Mixtape 52: Hey there, little insect
It’s summer in the southern hemisphere, and in the mind of Charles Leonard it means one thing: mosquitoes. This has prompted him to make a mixtape buzzing with songs about insects.
Radio New Frame
S6 Episode 6: The case for a shorter working week
We look at Iceland’s effective four-day workweek, hear from dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson about what he’d do with more time and find out from sociologist Eddie Webster if it could work in South Africa.
S6 Episode 5: Jabbed workers | Poisoners | India protests
Only 20% of people in South Africa are vaccinated. We visit a mine that achieved 80%. Also, Imraan Coovadia on poison as a political weapon and why the farmer protests in India still matter.
Mixtape 51: Keep on moving
For this second part of the mixtape’s golden anniversary, Charles Leonard has dug into one of popular music’s vintage years exactly five decades ago. He’s unearthed some gems for you.
S6 Episode 4: Abolish prisons | Who’s the blues for?
Prison abolitionist Ruth Wilson Gilmore talks about the one resource prisoners can never get back. Author Fred de Vries explains what makes the blues so alluring to white middle-class ears.
S6 Episode 3: Waste pickers of the world unite
They do essential work, yet most governments, cities and residents ignore them and their rights. We speak to reclaimers and the people who organise them globally.
Mixtape 50: Halfway to hundred
Our mixtape has reached a musical milestone celebrating its 50th edition. True to form, Charles Leonard has again gone totally catholic, wildly global and genre-fluid with his playlist. Oh, and all the songs are from 1971.
S6 Episode 2: Eco-justice | The Left and the climate emergency
An activist paid the ultimate price for resisting a mine digging for profit on her doorstep, but her neighbours fight on. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Left is getting the climate emergency wrong.
S6 Episode 1: Revisiting 9/11 with Mahmood Mamdani | Kyle Shepherd
Global thinker Mahmood Mamdani helps make sense of two decades of the so-called War on Terror. And Kyle Shepherd explains why his response to the Covid-19 pandemic is a solo piano album.
Mixtape 49: Golden clouds
Charles Leonard made this mixtape under his lemon tree, celebrating Lee “Scratch” Perry, Charlie Watts, Mahotella Queen Nobesuthu Mbadu and several other musicians who have recently died.
S5 Episode 14: Podcasts for change
Can podcasts be a force for progressive change? We look at global examples and then hone in on African podcasts, plus a popular South African broadcaster who has crossed over.
S5 Episode 13: Life Esidimeni | Marikana | SA analysed
The Marikana massacre and the Life Esidimeni scandal keep reminding us that justice is an easy word to use, but difficult to get. We talk to a few South Africans who won’t give up.
Mixtape 48: These Boots
With this mixtape, the second of two featuring songs about walking, Charles Leonard is taking you on musical walkabouts to Memphis, Dube, the wild side and many other exotic places.
S5 Episode 12: Writer Sisonke Msimang speaks to us
As an African living in Australia but with deep roots in South Africa, writer Sisonke Msimang is an insider-outsider. She tells us how she felt from afar as South Africa was burning.
S5 Episode 11: Feminists vs Zuma | Beirut revisited
A feminist perspective on how South Africa got here, and a Lebanese musician with a new album that’s a wail for her country and its people.
Mixtape 47: Walking in Rhythm
Press “play” and let Charles Leonard take you on a relaxing musical walk with songs about walking, wandering, meandering, sauntering, rambling and ambling.
S5 Episode 10: Mandla Langa | Rise of the pink tide
Esteemed South African poet and novelist Mandla Langa discusses his work, what’s wrong with the ANC and what looting we should be looking at. Also, why Latin America is swinging Left.
S5 Episode 9: Saving Mother Earth | Sarathy Korwar
What do you do when you’ve retired as a unionist and a cabinet minister? You try and save the Earth. Jay Naidoo tells us why this is his mission now.
Mixtape 46: Pull Up to the Bumper
Need a musical lift? Let Charles Leonard be your chauffeur on this second of a two-part mixtape with songs about cars.
S5 Episode 8: Reporting from eSwatini
Security forces in eSwatini detained, assaulted and tortured two New Frame journalists covering the pro-democracy uprising in that country. We bring you their harrowing tale. Warning: This episode contains disturbing content.
S5 Episode 7: Edwin Cameron | Trans sex workers
In an exclusive interview, retired Constitutional Court Judge Edwin Cameron considers how our progressive Constitution has failed many South Africans, especially those on the margins.
