Wits Radio Academy Local Voices

Local Voices

Local Voices was established in 2019 as an election project. The partnership between Wits Radio Academy, the Media Development and Diversity Agency, the Children’s Radio Foundation, Africa Check and Open Society Foundation was meant to support election reporting on community radio. It has now made a return as a pilot project to give the work done at community radio level a wider range.

It is about stories of ordinary South Africans who have pinned their hopes on democratic South Africa to pay true to her promise of a free, fair and equal society.
Daily English South Africa News · Politics
83 Episodes
40 – 60

Mthembu's son explains what led to his father's passing

Jamson Mthembu, a former PR Cllr of the IFP in Mhlabuyalingana municipality in Mbazwana kwaHangaza, has been laid to rest. He died last week after being involved in an accident while driving on the roof of his house in his home. His son Jakwe Mthembu explains to mourners what led…
8 Dec 2020 5AM 1 min

Relative of the Khumalo family expresses shock over the family murder

A relative of the Khumalo family, who was first at the scene of the tragedy, has expressed shock over the tragedy. He says he never suspected that the couple had marital problems, despite them being close to him. Philani Ngwenya has asked the community of Mhlabauyalingana to pray for the…
8 Dec 2020 4AM 4 min

Mhlabuyalingana community urged to speak out when in trouble

The Mayor of KwaMhlabuyalingana Municipality, Nkululeko Mthethwa, is calling on community members not to die in silence. He says they shouldn't be afraid to reach out for help if in trouble. He was speaking at the funeral service of victims of a family domestic violence tragedy.
8 Dec 2020 4AM 1 min

Concern over Limpopo spate of accidents

15 lives were lost in accidents in Limpopo over the weekend. Transport Authorities are urging motorists to be cautious on the roads. They have now intensified a 365-Days Arrive Alive Road Safety Campaign, which was launched by the national transport minister Fikile Mbalula. Limpopo transport spokesperson Mike Maringa elaborates on…
8 Dec 2020 3AM 1 min

Cosas to challenge DBE's matric exams rewrite decision

Learners' organisation, Cosas, is hopping mad over the Department of Education's decision to have matriculants rewrite their maths and physical science paper 2 exams. The organisation's Douglas Ngobeni says learners can't be held responsible for basic education department's maladministration.
5 Dec 2020 1AM 1 min

Rape, murder of 4-year-old boy slated

Deputy Mayor Municipality of Jozini, Ncamsile Zulu, has slammed the brutal murder and rape of 4-year-old Bandile Nyaweni. She visited the child's family on Thursday. She expressed shock over the incident, saying she hopes it would never happen again.
4 Dec 2020 4AM 1 min

Shock over rape and murder of 4-year-old boy in KZN

The family of a 4-year-old boy from Dukumbe in Mkhuze, KwaZulu-Natal, who was brutally murdered recently wants the killer to rot in jail. The man known to the family was arrested after neighbours alerted the family to the crime. Bandile Nyaweni's grandmother says she doesn't trust the justice system.
4 Dec 2020 3AM 3 min

Call for government to assist poor communities to prevent statelessness

Legal expert Sally Gandar says dealing with stateless South Africans is not easy and government needs to introduce better measures to assist the previously disadvantaged communities avoid ending up being undocumented. She cites a lack of resources as one of the causes of this.
3 Dec 2020 6AM 1 min

'SA laws not migrant friendly'

Human rights activist Nobuhle Agiti says the laws in SA are not migrant friendly. She believes the government's 16 days of activism against violence on women and children is xenophobic as it "does not include migrant women." Gauteng authorities have rejected the claim.
3 Dec 2020 6AM 1 min

JMPD says Joburg business owners have no right to evict hawkers

The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JPMD) says corrupt officials who mishandle the appointment of vendor spots in the city will be investigated and dealt with. Spokesperson Xolani Fihla has also slammed business owners evicting hawkers their spots, saying they have no right to do so.
27 Nov 2020 5AM 1 min

'16 days campaign hasn't solved SA's gender problems'

Government has officially launched its annual campaign, advocating for an end to violence against women and children. While some see the initiative as a great effort in a bid to rid society of the scourge, VOW FM listener, Palesa Mohlamme, says 16 days of Activism for No Violence Against Women…
25 Nov 2020 6AM 6 min

Call for authorities to do more to solve GBV crisis

South Africa has begun 5 days of mourning in honour of those who lost their lives to gender-based violence and COVID-19. Wits University student, Wendy Manjeya, has called on the Police Minister to dig deeper in solving the GBV crisis.
25 Nov 2020 6AM 1 min

Mabuza launches government's GBV campaign

Deputy President launched the 16 Days of Activism of No Violence Against Women and Children in Pretoria. The occasion also marked the start of South Africa's five days of mourning for femicide and COVID-19 victims. VOW FM's Kamogelo Tinyiko reports.
25 Nov 2020 6AM 4 min

Eastern Cape Premier contracts COVID-19

The Eastern Cape Premier's office confirms that Premier Oscar Mabuyane has tested positive for COVID-19. The premier is currently self-isolating.
14 Nov 2020 7AM 1 min

Electricity standoff in Soweto halts voting

Residents of Naledi in Soweto aren't voting in today's by-elections. They are upset over the lack of electricity in the area. They say they have been living in the dark for six months now after a transformer in the area exploded and was never repaired.
11 Nov 2020 3AM 3 min
40 – 60