The View Point

Mental health is one of those health issues that we talk about during a certain month or when we hear news of someone famous committing suicide as a result of depression – but how often do we consider the importance of getting a balanced mental healthcare sector in South Africa? What are the dangers of having a mentally unbalanced society? And when looking at interventions that are made at grassroots – are they still relevant? Considering the nature of our societal problem today (compared to yesteryear), are social workers still the relevant form of help in disadvantaged communities? Should these offices and interventions not be upskilled?

SONGEZO spoke to Ms Kentse Radebe - Fellow at Tekano Health Equity AND Eexecutive Director at the South African College of Applied Psychology Foundation AND Dr. Linda Blokland - Clinical Psychologist and HoD for Student Counselling at the University of Pretoria

Songezo Mabece was in conversation with the former Springboks Team Manager, Mr Zola Yeye

At a time when South Africa is experiencing profound challenges, we have rallied around the victory in Japan. South Africans white and black celebrated wildly on Saturday and expressed hopes that the Springboks' Rugby World Cup win, inspired by black captain Siya Kolisi, would bring the nation together.

Songezo Mabece was in conversation with SAfm Sport On Presenter THABISO MOSIA

They did an analysis of the match and the formation of the team. They also spoke about what this means for social cohesion, inspiring home amongst children who wish to be rugby players and sports development in South Africa.

Songezo Mabece interviewed the cast members of the musical, Zak Hendrikz who plays LONNY and Lebohang Toko who plays JA’KEITH

Slowly but surely we are getting used to the concept of theater as a country, and more and more we’re seeing adaptations of international theatrical plays trickle in but it’s always sweeter when they incorporate our own talent into the musical.
Hit musical, Rock of Ages is doing just that. It is set to rock Montecasino’s Teatro for the first time from Thursday, 26 September to Sunday, 20 October. The musical features 28 classic rock songs from the 1980s including hits “Don’t Stop Believin'”, “The Final Countdown”, “Here I Go Again” and many more. As the humorous high-energy storyline unfolds, the audience takes a journey back to a colourful era while singing-a-long to rock anthems that come alive on stage. Rock of Ages is a feel-good stage production where audiences are rocking in their seats at every performance.
So if you’re a fan of any of the songs I just mentioned then stay tuned for more.

Songezo Mabece was in conversation with comedians Thapelo FlatKing and Tiki Pasha

Well, they say laughter is good for the soul and I’m sure most of us can attest to that. As a country we can definitely use some good news and some laughter right now. So we thought we’d invite a couple of Comedians for some comic relief.
Thapelo KingFlat is hosting a Comedy show at year’s Homecoming Africa. Homecoming Africa is the first event of an evening revolution set to take the continent by storm. It’s a celebration of African music, culture and lifestyle as well as the building of the cultural bridge between international artists and local support bases.
For the first time in 10 years, the event will include a comedy show. The lineup consists of all black comedians among them is Tiki Pasha who is also here today with KingFlat. What makes it more of a talking point is the fact that this is all happening at the Voortrekker Monument.
This particular monument was built in honour of the Voortrekkers (Pioneers) who left the Cape Colony in their thousands between 1835 and 1854.

How the last 20 minutes before bedtime can help you raise resilient children

Songezo Mabece is in conversation with a children’s book author, Andrew Newman

We’ve just spoken about the Constitutional Court’s corporate punishment ruling in the first half hour where it ruled that it is now illegal for parents to hit their children.
It is befitting then to find more ways to parents, caregivers and guardians build stronger connections with their children. Wouldn’t you agree?
On the line now we’re joined by someone who has been doing so for the past few years. Andrew Newman, an international Author of 14 children’s book has been spreading the message of why the last 20 minutes of a parent and child’s day before bedtime is an important and vital period to teach children core values for their self-development through reading as well as help them deal with the challenges that come across their path each day.

Songezo Mabece is in conversation with Mr Wessel van den Berg, Manager for the Children’s Rights and Positive Parenting Unit at Sonke Gender Justice

A new ruling in favour of children. Yesterday Constitution Court ruled against Freedom of Religion South Africa, saying use of moderate and reasonable punishment, which included spanking, was inconsistent with the Constitution. In simple terms, hitting your child is now against the law.
Freedom of Religion SA’s argument was that parents should be given the right to discipline their own children without the interference of the state.
But the law ruled against that. What does this mean for parents, how does this impact a child’s upbringing?

HealthOnMonday - 100 days Progress Report by the MEC for Gauteng Department of Health

Songezo Mabece was in conversation with Dr Bandile Masuku, The MEC for the Gauteng Department of Health Masuku

The MEC for Gauteng Department of Health, Dr Bandile Masuku, has recently completed 100 days in office. During his report back, the MEC acknowledged that while it is still early days, the past 100 days’ work signifies that the Gauteng Health Story is beginning to evolve, and that they have set themselve the ambitious goal of building a ‘people-centred, clinician-led and stakeholder-driven’ healthcare system. He also announced the launch of uMpilo - an app intended to handle complaints in the system with the required subtlety and dignity all human beings deserve…

Songezo Mabece was in conversation with the Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ms Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu.

The Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ms Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu is hosting a UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights for Persons with Albinism, Ms Ikponwosa Ero, who will be conducting a fact finding mission in South Africa from today until the 26th of September 2019.
The visit, which coincides with the commemoration of the Albinism Awareness Month, also serves as an important aspect of peer review and benchmarking South Africa’s successes against the implementation of its regional and international obligations on persons with disabilities.

The 7th Annual Spring Law Conference: Reflections on South Africa’s law, politics, society and development 25 years into democracy

This year marks a quarter of a century since the much-celebrated “post-Apartheid” South African dispensation dawned in 1994. To reflect on this, the University of South Africa (Unisa)’s College of Law will host the 7th Annual Spring Law Conference on 17-19 September 2019 under the theme “Reflections on South Africa @ 25: Law, politics, society and development”. Considering the fact that yesterday was World International Democracy Day, has democracy benefitted the previously advantaged? Are things falling into place like we had hoped they would back in 1994 or has inequality, corruption and the slow pace of delivery tarnished a lot more?

Songezo Mabece was in conversation with Mr David Letsoalo, the Chairman of the Unisa Annual Spring Law Conference