Naming is a very important tool used among various African cultures to convey certain messages, either to an individual, family members, or a community.

In this week’s edition of the culture corner, Lerato Mbele speaks to Professor Sihawukele Ngubane about the importance and significance of names given to people and looks into naming ceremonies practices by different cultures across the continent.

Naming is a very important tool used among various African cultures to convey certain messages, either to an individual, family members, or a community.
In this week&rsquo;s edition of the culture corner, Lerato Mbele speaks to Professor Sihawukele Ngubane about the importance and significance of names given to people and looks into naming ceremonies practices by different cultures across the continent.

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show programme, hosted by Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. The show delves deeper into the news of the day along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day’s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. Ndlozi also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners make sense of their world.

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show programme, hosted by Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. The show delves deeper into the news of the day along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day&rsquo;s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. Ndlozi also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners make sense of their world.

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Culture Corner: African names significance and naming ceremonies

As schools reopen, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) today, 19 January 2026, released its final report on the systemic challenges in the scholar transport programme in the North West Province, following its investigation and inquiry into the matter. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with North West SAHRC Manager, Shirley Mlombo. 

As schools reopen, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) today, 19 January 2026, released its final report on the systemic challenges in the scholar transport programme in the North West Province, following its investigation and inquiry into the matter. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with North West SAHRC Manager, Shirley Mlombo.&nbsp;

SAHRC finds systemic failures in North West scholar transport 

At least 26 people were killed on the Cape Flats over the weekend in what appears to be a continuing cycle of gun violence in the Western Cape.  In the early hours of Saturday, a mass shooting at a tavern in the Marikana informal settlement in Philippi left eight people dead and about 10 others injured. The incident is believed to be linked to extortion activities in the area. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with Cape Crime Crisis Coalition Chairperson, Dr Llewellyn MacMaster. 

At least 26 people were killed on the Cape Flats over the weekend in what appears to be a continuing cycle of gun violence in the Western Cape.&nbsp; In the early hours of Saturday, a mass shooting at a tavern in the Marikana informal settlement in Philippi left eight people dead and about 10 others injured. The incident is believed to be linked to extortion activities in the area. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with Cape Crime Crisis Coalition Chairperson, Dr Llewellyn MacMaster.&nbsp;

Gun violence claims 26 lives on Cape Flats as extortion-linked shootings expose policing failures 

Things are looking a lot brighter at the start of 2026 than they have in easily the past five years. Eskom is largely a solved problem (for now). Transnet is turning the corner, albeit painstakingly. These network reforms by The Presidency (of which Eskom and Transnet, including the ports, are the two largest) are working. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with Independent Economist, Duma Gqubule. 

Things are looking a lot brighter at the start of 2026 than they have in easily the past five years. Eskom is largely a solved problem (for now). Transnet is turning the corner, albeit painstakingly. These network reforms by The Presidency (of which Eskom and Transnet, including the ports, are the two largest) are working. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is in conversation with Independent Economist, Duma Gqubule.&nbsp;

Culture Corner: African names significance and naming ceremonies

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