South Africa commemorates National Book Week every first week of September, an initiative of the South African Book Development Council

Elitha van der Sandt, CEO, South African Book Development Council spoke to us about some of the notable successes of the campaign, providing insights into some of the research SABDC has been conducting on reading as well as how we can encourage both kids and adults to read for leisure.

Malawian-American singer/songwriter Masauko spoke to us about growing up in LA,USA and being part of a large exile community from Southern Africa and the Caribbean.

He also discussed the MASAUKO 'Come to Life' concert Live at UNTITLED BASEMENT, 10th August, 2019.

Toerie van der Merwe & Gerald Elliott, Co-owners of Ba Pita spoke about their restaurant Ba-Pita, based in Melville, Johannesburg. Opening in December last year, Ba-Pita may seem brand new to younger faces, but those who’ve been around the block will recognise its deliciously iconic offering, as well as the owners who’ve brought it back.

Sussie Mjwara, parenting programme trainer and artist at Clowns Without Borders (CWBSA’s) spoke about the organisation hosting free performances around Cape Town to encourage parents, caregivers, adolescents and children to explore and nurture relationships within their family.

CWBSA’s work in addressing the impact of violence against children and the promotion of child wellbeing begun in 2004 through the implementation of a variety of arts-based interventions.

A lack of funds for sanitary wear means thousands of young women are missing up to a week of school monthly, costing them in vital classroom time and setting their education back profoundly.

Sue Barnes, Founder of Subz Pad and Project Dignity spoke about how she designed a re-usable sanitary pad and clip-on panty. The five-year longevity of the product means that a girl entering Grade 8 will be able to use the same Subz pack throughout high school.

Faaizah Laher, ADSA Spokesperson and registered dietitian spoke to us about ageing and its nutritional challenges.

Around the age of thirty years, the strength and vigour of the human body naturally begins to decline. ADSA is working on a new health/nutritional campaign looking at how nutritional needs change as people age.

Cape Town’s 26 year-old Lee-Shane Booysen has been crowned the 2019 Red Bull Dance Your Style champion. He spoke to us about heading to the European street dance mecca in Paris where he will be representing Mzansi and battling over 30 talented street dancers from around the globe.

Our guest presenter , performer, author, satirist, and social activist Pieter Dirk Uys spoke to us about his illustrious career.

We were also joined on the phone by Actress and Director Lizz Meiring and Lynne Maree who is an Actress and Director. One of South Africa’s most prolific writers Steven Gray also joined the discussion.

Tebogo Bathebeng, founder of Montsho Sustainable Project spoke to us about the initiative . Montsho Sustainable Project is an ecological company that provides feed produced by Black Solider Fly larvae Inspired by nature and her ecosystem, MSP’s objectives is to create long term natural growth solutions for communities and businesses. We do this by carefully harvesting Black Soldier flies and their larvae.

Cheraé Halley, director of DFL Playback Theatre spoke to us about the Drama for Life’s full-time professional theatre company and the Swedish national theatre Unga Klara joining creative forces at the Wits Theatre complex in Johannesburg to explore the role of the arts in building a child-centred society.