John Maytham is joined by Julia Martin, author of On the Sponge Islands, who explores how technological advances in the late 19th century — particularly deep-sea diving suits — transformed sponge harvesting into a dangerous, high-stakes pursuit. While it unlocked unprecedented wealth, it also exposed divers to extreme risks, often with fatal consequences. Through her writing, Martin reveals how this fragile ecosystem and way of life eventually collapsed, leaving behind stories of resilience, loss, and the delicate balance between nature and human ambition.

Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. 

A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. 

Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham 

Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk 

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