5 Mid Mornings

Society & Culture 2021

5 Mid Mornings is the best way to ease into your workday – keeping your finger on the pulse with the news, tackling some super engaging topics, interesting world views and keeping the good music flowing. It focuses strongly on uplifting and empowering young women, but is definitely also something for the guys!

QOTD - RESPECT MY SCHEDULE

The Story: A TikTok therapist says there are two kinds of people: those who feel intense pressure to reply to messages immediately, and those who happily leave texts unread for days. She claims it’s one of the biggest sources of modern friendship conflict. When you get a message, do you feel like you MUST reply straight away, or are you comfortable taking your time?

16:18

YB5 With Justice Desk Africa

In South Africa, Justice Desk Africa stands by survivors of GBV in their pursuit for justice. Speaking to us is Senior Programme Coordinator, Clarice Louw. We learn about the Mbokodo Programme - for women - as well as the iNtsika yeThemba project - addressing toxic masculinity as a contributing factor of GBV.

04:44

QOTD - YOU BREAK YOU PAY

A friend of mine lent her neighbour a really good quality blender for a party they were hosting. A few days later it was returned looking clean and normal. Months later, when she went to use it again, she realised it wasn’t actually her original blender at all. The neighbour had broken the expensive one and quietly replaced it with a much cheaper model, hoping she wouldn’t notice. If you borrow something and break it, is replacing it with a cheaper version ever okay, or do you owe the exact same item back, no excuses?

14:07

YB5 with STEPS

With half of South Africa's Clubfoot cases going untreated, CEO and Founder of STEPS, Karen Moss joins us for a deep dive into her editorial. We unpack the consequences of unreliable data in the country's disability data and a surveillance approach that could remedy that issue.

05:05

QOTD - AI PERSONALITIES

A woman in New York went viral this week after her date left his phone open and she saw his ChatGPT history. It turned out he wasn't just using it for work; he was using AI to write all his texts to her, including the deep, emotional ones.   Question of the Day: If you found out the person you were falling for was using AI to write their "deep" romantic messages to you, would you feel betrayed, or would you just be impressed they put in the effort to "edit" their personality?

16:35

QOTD - EATING INSIDE THE STORE

Is it acceptable to open and start snacking on a bag of chips or a drink in the grocery store before you've paid for it, as long as you intend to scan the empty wrapper at the till?

12:57

QOTD - SCHEDULING PLANS IS BORING

A woman made headlines for sending her friends a "calendar invite" three months in advance just to grab coffee, sparking a debate about whether adult friendships have become "too scheduled" and business-like.   The Question: Has "scheduling" killed the fun of friendship? Do you prefer a friend who texts "I'm outside, come out" or a friend who sends a calendar invite for a Tuesday in three weeks?

13:10

YB5 with Revolutionize SA

Advocate Mary Taylor walks us through the police station and into the courtroom for survivors who reach out to the organisation. We also learn that some courts are starting to specialize in GBV cases and prioritize survivors' ability to be protected by the law.

04:16

QOTD - YOU GHOST...YOU PAY

The Story: After being "ghosted" following three expensive dates, a man decided he wasn't going to take the "silent treatment" lying down. He sent the woman an actual invoice for his half of the dinners and drinks, totaling about R2,500. He claimed that since she "terminated the trial period without notice," she should reimburse the investment. She shared the invoice online to mock him, but surprisingly, a lot of people are siding with the guy. If someone ghosts you after you've paid for multiple dates, do they owe you a refund? Is sending an invoice for a "failed" romance a genius move or the most desperate thing you’ve ever heard?

16:40

5MM - UNPOPPYWOPPY - COMFORTABLE CANCELLING PLANS

People are getting way too comfortable cancelling plans over very minor things I’m all for people advocating for their needs and taking care of themselves. But people are getting way too comfortable cancelling plans over very minor things. Not feeling like leaving the house, not wanting to drive ten minutes, deciding last minute that it’s too much. That’s inconsiderate, especially when you made the plans. Part of caring about people is sometimes mildly inconveniencing yourself. Emergencies, real responsibilities, or genuine changes are understandable. Cancelling last minute with no apology because you just don’t feel like it isn’t. This is about a growing pattern, not one isolated situation.

03:31

YB5 with You Matter Foundation Africa

You Matter Foundation AfricaAs the academic year begins, many young South Africans are without school supplies and You Matter Foundation Africa's Founder and Executive Director, Mpuseng Mosupye joins us for a conversation about the School Supply Drive. We also learn about the resources it takes for the organisation to help those in need.

04:10

QOTD - TIPPING

A group of popular local restaurants has officially banned tipping. Instead, they’ve raised their prices by 20% and pay their staff a much higher flat "living wage." The owners say it removes the "awkwardness" at the end of a meal, but some regular customers are complaining because they feel they've lost the power to "reward good service" or "punish bad service." Would you rather pay a higher, "all-inclusive" price for your meal and never have to tip again, or do you prefer having the power to decide how much the service was worth?

18:39

QOTD - SMARTPHONE-FREE CHILDHOOD

A massive movement took off in late 2025 where entire neighborhoods of parents signed a "Community Pact" to not give their children smartphones until they turn 16. It wasn't just a solo parenting choice; they did it as a group so that no single kid felt like the "odd one out." It has sparked a massive debate between parents who think it’s a beautiful way to save childhood and those who think it’s "digital desertion" that leaves kids unprepared for the real world. Is a "Smartphone-Free Childhood" a gift of mental health and freedom, or is it actually a disadvantage to keep kids away from the tools of the modern world until they are 16?

18:22

QOTD - BEING TOO NICE

A woman recently went viral for dumping her "perfect" partner for a bizarre reason: he was too nice. She realized that because he never disagreed with her or challenged her, she had lost all respect for his opinion. She called him a "human mirror"—he just reflected whatever she wanted, which eventually drove her crazy because she felt like she was dating herself. Is there actually such a thing as being too nice? Do you believe that being "too nice" can actually be a turn-off, and is it enough of a reason to break up with someone?

21:11

YB5 With I Matter NPO

Natalie Abrahams, Founder and director at I Matter NPO speaks to us about what survivors of GBV can expect when they reach out to the organisation for psychosocial support. Natalie also shares what it takes to raise GBV awareness in communities and what young people need in the fight against GBV.

05:21

5MM - UNPOPPYWOPPY - NO EXIT INTERVIEW REQUIRED

You don't owe a long-term friend a "breakup talk" or an explanation if you want to end the friendship. If the relationship has become draining or you’ve just grown apart, "ghosting" or slowly fading out is perfectly acceptable. You don't need to give an "exit interview" for a friendship that has naturally expired.

04:06

QOTD - WEIRD LAZY DISHES

A world-renowned Michelin-star chef admitted in a recent interview that after cooking gourmet truffles and wagyu beef all day, his favorite dinner is actually crushed-up crackers in a bowl of cold milk. This has sparked a global "Confess Your Meal" trend where people are admitting to the low-effort, slightly "shameful" food combinations they eat when they are alone and tired. What is the "lazy" or "weird" meal you make for yourself when you’re home alone that you would absolutely never serve to a guest?

19:23

QOTD - PHONES DURING DINNER

A high-end restaurant group in New York and London has officially started a "Phone-Lock" policy. When you arrive, your phone is placed in a small timed safe at the center of the table. If you want to unlock it before the bill is paid, you have to pay a "distraction surcharge" of 15% on top of your meal. The owners say it’s the only way to get people to actually talk to each other again. If you were at dinner with your partner or friends, would you be willing to lock your phone away for two hours for a discount? Or is having your phone on the table a "basic right" in 2026?

24:26

QOTD - AWKWARDLY ENTERTAINING DATES

A 2026 dating report has highlighted a trend called "Love-Loreing." Instead of looking for "The One," a huge number of people are going on dates purely "for the plot." They admit that even when they know a date is going to be a disaster, they stay until the end just so they have a funny or ridiculous story to tell their friends in the group chat the next morning. Would you ever stay in a weird or awkward situation (a date, a party, a job) just so you'd have a great story to tell your friends later? If you have ever done that, what happened?

09:36

YB5 with Khulisa Social Solutions

Khulisa Social SolutionsSpeaking to the Founder & Managing Director of Khulisa, Lesley Ann van Selm, we find out more about the organisation's programmes, Rock 'n Rhyme as well as the People Puppet Programme for ECDs. Storytelling and Dialogues are also highlighted as a valuable tool for social change.

05:07
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