Hello Muizenberg Podcast

As we near the Muizenberg Festival the organisation increases in intensity as the final plans are made. We chat to some of the interns about there involvement and what still needs to happen before the opening. We chat to one of the seasoned co-ordinators of the festival. Fergus Turner who gives us an overview of what is happening over the course of the two week event.

After a few weeks break we are back with our regular podcasts. In this edition we chat with Karen Kotze about the Women's Day interview she did with Bernelle Verster. There is a report back about differently-abled Ashtan Davids who took part in the South African Adaptive Surfing Champs. He brought back a silver medal to Muizenberg. We also discuss the Khoi hut information centre at Fish Hoek Beach. Then the whole micro plastics saga raises its head again. The we have some interviews about the Women in Tourism event that took place at the Muizenberg Pavillion on Womens Day.

We have a legacy of violence in our suburbs that needs healing. How can we do this. Two men, one a Khoi Muslim and the other a white pastor, are desperately working to save the youth of Ocean View. Time is running but they see hope where others see hopelessness. Karen chats about Alice and her research into dementia and Alzheimers and how we need to change our understanding and dealing with those around us who are suffering. Plastics raises its ugly head again and we talk about its impact on the environment. A quick report back on the business to business event that took place last week. And then we encourage people to report every crime in order to get those statistics through to the SAPS powers.

Muizenberg hosted a business event called "Gateway to Muizenberg : Business for Change". Another business event, networking opportunity or get together? I thought it was just another one. But, what I did learn is that community collaboration is not exclusive but inclusive. Even if there are other initiatives we need to keep working together to build our community. The guest speaker, Steven Harris from 75 Harrington Street, shared some of his experiences in collaborating with other businesses in the Cape Town CBD. He emphasised collaboration and community building to see problems overcome and the community developed both socially and economically. Initiated by Inez Arendse and hosted by Claudia Braude at the Space@South we experienced a get together of nearly 60 business people who all want to see growth and development in Muizenberg. We chatted to Steven, Inez and Claudia about what they see as an outcome of working together as businesses.

We celebrate Nelson Mandela's birthday as a community in this episode and what a celebration. We have had so many people involved across the greater Muizenberg area and surrounds. It's heartwarming to see what people are doing to remember this great man and how he has motivated people to give back to their communities. The numbers 67 and 100 have appeared in many forms, giving time in multiples of 67 or 100, making donations to that effect as well and just having a whole day of serving and fun. What an encouragement to see people serving just for the joy of giving to those less fortunate. Having a community catch a vision and then take it to the next level was gratifying to see. Let's hope we can get people to continue this not only one day but every day into the future. We have a quick look at the latest False Bay Echo and chat about the issue of the regulation of solar power in our homes across the city. There are both pros and cons to this new regulation. The other is a good news story from GoodLuck an electronic pop band who are starting a studio initiative in the community of Capricorn. This will be one of a kind in South Africa right here on our doorstep.

We chat to Chelsey Wilson, from Feat Soc Co, a local Muizenberg entrepreneur about her journey into business. She shares some of the key principles she put into practise to make her business successful. From starting a local shop to taking her brand to trade shows overseas.

Our first special podcast at the Masque Theatre. We interview some of the actors in the cast of the Producers. This is an amazing "so called" amateur production. There is nothing amateur and I mean nothing amateurish about this show. I was blown away by the commitment of the cast and crew. Chatting to some of the cast before the show was a real experience, catching some of the enthusiasm of unpaid performers. The audience were astounded by the quality of the production and this reflected in their comments at the end of the show. When the lead actor makes his debut as a singer and pulls it off with professionalism and lots of talent you know that amateur drama is alive and very well. Again what a performance. You have to see this show before it ends.

We kick off this podcast with a heartwarming story about bees and what better place to have a talk about them than at the Hive in Palmer Road, Muizenberg. Bees sting but if they like you then they don't. I was amazed at how caring bees are for each other. A sad follow up story is the one about the brutal "Lakeside Butcher" murder which rocked our community 3 years ago. Yolande, who is a former crime reporter, gives us some insight into the final outcome of the trial. Have you heard of bacon trees? I haven't. There is a bit of a mystery as too who is cutting down the bacon trees (spekbome). Speculation as to why they are being stolen hasn't solved the mystery. We also chat around the legend, David Muller, who is the actor Oom Schalk Lourens OR is it the other way round? You never know. He has so many personas.

Kai Peterson at ten years old is already a Youtube vlogger and no ordinary 10 year old. Overcoming the challenges resulting from Aspergers Syndrome, the need for two hearing aids and years of speech therapy, he has a passion for Youtube, cars and gaming. Running along after him and desperately trying to keep up is his Mom Chevone who must be the proudest Mom I have met in 21 years of radio. Together they explain what it's like setting up a Youtube channel, domains and social media. Very sharp and quick to learn means that Mom needs to set boundaries in an attempt to hold on to the reigns of this little fireball. A beautiful story that inspires and puts life back into perspective.

Imagine a community working together, creating together and making magic happen in the community of Muizenberg. The Muizenberg Festival has launched with the first meeting at the Hive. October is only a few months away and the organisation begins in earnest. In this podcast we hear from Fergus Turner, one the festival champions, who tells us what the festival is all about, how to get involved and why we should be a part of it. Wayne talks to several of the participants about why they are involved and what they love about Muizenberg. Much is revealed in these interviews and we see the passion of the people as they get ready to collaborate, create and communicate the heart of what makes Muizenberg tick. If you love Muizenberg there is something for you to do so pop in to the Hive in Palmer Road and lend a hand.

A men only show at the Baxter Theatre? What next? That should ruffle some feathers. Actor and comedian, David Muller, has a light-bulb moment at the Baxter Theatre and we find out more on this episode. Then a decision is made about whether Fish Hoek should be wet or dry. The ladies chat about the pros and cons and some of the reactions from the community. Does it matter? Will it affect us in Muizenberg? These questions are debated. We also hear about a successful year and the results of a homeless/street people initiative. Then finally some news about a film festival where people from the south can be part of a filmmaking project and learn the skills of creating short films with video. All this and more on our latest episode.

In this show we talk about the problem of homelessness on our streets in the south. Three guests on the show are Johan Lotter, Chevone Peterson and Tasneem Fielies. Tas gives a unique perspective on street people as up to a year ago she was homeless living on the streets. Homelessness is a major problem on our streets and Tas reveals that the kindness and goodwill of people empowers homeless people which keeps them on the streets and doesn't solve the issues. We dig deep into this issue and try to come up with solutions that will be sustainable and have a long term effect.

In this episode of the Hello Muizenberg Podcast we chat to two crazy ladies who are long time residents of Muizenberg. They share some of their history and Muizenberg's history from the perspective of the theatre. Both have acted in and produced theatre productions across Cape Town but specifically the Masque Theatre. If you haven't hear about dating in the snake pit then you've missed a part of our local history. You are guaranteed an interesting and funny listen with this podcast.

Imagine Muizenberg, championed by Catherine Dillon, is a group of people trying to imagine what Muizenberg could be like and then promoting causes that could bring this to fruition. In the latest edition of False Bay Echo there is a cute little story about Kai Peterson a 10 year old Youtube blogger with challenges that he won't let hold him back. We also chat about the sad situation of Mr Brand a cyclist who has survived two hit and run accidents and still continues to fight on. We pick up the story of a community in Masiphumele who are surviving on the promises of local government as they continue to be flooded during the rainy season. They have been promised land but have to wait through devastating flooding that makes the poor poorer. Finally a heartwarming story from Nerina Gardens old aged home.

Privilege protects and insulates people from each other and the simple lessons we learn growing up, like pocket money, are not universal. In this episode we hear about the amazing steps being made by a lady towards releasing the potential in young entrepreneurs as they make their own pocket money. When the problem of poison plastics in our vlei becomes so large that the authorities lose control is when private citizens take action. Jenine Versveld took action and financed cleaners to remove micro plastics and other plastic pollution during the low vlei levels. It only scratches the surface but is a beginning that is inspiring others to do the same. We also hear about the Comrades Marathon journey of a woman determined to raise money in order to teach vegetable gardening to vulnerable people. Combining this with recycled plastics she creates a double success by solving one problem with another.

John Maytham of Cape Talk 567 chats with Wayne about Hello Muizenberg podcast, how it started and some of the background to a community styled podcast.

Ashtan Davids is a 21 year old born and bred Muizenberg surfing resident with a diffability, as he calls it. He has refused the label of disability and prefers his own word of diffability or a different ability. Born with cerebral palsy and the use of only one hand he has single-handedly (pardon the pun) broken through barriers and smashed moulds despite major physical challenges. His idea of normal is reaching his full potential within the parameters of his spectrum of abilities. Some would say that it's all semantics but hearing his story redefines what society calls disability. His sister chats with us about Ashton because of his speech challenges and gives a heartwarming perspective of Muizenberg's mobile maverick. Get ready to be challenged and, like me, perhaps a little embarrassed.

In this edition we chat around the eviction crisis in a local caravan park where new ownership means some people lose their sites. It boils down to the rights of an owner versus the rights of a tennant. Then there is good news fr commuters between Simonstown and Fish Hoek. PRASA is in the middle of clearing the sand from the tracks and promises an pen in a very short time. Karen chats abut the recent Logjam surfing competition held by African Soul Surfer This is the fourth event and proved to be another great event.

In this weeks episode we talk about some of the issues that were raised at the community meeting at the Lakeside Traffic Dept called by Councilor Aimee Kuhl. During quite a heated discussion the fears, frustrations and anger of the community were aired. A number of officials present also talked about their frustrations of being spread thin across the city and how many law enforcement officers are serving for days without sleep. A great interview with Marti Weddepohl gives us ideas on how to make ourselves safer and be more prepared when faced with unrest. We also chat about the articles in the Echo about Steve the snake man which is a follow up on last weeks snake story. The need for funds for the Volunteer Wildfire Services new base in Noordhoek is another challenge we chatted about. https://www.falsebayecho.co.za/news/glencairns-steve-has-a-heart-for-all-snakes-15233155

In this edition we chat to Karen and Yolande about some the stories from our local communities in the deep south. From snakes to swings and then some of the more serious stories around the protest action and street people. We are facing difficult times but if we start working together and understanding each other then there is hope.