Nhlanhla Kunene has become one of South Africa's most recognisable actors, captivating audiences through his performances in productions such as Skeem Saam, Adulting, The River, Queendom, The Life of Mandoza and several other acclaimed television dramas. Beyond his work on screen, he is equally passionate about celebrating African culture, identity and heritage. Proud of his Zulu roots, Nhlanhla has consistently used his platform to encourage meaningful conversations about the values, traditions and philosophies that continue to shape African communities.
Among the ideas he believes deserve a fresh perspective is the meaning of "African Time," a phrase that has long been reduced to a stereotype about lateness. Nhlanhla sees it instead as a philosophy centred on community, human connection, respect, and being fully present in life's important moments.

Nhlanhla Kunene has become one of South Africa's most recognisable actors, captivating audiences through his performances in productions such as Skeem Saam, Adulting, The River, Queendom, The Life of Mandoza and several other acclaimed television dramas. Beyond his work on screen, he is equally passionate about celebrating African culture, identity and heritage. Proud of his Zulu roots, Nhlanhla has consistently used his platform to encourage meaningful conversations about the values, traditions and philosophies that continue to shape African communities. Among the ideas he believes deserve a fresh perspective is the meaning of "African Time," a phrase that has long been reduced to a stereotype about lateness. Nhlanhla sees it instead as a philosophy centred on community, human connection, respect, and being fully present in life's important moments.

Serious and topical issues on continent, breaking stories.

Serious and topical issues on continent, breaking stories.

The Upside

Nhlanhla Kunene challenges the way we think about African time and cultural identity

What happens when people stop waiting for government to fix things and decide to take matters into their own hands? That is the question Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is putting on the table with his call for a Batho Pele Convention. In his recent proposal, he argues for a membership funded, self-sufficient movement focused on citizen agency, community action and rebuilding services from the ground up. It is an idea that connects closely with his work as a political thinker and researcher, including his book ‘Love and Violence: The Revolt Against Permanent Juniority’, which examines colonial violence, political identity and the experiences that shaped young people in the Vaal during the 1980s.
Ndlozi, who previously served in the National Assembly and held senior positions in the EFF, is now putting forward an argument that goes beyond elections and party politics. His proposal questions the role of political parties, funded activism and what he describes as a state that has abandoned many communities. So what exactly would a Batho Pele Convention look like, who would lead it and how would it work in practice? He joins us to further unpack

What happens when people stop waiting for government to fix things and decide to take matters into their own hands? That is the question Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is putting on the table with his call for a Batho Pele Convention. In his recent proposal, he argues for a membership funded, self-sufficient movement focused on citizen agency, community action and rebuilding services from the ground up. It is an idea that connects closely with his work as a political thinker and researcher, including his book &lsquo;Love and Violence: The Revolt Against Permanent Juniority&rsquo;, which examines colonial violence, political identity and the experiences that shaped young people in the Vaal during the 1980s. Ndlozi, who previously served in the National Assembly and held senior positions in the EFF, is now putting forward an argument that goes beyond elections and party politics. His proposal questions the role of political parties, funded activism and what he describes as a state that has abandoned many communities. So what exactly would a Batho Pele Convention look like, who would lead it and how would it work in practice? He joins us to further unpack

Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi wants citizens to take action, can communities rebuild what government has failed to deliver? 

What if your greatest inheritance is not what you received but what you decide to leave behind? This Heritage Month, Dr. Sonja Stribling is asking South African women to sit with a powerful question ‘What will they inherit because you lived?’ A retired U.S. Army Major, combat veteran, entrepreneur and business strategist, Dr. Stribling has brought her HERitage conversation to Johannesburg, challenging women to think about the wealth they build, the businesses they create, the opportunities they open and the patterns they have the courage to break.
Today, she works with entrepreneurs and business leaders on growth, leadership and turning their knowledge into income. So, what does it really take to build a legacy and how do we make sure the next generation inherits more than just our circumstances? She now joins us

What if your greatest inheritance is not what you received but what you decide to leave behind? This Heritage Month, Dr. Sonja Stribling is asking South African women to sit with a powerful question &lsquo;What will they inherit because you lived?&rsquo; A retired U.S. Army Major, combat veteran, entrepreneur and business strategist, Dr. Stribling has brought her HERitage conversation to Johannesburg, challenging women to think about the wealth they build, the businesses they create, the opportunities they open and the patterns they have the courage to break. Today, she works with entrepreneurs and business leaders on growth, leadership and turning their knowledge into income. So, what does it really take to build a legacy and how do we make sure the next generation inherits more than just our circumstances? She now joins us

From what was passed down to what we leave behind, Dr. Sonja Stribling on women, wealth, leadership and building a lasting legacy 

Can you be deeply in love with someone and still feel completely disconnected from them in the bedroom? For some couples, the issue is not a lack of love, attraction or commitment but simply wanting different things when it comes to intimacy. One partner may want sex more often, while the other rarely feels the need. One may want to experiment, while the other prefers to keep things familiar.
Over time, those differences can leave one person feeling rejected and the other feeling pressured, creating frustration and distance in a relationship. While we often use the phrase sexual incompatibility, experts say many couples are actually dealing with differences in desire, preferences and communication rather than being fundamentally incompatible. The real trouble begins when those differences are ignored, conversations are avoided and resentment starts to build. To further unpack we are joined on the line by Steph Jones, Relationship Expert

Can you be deeply in love with someone and still feel completely disconnected from them in the bedroom? For some couples, the issue is not a lack of love, attraction or commitment but simply wanting different things when it comes to intimacy. One partner may want sex more often, while the other rarely feels the need. One may want to experiment, while the other prefers to keep things familiar. Over time, those differences can leave one person feeling rejected and the other feeling pressured, creating frustration and distance in a relationship. While we often use the phrase sexual incompatibility, experts say many couples are actually dealing with differences in desire, preferences and communication rather than being fundamentally incompatible. The real trouble begins when those differences are ignored, conversations are avoided and resentment starts to build. To further unpack we are joined on the line by Steph Jones, Relationship Expert

Nhlanhla Kunene challenges the way we think about African time and cultural identity

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