Book Dash is a not-for-profit, South African social impact publisher of open, African picturebooks for very young children. Based on evidence, our vision is that “Every child should own a hundred books by the age of five”, long before they enter school!

GUEST: Dorette Louw - Director · Book Dash

 Getting relevant, quality books into the homes of very young children and families is an evidence-based way to support all aspects of a child’s lifelong development and increase positive parenting practices. The earlier we start, the more the benefits compound.

South Africans read more than we think – but still do not have enough books, this is a statement  from one of the key findings presented in the 2023 National Reading Survey (NRS), launched alongside the National Reading Barometer (NRB) project by the Nal’ibali Trust, the National Library of South Africa (NLSA), and a multi-sector project steering committee.

GUEST: NQABAKAZI GINA - Director Nali'bali Trust 

Key findings

• 55% of adults read online materials, up from 7% in 2016.
• 52% of adults who live with children read with them, up from 35% in 2016
• Positive attitudes towards reading and reading with children have increased significantly since 2016
• 63% of homes do not have a single fiction or nonfiction book
• 65% of homes with children under age 10 do not have a single picture book
• 76% of African language speakers who read for enjoyment want to read in African languages, but book access lags behind demand
• Only 58% of adults can access a library, and most library users don’t borrow books
• A new national survey reveals that South Africans read more than we think: 83% of South Africans read in some way, whether for pleasure, to learn new things or to communicate with others, and 32% read books regularly.

 
But they still face significant challenges accessing reading material, especially in African languages, and most children are growing up without any children’s books at home. This is one of the key findings presented in the 2023 National Reading Survey (NRS), launched alongside the National Reading Barometer (NRB) project by the Nal’ibali Trust, the National Library of South Africa (NLSA), and a multi-sector project steering committee in Sandton, Johannesburg, on 13 June 2023

The recent passing of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill by the South African National Assembly marks a significant milestone in the nation's journey towards universal healthcare. This comprehensive legislation aims to provide equitable access to quality healthcare services for all South African citizens. What does it all mean?

GUEST: GARY FELDMAN - Head of Healthcare Consulting at NMG Benefits

• The impact of NHI on the Medical Scheme sector
• What will the effect be on the Private and Public Healthcare Facilities
• How will it shift the Role of Healthcare Consultants
• What are possible concerns  for the healthcare system?

NHI Bill: Do we need it? Who will pay for it? How will it affect my medical aid? All your questions answered

South Africa has embarked on an ambitious journey towards universal healthcare, with Parliament on Tuesday passing the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill

As Pride Month takes centre stage, it's important to recognise the significance of fostering a culture of inclusion within the workplace. In an era where diversity and acceptance are fundamental values, organisations that prioritise creating an inclusive environment are reaping the rewards of increased productivity, innovation, and employee satisfaction. 

GUEST: DR. CLAUDIA NAGEL - Full Professor Vrije University Amsterdam; President of ISPSO (International Society for the Psychoanalytic Study of Organizations) coach, and Senior Advisor to international organisations and their board members .

Percy Malepe,  from Diepsloot in Johannesburg works hard to improve the lives of people in his community. He is the founder and chairperson of Ikemeleng Foundation – an NPO that feeds 400 people a day, offers free sports and afterschool classes to learners and a food garden. The youth organisation operates in Extension 1, and was founded in 2020 during the hard lockdown. We spoke to him last year, and catch up with him on the needs of the organisation as the schooling year commences…

GUEST: Percy Malepe - Founder and chairperson of Ikemeleng Foundation

The Undone follows the stories of three brave women who dare to say what’s been left unsaid. In their stories, we discover what the face of resilience looks like against calamity. Their stories are an ode to life; the humour, the tragedy, the loss and the success of it all.  Written and performed by Serena Steinhauer and produced by Daphne Kuhn, The Undone is inspired by overcoming adversity. 

Guest: Serena Steinhauer – Writer and performer of Undone

In September 2021, multi award winning South African guitarist Vuma Levin was named as the  Standard Bank Young artist for jazz. To this end he undertook to create a work commensurate  with the scale of this achievement. The resulting product is his new album titled The Past is Unpredictable: Only the Future is Certain, out on renowned Dutch Jazz Label, DOX Records, on 19 May 2023.

"Vuma Levin is destined to be one of South African jazz's greatest musicians" - Mail and Guardian

Born a South African and raised during the unstable interregnum years of Post-Apartheid South Africa, Guitarist Vuma Ian Levin's music is an attempt to interrogate conceptions of identity, nation, culture, power and being both globally and in the emergent, post 1994 South African Democratic project. 

Beginning his studies in jazz at age 18, Vuma received lessons from the South African Jazz guitar legend, Johnny Fourie.  He went on to attend the Conservatorium Van Amsterdam where he graduated with honours. His time in the Netherlands saw him successfully contest several competitions including The Keep an Eye Jazz Awards, The Dutch Eindwerk Prijs, Keep and Eye: The Records, The Dutch Jazz Competition and the Montreux Socar Internationl Jazz Guitar Competition. 

Community-backed projects have received a boost from the Social Employment Fund and The Craft and Design Institute. We zone in on Khayelitsha. 

Today the Africa Jam Youth Outreach will perform their play “IDINGA” in Kilombo Village in Khayelitsha

GUEST: LOYISO DAMOYI – Event Organiser 

Tickets are R50 per person and there’s space for approximately 300 guests. IDINGA tackles the issue of generational poverty and explores the idea of enterprising youth bootstrapping their way to financial freedom. Doors open at 3pm.

Guest: Nico Smith, Petrol Head

Elephant Sands Bush Lodge and campsite is located 53 km north of Nata on the main road to Kasane, and offers 20 En-suite safari tents and 8 En-suite chalets, each with a unique view of the watering hole frequented by numerous elephants.

The lodge has a restaurant, bar and a plunge pool. Activities include game drives, bush walks and mountain biking.

There is plenty of different wildlife around on the unfenced 16000 hectare private conservancy. The  campsite and lodge are unfenced; all animals roam freely which means you can expect to see various wildlife. Bring a good torch or headlamp with you, if you do not want to bump into a browsing giant at night on your way to the bathroom or tent.