Radio New Frame

In an exclusive interview, singer and activist Billy Bragg talks about making music with meaning, Marx, refusing to give in to Boris Johnson – and passion on an Italian volcano.   Chapters: 02:04 - Billy Bragg 1 29:45 - Billy Bragg 2

With more than 7 000 languages globally, we look at mother tongues. Can Kiswahili be Africa's lingua franca? And we explore two people's complex relationships with their languages: Setswana and Arabic. Chapters 02:20 - Kiswahili 19:27 - Setswana 29:42 - Arabic

To mark June 16, we unearth Afrikaans' Black roots and focus on contemporary Black Afrikaans. Also, a new book on how Nelson Mandela led Umkhonto weSizwe to war against Africa's strongest army. Chapters: 02:34: Hein Willemse 29:24: Emile YX 41:05: Paul Landau

Shamed by 2020 exposés of forced sterilisations at public hospitals, the health department vowed to act – but victims still await justice. Also, is the Saxonwold Shebeen open for a drink? Chapters: 03:13 - Bongekile Msibi 16:09 - Baragwanath 21:21 - Women's Legal Centre  31:55 - Guptas

Banyana are not treated well, despite being one of the favourites to win the Women's Afcon in July. Could their American counterparts' equal-pay victory help our national women's football side? Chapters: 2:47 - US Women's Soccer 8:24 - Amanda Dlamini 22:22 - Joseph Mkhonza 32:12 - Busisiwe Mokwena    

The murder of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh sent shockwaves around the world. But will it change US-Israel relations? And the full story of legendary scribe Can Themba finally gets told. Chapters: 02:58 - Shireen Abu Akleh 11:12 - Can Themba 31:41 - Joe Thloloe

Abortion has been legal since 1997 in South Africa. Despite this, more and more women are risking their lives by going to unlicensed abortionists. We ask why. Chapters: 02:33 - Abortions down town 08:39 - Catherine Burns 28:17 - Emihle Ntuli 33:51 - Matthew Kavanagh

Unemployment in South Africa is soaring and many are forced to take any job they can get. Our 100th episode focuses on casual workers, who have the most precarious jobs. Chapters 01:58 - Annah Moreki 10:51 - Who are casual workers? 18:55 - Casual workers protest 22:39 - Rights and numbers 25:56 - What about the working class?

Amazon workers finally get a union with ripple effects in US politics expected. And liberation theology helped end apartheid. What role does it have in politics, inequality and exploitation today? Chapters: 01:45 - Amazon scene setter 12:25 - John Logan 32:54 - Liberation Theology scene setter 38:02 - Mzwandile Molo

In this bumper edition, find out why politicians spoil the religious vote and so many Jews fought apartheid. Also, meet SA's chief satanist and hear the music that makes Muslims dance. Chapters: 04:04 - Mbhazima Shilowa 18:24 - Jonathan Ancer 30:46 - Lael Bethlehem 42:09 - Satanic Church 59:43 - Sufism

Indian activist-doctor Yogesh Jain believes inequality in public healthcare is a global crisis. And, we look at religion's role in instilling outdated attitudes towards sexuality. Chapters: 1:48 - Dr Yogesh Jain 7:49 - Gender and religion 20:38 - Gay and Muslim

More than 100 000 South Africans have died officially from Covid-19, some anonymously and buried in paupers' graves. Hospital and mortuary workers tell the stories of the unclaimed. Chapters: 02:15 - Covid's nameless graves  18:16 - Mojak Lehoko 27:56 - Song

Sexual assault in South African jails is widespread but grossly under-reported. We lift the veil on this scourge. And, we pay tribute to murdered land activist Ayanda Ngila. Chapters 01:31 - Tebogo Mokobori 18:25 - Doreen Gaora 30:12 - Rebecca Gore 39:12 - Ayanda Ngila

The struggle continues for Cape West Coast small-scale fishers after their court victory against seismic blasting. And, why is Yemen's bloody seven-year-long war largely forgotten? Chapters: 01:49 - Seismic Survey 17:07 - Wilmien Wicomb 26:06 - Aisha Jumaan   Host: Tebadi Mmotla Guests: Martin Blake, Solene Smith, Wilmien Wicomb, Aisha Jumaan Production: The Good People at Between Productions Editor: Charles Leonard  

Progressive Russians say no to war. Is Covid-19 petering out? And though essential, did the world miss out during the cultural boycott against apartheid South Africa?   02:22 - Russian anti-war 21:58 - Francois Venter 31:41 - Pacific Express

A new book celebrates Frantz Fanon's seminal work as a shack dwellers' movement applies his ideas 60 years on. Also, a Kenyan woman's challenge to experimental music.   01:56 - eKhenana 16:52 - Nigel Gibson 33:05 - Nyokabi Kariũki

Amnesty International explains why Israel is an apartheid state. An iconic Soweto cinema makes way for a mall. And we revisit the jazz haven, Club Pelican, a place of love and Black consciousness. Chapters: 02:28 - Saleh Hijaz,  18:53 - Eyethu Cinema  28:01 - Mphethi Morojele 36:27 - Boitumelo Mofokeng

Xenophobia is raising its ugly head again in South Africa under the guise of protecting jobs, and it's threatening to turn violent. We speak to those at the centre of it: migrants.   Chapters: 01:25 - Xenophobia scenesetter 09:08 - Patrick Ilunga 13:59 - Edith Chikwana 17:10 - Sylvestre Kabasidi  23:52 - Janet Munakamwe 43:05 - Song

The Afcon tournament in Cameroon was full of the politics, passion and pain of African football. We talk about the cup's pan-Africanism, ask who's to blame for the deadly stampede and get a Bafana star to weigh in on our team's future chances. Chapters: 02:06 - Sean Jacobs 23:18 - Maher Mezahi 38:34 - Matthew Booth 54:49 - Song

We look at solutions as students tell us about their struggle to afford university as the academic year begins. And, we visit the first nightclub opened in Soweto with veteran jazzman Khaya Mahlangu. Chapters: 02:24 - Higher education 18:24 - Salim Vally 37:38 - Club Pelican

Could party veteran Mavuso Msimang's surprising solution halt the demise of the ANC? And, a legendary Black surfer relives the violence and victory on apartheid beaches. Chapters: 02:05 - January 8 Statement 07:45 - Liliesleaf 12:30 - Mavuso Msimang 40:02 - Black surfer

We visit Gatvol, where Christmas is set to be bleak. As in many places, politicians' promises to shack dwellers have come to nothing. Also, our best and our bloopers of 2021.   Chapters: 02:38 - Gatvol 16:20 - Divine Fuh 27:17 - Best of 2021 48:17 - Bloopers

South Africa has much unfinished business. A security cop's book lifts the lid on unpunished apartheid crimes and we rediscover the role Prophets of Da City played in the cultural revolution.

Two out of every three fathers in South Africa do not play an active role in their children's lives. We examine the reasons for this and hear how it can be reversed. Chapters: 01:24 Single mothers 03:52 My story 05:07 Thando's Dad 10:42 Kopano Ratele 29:33 Barbados

Despite the promises made in the Constitution, South Africa's farm workers still cannot gain any ground. That is why land matters, lawyer and author Tembeka Ngcukaitobi explains.

What does the future hold for the ANC after the hiding it got at the polls? Swapo's experience in Namibia gives some answers. And, a party of the proper Left is what the ANC should fear.

Even with enough food, South Africa still has a high level of food insecurity. We talk to people who are fixing the problem. Also, historian Tom Lodge assesses the SACP's influence. Chapters: 02:13 - Soup kitchen 09:01 - Agriculture 20:33 - Food/Ayanda 28:44 - SACP

Inside the secretive world of the SACP with author Tom Lodge. And, a party of a different kind: Fat Freddy's Drop are the ultimate party band and Covid-19 won't stop that. 01:44 - Tom Lodge 24:07 - Fat Freddy's Drop

What election? We visit a North West town to see what happens when a municipality fails. Also, political researcher Nomboniso Gasa explains why democracy is about more than voting. Chapters 01:48 - Lichtenburg 16:14 - Nomboniso Gasa

We look at Iceland's effective four-day workweek, hear from dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson about what he'd do with more time and find out from sociologist Eddie Webster if it could work in South Africa.

Only 20% of people in South Africa are vaccinated. We visit a mine that achieved 80%. Also, Imraan Coovadia on poison as a political weapon and why the farmer protests in India still matter. Chapters: 01:44 - Mine 27:18 - Imraan Coovadia 41:58 - Vijay Prashad

Prison abolitionist Ruth Wilson Gilmore talks about the one resource prisoners can never get back. Author Fred de Vries explains what makes the blues so alluring to white middle-class ears.

They do essential work, yet most governments, cities and residents ignore them and their rights. We speak to reclaimers and the people who organise them globally.

An activist paid the ultimate price for resisting a mine digging for profit on her doorstep, but her neighbours fight on. Meanwhile, South Africa's Left is getting the climate emergency wrong.   Chapters: 00:00 - Teaser 01:22 - Environmental justice 25:15 - Steven Friedman 40:20 - Sign-off

Global thinker Mahmood Mamdani helps make sense of two decades of the so-called War on Terror. And Kyle Shepherd explains why his response to the Covid-19 pandemic is a solo piano album. Chapters: 00:00 - Teasers 02:15 - Mahmood Mamdani 22:26 - Kyle Shepherd

Can podcasts be a force for progressive change? We look at global examples and then hone in on African podcasts, plus a popular South African broadcaster who has crossed over. Hosted by: Musawenkosi Cabe Guests: Eusebius McKaiser, Samira Sawlani and Nick Nyamusa Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 02:05 - Political podcasts 09:48 - Eusebius McKaiser 26:07 - Samira Sawlani 36:21 - Nick Titan

The Marikana massacre and the Life Esidimeni scandal keep reminding us that justice is an easy word to use, but difficult to get. We talk to a few South Africans who won't give up. Hosted by: Tebadi Mmotla Guests: Suzen Phoshoko, Father Michael Lapsley and Nadira Omarjee Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 02:51 - Esidimeni 21:15 - Lapsley 37:26 - Omarjee

As an African living in Australia but with deep roots in South Africa, writer Sisonke Msimang is an insider-outsider. She tells us how she felt from afar as South Africa was burning. Guests: Sisonke Msimang Song: Wathint' Abafazi, Wathint' Imbokotho – Nothembi Mkhwebane Production: The Good People at Between Productions Editor: Charles Leonard

A feminist perspective on how South Africa got here, and a Lebanese musician with a new album that's a wail for her country and its people. Chapters: 00:00 - Teasers 01:39 - Feminists vs Zuma - Shireen Hassim 27:02 - Beirut revisited - Liliane Chlela

Esteemed South African poet and novelist Mandla Langa discusses his work, what's wrong with the ANC and what looting we should be looking at. Also, why Latin America is swinging Left. Chapters: 00:00 - Teasers 01:34 - Mandla Langa  26:02 - Geo Maher

What do you do when you've retired as a unionist and a cabinet minister? You try and save the Earth. Jay Naidoo tells us why this is his mission now. Warning: Strong language. Chapters: 00:00 - Teasers 01:22 - Jay Naidoo 30:35 - Sarathy Korwar

Security forces in eSwatini detained, assaulted and tortured two New Frame journalists covering the pro-democracy uprising in that country. We bring you their harrowing tale.

In an exclusive interview, retired Constitutional Court Judge Edwin Cameron considers how our progressive Constitution has failed many South Africans, especially those on the margins. Chapters 00:00 - Teasers 01:22 - Scene setter 06:32 - Edwin Cameron 19:07 - Trans sex worker

Nearly two-thirds of South Africans between 15 and 24 are jobless: how basic income grants can save young lives. Also, a powerful documentary takes us back to the 1976 Soweto uprising. Chapters: 01:14 - Wanga 16:22 - June 16

Despite South Africa's progressive Constitution guaranteeing the rights of all, no matter sexual orientation, LGBTQIA+ people still experience the horrors of homophobia and bigotry. Chapters: 00:00 Teasers 01:41 Nathaniel Mbele 08:51 Sheila Barsel 22:52 Azania Sengwayo

Stories of subversion: Flag burning, white anti-apartheid activists, a long-haired marathon champion; and how one of Cairo's few female hip-hop artists is sticking it to the man.   Chapters: 1:59 - Republic Day (Andrew Borraine) 13:54 - Bruce Fordyce 36:22 - Felukah  

In this special focus on Palestine: how dock workers showed solidarity, non-violent resistance in the face of extreme Israeli violence and why Israel is an apartheid state. Chapters: 00:00 - Teasers 01:43 - Dock Workers 19:03 - Palestinian Resistance  31:00 - John Dugard

A young Palestinian shares what South Africa has taught him about resisting Israeli occupation and we look into the medical malpractice particularly affecting impoverished Black women.

We start the new season with an exclusive and wide-ranging interview with foremost political thinker, prolific writer and original street fighting man Tariq Ali.

To celebrate Workers’ Day, we go back in time. In Durban in 1973, South African workers were raising their voices for better conditions and their fists against the system of apartheid.

Everyone can be a social media influencer in a hyper-capitalist society. What comes next in advertising? Also, we look at the sinister side of the internet economy. Chapters: 0:00- Teasers 1:04- Marketing and influencers 24:47- Adam Haupt 42:45- Song: Miriam Makeba - Toyota Fantasie