Voices from SA

The fourth episode of Voices from SA is an interview with the young South African author Yamkela Tywakadi, the author of ten books. She has written in both isiXhosa and isiZulu and some of these works are on the school curriculum in South Africa.  She recently published her first English novel entitled “Lies in Her Boots”.

Yamkela was raised by her grandmother near Mount Frere in the Eastern Cape. We had a fascinating discussion about the role of the author in contemporary South Africa, about ancestors and tradition as well as issues around land, race and patriarchy.

The third episode of the recently launched podcast, Voices from SA, is an interview with Ronnie Kasrils, a founding member of the armed wing of the ANC, uMhkonto we Sizwe(MK). The interview took place on the eve of the ANC National Executive Committee meeting that took the decision to recall President Zuma.

The wide-ranging interview, part history and part manifesto covers the challenges of launching the armed struggle, resurrecting the struggle against apartheid during the late 1970’s, the failures of the negotiated transition and the potential “second chance” offered by the recent appointment of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Kagiso Lediga is a pioneering South African comedian as well as an actor, writer and producer. His directorial debut Catching Feelings will be released in cinemas across South Africa on March 9, and around the world in April.

The interview took place in early December 2017. We chatted about a number of things including his early comedy influences, the winding road to making his first TV show, the groundbreaking Pure Monate Show, the benefits of knowing your audience, and the role of comedy in the modern South Africa. He loves to tell a story so enjoy the show.

Sisonke talks to Nicholas about growing up in exile, gender violence, fake news and the potential of the Fees Must Fall movement.