5 Mid Mornings

Mbalenhle Mkhatshwa, affectionately known as Mbali, is the founder of Mballet, a dance academy rooted in Tembisa that uses ballet as a tool for much more than performance. Mbali first fell in love with ballet at just six years old, introduced to the art by her mother, who saw dance as a way to give her discipline, confidence and a sense of possibility. Today, she is p...

Has Modern Convenience Made Us Less Resilient? Food arrives in minutes. Groceries come to our door. Dating happens with a swipe, and AI can plan our holidays, write our emails and answer almost anything. Life has never been more convenient. But are we becoming less patient and less resilient because of it? Think about it: When was the last time you memorised a phone n...

Are Energy Drinks Really As Bad As People Say? If you've ever pulled an all-nighter for exams, had an early morning shift, or needed a boost before gym, chances are you've reached for an energy drink. I ask this because if I’m being very honest with you… I have atleast one energy drink a day. I know I know its bad and my pharmacist told me this the other day but I...

Are we becoming obsessed with nostalgia because the past was actually better? Because the present feels overwhelming? Or because some things are simply timeless? And what’s one thing from the past you’d bring back immediately if you could?

If you took Maths Lit instead of Pure Maths, did it limit your options, or did it work out just fine?

A few years ago, phrases like "protect your peace," "set boundaries," "prioritise your mental health," and "that's toxic" became part of our everyday vocabulary. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. Therapy language has helped many of us recognise unhealthy relationships, communicate our needs better, and take our mental health more seriously. Words like boundaries , gaslighting , triggers and...

Fresh off hosting one of the biggest events of the weekend, Zaneta Potelwa joined us to unpack her Summer experience, from the highs of being on stage to the journey that got her there. She shared how taking a chance on herself, putting herself out there, and shooting her shot opened doors she never imagined.  A conversation filled with lessons, inspiration, and a reminder that sometimes all...

Nokwanda Khumalo is a corporate executive, entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Soul Speaks, as well as the author and curator of Leading with Grace: A Soul Speaks Anthology , which brings together the stories of 32 remarkable South African women and explores leadership, resilience, purpose and courage.  Joining her today is Nomkhosi , one of the women featured in the anthology. Nomkhosi is a young...

Actress Mamodibe Ramodibe joins 5 Mid Mornings for a quick chat on a masters paper she wrote on morally complex black women on screen.

Who’s that female TV character you absolutely love to hate? The complicated, messy, morally questionable one you just can’t stop watching? There’s been a shift in the way women are portrayed on our screens. We’re moving away from female characters who are simply good or bad. We’re seeing women who are ambitious, messy, powerful, flawed, complicated sometimes completel...

For previous generations, having children was often seen as a natural part of adulthood. You finished school, built a career, got married and started a family. But that timeline seems to be changing.   A 2026 study published in the South African Medical Journal found that births recorded in South Africa’s public-sector healthcare facilities fell by 20% between 2021 and 2025. More S...

This Women's Month marks 1 month since the inception of the Mama Mosima Grace Educational Foundation and we spoke to the Founder, Sylverster Mashilo. The creation of the foundation is in honour of his mom's passing and as an organisation seeks to address some of the issues that women face in society.

Celebrities have enormous platforms. Millions of us follow them, stream their music, watch their movies and pay attention to what they say. And if your favourite celebrity never comments on what’s happening in South Africa or around the world, does it change the way you see them?

South Africa’s latest unemployment figures are out, and unfortunately, the picture has gotten worse. The official unemployment rate has risen to 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026, up from 32.7% in the previous quarter. That means around 8.5 million South Africans are officially unemployed, while the number of employed people has fallen to 16.7 million. And it’s young people who conti...

Are you a big fan of true crime documentaries? Women make up the majority of true crime audiences, with some studies suggesting they account for around 80% of listeners and viewers. Psychologists believe this is partly because true crime helps women understand danger, recognize warning signs, and learn how to navigate potentially risky situations. But it's not all about fear—many women also...

Gen Z appears to be changing the way it approaches alcohol, with more young people choosing sobriety, moderation or simply drinking less. The conversation also extends to millennials, many of whom are reassessing their relationship with drinking for reasons including health, fitness, finances, productivity and personal experiences. Is this a lasting cultural shift or just another wellness trend th...

When the bill arrives at the table, things can get awkward fast. The 5 Mid-Mornings team unpacks the different ways friendship groups handle paying when they go out, from splitting the bill equally and paying for what you ordered to taking turns covering the group. Listeners share their own rules, including how they deal with alcohol, expensive orders, tips and friends who don't pay them back.