S5 Episode 5: No pride: The horrors of homophobia
Despite South Africa’s progressive Constitution guaranteeing the rights of all, no matter sexual orientation, LGBTQIA+ people still experience the horrors of homophobia and bigotry.
Radio New Frame
Mixtape 44: The photo album
Charles Leonard is shaking it like a Polaroid picture on this mixtape, with a selection of songs about photographs, photographers and cameras.
S5 Episode 4: Subversive Comrades | Egyptian Rap
Stories of subversion: Flag burning, white anti-apartheid activists, a long-haired marathon champion; and how one of Cairo’s few female hip-hop artists is sticking it to the man.
S5 Episode 3: Palestinian solidarity | Israeli apartheid
In this special focus on Palestine: how dock workers showed solidarity, non-violent resistance in the face of extreme Israeli violence and why Israel is an apartheid state.
Mixtape 43: The chicken crossing
Charles Leonard has compiled a mixtape of chicken songs to stop traffic. Listen, and it will all make sense.
S5 Episode 2: Free Palestine | Hospitals of doom
A young Palestinian shares what South Africa has taught him about resisting Israeli occupation and we look into the medical malpractice particularly affecting impoverished Black women.
S5 Episode 1: Street fighting man
We start the new season with an exclusive and wide-ranging interview with foremost political thinker, prolific writer and original street fighting man Tariq Ali.
Mixtape 42: Freshly Picked
For this mixtape Charles Leonard has picked a bunch of fresh tunes from a rich harvest of new music that was recently released.
S4 Episode 15: The strikes that changed South Africa
To celebrate Workers’ Day, we go back in time. In Durban in 1973, South African workers were raising their voices for better conditions and their fists against the system of apartheid.
Mixtape 41: I talk to the trees
Charles Leonard goes back to his roots in this tree-themed mixtape recorded under the 100-year-old lemon tree in his garden. He’s collected an orchard of related songs.
S4 Episode 14: Under the influence of influencers
Everyone can be a social media influencer in a hyper-capitalist society. What comes next in advertising? Also, we look at the sinister side of the internet economy.
S4 Episode 13: Rugby and race | Polish football racism
SA Rugby’s head explains the controversial way the Springboks will approach Black Lives Matter during the British & Irish Lions’ tour. Also, we explore the movement against racism in Poland’s football.
Mixtape 40: I fought the law
All rise in court for part two of Charles Leonard’s selection of songs about crime, crooks, theft and pilferage.
S4 Episode 12: Vaccines and variants | Kalk Bay
South African scientists have played a crucial role in global Covid-19 research. We go behind the scenes with one of them. Also, residents of Cape Town’s historic Kalk Bay feel the creep of gentrification.
S4 Episode 11: Cissie Gool | Paris Commune | ‘Internationale’
We visit the Cissie Gool House. Is this occupation a model for affordable housing? Why the Paris Commune matters 150 years on. And, the story of a song with its roots in the Commune.
Mixtape 39: Crime and injustice
Musicians across genres have always been fascinated by outlaws, criminals, crooks, justice, injustice and retribution. Charles Leonard picks the locks on his favourite tracks.
S4 Episode 10: Love under Covid-19
A year on, Covid-19 has affected us in so many profound ways. Yet, parts of normal life have continued. Some people still fall in and out of love. We tell their stories.
S4 Episode 9: Water in Joburg | LGBTQIA+ in Africa
We tell the story of an 80-year-old Joburger who shows us how water shaped the city into what it is today. Also, who are the Africans leading the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights?
Mixtape 38: Don’t touch that dial
In his ode to radio, Charles Leonard plays songs that celebrate the DJs, the shows and the company it brought.
S4 Episode 8: The new workers of the gig economy
The gig economy is a striking example of how work has changed during the Covid-19 pandemic. We investigate how this on-demand work has eroded workers’ rights but may lead to new types of unions.
S4 Episode 7: Vaccine apartheid | Solidarity | Harari
In a world divided by vaccine apartheid, can the Covid-19 pandemic be beaten? From Soweto Soul to militant Afro-rock: The two 1970s albums that changed South Africa’s musical landscape.