Focus: In commemoration of 30 years of democracy in South Africa, we take a closer look at the journey of women's rights since the end of apartheid. Join us as we examine the progress made, the challenges faced, and the current state of affairs regarding women's rights in the country. From the pivotal role of women in the struggle against apartheid to the ongoing efforts to address gender-based violence and promote women's empowerment, our panel of guests will provide insights and perspectives on the successes and shortcomings of the past 30 years. Together, we'll explore the intersectionality of gender, race, and class in shaping the experiences of women in post-apartheid South Africa and discuss strategies for achieving full gender equality and social justice in the years to come.

Guest: Dr Ayesha Omar – Political Analyst, Senior Lecturer in Political theory in the Department of Political Studies at Wits and currently the British Academy International Fellow (2023) at the Department of Politics and International Studies at SOAS University of London

Guest: Tswelopele Makoe - Gender Activist and MA (Ethics) Student at the Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice at UWC.

Guest: Gugu Nonjinje - Advocacy Specialist at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation

Often on our programmes many of you our listeners ask about the delay in investigating private sector corruption compared to government department. The reported suicide of former disgraced CEO of Steinhoff, Marcus Jooste has raised so many questions reminding us also of Bosasa CEO, Gavin Watson and mining magnate, Brett Kebble. The three of them died under a cloud of controversy with them being investigated by different bodies and implicated in activities. So this morning we thought to talk to a forensic expert about the difficulty of investigating the private sector and the complexities around that.

Guest: David Loxton – Financial Forensic Investigator

Last week Monday we had a discussion on racism in the workplace. This followed incidents of racism at the Curro independent school network with all sorts of allegations of racial name-calling. We then invited four guests to talk about solutions for dealing with racism in the workplace. We had Terry Oakley-Smith - MD of Diversi-T, Dr Joy Owen from the University of the Free State, Dr Shahieda Jansen - Clinical Psychologist and Tryphina Mopai - HR Specialist. 

Guest: Hassen Lorgat – Social Justice Activist (Feels that our institutions are letting us down. Says under apartheid there was better unity for black advancement)

Guest: Rethabile Ratsomo - Anti racism programme manager at the Kathrada Foundation

Guest: Professor Roger Southall - Professor Emeritus in Sociology at the University of the Witwatersrand.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation, the National Empowerment Fund and the Export Credit Insurance Corporation hosted the second Black Industrialists and Exporters Conference at the Sandton International Convention Centre on 20 March 2024. The objective of the Black Industrialists (BIs) Programme is to increase the participation of black South Africans in the ownership and control of productive enterprises in key sectors and value chains of the country’s economy. 

Guest: Tshepo Ramodibe – Head of Corporate Affairs at the IDC

Makhosazana Masango, known as Azana, is a rising South African singer and songwriter. Azana first gained recognition for featuring on Sun-EL Musician's song "Uhuru" in 2019. Her debut album, "Ingoma," released in 2020, was highly successful and received critical acclaim. Azana's music is a blend of Afro-pop, soul, and R&B, with themes of love, spirituality, and personal growth. Despite her short career, she has been nominated for several awards in different categories, and her music continues to captivate audiences. 

Guest: Azana, real name Makhosazana Masango – Afro-pop musician

We continue our series where we bring you leaders of the various parties to talk about their manifestos and the changes they would like to bring should they win the 2024 elections. Earlier in the month of March, President of the Pan Africanist Congress Mzwanele Nyhontso delivered the party’s manifesto at the Orlando Communal Area in Soweto under the theme of going back to the beliefs of the party’s founder Robert Sobukwe to mark his centenary. 

Guest(Studio): Mzwanele Nyhontso – President of the Pan Africanist Congress

Today we mark the Sharpeville Massacre, which is now called Human Rights Day under an election year that falls on the 30th year of our democracy. Sadly though the sentiment on the ground is very heart-breaking as many people don’t have water, proper housing, access to education and other basic rights enshrined in the constitution. Let’s remind ourselves of some of the problems South Africans are facing on the ground….

Guest: Professor Tinyiko Maluleke -  TUT Vice Chancellor and political analyst

Guest: Prof Anthony Masha – Social realist, academic and an accidental writer on land matters associated with the Walter Sisulu University

Guest: Thamsanqa Malinga – Columnist and author of ‘Blame me on Apartheid and a ‘Dream Betrayed’

It’s that time on a Wednesday where we speak to the IEC about all things elections. Since we’ve started the series with the electoral body, we have been receiving questions still about the three ballots and how they are going to work. This week they’ve also been encouraging eligible voters who will not be at their voting stations on voting day, to make an application with them (IEC) to vote at any other station in the country. The window period for this Section 24A application ends on May 17th. 

Guest: Masego Sheburi – Deputy CEO of the IEC

Sizwe Ntsaluba Gobodo Grant Thornton has published its 2024 Women In Business Report, which highlights gender diversity in senior management among the world's mid-market businesses, exposing barriers and identifying action for change, which just also happened to coincide with International Women's Day, which was commemorated on the 8th of March. 

Guest: Dr Sylvia Sathekge - Chief Information Officer at the Sizwe Ntsaluba Gobodo Grant Thornton

Staying with women issues, this time in the workplace, let’s tell you now about an awareness initiative to remove menopause stigma in the workplace and why it’s important.  Liberty Two Degrees (L2D) in partnership with Business Engage and Life Healthcare have partnered in what they say is an effort foster a workplace environment of empathy and support. 

Guest: Colleen Larson - Chief Executive at Business Engage