We Should Be Writing

In episode six of We Should Be Writing season 7, the team unpacked the evolution of music as a form of expression and protest, through four decades in the South African context.

The episode explores the journey of South African music and its consumers from the 80s, 90s, early 2000s and contemporary listeners. From the beats of Mbaqanga and Kwaito to the birth and snares of Amapiano and Barcardi. This episode not only gives the listener a history lesson, but it exposes the influence of music as a religious, cultural and linguistic right.  

Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you consume your pods. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in journalism and media class at the Wits Centre for Journalism.  

Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @witsvuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram.  

Show Notes:  

Hosts: Keletso Zwane, Daniella Ripamonti and Sanele Sithole  

Producers: Daniella Ripamonti, Sanele Sithole and Keletso Zwane 

Writer: Sanele Sithole  

Editor: Daniella Ripamonti 

Music: Khutso Ngwatoana

In episode five of this season of We Should Be Writing, the Vuvu team sits down with members of the queer community to explore their experiences of discovering, accepting and expressing their identities. Taking listeners through conversations about coming out, family acceptance, religion, culture, discrimination and misconceptions surrounding queer identities.

Our guests share their personal experiences of navigating identity and finding their place in a world that does not always make space for them. Through their personal experiences, they share messages of encouragement for other queer people who may still be finding their way, reminding listeners that there is no single way to be queer and everyone deserves the freedom to be themselves.  

Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @Witsvuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram.  

Hosts: Jamie Ho, Kerese Govender and Reatlehile Mashamba  

Producer: Jamie Ho, Kerese Govender and Reatlehile Mashamba 

Writers: Jamie Ho and Kerese Govender 

Sound editor: Jamie Ho, Kerese Govender and Reatlehile Mashamba  

Music: Original by Khutso Ngwatoana

This year marks 30 years of the South African Constitution – more specifically, The Bill of Rights. 

This is We Should Be Writing, Season 7, Episode 4: Did You Get Home Safe? 

In this episode, we will be unpacking the Right to Freedom and Security which is found in the Bill of Rights: Section 12 of Chapter 2, in The Constitution of South Africa; specifically looking at what it is according to the Government verses the lived realities.  

Our hosts will engage in conversations about the lack of safety South African women experience while traveling, particularly focusing on the experiences of young women in Johannesburg. 

DISCLAIMER: This podcast episode will be discussing extremely sensitive and heavy topics; it is therefore important to note before listening.  

You can find the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Podcasts.com. This podcast is brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism.  

Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @Witsvuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram. 

SOURCES OF STATISTICS: 

2020 National Household Travel Survey: 

•  https://www.datafirst.uct.ac.za/dataportal/index.php/catalog/886/get-microdata 

• https://researchspace.csir.co.za/server/api/core/bitstreams/daf8155c-1e70-40ff-9c4a-fe405a8c2ce1/content 

Women Mobilize Women Report:  

• https://genderdata.womenmobilize.org/different-cities-different-results/gauteng/ 

Bridging the gender Data Gap in Transport:  

• https://genderdata.womenmobilize.org 

1st for Women: 

•  https://www.firstforwomen.co.za/guardian-angels-lifestyle-assist/safest-provinces-for-women-in-sa/ 

WHO INSPIRE:  

• https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/inspire-seven-strategies-for-ending-violence-against-children 

New York Times Reports: 

•  https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/business/uber-background-checks-sexual-assault.html     

•  https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/business/uber-sexual-assault-drivers-complaints.html 

• https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/06/business/uber-sexual-assault.html 

Research on male dominance in the transport sector: 

•  https://pure.uj.ac.za/en/publications/safety-and-security-of-women-on-transport-a-case-of-ride-hailing-/ 

• https://www.transaid.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-lived-experiences-of-women-workers-in-Africas-transport-sector-1.pdf 

Gender Based Violence in South Africa: 

• https://hsrc.ac.za/news/review/violence-against-women-in-south-africa-intersecting-vulnerabilities/ 

• https://unsdg.un.org/latest/stories/south-africa-where-gender-based-violence-more-statistic 

• https://www.instagram.com/p/DdTQzsBjOl4/?img_index=1&stkn=MTJva3FnN2l0czIx 

ROLES: 

• Hosts: Naledi Maraisane and Alice Dhlamini 

• Producers: Naledi Maraisane, Alice Dhlamini and Hannah Brown  

• Writers: Naledi Maraisane, Alice Dhlamini and Hannah Brown  

• Sound editor: Hannah Brown  

MUSIC: 

• Theme song: Khutso Ngwatoana 

All music and sound from Pixabay:  

• Dramatic music by AtlasAudio 

• Fast Dynamic Rhythmic Music by mirostar 

• School Bells by Emg5991 and u_qmic4cwja4 

• Walking in nature by u_6jboiezarw 

• iPhone typing by PatoLenin 

• Phone ringing by DRAGON-STUDIO 

• 4 min traffic sounds by TanwerAman 

• Street ambience by KM007_ 

• End call by u_z31mph1yzr 

Freesound_community: 

• Walking sound by Cloe.king 

• Car driving sounds by Priesjensen 

• Getting out of car by Cairlin_100 

• Breaking news by Kiddpark 

• Answering machine by Dean-Raul_DiArchangeli 

• Windy night ambience by Jeffreys2 

• Outside my house ambience by CataRegra98 

• Walking through grass by vgraham1 

To speak or not to speak? In this episode of season 7 ‘We Should Be Writing’, The Girls Have Spoken delves into the right of freedom of expression by unpacking what it entails and the various forms of freedom of expression. We hear what life was like when there was no freedom of expression under the Apartheid regime in an interview with Ambassador Sikose Mji and a narrated clip from Mam Lillie Sithole.

We contrast the past with contemporary times and explore where the fine line is between freedom of expression and hate speech. Additionally, using contemporary examples, we delve into the responsibility that comes with having the right to freely express oneself.  

Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @Witsvuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram.   

Show Notes:   

Hosts: Nqobile Mtshali, Sikelelekile Pahlana and Kamogelo Lesabe  

Producer: Sikelelekile Pahlana  

Writers: Nqobile Mtshali, Sikelelekile Pahlana, Kamogelo Lesabe  

Sound editor: Kamogelo Lesabe and Sikelelekile Pahlana  

Music: Original by Khutso Ngwatoana 

Graphic: Sikelelekile Pahlana

In this episode, “March, Post, Repeat”, hosts Khutso Ngwatoana, Chrislyn Majiedt and Zebrena Ralph are joined by Gabriel Mamabolo,a student from the University of Witwatersrand, and Natasha Ralph, a community activist.

In celebration of 30 years of South Africa’s Constitution, Section 17, the Right to Assembly, demonstration, picket and petition, is discussed while analysing how the digital era has impacted the way in which people exercise this right. Ralph shares her experiences in protesting in eras before and during the digital age, while Mamabolo shares his experiences in protesting during the digital age.

Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @Witsvuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram.    

Hosts: Chrislyn Majiedt, Zebrena Ralph and Khutso Ngwatoana 

Producer: Chrislyn Majiedt, Khutso Ngwatoana and Zebrena Ralph 

Writers: Chrislyn Majiedt, Khutso Ngwatoana, and Zebrena Ralph 

Sound Editor: Chrislyn Madjiedt 

Music: Khutso Ngwatoana 

Graphics by: Wits Vuvuzela Graphics Team  

Protest Video Audio Credits: Gabriel Mamabolo 

Speech Video Audio Credits: Sandra Leshabela (@News Lion on TikTok) 

President Speech Audio Credits: Cyril Ramaphosa (@Athigeleba on TikTok) 

30 years into South Africa’s constitutional democracy, what does it mean to inherit the right to speak your language and practise your culture? 

In this episode of We Should Be Writing, we explore how South Africa’s languages and traditions have evolved. From the history of language and education under colonialism and apartheid, to the 11 official languages recognised in the Constitution and the addition of South African Sign Language as the 12th official language, we look at what multilingualism actually sounds like today.  

We step into the streets of Johannesburg, where languages meet, mix and change through code-switching and urban slang. We also unpack traditions such as ilobolo and ulwaluko, asking what happens when practices rooted in history and community meet modern life, the law, the economics and the changing ideas about identity.  

Listen to We Should Be Writing on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @Witsvuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram. 

Hosts: Asisipho Mpahleni, Amahle Ngqwemla & Rearabilwe Tsebela 
Producer: Asisipho Mpahleni 
Writer: Rearabilwe Tsebela 
Sound Editor: Amahle Ngqwemla 
Theme Music: Khutso Ngwatoana 

A new season is coming in October 2026. In this limited series, we consider the rights enshrined in the South African Constitution.

Since her announcement as the Democratic Alliance’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, Helen Zille has dominated national headlines. In this bonus episode of We Should Be Writing podcast, hosts Lulah Mapiye and Bonolo Mokonoto dissect a media meet-and-greet with the mayoral hopeful.

From her extensive political résumé to her controversial public utterance, we examine why the Democratic Alliance has chosen Hellen Zille as their candidate for the 2027 local mayoral elections.   

Additionally, we discuss the DA’s internal candidate selection process, coalition politics in Johannesburg, and whether voters should be asking not if Zille is qualified but whether she is the right leader for the city at this moment. 

Finally, we take to the streets to hear directly from Johannesburg residents about whether they believe Helen Zille could be the mayor the city needs. 

Listen as we break down the politics, the strategy, and what this all means for the future of Johannesburg.  

Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @Witsvuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram.    

Show Notes:    

Hosts: Lulah Mapiye and Bonolo Mokonoto  

Produced, written and edited by: Lulah Mapiye and Bonolo Mokonoto 

Music:  Stoic - Magic

Johannesburg's underground punk rock scene has always been about more than simply music. From the beginning, it's been a site of rebellion against injustice and a community for those who dare to go against the norm.

In this episode of We Should Be Writing, Mbali Khumalo takes you into this world, with guests from the iconic 1980s rock band Bright Blue, Dan Heymann and Ian Cohen, and one of the bands defining South Africa's punk rock genre today, Lefokolodi. They share how their music is not only about self-expression but about using their voices to change the world.

Show Notes:

Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @WitsVuvuzela on Tik Tok and Instagram.

Hosted, produced and written by: Mbali Khumalo

Sound editing and episode artwork by: Mbali Khumalo

Music credits:

Alex Productions - Punch

DeltaX-Music - Dune

Lefokolodi - Butt Hurt

National Wake – Everybody

Rage Against The Machine - Killing In the Name

Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop

Archival audio credits:

2/10/78 New South African Prime Minister Pieter Botha Press Conference - Associated Press Archive

Cry Freedom (1978) directed by Richard Attenborough

“Where did punk start?” directed by Lech Kowalski

Johannesburg's underground punk rock scene has always been about more than simply music. From the beginning, it's been a site of rebellion against injustice and a community for those who dare to go against the norm. 

In this episode of We Should Be Writing, Mbali Khumalo takes you into this world, with guests from the iconic 1980s rock band Bright Blue, Dan Heymann and Ian Cohen, and one of the bands defining South Africa's punk rock genre today, Lefokolodi. They share how their music is not only about self-expression but about using their voices to change the world.

Show Notes:   

Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @WitsVuvuzela on Tik Tok and Instagram. 

Hosted, produced and written by: Mbali Khumalo

Sound editing and episode artwork by: Mbali Khumalo

Music credits:

Alex Productions - Punch

Bright Blue - Weeping

Lefokolodi - Butt Hurt

National Wake – Everybody

Rage Against The Machine - Killing In the Name

Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop

Archival audio credits:

2/10/78 New South African Prime Minister Pieter Botha Press Conference - Associated Press Archive

Cry Freedom (1978) directed by Richard Attenborough 

“Where did punk start?” directed by Lech Kowalski