
From small steps to big milestones, discover how the right mindset, and the right support can turn dreams into reality.

The "Zenzele" series is a video series by Momentum Corporate that educates and entertains viewers about retirement planning and financial wellness. 
The Podcast has partnered with Momentum Corporate to bring you conversations that give insights to help you make the right decisions for you and your finances. 

The Podcast:
Camera: Mluleki Dlamini & Siyabonga Meyiwa
Sound: Sibusiso 'Dust' Nkosi
Editing: Mluleki Dlamini
Co-ordinator: Phumelele Khambule
Host: Nongcebo Vukile McKenzie

Contact: [email protected]
View episodes on YouTube : Link ➡️ https://youtube.com/@nvmckenzie?si=y8ZcaOQ0yYqjGhA8

Disclaimer:
Some content may include sensitive topics and discussions, listener discretion is advised. The intention is not to offend but to provide information. Proceed only if you are comfortable with potentially sensitive topics. The content on this podcast does not constitute financial, legal, medical, or any other professional advice. Users should consult with the relevant professionals for specific advice related to their situation.

The Podcast is not responsible and cannot be held liable for any damages resulting from reliance on the content provided through the channel's content. All content is provided without warranty.

For many, the word “retirement” sparks mixed emotions: excitement for freedom, but also uncertainty about the future. What happens when the 9-to-5 ends? Who do we become beyond our careers?
In this Zenzele Series episode,  legendary broadcaster Mam'Vicky Masuku and Lynette Uys from Momentum Corporate unpack these questions and remind us that retirement isn’t the end of productivity or purpose. It’s a season to redefine yourself, nurture passions, and enjoy the rewards of years of planning. Because truly, there is life after retirement.

The "Zenzele" series is a video series by Momentum Corporate that educates and entertains viewers about retirement planning and financial wellness. 
The Podcast has partnered with Momentum Corporate to bring you conversations that give insights to help you make the right decisions for you and your finances. 

The Podcast:
Camera: Mluleki Dlamini & Siyabonga Meyiwa
Sound: Sibusiso 'Dust' Nkosi
Editing: Mluleki Dlamini
Co-ordinator: Phumelele Khambule
Host: Nongcebo Vukile McKenzie

Contact: [email protected]
View episodes on YouTube : Link ➡️ https://youtube.com/@nvmckenzie?si=y8ZcaOQ0yYqjGhA8

Disclaimer:
Some content may include sensitive topics and discussions, listener discretion is advised. The intention is not to offend but to provide information. Proceed only if you are comfortable with potentially sensitive topics. The content on this podcast does not constitute financial, legal, medical, or any other professional advice. Users should consult with the relevant professionals for specific advice related to their situation.

The Podcast is not responsible and cannot be held liable for any damages resulting from reliance on the content provided through the channel's content. All content is provided without warranty.