Often, we speak about the “legacy of Apartheid” in loose terms without interrogating what it really means for apartheid to persist in real ways in our modern contemporary society. We tend to focus on Apartheid in its most vivid form of oppression, and celebrate the events of 1994’s transition to democracy as an absolute victory. But have we ever stopped to discuss Apartheid in its intricacy; its more nuanced and subliminal form that would suggest that the victory we venerate as absolute, wasn’t the all-out win for South Africans that it painted to be? 

In this episode, we sit down with renowned academic and thought leader, Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh to discuss an important pillar of South Africa’s democratic state: freedom. He walks us through the idea of freedom we maintain to this day, versus the detailed reality of what it actually is, as outlined in his most recent book “The New Apartheid” and why the deliberate ommission of nuance in its real definition is detrimental to our pursuit of it. This is supported by potential reasons for why we maintain this idea of freedom, as well as how we ought to look at it if we are to build an absolute democracy. 

Special Note: We apologise for the inconsistency in sound quality during this episode, as well as the technical difficulties (40:00) we ran into while recording. 

Buy The New Apartheid by Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh here: https://www.exclusivebooks.co.za/product/9780624088547 

Hosts: Thami Pooe- https://www.linkedin.com/in/thami-pooe/ Guest: Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh- https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sizwe-mpofu-walsh-128a0563/ 

Crew: 
Executive Producer: Thami Pooe. 
Marketing & Operations: Mokoena Moloto. 
Production Coordinator: Thabo S. Masilela. 
Videography: Altru Visuals. 
Video Editing: Yanga Mazwai (Altru Visuals). 
Audio-Mixing: Thato Motsusi. 

Special Thanks To: University of Johannesburg Library. 

 "We have to go from what is essentially an industrial model of education, a manufacturing model, which is based on linearity and conformity and batching people. We have to move to a model that is based on more principles of agriculture. We have to recognize that human flourishing is not a mechanical process- it's an organic process. And you cannot predict the outcome of human development. All you can do, like a farmer, is create the conditions under which they will begin to flourish."- Sir Ken Robinson

 This is the concept that sets the foundation for this special episode of Tshimong Talks. A conversation about the changing needs of education in the Technological Era, and what we as South Africa and our education system should do to meet those needs. 

In this episode, we speak to Tshimong Co-founder, Professional Learning Designer and Educational Researcher, Bongani Masilela. We have a conversation about the needs of 21st Century education, while reflecting on the pitfalls of the current system. Bongani takes us through his research and experience in technological education and how this could be a solution to our current problems. 

Debating has long been viewed and used as a tool to build skills such as critical thinking, among others needed to grow as a citizen of one’s country, and the world at large. Among the youth of South Africa, for decades, it has played an imperative role in building them up to be the most efficient versions of themselves and citizens geared with the knowledge needed rebuild our beautiful nation

In this episode, our hosts Busi Mkhumbuzi-Pooe and Thami Pooe, are joined by two seasoned debaters, and Tshimong’s own alumni: Sthembiso Mathenjwa and Munaka Munyai as they share with us how debating played its part in their lives through new methods of educating themselves and others; garnering a sense of citizenship and a patriotic loyalty to their country; as well as what it has done for their personal transformation.

CREDITS

Hosts
Thami Pooe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thami-pooe/
Busi Mkhumbuzi-Pooe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/busisiwem...

Guests
Sithembiso Mathenjwa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sthembiso...
Munaka Munyai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/munaka-mu... 

Crew
Executive Producer: Thami Pooe
Marketing & Operations: Mokoena Moloto
Production Coordinator: Thabo S. Masilela
Videography: Altru Visuals
Video Editing: Yanga Mazwai (Altru Visuals)
Audio-Mixing: Thato Motsusi

Special Thanks To: University of Johannesburg Library

On the 24th of February 2022, Russia began an invasion of Ukraine, the largest military assault on a European state since World War 2. The Global West took a firm stance against Russia, imposing sanctions and voting to condemn the war. However, South Africa did not join the chorus of condemnation against Russia, instead abstaining from the United Nations emergency resolution to condemn the war. This triggered an intense debate about the consistency and ambiguity of our foreign policy, especially with regards to peace and security. 

In this talk, Dr Bhaso Ndzendze will help us understand the government’s response to the Russia/Ukraine war. In a world where South Africa’s influence on other African countries is undeniable, this conversation will give youth an opportunity to reflect, vision, and redress the need for transformation of our foreign policy on peace and security, both on the continent and abroad.

Entrepreneurship is an important mechanism that can be used to accelerate economic and social development in society, particularly in the African context; where people live below the poverty line and generally do not have access to economic opportunities. It can play quite a pivotal role in uplifting the lives of unprivileged communities. However, it is also in these same contexts where young people only strive to obtain an excellent educational qualification which will secure them employment in a certain corporation someday, as opposed to actively seeking to create jobs which will help in curbing socio-economic plights in their communities. 

 
Joining us to Discuss the topic: Why Africa's young people should look into entrepreneurship to secure their future is Nolo Mokoena who is the executive director at GreenDesign, Co- founder of Dentx, and a Social Activist. 

Across Africa, the young people who leave school today are more highly qualified than any preceding generation in history. And yet, in spite of completing a number of years of formal education, young people continue to struggle in the job market. The co-existence of employers who say they cannot find people with the skills they need and unemployed university graduates who say they cannot find a job, shows that education does not automatically mean better jobs and better lives. For many young people, career planning is needed to ensure a smooth transition from school to university and into good employment. We firmly believe that education is the fundamental driving force for social change. With the world of work rapidly changing, there is strong reason for young people to think harder about their career aspirations in the context of the working world.  

Joining us to discuss the topic: Reality Check: Do young people’s career aspirations fit the reality of jobs in Africa? is Unathi September, Researcher and Cofounder of Gradesmatch. He will be discussing the realities of the job market in Africa and how the youth can better align its aspirations with this employment space. 

Activism has long been a powerful tool used to express a strong message on a large scale. More and more in modern days, we are seeing young people across the world change the world through meaningful displays of activism for causes they believe in. Think Greta Thunberg, or Raeesah Noor-Mahomed. 

Today on Tshimong Talks, we talk to one such person. In 2016, Zulaikha Patel was thrusted into the limelight after she challenged policies at her then school, Pretoria Girl’s High pertaining to black girls’ hair. She breaks down how the events that transpired, how and why she felt the need to advocate for her rights [and the rights of black girls everywhere], and how other members of the youth can use activism to shape the societies around them.