According to Statistics South Africa, half of all children in the country don’t live with their biological fathers. Very few of them have had a father to guide, support and encourage them. A father to show them right from wrong, and to demonstrate this in his own actions. And it’s not just about biological fathers, the young people I work with tend not to have positive male role models in their lives generally. The men they interact with often promote arrogant and chauvinistic behaviour as a minimum. In worst-case scenarios, they are misogynistic, abusive and violent. As we commemorate Youth Month, we put a special focus on the boy child. In South Africa, the "boy child" faces numerous challenges, particularly those related to social structures, economic conditions, and the absence of positive male role models. We had three guests to further unpack this Sthembiso Phakathi, Founder Single Dads Network, Lereko Mfono, the Fathers Matter Project Coordinator and Refiloe Mohale, GM of YouthStart Foundation and Executive Lead on What About The Boys.
49 years ago, on June 16, 1976, thousands of black South African students took to the streets of Soweto to protest against the oppressive apartheid regime, where their main fight was to change the status quo of the imposed Afrikaans language as a medium of instruction in black schools. Their fight was for quality education, freedom, and a future without racial segregation. Many were killed, but their courage paved the way for the democracy we have today. However, fast forward to 2025, today’s generation faces unemployment, GBV, crime and corruption. In today’s programme, we look at the battles today’s youth fight. Are they continuing the legacy of activism, or has the struggle shifted? Guest names Alungile Kamtshe: President of the South African Students Congress Thulani Nzima Foundation: Sam Nzima Foundation Gershwin Van Rooyen-Youth 4 Change
Love swindling and human trafficking, often facilitated through online dating platforms, are a scourge we can no longer ignore in our country. Some people are even calling for an immediate declaration of a state of emergency on GBVF. But with lack of enforcement, limited police capacity, and chronic underfunding of GBV services how then are we going to see progress in ending GBVF in South Africa where syndicates are now working overtime to come up with ways to lure, kidnap, rob, rape and even kill women? This episode engages a panel of experts, including crime specialists, survivors of love scams and human trafficking, and relationship experts.
Despite a national policy prioritizing child mental health, budget cuts threaten progress. Experts highlight how family issues divorce, abuse, neglect, financial stress, and parental conflicts harm young people's mental health. Parents often dismiss warning signs, while teachers' concerns are ignored. Separation from a parent or unstable living arrangements further worsens mental health struggles. The story will explore these overlooked angles with expert insights and current statistics. Guests Thato Sikwane- Mental Health Advocate Sebenzile Landman-Occupational therapist Roshni Parbhoo-Seetha- SADAG-Project Manager for education
Ingabe abazali kanye nemiphakathi yaseNingizimu Afrika benza ngokwanele ukuqinisekisa ukuphepha kwezingane zakuleli? Kanti futhi nanelisekile ngosizo eniluthola emaphoyiseni nasezinkantolo ngamacala enziwe ezinganeni? Umthetho uyawavikela yini amalungelo ezingane eNingizimu Afrika? Our constitution is touted as one of the best in the world, but does it do enough to protect the most vulnerable in our society? Njengoba iNingizimu Afrika ilungiselela ukugubha iviki likazwelonke lokuvikelwa kwezingane, izibalo zamacala okuhlukunyezwa kwezingane kuleli zinyantisa igazi. Zingaphezu kuka -26 000 izigameko zokuhlukunyezwa nokunganakwa kwezingane ezibikwe ngonyaka wezimali ka-2024/25. Ku Asikhulume/Let's Talk we put a spotlight on this issue.
Local municipalities should be the tier of government closest to the people, but they are the furthest. They are supposed to ensure people receive fundamental necessities such as water, electricity and sanitation services. So, it is not surprising that protests on the poor delivery of services have emerged as one of the features of life in South Africa. Recently the SA Municipal Workers' Union condemned the alleged ongoing failure to pay workers' salaries in six municipalities in four provinces. As we approach the local government elections Asikhulume puts a spotlight on the challenges facing municipalities, how it impacts communities and look for solutions while looking at the effectiveness of government’s programmes aimed at fixing municipalities. Guests Velenkosini Hlabisa- Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
On this episode, Asikhulume Lets talk is shine the spotlight on the basic employment act and whether it’s working for South African workers. We focus on the rights of South African workers and the real challenges they face at work every day. From shop floors to mine shafts and hospital corridors, many workers are still not safe, respected, or treated fairly. We look at what the law says, especially the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and ask if employers are doing enough to protect their workers?
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