Conversations with Chauke

This is the seventh episode for the Podcast "Conversations with Chauke"  with the host Paballo Chauke and the title of this episode is "Our Consciousness is Occupied: Navigating Occupational Therapy, Fighting the Racist and Sexist System, Rising to use our Time Intentionally and Continuous Defiance". We had a great conversation with the formidable, well educated, strong-willed, centered, holistic and beautiful Professor Elelwani Ramugondo (Deputy Dean of Postgrad Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town).  We discussed a multitude of issues including how she started being a militant being from young, fighting apartheid both overtly and covertly, strong connection with her father, finding interracial love where she thought it impossible, raising interracial/black kids- their identity issues in a racist system, we discussed the theory she coined: Occupational Consciousness amongst other academic ideologies she is involved in, Collective Black psyche being distracted, colonialism and decolonization,  growing up in a patriarchal rural area,  breaking barriers and so much more. We also touched on spirituality and how to navigate our own beliefs as Africans, this episode recharged something in me. Please enjoy and share! 

This is the sixth episode for the Podcast "Conversations with Chauke"  with the host Paballo Chauke and the title of this episode is "Radical self-love: being body positive, self- confident and exuding pride in your own skin". We had a great conversation with the versatile, beautiful, voluptuous, body positive,  self- confident, well traveled diva  Oyama Botha (Influencer and Model).  We discussed a multitude of issues including loving yourself radically, fatshaming, strong black womanhood, impact of social media on black women, focusing on positivity and living your type of soft life. We got to know why she does not care about rude and negative people who try and insult her, we also traced the history of her modelling career as a  fuller figured/curvy woman  and why labels do not matter to her. She is authentically herself and is radically in love with her curvaceous self. 

This is the fifth episode for the Podcast "Conversations with Chauke"  with the host Paballo Chauke and the title of this episode is "Living a purpose driven life: Rising from the ashes, healing and thriving in a time of turmoil and owning your narrative". We had a great conversation with the phenomenal, highly educated, well seasoned leader Noxolo Ntaka (Senior Researcher).  We discussed a multitude of issues including finding your purpose, fluidity of identity, strong black women, healing from grief, forgiveness and achieving success at a young.  We got to know about her shift in priorities and reckoning with her dreams and changing trajectories to living a much more fulfilled and change driven career that impacts the African continent. 

This is the fourth episode of Conversations with Chauke with the host Paballo Chauke and the title of this episode is "Chakra Huns: Navigating Spirituality, Business and Feminism". We had a very lighthearted, honest and open discussion with the resilient, hardworking, honest, talented, nonchalant and intelligent Sangoma, Software Engineer and Entrepreneur Ms Regina Kgatle.   We got to know why she pronounces her name in certain ways, how she navigates being a spiritually gifted woman in an oppressive and "Western" world.  Regina is the Founder and MD of Educade, a platform to use games to educate people no matter where they come from or where they go to school. We got to know where her passion for engineering and education comes from. Regina touched on healing, self-care and contextualizing yourself and being in exclusionary spaces. She also spoke about her role in student activism and how Rhodes Must Fall and Fees Must Fall where freeing and learning spaces and moments. 

This is the third episode of Conversations with Chauke with the host Paballo Chauke and the title of this episode is "The People's  Doctor: Navigating Medicine, Loving Inter-racially and being authentically herself".  We had a very lighthearted, honest and open discussion with the charismatic, energetic, multi-talented, hustling Medical Doctor, award winning physician, Radio DJ and aspiring house DJ Dr Sindi van Zyl. We got to know why her  mixed race kids are named "caramellos", she openly spoke about her failures and successes and piercingly discussed mental health and grief that she has had to deal with, healing and letting go and the role of God in her life. 

This is the second episode of Conversations with Chauke with the host Paballo Chauke and the title of this episode is “Maneuvering Whiteness:  Allyship, Black Empowerment and Envisioning Equality”. We had a very robust, honest and open discussion with the charismatic, man of high integrity and stature, the Honorable Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr John Jeffery  (ANC NEC)   on many issues facing South Africa including land reform, high wealth disparities, racism. Gender Based Violence, Decriminalization of Sex Work amongst other diversity issues. We also got to know Deputy Minister Jeffery a bit better, finding out where he grew up, his role in the struggle against the apartheid regime and how he unpacks his knapsack of white privilege. A truly inspiring white ally and accomplice in the struggle against inequality.  No reconciliation without justice is the leitmotif! 

This is the inaugural episode for the Podcast "Conversations with Chauke"  with the host Paballo Chauke and the title of this episode is "Black Women in Leadership: Taking up Space, Creating Change and Living Fearlessly". We had a great conservation with the phenomenal, internationally acclaimed academic Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng (UCT VC)  discussed a multitude of issues including Black Excellence, The issue of academic titles, sexism, racism, poverty and cementing ourselves. We also got to know where the labels "FabAcademic" and "Deputy Mother" emanate from. A truly inspiring Black woman in leadership who is passionate about education and giving back.