John Maytham is joined by Julia Martin, author of On the Sponge Islands, who explores how technological advances in the late 19th century — particularly deep-sea diving suits — transformed sponge harvesting into a dangerous, high-stakes pursuit. While it unlocked unprecedented wealth, it also exposed divers to extreme risks, often with fatal consequences. Through her writing, Martin reveals how this fragile ecosystem and way of life eventually collapsed, leaving behind stories of resilience, loss, and the delicate balance between nature and human ambition.

Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. 

A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. 

Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham 

Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk 

For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x 

Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 
 
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John Maytham is joined by Julia Martin, author of On the Sponge Islands, who explores how technological advances in the late 19th century &mdash; particularly deep-sea diving suits &mdash; transformed sponge harvesting into a dangerous, high-stakes pursuit. While it unlocked unprecedented wealth, it also exposed divers to extreme risks, often with fatal consequences. Through her writing, Martin reveals how this fragile ecosystem and way of life eventually collapsed, leaving behind stories of resilience, loss, and the delicate balance between nature and human ambition.
Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host&rsquo;s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists.&nbsp;
A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called &ldquo;Plan B&rdquo;.&nbsp;
Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham&nbsp;
Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk <a href="https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk">https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk</a>&nbsp;
For more from the show go to <a href="https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn">https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn</a> or find all the catch-up podcasts here <a href="https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x">https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x</a>&nbsp;
Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters <a href="https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5">https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5</a>&nbsp; &nbsp; Follow us on social media:&nbsp; &nbsp; CapeTalk on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk">https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk</a>&nbsp; CapeTalk on TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk">https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk</a>&nbsp; CapeTalk on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/">https://www.instagram.com/</a>&nbsp; CapeTalk on X: <a href="https://x.com/CapeTalk">https://x.com/CapeTalk</a>&nbsp; CapeTalk on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567">https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567</a>&nbsp;

John Maytham is a trained actor who made the switch to radio over 20 years ago when he joined the news team at Radio 604.

He then swapped reporting for anchoring an AM drive time show at a national talk radio station.

Once he set the bar for South African news and talk radio he accepted the challenge to join Primedia Broadcasting and help establish the newly founded CapeTalk, fulfilling the role of both News Editor and Breakfast Host.

He was the first host to switch on the mic on 14 October 1997.

Years later, he was also the first radio broadcaster to do a Google Hangout in South Africa.

Afternoon Drive with John Maytham

The Sponge Islands: With Julia Martin 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5dcefa8e-00a9-4595-8ce1-a4ab0080f142/clips/8a7ba83a-d4b0-4cf3-92e3-b44100e56686/transcript