S2 Episode 11: A day in the life of a spaza shop
Gauteng is in the eye of a storm. As part of a series of intimate portraits, we capture a day in the life of an Alexandra spaza shop at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Mixtape 18: R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
To celebrate South African Women’s Day, Charles Leonard has made a celebratory mixtape of songs by female artists only.
S2 Episode 10: BLM in cricket | Zambia vs rapper
In SA, how to deal with cricket’s dirty racist secret. Then, Italian lessons on life when Covid-19 subsides. And, a Zambian musician on the music that’s landed him in jail three times.
Mixtape 17: Scratch
In this mixtape, Charles Leonard plays songs about scratching – and, like an ambitious Masterchef competitor, he does it three ways.
S2 Episode 9: Terrorist Album | Deaf under Covid-19
Apartheid’s terrorist album was a “wanted” list of insurgents, and it could get you killed. Also, when you cannot lip read – how deaf people cope under Covid-19.
S2 Episode 8: How Trump abets Israel | Tribute to a fine African mind
How United States President Donald Trump’s vindictive administration went after a veteran Palestinian leader. Also, we pay tribute to one of Africa’s greatest intellectuals.
Mixtape 16: Best dressed chicken in town
In this week’s bumper edition of the mixtape, Charles Leonard brings you a menagerie of songs about animals.
S2 Episode 7: SA’s rape scourge | LKJ, a poet for 2020 | Finishing football
Only 30% of rape cases reported in South Africa are prosecuted. What can be done? Also, why Linton Kwesi Johnson is a poet for these times, and how Tanzania finished its football season in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mixtape 15: Moving Pictures
This week’s mixtape from Charles Leonard, the weekly bearer of eclectic musical gifts from around the world and across genres and generations, has a cinematic bent.
S2 Episode 6: Doctors in danger | Misjudgement on Israel
A doctor opens up about coping with the fears of being a healthcare worker during the Covid-19 pandemic. Also, South Africa’s top judge has defiantly sided with Israel. A Jewish academic explains why this is bad for the judiciary.
Mixtape 14: Station to station
All on board for this week’s mixtape with Charles Leonard. “Station to station” features great songs about trains.
S2 Episode 5: Jobs bloodbath | Basic income grants
Lockdown job losses are soaring. A union organiser tells us about their battles. Also, the Covid-19 pandemic has prompted fundamental questions, such as whether a basic income grant could work for everyone.
Mixtape 13: Roots
In this week’s mixtape we go digging for our musical roots, attempting to find some sense in these uncertain times.
S2 Episode 4: Angela Davis speaks to us | A greener Eskom?
Angela Davis speaks to us about hope, racial capitalism, police violence, American imperialism, Palestine and jazz. Also, a plan for Eskom to change its coal-tainted colours to green.
Mixtape 12: Take a left
Using the theme “Take a left”, musical tour guide Charles Leonard helps you get lost across generations and geographies.
S2 Episode 3: Drugs under Covid-19 | Football lockdown
In Durban, a unique programme to help destitute drug users may yield positive results beyond the government’s Covid-19 lockdown. Also, what happens when a left-wing football obsessive is deprived of his sport.
Mixtape 11: Connections
This mixtape’s theme is “connections” – it’s a musical exploration of how people and songs connect, and how they then unite against racists and fascists.
S2 Episode 2: Violence in uniform | The Urban Zulu
During the Covid-19 lockdown, police officers and soldiers have been using violence against the public. Why do they believe they have free rein? Also, we celebrate Busi Mhlongo, the woman who wrestled maskandi from the macho men.
Mixtape 10: Weather report
This week’s mixtape theme is “weather report” with Charles Leonard playing songs about storms that rage against racism and fascism.
S2 Episode 1: Futureless future | SA gets back to work
The anger over police brutality in the United States has exposed a futureless future for Donald Trump’s country. And in South Africa, will workers have jobs to return to?
Mixtape 9: Whose country is it?
In many countries, working-class people and those from minorities have been violently disenfranchised. With the theme, “Whose country is it?”, Charles Leonard plays songs that reflect on belonging and exclusion.