Festival Curator Shafinaaz Hassim joins us to discuss the 29th edition of the Time of the Writer Festival, presented by the Centre for Creative Arts. Under the theme “Ink-stitutions of Power,” this year’s festival brings together leading authors and public intellectuals including Fred Khumalo, Njabulo Ndebele, Antjie Krog, and Ebrahim Fakir for thought-provoking conversations on literature, power, politics, and storytelling.

In this Lifestyle feature, we sit down with Mzi Kaka, Lecturer at The Academy of Sound Engineering, to unpack the often-unseen role of the radio producer. From shaping on-air content and managing live broadcasts to navigating digital platforms and commercial pressures, Mzi shares insight into what truly goes on behind the microphone. We also explore the future of radio storytelling in the age of Artificial Intelligence and offer honest advice for young people considering a career in broadcasting.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, we unpack the dark side of digital romance with cyber safety expert Michael Buswell. From catfishing tactics and emotional manipulation to AI deepfakes and online photo risks, we explore how romance scammers operate, who they target, and the red flags to watch out for. With millions lost to online love scams, this is a must-listen conversation on protecting your heart  and your wallet in the digital age.

Rising comedian Akhil Maharaj joins the show to share his journey from Richards Bay to national comedy stages. He chats about his personal-life-inspired comedy style, performing at major showcases, promoting local talent, and navigating trends like dad jokes and political humour. A fun, insightful conversation about SA comedy, the business behind it, and what’s next for one of the country’s emerging stars.

Singer-songwriter duo Cameron Emmanuel and Lequicia Astrid join The Lunch Break for a Valentine’s-themed catch-up, reflecting on life after their hit Favourite Person. They share how making music together has strengthened their relationship, discuss wedding performances, upcoming projects, and the impact of digital streaming on their reach. The duo also talk love, creativity, future plans, and end the conversation with heartfelt advice for romantics — and a special live musical moment for listeners.

Rising Cape Town comedian Tristan Perry joins us for a lively conversation about his journey into stand-up comedy, fresh off his appearance at the Newcomer Comedy Showcase. He shares how his everyday experiences shape his storytelling, compares Cape Town and Joburg comedy audiences, and reflects on life on stage — from confidence-building moments to potential embarrassments. Tristan also opens up about the realities of making a living in comedy, his influences, and his future goals in entertainment, including whether comedy is the career path he plans to pursue long term.

In this finance-focused conversation, Eshmael Mpabanga, Country Head at Intellect Design Arena South Africa, unpacks the growing risk facing financial institutions known as the “renovator’s trap.” He explains why incremental digital upgrades are no longer enough and why CEOs must take ownership of architectural redesigns to ensure long-term resilience.

Varshan Sookhun chats to TV star, Jason Willemse, who recently bagged a role in S2’s telenovela Pimville on The Lunch Break. 

Varshan Sookhun chats to Cape youngster, Ashraf Luddy, who transformed his life by pursuing several codes of sport and achieving tops honors within each code. 

A R350 billion SME funding gap persists because many businesses are not funding ready. Varshan Sookhun discusses this further with Co-founder of Unconventional CA, Mentor and Business Coach, Jameel Khan.