Kate Turkington sits down with Mark Anderson, CEO of BirdLife South Africa, to explore why birds matter more than we realise. From getting unexpectedly stranded on St Helena and meeting the island’s rare wirebird, to a life-changing swim with whale sharks, Mark shares unforgettable stories from the wild. The conversation dives into bird conservation successes, the fight to save African penguins, and how ordinary people can help ensure the world never wakes up to a silent dawn.

Kate Turkington sits down with legendary theatre-maker Professor Malcolm D Purkey for a powerful conversation spanning 50 years of South African theatre.

From their early days staging Ubu Rex under apartheid to the rise of politically fearless theatre at Junction Avenue, the Market Theatre, and Wits University, Purkey reflects on art as resistance, teaching as legacy, and the evolution of storytelling in a democratic South Africa.

The episode explores how theatre has shifted from confronting a single oppressive system to grappling with today’s complex questions of identity, language, and gender — and why provocation, imperfection, and authenticity still matter. A rich, reflective conversation with one of the architects of South African stage history.

In a candid and personal chat, veteran leader Helen Zille reflects on her upbringing, political journey and the values of resilience and self-reliance that shaped her career. She shares stories of family, loss and grandparenthood, weighs in on democracy and media freedom, and explains why she believes progress comes from personal responsibility, not victimhood. It’s a warm, thought-provoking conversation about service, courage and her enduring love for Johannesburg.

In this episode of Blind History, Gareth and Anthony dive into the extraordinary life of Charles XII of Sweden — a teenage warrior king who turned an entire empire into a battlefield. From hunting bears as a child to humiliating Peter the Great, sleeping on the ground with his soldiers, and leading charges into blizzards and cannon fire, Charles lived like a man possessed. Fearless, devout, stubborn to a fault, and dead by 37, his story is a brutal masterclass in leadership, hubris, and why history keeps repeating itself.

In this special episode, Kate Turkington dives headfirst into a mountain of books — literally surrounded by piles of her favourite new reads. From gripping historical fiction and heart-pounding crime thrillers to sci-fi anthologies, family-friendly adventures, satirical South African classics, and must-have gift books for kids and teens, Kate curates a definitive guide to books for everyone on your festive or birthday list. With decades of reading behind her and a sharp eye for a great story, she shares the titles worth giving, keeping, and celebrating. Happy reading!

South Africa has the largest prison population in Africa, but what’s really happening behind those walls? In this powerful episode of The Kate Turkington Show, Judge Edwin Cameron joins Kate to unpack his new book Behind Prison Walls. From the harsh reality of overcrowded cells to the flawed sentencing policies shaping our justice system, Cameron challenges everything we think we know about crime and punishment — and shows why change is still possible.

Kate Turkington sits down with award-winning French author Jean-Baptiste Andrea to unpack his international bestseller Watching Over Her. From fascism and art to love, passion, and the fight against tyranny, Andrea reveals the emotional depth behind his characters, the lyrical beauty of translation, and why he cried while writing it. A moving conversation about history, humanity, and the light we search for in the darkest times.

Kate Turkington opens with one of her classic storytelling moments — the tale of dashing Oxford student-turned-war hero Sandy Pringle — before pivoting to modern-day marvels in South Africa. She sits down with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Barrow to unpack the groundbreaking arrival of robot-assisted knee replacement surgery on the continent. From accuracy within half a millimeter to a personalized approach for every patient, this episode blends history, humanity, and cutting-edge medical innovation.

In this episode, we dive deep with acclaimed crime writer John Connolly, creator of the unforgettable Charlie Parkerseries. From the haunted history of Roger Casement to the blurred lines between good and evil, Connolly unpacks how grief, faith, and the supernatural shape his stories. He opens up about the future of Parker, the possibility of a TV adaptation with Colin Farrell, and how place and history breathe life into his novels. A fascinating conversation about storytelling, morality, and the shadows that bind us all.

Kate Turkington kicks off with a witty travel story before chatting to the co-founder of the Festival of Excellence in Dramatic Arts (FEDA) — a three-week showcase of over 60 high school plays, most written by the students themselves. They unpack the bold themes young people are exploring on stage, from gender-based violence to mental health, and share behind-the-scenes moments that prove theatre in South Africa is alive, daring, and thriving.