5 Mid Mornings

Returning to YB5, Founder and Director Natalie Abrahams brings news from the 2025 Lesotho Outreach trip where a tangible difference was made in the lives of many survivors. We learn that the organisation returns to our neighbours in the Sky Kingdom and all that Mzansi can do to amplify this mission.

What is something you could talk about for hours?

What is a small thing about you that makes you, you?

What is something you can’t leave the house without, otherwise you’ll feel naked?

After the devastating forest fires in the Western Cape, Greenpop CEO and Co-Founder Misha Teasedale tells us about their approach to reforestation, the areas being looked at, the kind of considerations taken and the impact it has. Greenpop's value of bringing joyful action into environmental efforts and what it takes to maintain creativity from one project to the next is also a highlight of this episode.

If you cancel plans because you’re tired, that’s valid. You don’t owe anyone access to you.

What is something you are trying to get better at?

What is something you are trying to get better at?

Fundraising Officer at Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust, Jameelah Ismail, tells us how government can step up for NPOs in the fight against GBV. With 50 years of impact in the fight against GBV, Rape Crisis tells us how we can amplify their mission and why art plays such an enriching role in spreading awareness and being a conduit for GBV education.

Every friendship has an expiry date.

What is something you’re surprisingly bad at?

Little EdenCEO at Little Eden, Ann Coetzee joins us for a candid conversation about what it takes to run the organisation. We learn the regulations set by the government on who may be granted access to these services based on residential information and that the organisation is looking to expand its services to eventually accommodate clients who live offsite but require daily care and intervention.

What is the absolute dumbest way you’ve injured yourself?

If money didn’t matter, how would you spend most of your time?

Your partner probably has a “backup person” they would date if you broke up tomorrow.

Celeste Louw, General Manager at Tears Foundation, brings a conversation about GBV in the workplace to the airwaves. We learn about the Tears Academy and GBV Responsive Training, how corporates and HR departments can benefit from this kind of training. For survivors in the workplace, Celeste shares some advice on how to go about reporting an incident of GBV in the workplace.

What actually impresses you?

Money can 100 percent buy happiness!

What is something that you used to care about, but absolutely don’t care about now?

Marketing Manager Ernesta Snyman-Teesen tells us about what makes Abraham Kriel Bambanani homes different. We learn more about the skills development efforts of the organisation all while getting a scope of the Soweto Family programme and the holistic approach to healing the whole family unit.

What is something people think is a flex but really isn’t?

If you randomly woke up and you were rich what does your first day look like?

What’s one thing you hope never changes about yourself?

In this episode of YB5, Programmes Director Phelisa Mashiyi, tells us about the GBV Ambassador and First Responder Training at the Callas Foundation. She illuminates how the organisation supports survivors through the court processes and further highlights the importance for survivors of GBV and all affected to receive psycho-social support.

Love is not enough — and it never was.

What do you think you complain about the most?

Some people never loved you, they just loved being loved/worshipped/cared for by you

Co-founder of Taking Care of Business (TCB), Tracey Gilmore speaks directly to entrepreneurs about the Resell Programme and how it differs from other entrepreneurship programmes. This conversation is centered around how the informal trading sector can be the solution to the high unemployment rate in South Africa.

What’s something you haven’t done yet, but you really want to try. Give us a list, one thing, whatever you’re into.

What is on your “no thank you” list for the year?

Programmes Director at MOSAIC Training Service and Healing Centre, Ronel E. Stevens sheds light on gender transformative education and how it impacts households affected by GBV and/or intimate partner violence. Additionally, we find out more about how MOSAIC is bringing men and boys into the conversations and solutions of GBV.

If you could go back to matric (and the year directly afterwards), would you choose a different path?

What is the small thing that makes you feel rich? Like adding extra cheese to the burger?

In the face of the high unemployment rate in Mzansi, Siyabonga Africa is helping the youth gain work experience through the Siyasebenza Programme. Speaking to the Programme Coordinator, Lungile Nhlapo, we also get details of how to access mentorship through the Siyakhula Programme.

It’s okay to leave without saying goodbye to everyone.

There’s a psychological term that’s become really popular over the past few years. We all know what triggers are, those things that set off stress, anxiety, or difficult emotions. But the opposite of a trigger… is something called a glimmer.   What are the small, ordinary things that bring you joy?

Who had a huge impact on your life, but probably has no idea? (Teacher, parents, sibling, colleague, someone who gave you a chance, someone you follow on social media, a coach)

“Follow your passion” is terrible career advice.

Should child free zones exist?

Social Worker at the Intake Unit, Kayla Williams brings us a conversation about the capacity of the Residential Programme as well as the impact of Economic Empowerment for survivors. We further unpack the centre's GBV Hub - which is a resource for all survivors and not just residents - and some of its benefits for survivors.

Do you genuinely believe that you can be close friends with an ex, or does that always cause problems?

If you’re constantly posting your partner on social media, I immediately assume that you’re not happy!

What are words that just don't hit the same in English?

Attorney at Women's Legal Centre, Khensani Motileni gives an overview of the services provided by the centre. We get an understanding of how the organisation deals with unregistered customary marriages in claims cases and that more can be done to protect women's rights.

What constitutes a long term relationship?

A couple divided the internet after revealing they have a “full transparency rule,” meaning they share phone passwords and social media logins. Half the internet called it healthy honesty. The other half called it toxic surveillance. In a relationship, is sharing passwords a sign of trust, or a sign that there isn’t any?

Stephanie Be sat down with the hugely talented Ben Rodrigues to chat about the inspiration behind his brand new single "Hazel Eyes". He explains that the inspiration behind the song came at a time he was away from his partner, on tour and longing for her Hazel Eyes.

The Story: A TikTok therapist says there are two kinds of people: those who feel intense pressure to reply to messages immediately, and those who happily leave texts unread for days. She claims it’s one of the biggest sources of modern friendship conflict. When you get a message, do you feel like you MUST reply straight away, or are you comfortable taking your time?

In South Africa, Justice Desk Africa stands by survivors of GBV in their pursuit for justice. Speaking to us is Senior Programme Coordinator, Clarice Louw. We learn about the Mbokodo Programme - for women - as well as the iNtsika yeThemba project - addressing toxic masculinity as a contributing factor of GBV.

A friend of mine lent her neighbour a really good quality blender for a party they were hosting. A few days later it was returned looking clean and normal. Months later, when she went to use it again, she realised it wasn’t actually her original blender at all. The neighbour had broken the expensive one and quietly replaced it with a much cheaper model, hoping she wouldn’t notice. If you borrow something and break it, is replacing it with a cheaper version ever okay, or do you owe the exact same item back, no excuses?