Sakhisizwe -Building the Nation - Bou Die Nasie

In today's show, we spoke to Michael Bagraim - Labour law expert about the Post 2013/14 Budget Speech breakfast with Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan that the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted this morning. The annual Post-2013/14 budget breakfast with business allowed them to engage with Treasury in a Q and A session.

Mark Engelbrecht - Principal of Heathfield High spoke to us about their i nformation ​ n sharing session on work opportunities. As part of Symphonia for South Africa ’s ground-breaking Partnerships for Possibility Programme, three High schools namely Heathfield, Lavender Hill and Steenberg are holding a joint careers evening for grade 9’s as they have to make subject choices and 12’s. Learners will have the opportunity to interact with business people and professionals across various sectors so go armed with your questions to help you make the correct choices in life. Organisers are calling on all business owners in the Heathfield, Retreat, Steenberg and Lavenderhill areas to come and share their success stories with their young aspiring entrepreneurs and guide them on the right path. It’s happening on Saturday the 2 nd of March at Steenberg High in Symphony Avenue , Steenberg.  

We vlosed off with Mymoena Scholtz - Director of Where Rainbows Meet Training and Development Foundation. They are offering skills training such as computer, life skills and entrepreneurship courses weekdays from 9:30AM till 12:30PM and again from 1:30PM to 4:30PM . The course is free for unemployed people but participants will be required to write an examination after each module and will receive a certification upon completion. While a more advanced computer and business training course will be offered to employed people every Monday and Thursday for R600. For further information you can contact the Foundation on (021) 701 0328 or visit www.whererainbowsmeet.org.za

Amineh Kakabaveh    PIC: wikipedia.org On the show today, we heard from Amineh Kakabaveh - Feminist and Member of the Swedish left party in Parliament. Amineh is in South Africa for a wine conference hosted by Sikhula Sonke . Sikhula Sonke is a women led independent farmworkers union based in the Western Cape. They focus on issues such as labour rights, domestic violence, food insecurity and alcohol abuse. Amineh said she will be developing further strategies to support farm workers.  

Zanele at work      PIC: Supplied We also heard from Zanele Sithole - A female fitter for Xylem Water Solutions South Africa. She joined us to talk about being the first ever African female fitter employed by the company and being in a male dominated industry. 26 year old Zanele is from Witbank in Mpumalanga and joined the team from Xylem Water Solutions South Africa t his year as she sets to prove that women are as capable of handling the challenges of a physically demanding career as men. With her latest appointment Sithole is eager to maximise the opportunity to hone her skills in her chosen field and looks forward to growing and perhaps mentoring other young women who would like to enter the workforce in a similar fashion. She believes there is no limit to what one can achieve if one has a dream and set their mind to achieving it.  

On Sakhisizwe today, we were joined by Vivienne Fintz. She was Instudio to talk about a community project that she’s initiating for the Red Cross Children’s Hospital. The mom to mom project aims to raise money or supplies by April 6 th , 2013 to fill 500 parcels for the mothers who stay next to their children’s bedside for days, weeks and sometimes even months. Vivienne hopes to make a big difference with the help of others as there are mothers from all over Africa who often left in a hurry and who cannot afford to pack a bag with basic necessities and items to make their stay at the hospital easier while their children are being nursed. She is appealing for items such as soap, deodorant, shampoo, body cream, tissues, wet wipes, sanitary towels, face cloths, juice, biscuits and dried fruit to be donated . Please remember your donation doesn’t have to be money. It can be in the form of your time or donations through contacts – for example, you may know someone who can donate magazine

Spurgeon-Haddon Wilson - Project Manager of Rachel’s Angels mentorship programme joined us on the line to tell us more about how Entrepreneurship could positively change the future of SA’s youth. Launched in 2007 Rachel’s Angels mentorship programme is aimed at Grade 11 and 12 learners, with an emphasis on improving academic abilities and life skills in order to help them to deal more effectively with post-matric challenges. The programme takes place across four months aiming to empower participating scholars with the necessary entrepreneurial skills to make a constructive contribution to the South-African economy. Scholars attend workshops and under the leadership of industry experts, are taught fundamental entrepreneurial skills, tasked with drafting a business plan, identifying a need within their communities; they then develop a product for it. They then given a chance to sell their product at the Rachel’s Angels Market Day on April 27 th , 2013 with all profits ploughed back in

We closed off with Dick Forslund - From the Alternative Information Development Centre. We were talking about a Budget Justice for Budget Justice that’s happening tonight. Civil society organisations such as the AIDC will hold a Night Vigil for Budget Justice tonight, the eve of 2013 Budget Speech outside parliament. They will present their 2013 Call for Budget Justice to the Ministry of Finance demanding a budget that will give adequate scope to the state to address structural inequality and poverty and create an environment for ecological development. They are also calling for an open and accountable budget that recognizes the right to know, gives meaning to participatory democracy and prioritizes the realization of the promises of the constitution. They will be meeting outside Parliament at 17h30 PM. For further information you can contact AIDC on (021) 447 5770 or visit www.aidc.org.za  

On the show today, we spoke to Theuns Botha - Western Cape MEC for Health. We were talking about the National Health Insurance ( NHI ) pilot project. The pilot project was launched by the MEC last week in the Eden District Municipality and will be rolled out through a focus on schools and promoting health among learners, and preventative health care, whilst rendering quality curative and rehabilitative services. According to the MEC, whilst the Western Cape Government is participating in the Eden NHI pilot, this does not indicate unqualified support for the as yet not formally tabled policy document for NHI .

Janine Filmer - Referral hub co-ordinator of Heads Up South joined us on the line. We were talking about how they support people who have suffered a traumatic brain injury and their families. Heads Up was established to support those who have suffered a traumatic brain injury and their families after they have left hospital following the work of Comacare that runs at Groote Schuur Hospital which ensures that the integrity of coma patients is upheld. Heads Up aims to provide support and to share information among survivors and families as its vitally important for both to feel that they are not alone but that there are other people out there who have had similar experiences. They meet every 1 st Thursday of the month between 17:30 and 19:30PM at Vista Nova in Rondebosch. F or further information send an email to headsup@gmail.com

We concluded with Dr Kathleen Ross - A consultant in Geriatric Medicine at UCT. We were talking about coping with Dementia. According to Alzheimer’s South Africa there are more than 36 million people with dementia worldwide and the number is expected to rise to over 115 million by 2050. Dementia is a collective name for conditions in which progressive degeneration of the brain affects memory, thinking, behavior and emotion. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease and most of the other dementias has yet to be established. Dementia is not a normal part of ageing and knows no social, economic, ethnic or geographical boundaries. Although individuals experience dementia in their own way, eventually those affected are unable to care for themselves and need help with all aspects of daily life since there is currently no cure. For more information you can contact Dementia South Africa on (021) 421 0077 / 78 or visit www.dementiasa.org or Alzheimer’s South Africa on  (021) 979 2724 or visit

On the show today, we spoke to Dr Wesley Mabuza – Chairperson of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities. The commission’s mission is to promote and develop peace, friendship, humanity, tolerance and national unity among cultural, religious and linguistic communities. We were talking about the International Mother Language Day, which was yesterday the 21 st of February. This day has been observed yearly since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. Dr Mabuza explained more about the importance of mother tongue. For more information about the commission please check www.crlcommission.org.za or contact (011) 537 7600.

Zethu Dlomo - Fanie Fourie’s Lobola lead actress joined us on the line. Fanie Fourie’s Lobola is a contemporary South African romantic comedy that will be released in cinema from the 1 st of March. Filled with humorous but hard-hitting social commentary, the film is said to be an edgy fairy tale about love and tradition in a rapidly evolving society. It is written and directed by Henk Pretorius, stars Eduan Van Jaarsveld, Zethu Dlomo, Jerry Mofokeng, Marga Van Rooy, Motlatsi Mafatshe, Chris Chameleon and other big names. For more information go to www.faniefouriemovie.com or follow them on twitter @fanielobola     Yugendree Naidoo - Sakhisizwe's Producer was Instudio for this week's Arts Update.

We closed off with Kim Simpson - Fundraiser in the Arts sector. Kim is one of the youngest fundraisers in South Africa . We were talking about the difficulties the arts sector faces when applying for funding and about projects and places she is currently fundraising for. For more information you can send an email to kaykim@live.co.za    

On today's show, we heard from Zachariah George - Chief Operating Officer - Africa at U-Start. We were talking about the Business Plan Competition. They are searching for six South Africa ’s top entrepreneurs in the seed and growth stage of their business together with a key SA investor/representative from a prominent entrepreneurial enabling organization to compete in the Business Plan Competition that will be held in Milan , Italy in May. Those interested will be provided with a unique coupon number for complimentary access as well as instructions on how to apply and thereafter 15 of the most investment ready start-ups in the seed and growth stage of their business will be chosen to present to a local judging panel before the final 6 are selected. The closing date for applications is March 11 th , 2013 . For further information you can send an email to info.za@u-start.biz or visit www.u-start.biz

We also spoke to Gaironesa Abrahams - Arts and Crafts project manager for Selfhelp Manenberg. Selfhelp Manenberg is offering a decoupage training on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10AM to 3PM starting on the 5 th of March. A R60 fee will be charged to cover the cost of the materials since products produced will belong to the trainees. The training will take place at Saambou Primary School on the corner of Ruimte Road and Jordaan Street . For further information you can contact Selfhelp Manenberg on (021) 691 5924/5.

In today's show, we spoke to Wendy Pekeur - Founder of Ubuntu Rural Women and Youth Movement . The overall mission of Ubuntu is to ensure rural women and youth lead efforts for change in their own lives. It grew out of the mobilization work of its founder and former farm worker Wendy. On the 14 th of February Ubuntu and the Community of Klapmuts highlighted the plight of women and girls by adding their voice to the global campaign of no violence against women and girls. The march ended of with an evening vigil on an open field where men pledged no violence against women and children. Ubuntu’s primary focus is to ensure communities have all the tools to drive and own change. For further information you can contact 071 423 9873 or send an email to ubuntururalwomen@gmail.com alternatively check them on Facebook/UbuntuRural

Dr Zethu Matebeni - Researcher for the Institute for Humanities in Africa at UCT was instudio to talk about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) talk that they hosting tomorrow KwaLanga. The discussion is about the role and meaning of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) pride in current South Africa . I t’s happening at the Guga S’thebe Arts and Culture Centre in Washington Street, KwaLanga from 6pm to 8pm. Transport will be arranged to the venue.   For further information you can contact the institute on (021) 650 4592 or send an email to huma@uct.ac.za

We closed off with Ben Bredenkamp - Founder of Men Understanding Respect and Love or MURAL. MURAL is a support group for abusers, it consists of those who have stopped and those who are trying to stop physical, emotional, verbal, financial and/or sexual abuse of their partners. Their motto is men can and do change. Ben explained more on how they encourage abusers to seek help. For further information you can contact Ben on 079 490 1820.

On the show today, we spoke to Nontembeko Ndevu - Programme Manager at Yabonga. Yabonga aims to bring about meaningful change in the lives of HIV positive women and their affected communities. Their objective is to promote positive healthy living. This includes improved self-esteem, prospects for work and the provision of food and better health for themselves and their families. If you want more information about the organisation you can contact their offices on (021) 761 29 40 visit www.yabonga.com

We also heard from Liat Davis - Chairperson of Students for Law and Social Justice. We were talking about their national campaign of transformation of the South African legal education as well as to advocate for a year of compulsory community service for all law graduates. Students for Law and Social Justice (SLSJ) was founded in 2007 as a South African students organization dedicated to protecting human rights, preventing discrimination and promoting social justice and the rule of law. They believe the current legal education does not equip them with the requisite skills to become legal professionals and consequently resulting in the weakening of the legal profession. For further information you can send an email to chairperson.slsj@gmail.com or visit www.slsj.org

On Sakhisizwe today, we spoke to Dr Susan Vosloo - Internationally recognised and respected Cardio-thoracic Surgeon at Chris Barnard Memorial Hospital. We were talking about the 6 th World Congress of Paediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery that is currently underway in Cape Town until Friday February 22 nd . The Congress involves close to 2500 world experts meeting to discuss cutting-edge advances in cardiology and heart surgery, how better to prevent adult onset heart disease and how to improve health service provision for cardiac care.    

Nomakhaya Mfundisi - Clinical quality and training facilitator for Marie Stopes spoke to us about safely terminating unwanted pregnancies. According to news reports over the year’s abortion clinics in Cape Town say that traditionally there is a sharp increase in the number of schoolgirls aged between 12 and 18 who had unwanted pregnancies terminated after falling pregnant during the December break. Marie Stopes offers the termination of unwanted pregnancies up to 20 weeks. There are 2 different methods namely Medical (up to 9 weeks of pregnancy) which uses oral medicine as the first set of tablets is taken in the centre after consultation with a nurse or doctor and the second set is taken later at home. Surgical method (from 6 to 20 weeks of pregnancy) is a same-day surgical procedure preformed by a trained nurse or doctor. For further information you can contact Marie Stopes on 0800 11 77 85 toll free to book an appointment.

We closed off with Nikki Nepheritie Naidoo - A holistic health care practitioner at Magnificent Health speaking to us about the alternate day diet. The Alternate Day Diet involves calorie restriction by severely limiting calories every second day so the result over time is a reduced calorie diet. Essentially this means the diet requires that every second day you fast with a maximum calorie intake of 500 calories for women and 600 to 800 calories for men and on the "alternate" days you eat as you normally would. Apart from shedding those stubborn kilos evidence has shown that the diet can also ensure a healthier, longer life and other benefits include less pain and inflammation, a reduced risk for diabetes, lower risk of heart disease and even possible a lower risk of dementia. The following are tips for the diet: Keep yourself well hydrated irrespective hungry or thirsty drink water and do not do strenuous exercise on your "fast" days although stretching and yoga l

On Sakhisizwe today, we spoke to Martin Myers - Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse's manager. On Sunday the 17 th , Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse will be performing for the very first time at the Old Mutual Summer Sunset concert at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden from 17h30 – 19h00. Gates open at 16h00PM. For further information and ticket prices, please contact (021) 799 8783/8620 or visit the website www.sanbi.org or www.oldmutual.co.za/music.   Tickets can be booked at www.webtickets.co.za Nigel Vermaas was Instudio for this week's Arts Update.  

Celestine & Kayley We closed off with Celestine Williams – Co-Director at Cyan Development Concepts and Kayley Davids - An intern at Cyan . They joined us to talk about the Art for Social Change Project. The project brings art education to communities who would otherwise not have access to it. The project was supported by the City of Cape Town , Arts and Culture department and Cyan Development Concepts. For more information you can visit www.cyanconcepts.com or contact (021) 423 8101.      

Chesna & Yvette   Chesna Alexander and Yvette Pugin - From Teamworx consulting were Instudio. We were talking about how they assist small businesses. Teamworx consulting hosted a free business breakfast this past Tuesday where potential suppliers, clients and future employees and employers met. Chesna is Life Coach Consultant lending her expertise in assisting the SME Entrepreneur to become who they were born to be. For further information you can contact 083 900 8149 or send an email to teamworx.consulting@gmail.com

Hilda Moja – Chief Director of Export Promotion at the Department of Trade & Industry joined us on the line. The Department of Trade and Industry will be consulting Western Cape stakeholders and business at the National Export Strategy Workshop on Monday the 8 th of February. The workshops are aimed at soliciting views, opinions and strategic inputs from various role-players. They will also allow provincial government structures to share export plans, programmes and strategies, and should result in a synergised national export approach for the country. The workshop is at Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa in Century City from 8AM . For more information visit www.thedti.gov.za  

We closed off with Tamzin Martin - BizXnet. We were talking about the advantage of using social media to add growth to one’s business. BizXnet aims to expose SMME’s to the best possible network creating support structures and B2B leads with a strong focus on social media and to provide a forum for education and collaboration on social media technology, platforms and strategies while providing a conduit for communication and coordination between SMME companies. Tamzin will be a guest speaker at the monthly SMME breakfast meeting on Thursday February 21 st , 2013 at the Cape Town Central Library. She will talk about her entrepreneurial journey from teaching, to her discovery of the world of business and the benefits of using social media to add growth to one’s business. For further information visit www.bizxnet.co.za or follow @bizxnet

Juzaida & Mhlanganisi On the show today, we were joined by Juzaida Swain and Mhlanganisi Madlongolwana - From Activate Leadership. Activate! is a public innovation and leadership incubator working with young South Africans. It aims to build a critical mass of think-out-the-box trendsetters who have the skills, sense of self, and spark to reshape South African society and meet its toughest challenges. The call for applications for the 2013 intake of Activators is open now. For further information visit www.activateleadership.co.za or activate-our-voices.com  

World renowned South African historian and lifelong activist - Professor Martin Legassick joined us on the line.  We were talking about the historic land case claim that’s currently underway in Grahamstown’s Salem community. It is reported that at stake is the old Salem Commonage which consists of thousands of hectares of valuable farmland in a winding green valley that was divvied up in 1940 between descendents of the Salem Party of the 1820 Settlers.   

We closed off with Dorothy Ramodibe - Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Women, Children and People with Disabilities. The Committee has welcomed the National Prosecuting Authority’s decision to investigate the incident reported in the media in which a teenage girl from Limpopo that was “married off” to a 57 years old sangoma. She said the Committee will monitor this situation and many others similar to it closely to ensure successful prosecution of perpetrators.

On Sakhisizwe today, we spoke to Bulelwa Juta-Leeuw - from the Department of Health. February is Sexually Transmitted Infections and Condom Month and the theme is “Aids Free Generation….Zero Infection, Deaths and Stigma in my life. According to the HealthInsite , one in five South Africans is living with genital herpes alone and over 4 million people receiving treatment for STI ’s every year. The awareness aims not only at reducing the spread of STI ’s but also to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS. STIs are primarily spread through person-to-person sexual contact. The most common conditions they cause are gonorrhoea, chlamydial infection, syphilis, trichomoniasis, chancroid, genital herpes, genital warts, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and hepatitis B infection. Some STIs exist without symptoms while the main syndromes of common STIs are urethral discharge, genital ulcers, inguinal swellings (bubo, which is a swelling in the groin), scrotal swelling, vaginal discharge, low

Naazia Ismail - Spokesperson for the SA Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) joined us on the line to talk more about detecting depression which is an early warning sign for suicide. This week we commemorate Teen Suicide Prevention week and it is reported that suicide is the fastest growing, and second leading, cause of death in the 15 to 24 age group as almost 1 in 10 teen deaths in South Africa are due to suicide. According to the recent National Youth Risk Survey, an alarming number of high school teens were depressed and suicidal with over 20% having considered suicide in one month. Children as young as 7 years old have also committed suicide in South Africa but despite its prevalence, teen suicide is still shrouded in myth and misconception. Naazia explained more about the warning signs and what action to take if one identifies those signs. If your teen has become withdrawn and socially isolated, his/her school performance and participation in sports has declined, he/she is ne