The Lunch Break

The Hi-Lites are a South African band that emerged several decades ago and managed to maintain their popularity through the decades. One of the key members of the band is Soppy Dawood, the charming man with a golden voice that was sure to sweep any music lover of their feet. It’s been some time since Soppy did a full-on stage show like he did back in the day. But clearly, from Varshan Sookhun's co...

Varshan chatted to Dr. Linda Meyer, HR Specialist, about the importance of cultivating good habits to change your life for the better.

Film director and producer Richard Green has over forty years of experience in the film industry behind him. Varshan chatted to Richard Green about his latest, Tokoloshe The Calling, which has been officially selected for screening at the Durban International Film Festival this year.

Varshan Sookhun hosted special guest - community stalwart – Mr. Jaisingh Surujbullee Singh – who turned 90 on 15 September. Mr. Singh, who retired as Principal of Hopeville Primary School, has 68 years of community service, and founded various organizations such as FOSA – Friends of the Sick Association, the Verulam Retired Teachers Society and Blood Donors Session Verulam. He is currently Preside...

#Covid19 #ChooseLife It’s nearly six months since Covid-19 first hit South Africa. Varshan Sookhun chatted to Keri-Leigh Paschal, Executive Trustee for Nation Builder, a social impact organization, about the extent of the trauma the Covid-19 pandemic has inflicted.

#UnitedInDiversity Varshan Sookhun had the pleasure of hosting veteran chutney singer Dodo Bugwandeen as part of a special Heritage Month series. Dodo shared his story about surviving in music against the odds and how his renditions of chutney music became a craze back in the 1980s.

#Covid19 #ChooseLife Interview with Wahida Parker, Managing Director of The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company, about the reopening of the Table Mountain Cableway and the strict Covid-19 health and safety protocols that are in place for visitors to Table Mountain.

In the lead up to World Marrow Donor Day on 19 September 2020, Clayton Coetzee, a 30-year-old adventurer and bone marrow donor from Cape Town and Gavin Raubenheimer, an expert mountaineer from KwaZulu-Natal, will attempt to ascend the majestic Mafadi peak, SA’s highest peak. Clayton spoke to Varshan about their mission to raise awareness for blood disorders and thank countless donors who have save...

#SheIsEverything Interview with Cassidi Beck, Business Development at Payflex, about gender bias issues such as pink tax, gender wage gap and greater unemployment, impacting on women consumers in South Africa.

#SheIsEverything Renowned Jazz and RnB Singer, Natalie Rungan joined Varshan for a Women In Music conversation.

There was a sigh of relief in Mid-June for salons, barber shops and beauty establishments when Government announced a relaxation of the lockdown to level 3. The entire industry had been shut down since March this year. Now that things are rolling again, Varshan Sookhun caught up with Iconic Hair Stylist, Shirley Naidoo for a chat about the new normal for the hair styling and bridal industry.

#SheIsEverything In the final interview of The Women's Own - The Women's Economy show series - Varshan Sookhun spoke to entrepreneur ROSHNI RAMSAMY, who is a dress designer. When her business was hard hit by the Covid-19 lockdown, Roshni managed to turn things around. She registered an essential services company thereby creating employment opportunities for others.

#Covid19 #ChooseLife Varshan chatted to Lesley Waterkeyn – Founder and Vice Chairperson at CWDi, about a book, written and released during lockdown. The book is based on interviews with people (entrepreneurs) who have triumphed by either pivoting their businesses or have reached out and assisted their communities in getting through the challenging Covid-19 pandemic.

#Covid19 #ChooseLife #Disability360 Blind SA is advocating for equal, inclusive and resourced education for blind and visually impaired learners especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Varshan spoke to Jace Nair, CEO of Blind SA, about the organisation's impassioned plea to the Department of Education to address the challenges of visually impaired learners.

Charlene Sunkel was diagnosed with paranoid Schizophrenia in 1991. She has been living with the illness for nearly three decades and shares her story of stigmatization and survival.

On the ‘Women’s Own - The Women's Economy Show’, Varshan Sookhun spoke to dynamic entrepreneur TRISHA PARSHOTAM, who in 2019 was recognized as one of KZN’s top businesswomen. Trisha is currently the owner and marketing director of a national security company.

#SheIsEverything OHASA was established in 1999 and since then has been publishing books which share the stories of women from all walks of life. Varshan Sookhun spoke to editor Dr. Kogie Archary, about a special series of books which tells the powerful stories of mothers.

#SheisEverything One of the youngest singing stars in the country, Risa Moodley, joined Varshan for an empowering conversation about her life and career.

#SheisEverything In celebration of Women’s Month - the Lunch Break is bringing you ‘Women’s Own - The Women's Economy Show’ - a series of interviews with empowered and inspiring women. Varshan had the pleasure of hosting attorney Candice Christina Pillay, who is the current chairperson of the Teddy Bear Foundation and has worked extensively in the fields of gender-based violence and human rights.

#SheisEverything Cape Town-based Catherine Wijnberg is a successful entrepreneur with experience in starting, growing and operating businesses in five different sectors across three countries. Varshan chatted to Catherine about her business success, how she’s dealt with setbacks and her new book which contains the many wisdoms she has gained on her life journey.

#Covid19 #ChooseLife On social media, there’s been signs that South Africans are lowering their guard against Coronavirus by hosting parties and braais with family and friends etc. Varshan chatted to Nicole Jennings, spokesperson for Pharma Dynamics about why it’s critical that the public remains focused on health as the country braces itself for a Covid-19 peak.

#Covid19 #ChooseLife Non-profit organisations TPA Humanity and Food for Life have teamed up to provide nutritious meals to the hungry in Durban. Varshan spoke about this wonderful feeding scheme with Theasen Pillay, who is the founder Director of TPA Humanity.

#SheIsEverything #WomenInMusic Varshan caught up with popular singing star Shay Ramji, in Nairobi, to chat about her new music release, a cover of Kailash Kher's hit Saiyaan. Shay was joined on the interview by musician Thiru Kisten.

#Covid19 #ChooseLife The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted heavily on the fundraising and charitable work of NGOs and NPOs. Varshan discussed the challenges facing charitable organisations with guest Neil Robinson, CEO of Relate, a not-for-profit social enterprise..

#SheIsEverything In celebration of Women’s Month - the Lunch Break is bringing you ‘Womens Own- The Women's Economy Show’ - a series of interviews with empowered and inspiring women. Varshan had the pleasure of speaking to LAIELA PARUK DORASAMY, who is the owner of a corporate gifts company, established in 2018.