Deutsche Welle Don't hold back: say it loud!

Don't hold back: say it loud!

Money, sex, relationships, addiction, careers and more! Young South Africans chat openly and frankly about their experiences in these podcasts hosted by Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba.

Imagine if there was a place where everyone could open up about their experiences. That's what “Don't hold back” is all about! Young South Africans chat frankly about everything from their struggle with finances and substance abuse to toxic relationships and choosing the right career.

Life feels lighter when you can listen and learn from other people's experiences.

Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba is an award-winning South African content creator, author and HIV activist. Join her as she chats and tries out new food with a different guest in each monthly episode.

Tune in on our RSS Feed or your favorite podcast platform. Also, leave us a comment on our social media channels!

This show is a collaboration between DW and leading South African radio stations, Jacaranda FM and East Coast Radio.
Weekly English South Africa Society & Culture · Personal Journals
56 Episodes
20 – 40

Unmasking men’s mental health battles (Seth Pimentel)

In this episode of 'Don't Hold Back', host Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba talks with South African artist Seth Pimentel about his journey with mental health and art. Seth shares his experiences with Bipolar, which involved being misdiagnosed and taking the wrong medication in his early twenties. Seth says that art gave him…
13 Feb 2024 22 min

Unmasking men's mental health battles (Seth Pimentel)

In this episode of 'Don't Hold Back', host Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba engages in a compelling conversation with South African artist Seth Pimentel about his journey with mental health and art. Seth shares his experiences with Bipolar, which involved being misdiagnosed and taking the wrong medication in his early twenties. Seth says…
13 Feb 2024 22 min

Why AI won't steal your job just yet (Graeme Codrington)

We invented tech to make our lives easier, not replace us! And with the development of AI, our lives are already impacted. But by how much? Global speaker, TEDx veteran, author, and Futurist Graeme Codrington provides Don’t Hold Back’s Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba with the hard facts on some of the disrupting…
16 Jan 2024 29 min

Why AI won't steal your job just yet

We invented tech to make our lives easier, not replace us! And with the development of AI, our lives are already impacted. But by how much? Futurist Graeme Codrington gives Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba the hard facts, and brings a very soft dessert. They also talk about the South African elections; change;…
16 Jan 2024 29 min

Why SA's sporting heroes are changemakers (BONUS EPISODE)

Maphuti Hlako might be the biggest fan of South African athletes. She travels the world with the nation's top sportsmen and women and is one of the few South African women in the male-dominated business to launch her own communications company focusing on sports PR. In this lively talk with…
20 Dec 2023 24 min

Why SA's sporting heroes are changemakers (BONUS HOLIDAY EPISODE)

Maphuti Hlako might be the biggest fan of South African athletes. She travels the world with the nation's top sportsmen and women and is one of the few South African women in the male-dominated business to launch her own communications company focusing on Sports PR. In this lively talk with…
19 Dec 2023 24 min

Meet South Africa’s TikTok Queen (Tums the Narrator)

What began as a way to pass time during COVID-19 lockdowns has become a calling card for Tumi Mmope: she's now an award-winning TikToker and content creator. And it all started with her local neighbourhood WhatsApp chat group. Tumi, better know as ‘Tums the Narrator’ won the DStv Content Creator…
12 Dec 2023 22 min

Meet South Africa’s TikTok Queen

What began as a way to pass time during COVID-19 lockdowns has become a calling card for Tumi Mmope: she's now an award-winning TikToker and content creator. And it all started with her local neighbourhood WhatsApp chat group. Tumi, better know as ‘Tums the Narrator’ won the DStv Content Creator…
12 Dec 2023 22 min

Huge pressure on new moms to 'be perfect' (Sam Cowen)

Content creator, author, HIV activist, and "Don't Hold Back" podcast host, Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba, is a new mother, and she was taken aback by the sudden highs and lows of this new journey. Many young women fight a silent battle against postpartum depression. To help break the stigma surrounding the so-called…
28 Nov 2023 33 min

Huge pressure on new moms to 'be perfect'

Content creator, author, HIV activist, and "Don't Hold Back" podcast host, Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba, is a new mother, and she was taken aback by the sudden highs and lows of this new journey. Many young women fight a silent battle against postpartum depression. To help break the stigma surrounding the so-called…
28 Nov 2023 33 min

Stop apologising for changing jobs! - Mzamo Masito

Google's CMO Africa, Mzamo Masito, went from fighting to make ends meet to being a South African captain of industry - but his journey is littered with battles and second-guessing. Not what you'd expect from a high-flying executive. He tells Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba why young South Africans should NOT idolise Elon…
15 Nov 2023 40 min

Stop apologising for changing jobs! - Mzamo Masito

Google's CMO Africa, Mzamo Masito, went from fighting to make ends meet to being a South African captain of industry - but his journey is littered with battles and second-guessing. Not what you'd expect from a high-flying executive. He tells Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba why young South Africans should NOT idolise Elon…
14 Nov 2023 40 min

Black Tax and how to deal with it

In our season finale, Nozibele tackles Black Tax: what it means, why it’s a taboo topic, and how to navigate it in families. Nozi holds a frank discussion with an extra-special guest, her husband Skhu Mayaba, which allows listeners a unique insight into how Black Tax impacts relationships from friends…
28 Feb 2023 28 min

Black Tax and how to deal with it (Skhu Mayaba)

In our season finale, Nozibele looks at Black Tax: what it means, why it’s a taboo topic, and how to navigate it in families. Nozi holds a frank discussion with an extra-special guest, her husband Skhu Mayaba, which allows listeners a unique insight into how Black Tax impacts relationships from…
28 Feb 2023 28 min

Breaking Barriers: From Disney to Nandos to leading Jacaranda FM

Managing a top business is difficult... doing it several times over with different companies is even tougher. What does it take? In the latest episode of ‘Don’t Hold Back’, Managing Director of Jacaranda FM Deirdre King tells her remarkable story of how she shattered the glass ceiling as a woman…
31 Jan 2023 22 min

Breaking Barriers: From Disney to Nandos to leading a top radio station

Managing a top business is difficult... doing it several times over with different companies is even tougher. What does it take? In the latest episode of ‘Don’t Hold Back’, Managing Director of Jacaranda FM Deirdre King tells her remarkable story of how she shattered the glass ceiling as a woman…
31 Jan 2023 22 min

‘Got fired into my dream job’ (Naledi Mallela)

Can you imagine going from unemployed and broke to making it as a social media content creator? Naledi Mallela was down and out but the rising YouTube star picked herself up - and learned some valuable skills along the way! She chats with Don't Hold Back's Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba over the…
10 Jan 2023 30 min

Finding love and revealing your HIV status to a partner (Saidy Brown)

Dating is tricky at the best of times - but can love conquer all, even the complications around a positive HIV status? In this episode, HIV/AIDS activist and digital creator Saidy Brown shares her story, and her experience on living with HIV, including navigating love, dating and how to reveal…
7 Dec 2022 26 min

Changing the narrative on living (and loving) with HIV: Saidy Brown

Dating is tricky at the best of times - but can love conquer all, even the complications around a positive HIV status? In this episode, HIV/AIDS activist and digital creator Saidy Brown shares her story, and her experience on living with HIV, including navigating love, dating and how to reveal…
6 Dec 2022 26 min
20 – 40