We Should Be Writing

Today we’re taking a look at the #WitsShutdown protests which are over historical debt and unaffordable accommodation, which have seen several students suspended, physical clashes between protestors and security and disruptions to the academic programme for many. In this bonus episode of We Should Be Writing, we let students unpack their views on what has been going on. Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Soundcloud or wherever you listen to podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com  for more of our work and follow @WitsVuvuzela on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Host: Mpho Hlakudi Speakers:  1. Mokwena Gosiame, First year Mining Engineering 2. Saahil Purahit, First year Construction Studies 3. Peter William, Honours student Bsc Mathematics 4. James Tshihira, a third year LLB student 5. Lyden Maharaj, a second year Civil Engineering student 6. Abdu-Rahman Perin, a first year Computer Sciences student 7. Sashin Rathinasamy, First year Computer Sciences

‘Pricey food costs lives’ is a podcast that focuses on wholesale and the sale of fresh produce by various actors in the market ranging from the street vendors to the Joburg Market. The narrator, Malaika Ditabo, explores the effects of climate change, inflation, and unemployment on the general South African population. In this episode salesman & acting manager Prijesh Patel, explains the significance of the market and the impacts of climate change on produce. Derek Swart, a pensioner shares the effects of inflation on his life and businesswoman, Regina Mthimkhulu also speaks on the impact of inflation on her business including her reason for being a street vendor. You can listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on your preferred music streaming service. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow us @WitsVuvuzela on all social media platforms. Host & Producer: Malaika Ditabo Writer: Malaika Ditabo  Music: Chill Abstract (Intention) by Coma-Media on Pixabay Sounds: General noise market (wider perspective) by Wildersound & Fork Truck Beef by SamuelGremaud on Pixabay

Today we will be unpacking the significance of preserving water. Climate change is a threat to the sustainability of water supply furthermore temperatures continue to increase globally thus causing water to evaporate at a high rate. According to a Green Peace report of 2012, South Africa has insufficient and unreliable rainfall. The country has a mean annual precipitation average of 464 mm/year which is 54% less than the global average of 860mm/per year. American scientist and inventor, Benjamin Franklin once said, “When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water.” Does it have to get to the point here there is little to no water for people to understand the importance of saving water and playing an active role in saving it. Listen to the saving water podcast on Spotify, Apple Music and Anchor. This podcast is brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more and follow @WitsVuvuzela on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Host: Busisiwe Mdluli Producer: Busisiwe Mdluli Writer: Busisiwe Mdluli Sound editor: Busisiwe Mdluli Sound effects: Pixabay

Wits Vuvuzela spent the day with a Mozambican waste recycler living in Alexandra, Sergio Joaquim-Neves on the day of his cash-out. From his daily routine, his journey to self-employment and his cute love story, Sergio lets us into his life. You are bound to let out a cute remark and appreciate the little that life has to offer after this listen.  This bonus episode of We Should be Writing is a part of the 2022 In-depth Reporting Project, The Climate Crisis is Here. Read the stories on witsvuvuzela.com.  Host, producer, writer and editor: Keamogetswe Matlala

This bonus episode of the We Should Be Writing podcast explores the very present climate crisis and the impact this crisis has on commerce, the environment and people. The host, Tannur Anders, defines “climate change” and considers how South Africa, home to 80% of global platinum group metals (PGMs) reserves, can aid in mitigating this crisis. Legal and mining experts chip in to explain that the PGMs industry poses potential threats to the environment and communities living near platinum mines. Gilbert Moela, a local of the Monametse Village in Limpopo, shares his experience of what life is actually like, living just one kilometre from the Bokoni Platinum Mine. You can listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on your preferred music streaming service. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more Follow @WitsVuvuzela on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram Host, producer, writer and editor: Tannur Anders Music: Embrace by ItsWatR on Pixabay

In the sixth and final episode of the 'Confessions' series, we unpack weight and body shaming, as we dissect confession 2216 from UniversityConfessions.za. Here, we discuss and exchange advice that aims to tackle ways to deal with and heal from toxic parenting and harm to self-esteem. Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Soundcloud or wherever you listen to podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @WitsVuvuzela on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Host: Busisiwe Mdluli Producers: Malaika Ditabo & Busisiwe Mdluli Writer: Busisiwe Mdluli & Malaika Ditabo Sound editors: Colin Hugo Music: Original song by Mpho Hlakudi 

In this episode of We Should Be Writing Season Three, the second episode of the two-part chat cast series, “K-Pop Mania!”, we explore the heart of BTS’s success – its fandom. The fandom, called ARMY, are some of the most dedicated fans around, and fans Omnia Hassan, Bianca Mdhluli and Kiara van Wyk, share their experiences of BTS. You will also get to know the production crew better as we share our fangirl experiences. You can listen to Wits Vuvuzela’s We Should Be Writing podcast on your preferred music streaming service. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow us @WitsVuvuzela on all social media platforms. Host: Rufaro Chiswo Producer: Tannur Anders Writer: Tannur Anders Sound editor: Tylin Moodley Music: Dynamite – BTS • DNA [Almost official instrumental remake] (by UD) on YouTube

Euphoria and Gen Z, in this episode of We Should Be Writing, the Vuvu team has teamed up with UniversityConfessions.za on Instagram, we listen to and unpack confession number 1773 where we have a person reminiscing on how messed up Gen Z is after they finished watching Euphoria. Our hosts take a look at the hit HBO show and attempt to dissect whether it is a true representation of our generation. We discuss our partying pasts or lack thereof and look at the things the generations before us got up to in comparison. Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Anchor FM, Soundcloud, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @Witsvuvuzela on Twitter, Facebook ad Instagram. Hosts: Keamogetswe Matlala, Mpho Hlakudi and Elishevah Bome Producer: Elishevah Bome Writers: Elishevah Bome Sound editor: Mpho Hlakudi Music: original by Mpho Hlakudi

Hello and welcome back season three of “We Should Be Writing”, this season we unpack your scandalous and not so scandalous university confessions in association with University ConfessionsZA on Instagram. In today’s episode we are taking a deep and non-judgmental dive into confession number 2216 which focuses on weight, body image and parenting skills. Hopefully in this episode you can learn a thing or two about money within relationships especially as university student. Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Soundcloud or wherever you listen to podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com  for more of our work and follow @WitsVuvuzela on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Host: Busisiwe Mdluli Producers: Malaika Ditabo & Busisiwe Mdluli Writer: Busisiwe Mdluli & Malaika Ditabo Sound editors: Colin Hugo Music: Original song by Mpho Hlakudi

In this episode of We Should Be Writing Season Three, we delve into the wonderful world of K-Pop, the South Korean entertainment industry taking the world by storm. This is the first of a two-part chat cast series, “K-Pop Mania!”, where we examine how K-Pop started, how it gained momentum and how it has grown in conjunction with South Korean culture. Show Notes You can listen to Wits Vuvuzela’s We Should Be Writing podcast on your preferred music streaming service.  Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work. Follow us @WitsVuvuzela on all social media platforms. Host: Rufaro Chiswo Producer: Tannur Anders Writer: Tannur Anders Sound editor: Tylin Moodley Music: Dynamite – BTS (Instrumental Cover) by VEX on YouTube

In this season of our podcast, We Should Be Writing, the Wits Vuvuzela team has partnered with UniversityConfessions.za on Instagram, to explore some of the student confessions posted on their feed. In this episode we listen to and unpack confession number 964 where we have someone putting the Plan B pill in their mother’s morning coffee to avoid having and being a sibling. Our hosts discuss the pro’s the con’s and everything in between when it comes to having siblings or staying an only child. From only child stereotypes, to how traditions and cultures play a role in family building, we cover it all. Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Anchor FM, Soundcloud, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, as a project of the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work. Follow @Witsvuvuzela on Twitter, Facebook ad Instagram. Hosts: Keamogetswe Matlala, Mpho Hlakudi and Elishevah Bome Producer: Elishevah Bome Writers: Elishevah Bome Sound editor: Mpho Hlakudi Music: original by Mpho Hlakudi

We are back with another season of We Should Be Writing, this season we take a on a more unconventional theme than past seasons, have a listen for what's in store. Follow us on @witsvuvuzela to keep an eye on the weekly drops. 

On this podcast episode, current female learners and students describe what they can remember being taught about Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and how they translate that into their lived experiences as young adults. Parents also offer their understanding and perspectives on the purpose of CSE. This podcast episode is a part of the 2021 in-depth reporting project, Year of the Student. The full project with articles and other multimedia can be viewed on www.witsvuvuzela.com. This is a project produced by the honours in journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Please see the show notes for full credits. Follow @WitsVuvuzela on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Show Notes:  "Kids Crowd Chatter Primary School Sound Effect" by Free to Use Sounds "Sound Effect -School Bell" by Free to Use Sounds "School girls singing a rhyming game" by Free to Use Sounds Music by Nondumiso Lehutso Produced, Written, Edited and Hosted by Nondumiso Lehutso Graphic by Nondumiso Lehutso

‘Textbooks, toddlers and tantrums’ is a podcast that explores the intersection of being a student and a parent simultaneously. The narrator, Karabo Mashaba, explains some of the challenges faced by this student demographic. Mbali Mazibuko, a Unisa student and mother to a toddler, explains her story and some of obstacles she has had to endure. Social worker Claudine Ribeiro also offers her insight into some of the psychological implications that this may have on both the student and child. Show notes Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Anchor FM, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more and follow @WitsVuvuzela on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Producer: Karabo Mashaba Writer: Karabo Mashaba Editor: Karabo Mashaba

The covid-19 pandemic has completely changed university student life and culture on campuses, which has taken major social and cultural aspects out of the university experience for current students. In this podcast episode, three university students discuss how the pandemic has affected their personal involvement in student culture over 2021 regarding socialising, joining clubs and societies, and playing varsity sports. Featuring the voices of Roeloff Boettger (Stellenbosch University), Camdon Watson (University of Pretoria) and Chisom Uduezue (Wits University). Show notes: This podcast episode is a part of the 2021 in-depth reporting project, Year of the Student. The full project with articles and other multimedia can be viewed on www.witsvuvuzela.com. This is a project produced by the honours in journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Follow @WitsVuvuzela on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Produced, Written, Edited and Hosted by: Matthew Nijland Graphic by: Matthew Nijland Link to the royalty-free music used: oroclick YouTube channel - "The best uplifting corporate music royalty free" Links to the royalty-free sound effects used: DJ Record Scratch Sound Effect (NO COPYRIGHT) #Shorts Dial Up Internet - Sound Effect (HD) Door Slams Sound Effects Restaurant Crowd Talking Ambience - Sound Effect (HD) Basketball Game Crowd Sound Effect [ HD ] Crickets (Awkward Silence) - Gaming Sound Effect (HD) Referee Whistle Blow Sound Effect Small Group Clapping - Sound Effect

The episode looks at South Africa’s tobacco ban during the 2020 covid-19 lockdown. With an array of interviews done, the focus is on behavioural changes, withdrawal symptoms and why it's more difficult to stop smoking when you start at a young age. This bonus episode of the We Should Be Writing podcast, is a part of the annual in-depth reporting project produced by the career-entry honours in journalism class, at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Listen on Anchor FM, Soundcloud, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more and follow @WitsVuvuzela on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Show notes:  Produced, Written, Edited and Hosted by: Razeen Gutta Music: Sound Mafia YouTube Archive: eNCA and SABC News YouTube Show image: Razeen Gutta

In this episode, some first year's from Wits University talk to Wits Vuvuzela journalist, Sumaya Mamdoo, about their day to day life as students who have had an entire academic year off-campus. First years were not able to have a normal university experience during the covid-19 pandemic. Remote learning comes with many consequences such as not being able to interact with people or keeping a strict routine. The group also speaks about working in isolation, pandemic fatigue and seeking mental health support.  This bonus episode of the We Should Be Writing podcast, is a part of the annual in-depth reporting project produced by the career-entry honours in journalism class, at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Listen on Anchor FM, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more and follow @WitsVuvuzela on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Show notes:  Written, produced and edited by: Sumaya Mamdoo Music: Occupied signal for phones- foongaz; Flying and uplifting (IG version 60’s) - lesfm Sound effects: Typing on a laptop computer- irsevers3

Join Zano Kunene in this podcast episode where fifth-year Wits medicine student Moyo Lawal-Solarin narrates her experiences as a student studying medicine during a pandemic. From the daily fears and anxiety she and her peers had, to the effect working in a hospital has had on her mental health. The hospital is a site that most people want to avoid due to fears around the global pandemic that is, covid-19, but medicine students had no choice but to face the situation head-on for professional practice. Show notes: This bonus episode of the We Should Be Writing podcast, is a part of the annual in-depth reporting project produced by the career-entry honours in journalism class, at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Listen on Anchor FM, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more and follow @WitsVuvuzela on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Producer: Zano Kunene Writer: Zano Kunene Edited by: Zano Kunene Host: Zano Kunene Guest: Moyo Lawal-Solarin Sound: Coronavirus in SA sourced from ENCA; Coronavirus First case of COVID-19 confirmed in South Africa: BREAKING NEWS by SABC News; President Ramaphosa: South Africa in 21-day lockdown sourced from Eyewitness News; COVID19: Professor Adam Habib addresses staff sourced from Wits University OFFICIAL. Music: David Fesliyan- The Pain That Never Left Royalty free music from https://www.FesliyanStudios.com David Fesliyan- Tears Won’t Stop Royalty free music from https://www.FesliyanStudios.com

In #YouHadToBeThere, episode 4 of this season of We Should Be Writing, our show hosts discuss the craziest social media trends, as well as the dire consequences that resulted from them. From the more light-hearted lockdown trends to the life-threatening Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBL), our hosts Zano Kunene and Kemi Wessie take a trip down memory lane. Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Anchor FM, Soundcloud, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more. Follow @WitsVuvuzela on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram Show Notes: Hosts: Zanolwazi Kunene and Kemiso Wessie Producer: Tshepiso Ntombela Writers: Tshiamo Moloko and Natasha Joos Sound editor: Dumisani Mnisi Music: Coffee and Conversation from https://www.soundstripe.com/podcast-music

In The Grind Don’t Stop, episode 3 of this season of the We Should Be Writing Season podcast, we discuss ‘Hustle Culture’. This ideology reinforces hard work and no play; a lifestyle of glamour and “trusting the process”, often driven and preached by world-class entrepreneurs, celebrities and influencers. Co-hosts Mhlontlo Geleba and Karabo Mashaba interview Wits University student-entrepreneur and self-acclaimed hustler, Lesego Mpumelelo “Eggboy” Nzuza, who sells eggs to students in and around the bustling streets of Johannesburg, addressing student food insecurity while paying for his tuition fees and groceries. This episode takes on a hybrid format, to inform listeners about the motivational, financial, psychological and other aspects of Hustle Culture, while supplementing and contextualising these concepts with snippets from Lesego’s interview about his own hustle. Show notes: Find out more about Lesego and support his egg selling business by following him on his Instagram page @eggboy_lesego_. Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Anchor FM, Soundcloud, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more and follow @WitsVuvuzela on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Producers: Mhlontlo Geleba and Karabo Mashaba Writers: Melissa Sima, Karabo Mashaba and Amanda Khumalo Edited by: Matthew Nijland Hosts: Mhlontlo Geleba and Karabo Mashaba Music: Samples from the Envato+ YouTube channel Graphic: Amanda Khumalo and Matthew Nijland

Adulting, it does not bang! Welcome to the second episode of the second season of the #WeShouldBeWriting podcast. Our host, Gloria Motsoere asks us tough questions on how we made the transition from being a teenager to a young adult in university. We cover topics such as budgeting and losing friends when everyone is busy. Another topic that was fun to record was that of new-age dating. Join us as we have a friendly conversation with each other about our life experiences and the lessons we have learned from them and hopefully lessons you can learn from us! Show Notes Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Soundcloud or wherever you listen to podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more and follow @WitsVuvuzela on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Host: Gloria Motsoere Producers: Rebecca Kgabo & Sinenhlanhla Sibisi Writer: Sumaya Mamdoo Sound editors: Alfonso Nqunjana & Ofentse Magudulela Music: D Major Gorgus Classical Piano Loop 116 BPM by catch22loops

In this podcast episode, we delve into the world of social media addiction and how it affects different aspects of our lives. We cover topics such as friendships, mental health, spirituality, finances, and relationships in an engaging chat cast. We also get insight from Fatima, a social worker and founder of the black womxns caucus, into social media addiction in the current climate and how to use it in a healthier way. Show notes Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Soundcloud or wherever you listen to podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more and follow @WitsVuvuzela on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Host: Razeen Gutta Producer: Ntando Ximba Writers: Nondumiso Lehutso and Jessica Bunyard Sound editor: Mandisa Ntuli and Keamogetswe Mosepele Music: Wataboi – Flavour downloaded from Pixabay

We're back with another season of We Should Be Writing. In our new season, #teamvuvu 2021 take a deep dive into popular culture through their four-part series. With episodes that deconstruct hustle culture, social media addiction, 'adulting' and even a throwback to trends that took the internet by storm.  The music used in this trailer was composed by Niall Higgins (@niallhiggins_). 

Four Wits Vuvuzela student journalists: Tshepo. Vetiwe, Palesa and Catia, recount their personal experiences of working under lockdown. Each experience happened within the same week and each experience is completely different. Our producers were Palesa Mofokeng, Vetiwe Mamba and Catia De Castro. Our editor was Tshepo Thaela. Our theme music was composed by Niall Higgins and our graphic design was by Tshepo Thaela. This podcast is a product of the Honours in Journalism and Media Studies programme at Wits University in Johannesburg.

Join Anna Moross, Thobekile Moyo, Leah Wilson and Zainab Patel as they take you through their journey as a student journalist during the Covid-19 pandemic. They share their lockdown stories and battles with mental and physical health. Anna talks about the struggles of remote learning. Thobekile talks about the feeling of entrapment during the lockdown. Then Leah shares her experiences which her stress translating into physical ailments, while Zainab covers mental illness manifesting itself within the dream state.  Tune in to find out the various ways in which the Wits Journalism class of 2020 has been affected by lockdown.

In this episode, Wits Vuvuzela students share their experiences around alcohol, during the ban and the effects of alcohol in our society in general. Each person had a chance to tell their story around the topic and how has alcohol impacted their lives and of our society. Our producers were Dylan Bettencourt and Zikhona Klaas. Our editor was Emma O’Connor, and our host was Zinhle Belle. Our theme music was composed by Niall Higgins and our graphic design was by Tshepo Thaela. This podcast is a product of the Honours in Journalism and Media Studies programme at Wits University in Johannesburg.

In the Mental Health in isolation episode of the We Should be writing podcast, we talk to Matome Mashatola, a psychologist at the Wits Counselling and Careers Development Unit, on how students can deal with feelings of anxiety and depression that have been heightened under the covid-19 pandemic. This episode was hosted by Akhona Matshoba, edited by Niall Higgins and produced by Laura-Anne Hunter and Khuleko Siwele. This podcast is a product of the Honours in Journalism and Media Studies programme at Wits University in Johannesburg.

A four-part podcast series about living, working and studying during a global pandemic. Episodes in the series range from personal essays, creative documentary and in-depth interviews on the topic. Producers of the podcast are all current students with an interest in journalism and storytelling.  We Should Be Writing is a podcast project supported by the Honours in Journalism and Media Studies programme at Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa.