Hello South Africa

Calvin Botha aka DJ Darkness — music producer, DJ, all-around creative force. He loves making music with people who are talented.

I speak with Calvin Botha, also known as DJ Darkness — a phenomenally talented music producer and DJ whose passion for both life and his craft is unmistakable. Calvin is driven by curiosity, a love of learning, and a deep love of making music with people who are talented. You will feel his energy throughout this episode!
Born at just 29 weeks as the first of five siblings in a set of quintuplets, Calvin lost his sight due to receiving too much oxygen in the incubator. Despite this early challenge, his story is one of perseverance, talent, optimism, and humor.
Calvin shares highlights from his journey, including his participation in SA’s Got Talent in 2017, where he performed as a DJ and music producer. He emphasizes the importance of preparation and discipline and recalls his memorable encounter with DJ Fresh during the competition.
Calvin started school at Prinshof School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Pretoria, where he discovered his passion for music, singing in the choir from a young age, and learning under the guidance of a highly influential music teacher. He speaks with pride about those formative years and the role they played in shaping his musical path.
The conversation also touches on the challenges of discrimination and misunderstanding faced by people with disabilities. However, Calvin refuses to be defined by victimhood; instead, he embraces life with confidence, joy, and humour.
To build a solid foundation beyond the arts, Calvin studied Corporate Communication at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). He also holds an MCSA qualification and began his career in IT networking. While his technical skills remain valuable, he soon realized that working as a systems engineer didn't fulfil his artistic side. Today, Calvin blends his tech knowledge into his daily life and music career, using tools like speech-to-text software that allow him to interact with digital devices through audio feedback.
Notably, Calvin doesn’t advertise his services; he works entirely through word-of-mouth referrals. His work ethic shines through everything he does. This authentic, personal approach has enabled him to continue doing what he loves most — making music with talented people.
Tune in to hear the story of this dynamic creative whose passion for his profession and zest for life radiate from the moment he starts speaking.
Contact Calvin at: djdarkness.botha@gmail.com

Ecogreen Analytics, state-of-the-art laboratory in Somerset West, South Africa, specialising in cannabis, hemp, CBD analysis. SANAS, SAHPRA, SANCAP accredited, servicing Sub-Saharan Africa.

Meet Sonja and Greg Ondrejkovic, the chemical analysts behind this state-of-the-art analytical laboratory in Somerset West, Cape Town, South AFrica, Ecogreen Analytics. They provide their customers in the pharmaceutical, commercial, and recreational markets across Sub-Saharan Africa with the most accurate chemical results currently available in South Africa, their focus being on CBD and hemp products, functional mushrooms, and botanical products, eg. sceletium. Many South Africans will know of the succulent plant “kougoed” which has a long history among the indigenous San people.
Their laboratory holds many accreditations, such as SANAS, SAHPRA, SANCAP, and from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform & Rural Development.
Listen to the fascinating story of how this laboratory started on their dining room table, to have grown into this privately owned state-of-the-art laboratory. Their passion for natural wellness is a golden thread that runs through this conversation. My question about their next five years opened up their excitement about hemp products, its benefits for commercial use, land remediation, and super absorbent material being developed.
Their website provides details of types of samples they test, the various testing services they provide, their testing methods, and the process customers should follow to submit their samples for testing. This was a highly informative and interesting conversation. Do listen to Greg and Sonja!
Website: www.ecogreenanalytics.co.za
email info@ecogreenalalyttics.co.za
Tel 021 023 3145
Facebook: EcoGreen Analytics Pty Ltd
Instagram: ecogreenanalytics

Johan Anker: Singer, song-writer, independent artist, English teacher (and HOD) Formally trained in light classical music, winner of The Voice SA 2016, winner of the Afri-Indie best adult gospel award

Episode 27: Johan Anker. Singer, song-writer, independent artist, English teacher (and HOD) of an all-girl high school. Formally trained in light classical music, winner of The Voice SA 2016 (singing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” in Portuguese) and winner of the Afri-Indie award for the best adult gospel singer.
Johan writes both English and Afrikaans songs. His faith is an integral part of his life, and his family the backbone of his support. He is definitely not an overnight success, having started his singing career at the age of 8 when his late father recognised his talent and encouraged him to study music. His dad’s dream for Johan’s music career and his constant encouragement throughout his lifetime, still inspire him daily.
Johan performs on big (such as the KKNK – the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees) and small stages (at churches, markets, weddings, and all and any function in between). His big dream is to be part of a big music event (such as Afrikaans is Groot).
Johan takes us on a journey of his busy life, teaching and performing throughout the country, and shares how he loves being in both an academic and creative environment. He keeps fit by going to gym daily (very early in the morning!)
Johan’s passion is to encourage and inspire through his music. He also shares his favourite South African food!
Listen to this young man’s story and be inspired.
Contact Johan for bookings:
bookingjohananker@gmail.com
Social media: FB, Instagram, YouTube

Christine Joubert-Watt is one of approximately 200 music therapists registered with HPCSA in South Africa.

Be captivated by the passion Christine Joubert-Watt exudes during this conversation. She is one of approximately 200 music therapists registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and the South African National Arts Therapies Association (SANATA).  Her passion to help people on their individual holistic healing journey was a tangible part of our conversation.
Christine tells her story of studies, travel, and how she eventually was introduced to music therapy after studying to become a biokineticist.
She holds the qualifications: MMUS Music Therapy (UP, 2009); MA HMS Biokinetics (NMU, 2004)
She believes that music, sound, movement, water, and exercise can help us to connect with our inner selves. She also does hydrotherapy.
You will find Christine’s logo so significant. It is a dragonfly, a symbol of change and transformation, overcoming hardship and bringing light.
Christine tells us what music therapy entails as it is used in medical, educational, rehabilitative, and everyday environments to address physical, emotional, cognitive, communicative, spiritual, and social needs of individuals, groups, and communities. She also shares the invaluable influence of music therapy on mental health.
Christine offers a wide variety of services, which she expands on during our conversation, which includes individual and group sessions, visiting clients and patients of all ages in organisations and schools, people with physical and intellectual disabilities, psychiatric patients, and she also visits dementia and Parkinson’s patients in frail care facilities.
Christine discusses the benefits of music therapy and that the benefits are closely linked to the specific client, their needs, and life-context. Music therapy is a way to connect and communicate and is unique to every individual, definitely not a one size fits all therapy. Looking at music and movement from a neurological perspective, current research indicates that participating in rhythm and music can stimulate neural pathways in specific areas of the brain.
Music enables us to communicate, express, and deal with our feelings in a positive, non-judgmental way. Christine's XpressionSessions offer services including mental health, child health, workshops, music stimulation classes, and sound journeys for relaxation.
Christine closes our conversation with a positive message that there is always an alternative, an option, and hope.
 
Christine is contactable on 076 792 6776
www.xpressionsessions.org
LinkedIn
FB and Instagram: XpressionSessions

Meet the angel and “blonde Xhosa” of Walmer Angel Project NPO, Glenda Brunette. Along with Julia Mbambo they are the hearts, hands, and feet of this NPO in Walmer Township, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha).

Meet the angel and “blonde Xhosa” of Walmer Angel Project NPO, Glenda Brunette. Along with Julia Mbambo they are the hearts, hands, and feet of this NPO in Walmer Township, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha).
Walmer Angel Project currently has about 40 creches and a number of soup kitchens under their wing as well as many garden projects and community outreaches. Glenda opened The Shine Literacy Project at the Lower Walmer Primary School in Walmer Township aiming at teaching young children to read and enjoy reading in English, where volunteers offer one or two hours of their time per week.
Glenda tells her story of being born and bred in Port Elizabeth in the Sunday’s River Valley, a farm girl turned businesswoman and philanthropist, and what led to her starting Walmer Angel Project. She also shares the tribal name she is known by in Walmer Township and how being able to speak Xhosa fluently has helped her to help the community.
She partners with many businesses and schools in Port Elizabeth and is extremely grateful for the goodwill towards Walmer Angel Project. She also started a recycling initiative in Walmer Township in collaboration with The Re-Trade Project in Miramar, inspired by her late Dutch father’s entrepreneurial recycling ventures (which led to him being able to buy their family farm). Glenda also regularly runs school uniform and sanitary pad drives, focusing on the ongoing needs of children. Glenda also tells many stories of how easy it is to make a difference in a child or family’s life.
Glenda has been nominated for and received various awards, such as the Herald newspaper citizen of the year award in honour of Sister Ethel, who was actively involved in the Missionvale area for many years. A highlight for Glenda was meeting Dr Imtiaz Sooliman of Gift of the Givers Foundation at one of these award functions.
The drop off point for donations is at The Pantry, corner of Main Road and Tenth Avenue, Walmer, Port Elizabeth. Glenda and Julia also collect large donations. Julia has a freezer and other storage facilities where she lives in Walmer Township, where large donations can be kept until ready to distribute to families in need or to be used for preparing food for the daily provision of meals. In Glenda’s words: “We collect anything and use anything.”
You can contact Glenda on email at glendabrunette3@gmail.com
Facebook: Walmer Angel Project and her personal page: Glenda Brunette
Monetary donations can be made into the bank account and section 18A certificates will be issued on request:
 
Account name: Live by Faith
First National Bank
Walmer Branch 211 417
Account no 623 277 80 137
Swift code FIRNZAJJ
Cheque Account
PBO Number 930039652
Registered with SARS
 
 

Rename and highlights of a few episodes published in 2024

A few highlights from 2024’s podcasts after a few months’ hiatus and hibernation. And announcing the new name: “Hello South Africa.”

Beverly Magotsi: Single mom, estate agent, moved from Kenya to South Africa

Bev shares her journey as single parent of her two teenage daughters and 11-year-old son, and how she juggles their busy diaries of school, sport (all three children are lifeguards), music (they play piano and saxophone), and social life.
She also talks about the help she receives from people, and how she has experienced the community embracing her with love, care, and help. She carries a strong hope in humanity.
Bev poignantly refers to her grandmother’s influence on her life and how that legacy and that of her mother guide her daily.
She also inspires with words of wisdom for any parent finding themselves suddenly caring for their children by themselves as a single parent, be it mom or dad.
Bev works for We Trade Property, a family-oriented estate agency where she finds their values aligned with hers. She sells properties in the Western Cape’s Southern Suburbs and reaching as far as Paarl.
She can be contacted for any property-related matters:
beverlym@wetradeproperty.co.za
076 916 5613
FaceBook: Beverly Magotsi
Instagram: hsewifey
 
 

Fiona Smith: live-in care worker in England. She was a journalist at The Friend newspaper, Bloemfontein, 20 years guide for French tourists in SA. Currently in Tetbury, Gloucestershire.

Fiona Smith: South African live-in care worker in England. More than a decade’s experience. 
Fiona was born and schooled in the Free State where she learnt to speak French. She then attended Star School of Journalism and worked as a reporter for The Friend newspaper in Bloemfontein. It was the second oldest English newspaper in the country, with Rudyard Kipling being a correspondent for the newspaper for a period of time.
For 20 years she was a tour guide for French tourists to South Africa.
She had always wanted to travel and regales an interesting story of traveling from Thailand to Iceland via France to visit her sister. 
With her many years’ experience as a live-in care worker, she shares the practical realities of the transient life as a live-in care worker, the long hours, it being lonely work, and how she keeps in social contact with fellow carers via Facebook and WhatsApp groups.
She is busy finalizing a Handbook for Live-In Carers, which will be published soon as an eBook. It contains 10 lessons for live-in care, including stories of other care workers’ experiences.
For any South African, regardless of age or gender, considering live-in care work in the UK, you are welcome to make contact with Fiona via Facebook.
Facebook: Fiona Smith

MaxiBlend. Used in ECDs, soup kitchens, schools, retirement homes, logistically challenging environments (firefighting, game ranging), feeding schemes for children. In SA and beyond.

In this episode I speak to sisters and ex-teachers from Strand, Western Cape, about MaxiBlend balanced meals. Used in Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDs), soup kitchens, schools, retirement homes, emergency food aid (eg floods), logistically challenging environments (firefighting and game ranging), and feeding schemes for children. Not just in South Africa, beyond our borders too.
They work in synergy with Outside the Bowl and Kingdom Foods International to provide, amongst others meal replacement shakes in all the flavours kids love. And the three organisations are working on developing more products for adults as well.
With as little as ZAR67 you can make a huge difference in the lives of the vulnerable and destitute. You will be provided with a section 18A certificate for monetary donations. From their website you can order for delivery to an NPO/NGO of your choice.
Listen to their story and find out more on their website – there is MUCH more to these two ladies than just the 25 minutes coffee shop conversation we had! I know you will be enthralled by what they do and their future vision as I am. Helping the vulnerable with a nutritional daily meal is as easy as this.
www.maxiblend.co.za
www.africaotb.org
FB: outsidethebowlafrica
IG: @outsidethebowlfeeding

Harrison Dax Nash: Social worker, charity director, program manager at Maranatha Siyakatala Youth Centre in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and honorary lecturer at the University of Plymouth.

Harrison Dax Nash: Social worker, charity director, program manager at Maranatha Siyakatala Youth Centre in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and honorary lecturer at the University of Plymouth.
Today we are flipping the script of this podcast! I showcase South Africans living in SA and abroad on this podcast, but today the stage belongs to a young man from Plymouth, England, who is doing lifechanging work in South Africa.
Maranatha Siyakatala Youth Centre provides residential care for 34 young people, from the age of 5.
Harrison tells us how a visit to South Africa in 2007 during a “gap” year changed the trajectory of his life. We hear about the various beautiful success stories of residents at Maranatha who proceeded to achieve success in amongst others the hotel industry (chef at No 5 Boutique Hotel by Mantis), the film and video industry, and the horseracing industry (a jockey).
He was awarded a BEM (British Empire Medal) and a BCA (British Citizen Award) by the Royal family for his service in South Africa to the children of Maranatha.
Amongst many talents Harrison also regularly performs his rendition of his favourite singers, Frank Sinatra and Michael Bublé, songs as he is involved with the Gilbert & Sullivan Society and often invited to perform.
To see more of what Harrison and Maranatha Siyakatala are all about, and to consider volunteering or making any donation, you can reach him through the below platforms or via email at harrison@maranathacarechildren.com :
www.maranathayouthcentre.co.za
FB Harrison Dax Nash
FB Maranatha Siyakatala youth centre
FB Maranatha Care Children