The history of Worker’s Day is said to originate from the 1800s when workers were fighting for shorter days and also the right to have a say in how they are treated. The 1st of May is recognised internationally as Worker’s or Labour Day and here in South Africa it was officially recognised in 1994 when the democratically elected government took over as you all know where we come from. So today, we thought to speak to some of the unions just to get a sense of where we are when it comes to the state of workers in this country. Under the current government which has amended many cruel laws from the past, are things better for workers? How much has improved and how do they describe the state of workers 29 years into our democracy? To discuss this with them, we are joined on the line by....   

Guest: Tahir Maepa – Secretary-General of the Public Service and Commercial Union of South Africa

Guest: Abeeda Adams, - Provincial Secretary at the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa in the Western Cape

Guest: Riefdah Ajam – General Secretary for the Federation of Unions of South Africa

Two of the country’s musical legends and recipients of the lifetime achievement awards, Babsy Mlangeni and Joe Nina have joined forces. They are bringing a timeless musical masterpiece, Kumnandi and Kumnandi Reloaded. have come together to create a project that perfectly blends their individual styles into a celebration of life and to tell us more on the project and how it came about, the two legends join us now in studio…

Guest(Studio): Babsy Mlangeni – Legendary South African musician and recipients of the lifetime achievement awards

Guest(Studio): Joe Nina (Makhosini Henry Xaba) – Musician and producer, recipients of the lifetime achievement awards

This morning we speak about black women’s hair. Our guest is highlighting how black and mixed-race women, traditional shampoos and conditioners pose a huge risk. One of the things she says is that research has found that 78% of products on the black hair care market contained toxic ingredients leading to a host of health issues for black and mixed-race women: cancers, hormonal disruption, developmental and reproductive disorders, allergies and other health issues. To educate us more on this, we are joined in studio by….

Guest(Studio): Ben Anna Padmore – Holistic natural hair care specialist who specialises in Alooecia. She is also a certified wellness and health coach and product creator

Since the beginning of this month, which is regarded as Freedom Month, we’ve been bringing you a historical perspective of our journey to this day. So today we are bringing you the voices of young people to hear how they interpret this day and also what are their experiences of freedom.

Listening to comments either on social media or the media in general, the biggest talking point is unemployment. Even those who have graduated cry about not finding jobs. Also if you are a parent of a young person, how do you feel and what are they saying to you?

Guest: Leander Julius - Entrepreneur and Scholar at the Accolades Start Up School

Guest: Ntsiki Khunju - Writer and Activator

Guest: Mogau Ntsoane - Writer and Activator

Guest: Ras Hein - Grassroot Activist

Guest: Yolokazi Mfutho - Development Practitioner and Youth Advisor

Guest: Jackie Seroke - Currently finance secretary for the PAC and also a former detainee who was tortured for his part in liberating this country

Guest: Hezekiel Mothupi - Founding member of the Pan-Africanist Congress, former member of the PAC Youth League and leader of the PAC Sophiatown branch. He is now 90 years and working on his autobiography.

Guest: Dr. Shangai Mutambawira - Medical Doctor

Yesterday, we started the week by commemorating the 30th anniversary of the passing of Oliver Reginald Tambo on 24 April 1993. The Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation commemorated the day by screening the 2019 documentary: The Jewel in our Crown which delves into the mind of the master diplomat, whose vision and foresight created the network of global alliances that constituted the anti-apartheid movement, the largest solidarity movement in history.

His death took place two weeks after the assissination of Chris Hani and shook the nation to its core. During the his funeral on 2 May 1993, former President Nelson Mandela reflected: “Oliver lived not because he did all the things that all of us as ordinary men and women do. Oliver lived because he had surrendered his very being to the people. He lived because his very being embodied love, an idea, a hope, an aspiration, a vision.” 

“While he lived, our minds would never quite formulate the thought that this man is other than what the naked eye could see. We could sense it, but never crystallise the thought that with us was one of the few people who inhabited our own human environment, who could be described as the jewel in our crown. I say that Oliver Tambo has not died, because the ideals for which he sacrificed his life can never die.”

Let us listen to the trailer of this film which feature the voices of Albie Sachs, Frene Ginwala, Mavuso Msimang, Lord Peter Hain, Max Sisulu, Graca Machel, Pallo Jordan, Prof. Ben Turok, Ambassador Lindiwe Mabuza, former President Thabo Mbeki and many more.

In light of this, we wanted to speak to somebody who could not only reflect on his legacy as an architect of our freedom today but his role as a father and family man. We are joined by…

Guest: Ambassador Nomatemba Tambo - High Commissioner for the Republic of South Africa to the United Kingdom | Daughter of Oliver Reginald Tambo

As this is the last Tuesday of the month, Bryan will be answering the most frequently asked questions that he has received. We are joined by…

Guest(studio): Bryan Hirsch - Chairperson of Bryan Hirsch, Colley & Associates (Pty) Limited

Nkwenkwe Nkomo – Former National Organiser of the Black Peoples Convention, political prisoner and a member of the 1970s group of activists

Guest: Prof Saths Cooper –President of the Pan-African Psychology Union, Also former leader of the Black Consciousness Movement, political prisoner and a member of the 1970s group of activists )

Berita is a multi-award-winning, platinum-selling singer-songwriter, guitarist, music producer and founder of music rights and talent management company Assali Music. Introduced to South Africa in 2012 with the now classic debut ‘Thandolwethu’. Berita has gone on to release four studio albums to critical and commercial acclaim. Preceded by the much-loved 2019 single ‘Ndicel’ikiss’, Berita began 2020 with her chart-topping fourth studio album “Songs in The Key of Love'' released on the 28th of February 2020. The album's lead single ‘Jikizinto’ peaked at number 1 on the Radio Monitor charts making Berita the first Solo female and independent artist to have a number 1 record in the new decade.

Sonically, Berita’s music is an authentic blend of soul music borrowing elements from Afro-Jazz, contemporary pop influences as well as South African dance music. Berita’s music is the soundtrack of life, her lyrical content is substantial from love lost to love found Berita is a master communicator for the heart and soul. Berita’s music style was influenced by her distinct background. Born in Zimbabwe, Berita was introduced to the music of Oliver Mtukudzi and Majaivana, South African artists Brenda Fassie, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Mafikizolo. In 2007 she emigrated to New Zealand with her family in search of greener pastures due to the difficult economic and political climate in Zimbabwe. Whilst living in the diaspora Berita found solace in infectious pop music on the radio inspiring her to pick up the guitar. In 2011 Berita arrived in South Africa with a suitcase and a guitar on a parental mandate to attend tertiary education and secretly to pursue her love for music. Needless to say she excelled in both!

Berita has cemented her position as African music royalty, rubbing shoulders with late Zimbabwean music giant Oliver Mtukudzi and Grammy award-winning Hugh Masekela on the adult contemporary chart-topping collaboration titled 'Mwana Wa Mai' released in 2014. Berita has released dance hits with South African house music legends Oskido and DJ Tira. Equally comfortable amongst her peers Berita has worked with dance mavericks Mobi Dixon and Da Capo as well as award-winning soul singer Amanda Black. Berita has graced live stages in East and Southern Africa including the Bayimba International Festival (Uganda), Lake of Stars Festival (Malawi), Jakaranda Music Festival (Zimbabwe) and Cape Town International Jazz festival (South Africa).

Guest(Studio): Berita, real name Gugulethu Khumalo -  Musician, singer, songwriter and music producer