Life with Lebang

How do we change the mindsets of people and their perception of what volunteering really is? Community Hours is an online platform that gives you access to a range of organisations that are always in need of some assistance and volunteer help that works for you! You can even become a "virtual volunteer" and do your part! Founder Sarah Welton-Blake walks us through this easy and addictive process of volunteering.

Pt 2 - How many babies get abandoned daily in SA? Nobody knows the ACTUAL numbers... but it's a lot! Baby Savers South Africa is a national coalition of organisations, NPOs and Public Benefit Organisations that provide a safe alternative to unsafe baby abandonment through the use of Baby Savers. We meet co-founder Dr Whitney Rosenberg about their challenges, and the reality of an organisation of this nature.

Pt 1 - Whether you want to accept it or not... grief and loss are inevitable. If anything, Covid has taught us that someone can be here today, and gone tomorrow. This week, we look at some tough truths and realities regarding how to deal with grief, and the better ways to get through it.

Pt 2 - "Just yesterday someone left a two-week-old baby at my doorstep." These are the words of Cynthia Nomsa Dinalane, who opened up her own home to young children and abused women. She currently houses, feeds, educates and provides healthcare for close to 50 women and children within the Thembisa and Kempton Park area at Tshegofatsa Rona Welfare. She tells us more about her. daily work, and the hardships of running such an organisation with no funding or help from anyone.

Pt 1 - Anxiety is a normal emotion. It's your brain's way of reacting to stress and alerting you of potential danger ahead. Have you ever suffered from social anxiety disorder, or do you suspect that you have? This episode will shed some light on the condition, and help you get the help that you might need.

Pt 2 - President Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed three GBV legislations that places strong emphasis against granting of bail to the perpetrators of rape, sexual violence and GBV, but has this impacted the people on the ground affected by GBV continuously? Today we chat to Kentse Badirwang about a 6-year-old girl who was raped by 4 men in her community, and they have all been let out on bail. What more can we do?

Pt 1 - "I love them both, how do I go about marrying them both?" Polygamy is a complex matter - but love is love! Lebang Kgosana tries to help one of our listeners Tshepo, as he is in love with both of his girlfriends and intends to marry them both. Where does he start?

A few months ago we met the Shout-It-Now organisation, and they told us all about a new app they are developing. This week, Lean Hamandishe gives us an update on the work that has happened since at Shout-It-Now. The free data app has been launched, and over 10,000 South African girls in remote areas now have access to HIV/AIDS related healthcare services - free of charge!

A lot of people don't think about rape, until it happens to them or someone close to them. Living in SA, rape happens daily, all around us - and we can't turn a blind eye to this reality. This may be triggering, but the truth is that rape in itself is a pandemic! So what can you do to help a rape victim once you have gone to the police? Who else can you turn to for assistance? Find out here!

Pt 2 - Ithemba Recovery Foundation aims to provide help to those in need and is involved in different community initiatives - from substance abuse awareness programmes, to skills development programmes and feeding schemes. Meet Ithemba Recovery Foundation founder Mpho Mashele, who is an entrepreneur at heart, who also believes in helping the boy child.

Pt 1 - How do you know if you are living a life of purpose? What if you are feeling a little unfulfilled? Fulfilment is an inside job, we create the feeling of being filled with - and then outward activity becomes a reflection of that inner experience. Finding your purpose is an ongoing journey, and after listening to this, you should feel encouraged to keep seeking your purpose!

Pt 2 - Are you consciously connected? Have you ever given this some thought? Meet the Director of Consciously Connected SA, Mandy Herold. Mandy has been the Headmistress at The Ridge School - a leading independent boys' school in Johannesburg - for over a decade, and is extremely passionate about young children and how they react to their emotions. A must listen for all parents and non parents.

Pt 1 - It's common knowledge that combining friendship and business rarely works, so why do so many people keep making the same mistake? It is extremely tempting to want to work with a friend, but it's unlikely to work for everyone - especially if you can't separate business from personal. Lebang Kgosana shares some tips on how to manage a friendship within the working environment!

Pt 2 - "Raising boys to be good men." Founder and father of The Character Company NGO, Jaco Van Schalwyk sits down with Lebang Kgosana and gets real about some of the problems and solutions with absent fathers, and the impact they have on young boys in South Africa.

Pt 1 - Before anyone can say "I do" at the altar, there is much that needs to happen! The main reason for which lobola is practised hinges on building relationships between the families of the prospective bride and groom - since marriage is beyond a union between two individuals. These days however, the lobola practice has changed and some couples are "opting out" of the process. Want to learn more? You are in the right place!

Pt 2 - Meet Reitumetse Molapo. This young woman took matters into her own hands and now teaches the skills of tapestry and rug making to people in her community and beyond. To date, she has empowered over 3500 people, and plans to touch the lives of many more!

Pt 1 - Vat en Sit: A direct translation of the Afrikaans term “take and sit down”, meaning to take a partner and settle down together without the formalities that come with marriage. In this day and age, many people are choosing this path rather than a traditional marriage. To each their own!

Pt 2 - Founder of the Colab Foundation, Dean Webb has a vision for “compassionate capitalism” that imagines for profit businesses partnering through a way of equity or donation with well-run, credible non-profits in their immediate communities. He believes that societal profit is equally as important as financial profit. He joins Lebang Kgosana, and explains exactly how this vision is slowly coming to life.

Imposter Syndrome is truly the thief of joy, and in this triggering show about the various types and symptoms of the disease, Lebang Kgosana shares some ways we can overcome it - sooner rather than later!

Pt 2 - If you've ever dismissed the power of social media being used the right way, you haven't met Mbali Ndhlovu and Emelda Masango from Rebuild SA! They are responsible for an array of projects, and countless lives being changed after the looting in July 2021.

Pt 1 - How many friends do you have? Like REAL friends? People you can actually count on? Sometimes it's worth doing an audit of the quality of friends that you keep around and make time for. Join Lebang Kgosana in a reality check on some behavioural patterns of the people we call our friends.

Pt 2 - Like most communities in South Africa, the community of Kliptown has struggled with HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy and high unemployment. Thulani Madondo is the co-founder and current Executive Director of the Kliptown Youth Program, which since 2007 has uplifted the community and has successfully played their part in curbing some of these issues. Lebang Kgosana sits down with Thulani as he shares some of the great work they are doing.

Pt 1 - Have you ever wondered what the actual cost of your peace really is? Lebang Kgosana is curios, and unpacks ways to remove yourself from toxic and narcissistic people who ultimately take away from your peace. Be warned - this may be a trigger!

Pt 2 - Did you know that 400,000 South Africans are blind, and even more are partially blind? While many of us take for granted how blessed we are, others are not as lucky. The truth of the matter is that anyone can go blind. The SANCB is all about the advocacy and promoting the rights of persons with visual impairments, prevention, inclusion and support. Lebang Kgosana speaks to them about their work, and how many lives they have changed.

Pt 1 - For just one week in February, every year, 7 days are dedicated to raising the awareness of healthy pregnancies. In a country like South Africa, pregnancy awareness should be ongoing, as the rate of teenage pregnancy is at an all-time high. Join Lebang Kgosana as she unpacks Pregnancy Awareness Week.

Pt 2 - Everybody deserves to be touched by an angel! The Angel Network is an organisation run solely via the power of social media, and has to date reached over 200,000 individuals globally. Join @lebangkgosana in conversation with Glynn and Hailey from The Angel Network South Africa. A true #ThisIsUs story!

Pt 1 - Money is a very hard thing to talk about, especially in relationships, but it is equally important. Before you get into a marriage or move in with your partner, you will have to consider how to "split the bill" and who pays for what. What if your spending habits are not aligned with your partner's? Join Lebang Kgosana as she shares some advice on handling money matters.

Pt 2 - The Meals on Wheels Community Services project was started in light of the severe need amongst the aged community in East London in 1964. Today in 2022, with over 700 service centres in SA, Cheryl Smith tells us more about the organisation and their amazing work.

Pt 1 - Reconciling with an estranged parent or family member is definitely not an easy task. However it is certainly something that is worth having an open heart and mind towards. Today Lebang Kgosana talks about forgiveness and the possibility of having a positive and healthy relationship with a once estranged family member, regardless of the past!

The second trimester of pregnancy is what some would call, the golden hour. Mommy has less fatigue, and a renewed abundance of energy and excitement has swooped in. Listen in as Lebang Kgosana shares some changes, and what to expect at the 6-month mark. Make the most of this time and most importantly, enjoy your pregnancy!

Pt 2 - This is the story of a young South African woman and how she turned her life upside down. Kentse Badirwang, founder of Pelegi Movement NGO, chats with Lebang Kgosana about her book, 'Kattey's Arrow'. Her story is a testimony to life after surviving GBV and other forms of abuse. A real peep into the suffering that many South Africans live with.

Pt 1 - Have you heard the saying "trust your gut?" In this episode of LifeWiithLebang, Lebang Kgosana dives into why humans ignore red flags in friendships, relationships, and in the workplace. Sometimes we ignore our gut... and watch as the red flag gets redder and redder and redder!

Pt 2 - Procter & Gamble communications has joined forces with UNICEF to rebuild 5 schools in KwaZulu-Natal, following the looting and unrest in July 2021. Lebang Kgosana chats to Cassie Jaganyi about this exciting building project involving the community in KZN.

Pt 1 - Congratulations mommy, you're expecting a baby! When is the right time to share the good news? Is any time tea time? Who do you tell first? How do you tell them? Should you share this on social media? Join Lebang Kgosana in episode 19 of Life with Lebang, so you can decide when the time is right to share the good news.

Pt 2 - Imagine being in a life-threatening crisis, calling for help, and being unable to tell the operator what's happening - because you are deaf. South Africa has a deaf community of more than 4 million people. CEO of DeafTouch, Claybourne Appies, talks to Lebang Kgosana about the solutions that DeafTouch offers with the use of technology in designing, creating and hosting advanced communication service software for businesses, governments and citizens around the globe.

Pt 1 - At the start of every new year, comes the oh so exciting "back to school" phase. A time for new parents to start a journey that will haunt them for the next 18 years! Lebang Kgosana shares some advice for parents on finding the right school for your child. Good luck mom and dad!

Pt 2 - Introducing Jabulani and Zanele Dlamini from Lingomso Foundation. Based in Thembisa, east of Johannesburg, the married couple speak about their shared journey of "filling in the gap" of parentless children, and also giving them positive role models to look up to.

Pt 1 - It's not every day that social media gives you a gem of knowledge! Lebang Kgosana shares how to live a better life, from the most toxic place of all - TWITTER... and how to stop robbing yourself of happiness.

Pt 1 - t's not every day that social media gives you a gem of knowledge! Lebang Kgosana shares how to live a better life, from the most toxic place of all - TWITTER... and how to stop robbing yourself of happiness.

Pt 2 - Meet Ntokozo Khumalo from Impilo Foundation. She shares with us some of the amazing work they do with young girls in and around the East Rand of Johannesburg. The Impilo Foundation focuses not only on helping them for a moment, but changing their whole mindset... and hopefully their whole lives.

Pt 1 - Who you gonna call...?! When you get ghosted? Lebang Kgosana unpacks what to do "when the people you choose don't choose you."

Pt 2 - Meet Michee Atatala, a young Congolese man living in South Africa and giving back to his community in Turrfontein. Lebang Kgosana chats to Michee about his journey of giving homeless children a purpose, after being inspired by the late rapper, Nipsey Hussle. Michee takes matters into his own hands by teaching these children some new skills.

Pt 1 - "You owe it to yourself to save yourself." Lebang Kgosana speaks about a type of Stockholm Syndrome, and what keeps us from leaving toxic relationships.

Pt 2 - "We are not victims, we are survivors." Lebang Kgosana speaks to Onthatile Mokoena, as she brings us into the world of SHOUT-IT-OUT and the wonderful work they do for survivors of gender-based violence, and the education of young women and children around healthcare and HIV/AIDS.

Pt 1 - Emotional abuse can happen in many places - the home and even the workplace. Lebang unpacks the traits of emotionally abusive relationships, and she shares advice on how to set boundaries to avoid being isolated from your family and friends.

Pt 2 - Lebang Kgosana is joined by Refilwe Pieterse, as she shares her journey on giving children the ability to be there for themselves - no matter the hurdles.

Pt 1 - How can we improve the mindset of the young black mind? Great Poroza has some answers! Lebang Kgosana speaks to Thato Moatlhodi, who challenges all the norms - from the way school is run, to gender norms... teaching the children today the skills of tomorrow.

Pt 2- There's nothing better than community... Lebang Kgosana shares our mission as South Africans on the journey of helping others.

Pt 1 - 70% of black households in South Africa are fatherless. Lebang pleads for a call for action to all absent fathers as she unpacks the benefits of growing up with a present father. It is time to step up and stop normalising fatherless households.

Pt 2 - “We read to know we're not alone.” Meet Thami Sibenya, tutor at the Atlegang bana foundation based in Dobsonville Soweto. They aim to uplift the minds of children by tutoring them on weekends and teaching them to read and improve their education.

Pt 1 - If you don't know a toxic friend you are probably the toxic friend! Lebang speaks about the warnings signs of how to spot a toxic relationship.