Shows
Courageous ConversationsS2 Ep12: Imposed IdentitiesIn our final episode supported by the Ford Foundation, Jillian talks with Mbongiseni Buthelezi. Mbongiseni is the Executive Director of PARI, the Public Affairs Research Institute, a Johannesburg-based non-profit organisation that studies the effectiveness of state institutions in service delivery and infrastructure to better support South African citizens. An academic through and through, Mbongiseni is interested in how the state interfaces with citizens in areas that include land restitution, the role of traditional leaders in governance, heritage and public archives. In this interview, Mbongiseni explores the roots of Zulu identity, and the extent to which one of the most storied...2018-11-2900 min
Courageous ConversationsS2 Ep11: I Dream Of A WorldIn our 11th episode supported by the Ford Foundation, Jillian talks with Nomzamo Zondo, the director of litigation at SERI, the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa. SERI is a non-profit human rights organisation that works with communities, social movements, and others to challenge inequality and realise socio-economic rights. In this sobering and moving conversation, Nomzamo offers a clear-eyed take on the state of South Africa today, offering global insights on injustice and inequality, and the importance of living thoughtfully, with intention and empathy. Hers is a deeply human take – one that weaves together her experiences as a daughter, mother, pa...2018-11-1500 min
Courageous ConversationsS2 Ep10: Tipping the Table OverWe are nearing the end of an amazing season supported by the Ford Foundation, and after interviewing these remarkable activists who have so courageously shared their stories, we decided to interview the funder supporting them – and specifically Nicolette Naylor, the women behind the scenes at Ford Foundation’s Southern Africa office.
In our 10th episode supported by the Ford Foundation, Jillian speaks with Nicolette Naylor, Regional Director for the Ford Foundation in Southern Africa where she focuses the organisation’s grant making on human rights and governance, with particular emphasis on advancing the human and socio-economic rights of poor and vulner...2018-10-0900 min
Courageous ConversationsS2 Ep9: An Uncommon PrivilegeIn our 9th episode supported by the Ford Foundation, Jillian speaks with Ricki Kgositau, the Executive Director of Accountability International, a think tank that uses accountability to improve human rights and social justice for marginalised people. Herself a young, African trans woman, Ricki is devoted to engaging with youth, women, girls, sex workers, LGBTIQ persons, and survivours of crime in Africa. Ricki's focus is on what she calls the "intersectionalities of struggles," grappling with human rights, gender identity, spirituality and socio economics. And for her, this is deeply personal work. She brings her own experience and stories into every aspect...2018-09-0200 min
Courageous ConversationsS2 Ep8: Our Journeys Are Not The SameIn our 8th episode supported by the Ford Foundation, Jillian talks with Mandisa Shandu. Mandisa is the Co-Director and an Attorney at the activist organisation Ndifuna Ukwazi - Xhosa for Dare to Know. A graduate of the University of Cape Town law school, she heads Ndifuna Ukwazi’s law clinic. Through her work, Mandisa seeks to advance urban land justice in the city of Cape Town by providing legal support and advocacy to communities and social movements. From a middle class family, Mandisa had every opportunity to ride the wave of the New South Africa towards corporate success. But she fe...2018-07-1800 min
Courageous ConversationsS2 Ep7: We Are All MigrantsIn our 7th episode supported by the Ford Foundation, Jillian interviews Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh. Kaajal is a human rights lawyer and executive director of the Southern Africa Litigation Centre. She operates on the frontline of courtrooms and refugee detention centres across Southern Africa, bringing justice and empathy to people whom most of us understand only through news headlines. At a time when many of us are retreating to our geographic corners and comfortable identities, Kaajal is navigating the middle ground. A space between “us and them”. A restorer of dignity and a voice for the voiceless, Kaajal works through the courts to h...2018-05-2700 min
Courageous ConversationsS2 Ep6: Changing the Course of InevitabilityIn our sixth episode supported by the Ford Foundation, Jillian speaks with Melissa Fourie, the Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Rights. The Centre’s mission is to advance environmental rights in South Africa – a country with stark social and economic inequalities. Environmental and human rights are tightly intertwined here, around issues like access to clean water and sanitation, freedom from pollution, and social justice campaigns against fracking and corporate waste. In this conversation, Melissa explores how – on the surface - her work protecting South Africa’s environment is actually advancing the rights of its people.2018-05-0400 min
Courageous ConversationsS2 Ep5: Putting Discomfort at the Heart of ComfortIn our fifth episode supported by the Ford Foundation, Jillian speaks with Axolile Notywala and Mandisa Dyantyi, the Co-Directors of the Social Justice Coalition. SJC is a Cape Town-based organisation that works to advance the constitutional rights to life, dignity, equality, freedom and safety for all South Africans - but particularly those living in townships and informal settlements. Ax and Mandisa are passionate activists and leaders addressing issues of inequality in Cape Town, South Africa, and the world. They call themselves “The Terrible Two” but there’s nothing terrible about them: young, black, educated and driven by a deep sense of rig...2018-02-2300 min
Courageous ConversationsS2 Ep4: Disrupt the CorruptIn our fourth episode supported by the Ford Foundation, Jillian speaks with David Lewis, the executive director of Corruption Watch, who’s mission in their own words is to “Disrupt the Corrupt.” Corruption Watch believes that “it is our right and duty to hold our leaders to account.” An interesting role at a time when in South Africa, around the world, power holders are under intense scrutiny. David is a product of South Africa’s struggle for liberation. A union leader with a fundamental belief in the power of the collective. Today, David is a leader in a very different kind of stru...2018-01-2300 min
Courageous ConversationsS2 Ep3: Pulling People Towards Your TruthIn our third interview supported by the Ford Foundation, Jillian speaks with Rehad Desai, a documentary filmmaker and producer and the CEO of Uhuru Productions. Rehad has produced over 20 films to date, including Born into Struggle, Miners Shot Down and the Giant is Falling. Born into Struggle - which received international acclaim at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival - is his most personal film. The film follows the life of Rehad’s father, ANC activist Barney Desai, and the impact that South Africa’s struggle against apartheid had on Rehad’s childhood and who he has become today. Miners Shot Down - Reha...2017-12-2700 min
Courageous ConversationsS2 Ep2: We Dare Not Be SimpleIn our second interview supported by the Ford Foundation, Jillian speaks with Bonita Meyersfeld, the Director of the Centre for Applied Legal Studies and an associate professor at the School of Law, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Bonita is a gender-based violence expert trained in South Africa and the US, with a background as an advisor to the House of Lords of the United Kingdom. She is the founding member of the organisation Lawyers Against Abuse and the author of the book "Domestic Violence and International Law". Against a backdrop of increasing public discourse and awareness of sexual and gender-based violence...2017-11-2500 min
Courageous ConversationsS2 Ep1 Riff: Kene Esom on MasculinityIn today's excerpt, Jillian speaks with Kene Esom about the changing nature of masculinity and the role of male identity, which was part of our larger conversation with Kene on queer inclusion and intersectionalities.
Until very recently, Kene Esom was the Director of AMSHeR, African Men for Sexual Health and Rights. He is a Barrister-at-Law advocating for marginalised communities including unaccompanied/separated children, refugees and asylum seekers, survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, and sexual minorities on the African continent. In the full interview, Jillian and Kene discuss the concepts of othering and being "queer", intersectionalities and privilege, and the...2017-10-1100 min
Courageous ConversationsS2 Ep1: Queer Nation with Kene EsomOur first in a series of interviews supported by the Ford Foundation, Jillian speaks with Kene Esom who until very recently was the Director of AMSHeR, African Men for Sexual Health and Rights. Kene is a Barrister-at-Law advocating for marginalised communities including unaccompanied/separated children, refugees and asylum seekers, survivours of sexual and gender-based violence, and sexual minorities on the African continent. Jillian and Kene discuss the concepts of othering and being "queer", intersectionalities and privilege, and the roles of religion, culture and social justice towards a more equitable and empathetic world.2017-10-1100 min
Courageous ConversationsS1 Ep6: On BeautyIn our first episode of Season 2, Jillian interviews Tamburai Chirume, an up and coming fashion designer and entrepreneur in Cape Town - and half of the mother and daughter label ONEOFEACH - about creating beauty and the more personal side of troublemaking. From Zimbabwe to South Africa to the British Museum, growing up in a society fraught with racism and inequality has had a profound effect on Tamburai. Join us as she talks about juggling her feelings of insider-outsider, anxiety and well-being, finding beauty in the every day and making her own way in the world.2017-07-3100 min
Courageous ConversationsS1 Ep5: Farming for Radical EmpathyIn our final episode for 2016, Jillian and Jenn talk with Rehann Calitz and Howard Drakes of Farm This City, about radical empathy and how with a single seed, a farmer and a sprinkle of empathy, we can re-imagine our cities as living ecosystems that sustain life and "farm a solution" for us all. Learn more about Farm This City: www.farmthiscity.co.za2016-12-0400 min
Courageous ConversationsS1 Ep4: The Good WifeIn episode four, Jillian Reilly interviews Melanie Burke, a powerhouse in the Cape Town development community who while has always been a troublemaker in the professional sense, decided to dig a little deeper in the courageous conversations that she was having at home. Here, Melanie talks about her journey to becoming a "courageous wife" and finding the balance between her work and personal life.2016-11-0800 min
Courageous ConversationsS1 Ep3: BraveheartIn episode three, Jillian interviews Kayin Scholtz from the South African Education Project (SAEP) about the concepts of courage, bravery and masculinity. Upon first meeting one might consider Kayin an unconventional troublemaker, but through this conversation you'll get a glimpse of how he approaches conversations in his daily life with reflection and deep listening.2016-11-0800 min
Courageous ConversationsS1 Ep2: Showing UpIn episode two, a continuation of Jillian and Jenn's first conversation, they discuss what it means to "show up" in our professional and personal relationships - and how to overcome the fears and insecurities that may get in the way of our efforts to live courageously.2016-11-0300 min
Courageous ConversationsS1 Ep1: The Conversations I Never HadCourageous Conversations is a series exploring the art of showing up authentically in our everyday spaces. Created by Jillian Reilly and Jenn Warren, the podcast challenges us to live bravely and with compassion during this critical time in history, in an effort to become more effective changemakers. In the first episode, Jillian and Jenn discuss Jillian's book "Shame: Confessions of an Aid Worker in Africa" and explore some of her missed conversations and opportunities to live more courageously.2016-11-0300 min