Local Voices: Recent Episodes
Wits Radio Academy
Local Voices was established in 2019 as an election project. The partnership between Wits Radio Academy, the Media Development and Diversity Agency, the Children’s Radio Foundation, Africa Check and Open Society Foundation was meant to support election reporting on community radio. It has now made a return as a pilot project to give the work done at community radio level a wider range.
It is about stories of ordinary South Africans who have pinned their hopes on democratic South Africa to pay true to her promise of a free, fair and equal society.
We looked at what the African National Congress and Congress of the People has to offer the residents of Johannesburg time around. The spokesperson of the ANC in Johannesburg Region Sasabona Mangaye shared what his party is aiming to do for the City of Johannesburg should they be elected to power.
We also spoke to COPE mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg Colleen Makhubele on how she aims to revive the party and also their plans to serve should they be given the vote to govern the city of gold.
We wrapped up the show by speaking to one of CJN's Senior Paralegal, Drops Marotholi on service delivery issues in the Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality.
We looked at the 2016- 2021 term of political parties in Gauteng municipalities. Political Analyst Sanusha Naidu, from the Institute of Global Dialogue, gave her analysis on how the parties performed previously and also the different political parties' factions that they had during the build up to the 2016 local government elections.
We also spoke to Political Analyst Professor Barry Hanyane from the North West University, on the current political spectrum across South Africa and also possibilities of coalition after the upcoming local elections.
We wrapped up the show by speaking to one of CJN's Seniof Paralegal, Innocent Moloi, on service delivery issues in the Emfuleni Municipality.
Community members are seething over 15-year jail sentence given to KZN police officer who shot dead a citizen during a brawl over parking space.
Law expert, Professor Xolani Zikhali, is advising Mfekayi to get a lawyer and sue the state for wrongful arrest.
The child's mother, Fikelephi Mpotshane, says they were desperate to find the child that they even confused things.
Thulisile Mfekayi also wants the family that accused her of stealing their child to apologise for the pain and humiliation they have caused her.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has submitted a letter to the Hawks to begin investigation into Gauteng Premier, David Makhura.
The University of the Witwatersrand has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with York University in Canada. The consortium will create algorithms based on Artificial Intelligence to predict the evolution of crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, with which to help policymakers and the public manage complex situations.
Limpopo’s Ponani Petunia Makhubele is amongst four candidates who have been sworn in as members of Parliament in a hybrid swearing in ceremony by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Lechesa Tsenoli.
The community of Mpumpula in Duvela, kwaCeza, in KwaZulu-Natal is irate after White people destroyed their homes. Home owner, Nkosingiphile Mnguni, says the White men are making false ownership claims.
The community of Mpumpula in Duvela, kwaCeza, in KwaZulu-Natal is irate after White people destroyed their homes. Ward 4 councillor, Manyomfana Masondo, from the Ulundi Municipality is calling for an intervention.
The Khumalo family is now homeless after the heavy rains destroyed their home and many others in the area.
The Khumalo family is now homeless after the heavy rains destroyed their home and several others in the area.
Vhembe District Municipal Spokesperson, Matodzi Ralushai, says though the Cyclone was not as severe as it was anticipated, road infrastructures, bridges and houses in areas particularly in Tshakhuma were damaged by heavy rains and floods.
Deputy chairperson, Professor Xolani Zikhali, says in Mkhanyakude criminals sometimes pounce on people while at home and take their cars or whatever possessions they want.
The Vhembe and Mopani municipalities say they are prepared for any disaster that may occur and are working closely with the national disaster management team. This as the province braces for cyclone Eloise.
The Vhembe and Mopani municipalities say they are prepared for any disaster that may occur and are working closely with the national disaster management team.
Eskom says it has made contingency plans to mitigate any risks and the possible impact on infrastructure and the provision of electricity.
Cyclone Eloise is expected to hit northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal this weekend. Meteorologist Mkhushulwa Msimango says the cyclone, now lashing Mozambique, first started in Madagascar and is likely to be here for days.
The Anti-Vehicle Trafficking Unit in Umkhanyakude, in KwaZulu-Natal, says car theft has dropped significantly under level 3 lockdown. The unit's chairperson Joseph Ngubane is attributing the good news to roadblocks and increased police visibility.
The Ingwavuma Magistrate's Court has postponed the child abduction case against Khanyisile Ngubane to next week Tuesday. Ngubane is accused of kidnapping a 6-day-old infant from Phaweni in 2011, who was found recently in Johannesburg. The boy's mother, Fikelephi Mpontshane, wants Ngubane to spend the rest of her life in custody, saying her heart breaks every time she sees her.
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, says the Wits-tested Oxford vaccine has been taunted as the most suitable for developing countries.
Zulu king, Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuZulu, is urging amaZulu to avoid funerals of people who are not their relatives as the country continue to battle a surge in COVID-19 infections. He has also urged his people to turn to God healing.
The Kunene family is shocked after learning it had buried a wrong body. The family is blaming the funeral parlour, Icebolethu, for the mix up.
The Gumede family says they were shocked when they were given a wrong body to view and alerted the funeral parlour, demanding answers.
The Kunene family in KwaZulu-Natal is upset after burying a wrong body. It is accusing funeral parlour Icobelethu of not give it a chance to view the body. However, the company disputes this. Spokesperson Nkosenhle Hlophe says refusing families a fair chance to view their loved one's remains would have been in violation of the law.
The Democratic Alliance says it is deeply concerned over the Garden Route ban, saying it is a devastating blow to the thousands of small businesses along the area, which are now at serious risk of collapse. DA leader John Steenhuisen elaborates.
Lunga Simelane from Jozini, kwaPhaweni in KwaZulu-Natal, is mourning the loss of his livestock.Simelane's 25 goats were struck by lightning.
Unknown gunmen made off with an undisclosed amount of money during a robbery at a house in Pongol, KwaZulu-Natal. Stokvel members had gathered at one of their counterpart's house when the thieves pounced. One of the members, Cebisile Khumalo, says she still can't believe they've lost all their savings.
The police in Jozini has asked the public to exercise patience as they work on solving other cases that have been dragging for years. The remark comes after a breakthrough in the kidnap case of Nhlakanipho Gumede who was abducted when he was nine days old.
Joseph Ndala says the woman who kidnapped Nhlakanipho pretended to be a sheep only to find that she was a wolf. He was speaking to journalists after the boy he had grown to love was reunited with his parents in Jozini, KwaZulu-Natal.
Fikelephi Mpotshane has been reunited with her son after he was stolen, nine years ago. She has thanked the Jozini police, Shembe prophet who assisted them in their quest to trace their boy.
A Jozini couple is overjoyed after being reunited with their kidnapped son. The boy was stolen by a woman who had pretended to be a good Samaritan, promising to assist his mother register his birth.
Cosas is over the moon over a high court ruling, setting aside the DBE's decision for a national rewrite of leaked exam papers. The organisation says learners should never be made to clean up the department's mess.
The DA in Ekurhuleni has welcomed the results of Wednesday's by-elections, saying its victory at two wards in the metro is an indication of the confidence residents of Benoni have in the party. The party retained two wards in the metro. The other ward was won by the ANC.
The family of 21-year-old Phuthi Ramara says it hopes for justice. The young woman's body was found naked on Monday at a playground in Soweto. She had been raped and strangled with her pants. Her killer is still on the loose. Jozi FM visited the family this week, where it called for the police to find the men who were last seen in the company of the deceased.
Philani Zulu spoke to MEC Ntuli soon after the Jozini fatal crash. Their discussion in the clip.
Deputy Chief Electoral Officer of the Electoral Commission, Mawethu Mosery, gives an update on the opening of voting stations on Wednesday as well as how special votes progressed on Tuesday.
IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa says Mthembu's passing has left a void in the party. He described the former councilor as loyal and urged other councilors in the Umkhanyakude district to complete the house where Mthembu was injured.
Mhlabulayalingana Mayor Mu Nkululeko Mthethwa describes former councilor Mthembu was a gentle, humble man who was not afraid to speak his mind.
Jamson Mthembu, a former PR Cllr of the IFP in Mhlabuyalingana municipality in Mbazwana kwaHangaza, has been laid to rest. He died last week after being involved in an accident while driving on the roof of his house in his home. His son Jakwe Mthembu explains to mourners what led to his passing.
A relative of the Khumalo family, who was first at the scene of the tragedy, has expressed shock over the tragedy. He says he never suspected that the couple had marital problems, despite them being close to him. Philani Ngwenya has asked the community of Mhlabauyalingana to pray for the couple's surviving daughter, who is fighting for her life in hospital.
The Mayor of KwaMhlabuyalingana Municipality, Nkululeko Mthethwa, is calling on community members not to die in silence. He says they shouldn't be afraid to reach out for help if in trouble. He was speaking at the funeral service of victims of a family domestic violence tragedy.
15 lives were lost in accidents in Limpopo over the weekend. Transport Authorities are urging motorists to be cautious on the roads. They have now intensified a 365-Days Arrive Alive Road Safety Campaign, which was launched by the national transport minister Fikile Mbalula. Limpopo transport spokesperson Mike Maringa elaborates on their concerns.
Learners' organisation, Cosas, is hopping mad over the Department of Education's decision to have matriculants rewrite their maths and physical science paper 2 exams. The organisation's Douglas Ngobeni says learners can't be held responsible for basic education department's maladministration.
Deputy Mayor Municipality of Jozini, Ncamsile Zulu, has slammed the brutal murder and rape of 4-year-old Bandile Nyaweni. She visited the child's family on Thursday. She expressed shock over the incident, saying she hopes it would never happen again.
The family of a 4-year-old boy from Dukumbe in Mkhuze, KwaZulu-Natal, who was brutally murdered recently wants the killer to rot in jail. The man known to the family was arrested after neighbours alerted the family to the crime. Bandile Nyaweni's grandmother says she doesn't trust the justice system.
Police Minister Bheki Cele has emphasised the need to keep all South Africans safe. He presented 100 police reservists to the Zulu King on Thursday.
Legal expert Sally Gandar says dealing with stateless South Africans is not easy and government needs to introduce better measures to assist the previously disadvantaged communities avoid ending up being undocumented. She cites a lack of resources as one of the causes of this.
Human rights activist Nobuhle Agiti says the laws in SA are not migrant friendly. She believes the government's 16 days of activism against violence on women and children is xenophobic as it "does not include migrant women." Gauteng authorities have rejected the claim.
Eskom will appear in court in January for violating the air pollution standards. Spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha says the organisation is charged with three counts, including exceeding emissions limit on air pollutants.
The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JPMD) says corrupt officials who mishandle the appointment of vendor spots in the city will be investigated and dealt with. Spokesperson Xolani Fihla has also slammed business owners evicting hawkers their spots, saying they have no right to do so.
Villa Nora police in Limpopo are investigating a case of murder after a young woman was stabbed to death outside a tavery in Ga-Rapadi village on Thursday morning. Waterberg FM's Ratlou Mabula has more.
Government has officially launched its annual campaign, advocating for an end to violence against women and children. While some see the initiative as a great effort in a bid to rid society of the scourge, VOW FM listener, Palesa Mohlamme, says 16 days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children hasn’t solved the gender issues that are crippling the country.
South Africa has begun 5 days of mourning in honour of those who lost their lives to gender-based violence and COVID-19. Wits University student, Wendy Manjeya, has called on the Police Minister to dig deeper in solving the GBV crisis.
Deputy President launched the 16 Days of Activism of No Violence Against Women and Children in Pretoria. The occasion also marked the start of South Africa's five days of mourning for femicide and COVID-19 victims. VOW FM's Kamogelo Tinyiko reports.
The CRL Rights Commission in Braamfontein heard from two famous prophets of how churches referred to as “cults” are operated and where do the leaders get their powers. VOW FM News reporter Buhle Mbhele has more.
The Eastern Cape Premier's office confirms that Premier Oscar Mabuyane has tested positive for COVID-19. The premier is currently self-isolating.
Residents of Naledi in Soweto aren't voting in today's by-elections. They are upset over the lack of electricity in the area. They say they have been living in the dark for six months now after a transformer in the area exploded and was never repaired.
Residents of Naledi in Soweto aren't voting in today's by-elections. They are upset over the lack of electricity in the area. They say they have been living in the dark for six months now after a transformer in the area exploded and was never repaired.
Hearings into abuse against Evaton church leader, Bishop Zondo, continue in Johannesburg. His sister, Khabo Zondo, has accused the Rivers of Living Waters leader of murder, saying he killed her father and two other people who knew about his shenanigans whom she could not reveal names.
Hearings probing allegations of abuse against Rivers of Living Waters Church leader, Bishop Stephen Zondo, have begun in Johannesburg, Gauteng. Former member of the church Solly Poopedi took to the stand on Tuesday, accusing Zondo of using umuthi (traditional medicine) to gain power over his believers.
Delany-Moretlwe says the HIV breakthrough is a shared success for Sub Saharan Africa at large. About 3 223 cisgender women from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe participated in the study. Seventy percent of the participants were under the age of 25.
The Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (WRHI) has announced a breakthrough in HIV prevention. The trial conducted by researchers from the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN), known as HPTN 084, was headed by Dr Sinead Denaly- Moretlwe, a research professor at the University of the Witwatersrand. She says it is an achievement for women in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Residents of Makhanda, in the Eastern Cape, protested outside the High Court in the town on Wednesday, demanding that a man accused of trying to rape his niece be remanded in custody.
The CEO of Bheki Mlangeni District Hospital in Soweto has been transfer. The Gauteng Health Department says this is a precautionary measure amid an investigation into alleged misconduct against the executive. DA's Jack Bloom is elated at the news and says she shouldn't be returned to the hospital.
The woman who charged the OR Tambo Municipality over R4 million for a door-to-door campaign is facing fraud charges. She was arrested on Thursday morning and appeared in court. Mthatha Spokesperson for the Director of Public Prosecutions Luxolo Tyali elaborates on the matter.
Eskom's right to cut power to defaulting municipalities has been affirmed. The High Court in Johannesburg ruled in favour of the power utility in a case brought by Pioneer Foods. Eskom's Sikonati Mantshantsha says the power utility will be ramping up its efforts to collect monies owed to it.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula at the official opening of the Madidi Bridge. This Bridge connects the Phasha and Madidi villages. At the event, Mbalula reiterated government's commitment to commitment to take on new road infrastructure projects, upgrades and maintenance.
Police Minister Bheki Cele has slammed the torching of a police van and storming of a court in Senekal. While commending the police for arresting a 51-year-old suspect - he urged for more arrests. VOW FM's Yonaka Theledi has more.
A six-year-old child has died after a roof collapsed on her during a hailstorm in Limpopo. One person was injured and some families lost their homes. Mopani District Municipal Spokesperson Odas Ngobeni urges families to remain vigilant as heavy rain continues.
Residents of Inkanyeni settlement in Makhanda, formerly known as Grahamstown, today took to the streets demanding to be connected to the electrical grid. The community says it has been in talks with the municipality over the matter for years now and its plea for help continues to fall on deaf ears.
Alex residents are reeling from shock after the discovery of a foetus at a dumping site in the area. Alex Newspaper's Cliff Shiko reports on the story.
VOW FM's Kamogelo Tinyiko looks at why some Wits University students don't report cases of Gender-Based Violence.
The members of Wits University's Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) were the biggest winners in the institution's Student Representative Council (SRC) elections. VOW FM reporter Kamogelo Tinyiko caught up with the outgoing SRC leadership and filed this report.
Two police officers are expected to appear before the Alexandra Magistrates' court tomorrow for the murder of Samantha Radebe. The 28-year-old woman was coming from work when she was killled in January this year in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) says it has concluded the investigations and has sent the report to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for prosecution.
The COVID-19 pandemic has not only claimed lives but also left some breadwinners jobless and businesses battered. Some Wits University students now fear they could lose accommodation due to financial challenges either caused by the loss of income of parents or a recent defunding of at least 5 000 students by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). VOWFM's Kamogelo Tinyiko spoke to one student, who accuses South Point of having evicted students who were unable to pay for their rent.
According to a SADAG survey, at least 65% of South Africans had heightened stress challenges during the first few weeks of the coronavirus hard lockdown, which ended in May.While the race to find a cure for COVID-19 continues, the pandemic has not spared students from its devastating effects. VOFM’s Anastasia Mokgobu has more.
September 12, 2020 marked 43 years since Steve Bantu Biko died at the hands of the apartheid police. He founded the Black Consciousness Movement, which has been described by Unisa's Professor Simphiwe Sesanti, as decolonisation of the mind.
Local Voices was established in 2019 as an election project. The partnership between Wits Radio Academy, the Media Development and Diversity Agency, the Children’s Radio Foundation, Africa Check and Open Society Foundation was meant to support election reporting on community radio. It has now made a return as a pilot project to give the work done at community radio level a wider range.
It is about stories of ordinary South Africans who have pinned their hopes on democratic South Africa to pay true to her promise of a free, fair and equal society.
Concerns mount over Zimbabwe's economic and political challenges. Numsa recently held a protest calling on the African Union to intervene in what it terms a human rights crisis.
Eight people have died in a conflict over a route in Mpheleni village of the Eastern Cape. Local Voices' Karabo Tebele has voice a report by Nomfezeko Nompula.