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In episode six of We Should Be Writing season 7, the team unpacked the evolution of music as a form of expression and protest, through four decades in the South African context. The episode explores the journey of South African music and its consumers from the 80s, 90s, early 2000s and contemporary listeners. From the beats of Mbaqanga and Kwaito to the birth and snares of Amapiano and Barcardi. This episode not only gives the listener a history lesson, but it exposes the influence of music as a religious, cultural and linguistic right.     Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you consume your pods. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in journalism and media class at the Wits Centre for Journalism.     Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @witsvuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram.     Show Notes:   Hosts: Keletso Zwane, Daniella Ripamonti and Sanele Sithole   Producers: Daniella Ripamonti, Sanele Sithole and Keletso Zwane  Writer: Sanele Sithole   Editor: Daniella Ripamonti  Music: Khutso Ngwatoana

In episode five of this season of We Should Be Writing, the Vuvu team sits down with members of the queer community to explore their experiences of discovering, accepting and expressing their identities. Taking listeners through conversations about coming out, family acceptance, religion, culture, discrimination and misconceptions surrounding queer identities. Our guests share their personal experiences of navigating identity and finding their place in a world that does not always make space for them. Through their personal experiences, they share messages of encouragement for other queer people who may still be finding their way, reminding listeners that there is no single way to be queer and everyone deserves the freedom to be themselves.   Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @Witsvuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram.   Hosts: Jamie Ho, Kerese Govender and Reatlehile Mashamba   Producer: Jamie Ho, Kerese Govender and Reatlehile Mashamba  Writers: Jamie Ho and Kerese Govender  Sound editor: Jamie Ho, Kerese Govender and Reatlehile Mashamba   Music: Original by Khutso Ngwatoana

This year marks 30 years of the South African Constitution – more specifically, The Bill of Rights.  This is We Should Be Writing, Season 7, Episode 4: Did You Get Home Safe?  In this episode, we will be unpacking the Right to Freedom and Security which is found in the Bill of Rights: Section 12 of Chapter 2, in The Constitution of South Africa; specifically looking at what it is according to the Government verses the lived realities.   Our hosts will engage in conversations about the lack of safety South African women experience while traveling, particularly focusing on the experiences of young women in Johannesburg.  DISCLAIMER: This podcast episode will be discussing extremely sensitive and heavy topics; it is therefore important to note before listening.   You can find the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Podcasts.com. This podcast is brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism.   Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @Witsvuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram.  SOURCES OF STATISTICS:  2020 National Household Travel Survey:   https://www.datafirst.uct.ac.za/dataportal/index.php/catalog/886/get-microdata  https://researchspace.csir.co.za/server/api/core/bitstreams/daf8155c-1e70-40ff-9c4a-fe405a8c2ce1/content  Women Mobilize Women Report:   https://genderdata.womenmobilize.org/different-cities-different-results/gauteng/  Bridging the gender Data Gap in Transport:   https://genderdata.womenmobilize.org  1st for Women:   https://www.firstforwomen.co.za/guardian-angels-lifestyle-assist/safest-provinces-for-women-in-sa/  WHO INSPIRE:   https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/inspire-seven-strategies-for-ending-violence-against-children  New York Times Reports:   https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/business/uber-background-checks-sexual-assault.html       https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/business/uber-sexual-assault-drivers-complaints.html  https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/06/business/uber-sexual-assault.html  Research on male dominance in the transport sector:   https://pure.uj.ac.za/en/publications/safety-and-security-of-women-on-transport-a-case-of-ride-hailing-/  https://www.transaid.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-lived-experiences-of-women-workers-in-Africas-transport-sector-1.pdf  Gender Based Violence in South Africa:  https://hsrc.ac.za/news/review/violence-against-women-in-south-africa-intersecting-vulnerabilities/  https://unsdg.un.org/latest/stories/south-africa-where-gender-based-violence-more-statistic  https://www.instagram.com/p/DdTQzsBjOl4/?img_index=1&stkn=MTJva3FnN2l0czIx  ROLES:  Hosts: Naledi Maraisane and Alice Dhlamini  Producers: Naledi Maraisane, Alice Dhlamini and Hannah Brown   Writers: Naledi Maraisane, Alice Dhlamini and Hannah Brown   Sound editor: Hannah Brown   MUSIC:  Theme song: Khutso Ngwatoana  All music and sound from Pixabay:   Dramatic music by AtlasAudio  Fast Dynamic Rhythmic Music by mirostar  School Bells by Emg5991 and u_qmic4cwja4  Walking in nature by u_6jboiezarw  iPhone typing by PatoLenin  Phone ringing by DRAGON-STUDIO  4 min traffic sounds by TanwerAman  Street ambience by KM007_  End call by u_z31mph1yzr  Freesound_community:  Walking sound by Cloe.king  Car driving sounds by Priesjensen  Getting out of car by Cairlin_100  Breaking news by Kiddpark  Answering machine by Dean-Raul_DiArchangeli  Windy night ambience by Jeffreys2  Outside my house ambience by CataRegra98  Walking through grass by vgraham1

To speak or not to speak? In this episode of season 7 ‘We Should Be Writing’, The Girls Have Spoken delves into the right of freedom of expression by unpacking what it entails and the various forms of freedom of expression. We hear what life was like when there was no freedom of expression under the Apartheid regime in an interview with Ambassador Sikose Mji and a narrated clip from Mam Lillie Sithole. We contrast the past with contemporary times and explore where the fine line is between freedom of expression and hate speech. Additionally, using contemporary examples, we delve into the responsibility that comes with having the right to freely express oneself.     Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @Witsvuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram.       Show Notes:    Hosts: Nqobile Mtshali, Sikelelekile Pahlana and Kamogelo Lesabe   Producer: Sikelelekile Pahlana   Writers: Nqobile Mtshali, Sikelelekile Pahlana, Kamogelo Lesabe   Sound editor: Kamogelo Lesabe and Sikelelekile Pahlana   Music: Original by Khutso Ngwatoana  Graphic: Sikelelekile Pahlana

In this episode, “March, Post, Repeat”, hosts Khutso Ngwatoana, Chrislyn Majiedt and Zebrena Ralph are joined by Gabriel Mamabolo,a student from the University of Witwatersrand, and Natasha Ralph, a community activist. In celebration of 30 years of South Africa’s Constitution, Section 17, the Right to Assembly, demonstration, picket and petition, is discussed while analysing how the digital era has impacted the way in which people exercise this right. Ralph shares her experiences in protesting in eras before and during the digital age, while Mamabolo shares his experiences in protesting during the digital age. Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @Witsvuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram.       Hosts: Chrislyn Majiedt, Zebrena Ralph and Khutso Ngwatoana  Producer: Chrislyn Majiedt, Khutso Ngwatoana and Zebrena Ralph  Writers: Chrislyn Majiedt, Khutso Ngwatoana, and Zebrena Ralph  Sound Editor: Chrislyn Madjiedt  Music: Khutso Ngwatoana  Graphics by: Wits Vuvuzela Graphics Team   Protest Video Audio Credits: Gabriel Mamabolo  Speech Video Audio Credits: Sandra Leshabela (@News Lion on TikTok)  President Speech Audio Credits: Cyril Ramaphosa (@Athigeleba on TikTok)

30 years into South Africa’s constitutional democracy, what does it mean to inherit the right to speak your language and practise your culture?  In this episode of We Should Be Writing, we explore how South Africa’s languages and traditions have evolved. From the history of language and education under colonialism and apartheid, to the 11 official languages recognised in the Constitution and the addition of South African Sign Language as the 12th official language, we look at what multilingualism actually sounds like today.   We step into the streets of Johannesburg, where languages meet, mix and change through code-switching and urban slang. We also unpack traditions such as ilobolo and ulwaluko, asking what happens when practices rooted in history and community meet modern life, the law, the economics and the changing ideas about identity.   Listen to We Should Be Writing on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @Witsvuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram.  Hosts: Asisipho Mpahleni, Amahle Ngqwemla & Rearabilwe Tsebela Producer: Asisipho Mpahleni Writer: Rearabilwe Tsebela Sound Editor: Amahle Ngqwemla Theme Music: Khutso Ngwatoana

A new season is coming in October 2026. In this limited series, we consider the rights enshrined in the South African Constitution.

Since her announcement as the Democratic Alliance’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, Helen Zille has dominated national headlines. In this bonus episode of We Should Be Writing podcast, hosts Lulah Mapiye and Bonolo Mokonoto dissect a media meet-and-greet with the mayoral hopeful. From her extensive political résumé to her controversial public utterance, we examine why the Democratic Alliance has chosen Hellen Zille as their candidate for the 2027 local mayoral elections.    Additionally, we discuss the DA’s internal candidate selection process, coalition politics in Johannesburg, and whether voters should be asking not if Zille is qualified but whether she is the right leader for the city at this moment.  Finally, we take to the streets to hear directly from Johannesburg residents about whether they believe Helen Zille could be the mayor the city needs.  Listen as we break down the politics, the strategy, and what this all means for the future of Johannesburg.   Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @Witsvuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram.        Show Notes:     Hosts: Lulah Mapiye and Bonolo Mokonoto   Produced, written and edited by: Lulah Mapiye and Bonolo Mokonoto  Music:  Stoic - Magic

Johannesburg's underground punk rock scene has always been about more than simply music. From the beginning, it's been a site of rebellion against injustice and a community for those who dare to go against the norm. In this episode of We Should Be Writing, Mbali Khumalo takes you into this world, with guests from the iconic 1980s rock band Bright Blue, Dan Heymann and Ian Cohen, and one of the bands defining South Africa's punk rock genre today, Lefokolodi. They share how their music is not only about self-expression but about using their voices to change the world. Show Notes: Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @WitsVuvuzela on Tik Tok and Instagram. Hosted, produced and written by: Mbali Khumalo Sound editing and episode artwork by: Mbali Khumalo Music credits: Alex Productions - Punch DeltaX-Music - Dune Lefokolodi - Butt Hurt National Wake – Everybody Rage Against The Machine - Killing In the Name Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop Archival audio credits: 2/10/78 New South African Prime Minister Pieter Botha Press Conference - Associated Press Archive Cry Freedom (1978) directed by Richard Attenborough “Where did punk start?” directed by Lech Kowalski

This narrative podcast episode is an open letter to a man named Ntate Johannesburg ( Ntate Jozi) who represents The City of Gold. Podcast host, Sechaba Molete gives us a glimpse of the lessons he's learnt about Johannesburg as he reads Ntate Jozi his letter. This thought-provoking audio experience is a just a click away!

Meet e-meter, once the shiny star of Scientology’s auditing rooms, now a dusty relic with plenty of shocking memories to share, and tons of time to do it. Tired of sitting on a mantal, waiting to be used, this old machine spills all the tea from its hay day in the thick of Scientology schemes. Behind the tales, however, lies a deeper truth abouth faith, fear, and the fragility of humanity. Show notes: Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should be Writing is brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @WitsVuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram. This episode was inspired by my own experience of the auditing session, coupled with similar stories sourced online. Hosted, produced, and written by: Ekta Seebran Sound editor: Ekta Seebran Music: Holiday Weasel by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Will we ever have peace and friendship within and across our borders? In this episode of We Should Be Writing, the Vuvu team takes on the final promise of the Freedom Charter: There shall be peace and friendship. We unpack how this vision clashes with the growing issue of xenophobia in South Africa today.   Our guests include a researcher from the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, and a first-generation South African student whose Congolese and Angolan roots bring lived experience to the conversation. We start with her unique story of belonging, before moving into the groups and movements targeting foreign nationals, like Operation Dudula and March on March. Finally, we look back at the history of how our neighbours supported the anti-apartheid struggle and ask why the ties between South Africa and their citizens have soured since 1994.   Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @Witsvuvuzela on TikTok, X, Facebook and Instagram.      Hosts: Mbali Khumalo, Kamvelihle Mtwazi, Phenyo Selinda  Producer: Mbali Khumalo   Writers: Kamvelihle Mtwazi, Mbali Khumalo, Phenyo Selinda  Sound editor: Phenyo Selinda, Kamvelihle Mtwazi  Music: Tyler, The Creator x Kaytranada Type Beat “Magic” by Stoic

Are all equal before the law in South Africa? In this episode of We Should Be Writing podcast, hosts Bonolo Mokonoto and Anganathi Jack take listeners on a journey through two very different Johannesburg magistrate courts: the Randburg Magistrate and Hillbrow Magistrate courts. Marking 70 years since the adoption of the Freedom Charter, they explore what legal equality really means today through vivid on-site observations, man-on-the-street interviews, and a breakdown of the current South African court system.  Through candid conversations and interviews with everyday South Africans, the hosts highlight the knowledge gaps about the judicial system and reflect on whether “all shall be equal before the law” is a reality or still an aspiration.  Tune in for a clear, engaging discussion on justice, inequality, and the ongoing journey toward true equality in South Africa’s courts.  Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism.  Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and Follow @WitsVuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram.  Show Notes: Hosts: Bonolo Mokonoto and Anganathi Jack  Producers: Bonolo Mokonoto and Anganathi Jack  Writer: Bonolo Mokonoto   Sound editor: Anganathi Jack  Editor: Bonolo Mokonoto and Anganathi Jack  Music: Stoic, [Free] TYLER, THE CREATOR X KAYTRANDA TYPE BEAT “MAGIC”  Graphic Design: Ekta Seebran and Anganathi Jack

In this episode, we explore the first principle of the Freedom Charter: “The people shall govern,” and ask what it means in modern South Africa. Through the voice of Thoriso Mogoru, a student who voted in the 2024 national elections and the insights of political analyst Prof. Daryl Glaser, we look at the gap between the promise of democracy and the lived realities of governance. From the optimism of universal suffrage in 1994 to the frustrations of youth who feel unheard, we trace how this principle continues to inspire, challenge, and shape the country’s political landscape.   Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @Witsvuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram.     Show Notes: Hosts: Abena Mahlahlane (Narrator) and Nthabiseng Baloyi (Interviewer)    Produced, written and edited by: Abena Mahlahlane and Nthabiseng Baloyi  Music: Stoic, Thandi Zulu (Sabela), Hugh Masekela (Siwelele Mama)

In this episode, “In South Africa our Land”, hosts Sechaba Molete and Lindelwa Khanyile are joined by Mihle Kunju, Law School Council Chairperson, for a conversation about the constitutional promise that “all shall be equal under the law.” While South Africa’s Constitution is celebrated as one of the most progressive in the world, the reality on the ground often tells a different story. In this episode, we explore how high-profile cases reveal cracks in the system: from the Gupta family’s ability to manipulate power structures during the state capture era, to former President Jacob Zuma’s repeated delays in facing justice, to the Thabo Bester prison escape, which exposed corruption and unequal treatment within the correctional system. Beyond these headlines, we unpack how ordinary South Africans experience inequality daily, whether it’s through unequal access to quality legal representation, overburdened Legal Aid services, or a justice system that moves faster for the wealthy and powerful than it does for the poor and marginalized. Through sharp legal insight and grounded reflections, Mihle helps us ask the hard but necessary question: Is equality under the law a lived reality in South Africa, or is it still just a constitutional dream waiting to be fulfilled? Show Notes: Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify,Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @WitsVuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram. Hosted, produced and written by: Lindelwa Khanyile and Sechaba Molete Sound editor: Sechaba Molete Theme music: Stoic - Magic Graphics and artwork: Lindelwa Khanyile/ Canva