Before tennis in South Africa became a ghost serve, we had Amanda Coetzer — 1.58m of giant-slaying grit — and Wayne Ferreira, the forever dark horse who outlasted most of his rivals. This episode looks back at the era when South Africans actually showed up on tour… and won.
It’s part memory lane, part state-of-the-union — from Amanda’s wins over Hingis and Graf to Wayne’s marathon career (and hair!). Then we fast forward: what’s going on with Tennis SA today? Are rural kids even getting a shot at the baseline? What happened to Arthur Ashe Stadium in Soweto? Are we rising, or are we double-faulting as a nation?
🎙️ No guests. Just vibes, receipts, and a mic — and, yes, I’ll be watching this drop while sipping espresso at Roland Garros. Kusazoba mnandi! ☺️
🎾 Let’s get into it.
Before playlists and streaming apps, there was Musica. This episode dives into the rise and fall of South Africa’s once-iconic music retailer — from Saturday mall trips to hunt down your fave CD, to its unexpected shutdown in 2021.
We talk about its evolution, what went wrong, and why its closure still stings for a generation who grew up browsing its shelves. Was Musica just another victim of digital disruption, or was it more than just a store?
🎶 Whether you bought your first album there (shoutout KB’s Beautiful Vibrations) or remember getting lost in listening booths — this one’s for you.
On 1 December 2005, South Africa’s Constitutional Court handed down a judgment that would forever change what love could look like under the law. The Civil Union Act — the first of its kind in Africa — gave same-sex couples the right to marry. But it didn’t happen quietly.
In this episode, we go back to the fierce national debate, the homophobia disguised as tradition, and the courage of ordinary citizens who demanded equality. With reflections from key political figures like Hlomane Chauke and rare archival audio from Justice Albie Sachs, we remember the long walk to legal love — and why the fight still matters.
🎧 This is Remember When... with Andile Ndlovu. A podcast about the moments that shaped us. Weekly episodes drop Wednesday and are available wherever you get your podcasts.
The recording of Justice Albie Sachs, “Same Sex Marriage Decision in South Africa,” dated 9 April 2013 is courtesy of the University of Chicago Law School.
UPDATE: The IPL will resume on 17 May 2025 - https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/c2kq085wg0do.amp
In 2009, just months before the soccer World Cup would put South Africa on the global stage, something wild happened: we hosted the entire Indian Premier League. Not a few matches — the whole damn tournament.
It was last-minute. It was chaotic. It was brilliant.
But behind the sixes, stadium fireworks, and Bollywood glamour was something else brewing: controversy, kickbacks, and cricket board politics that would soon explode — and eventually lead to a full-blown inquiry into Cricket South Africa (CSA).
In this episode, we relive the highs, question the legacy, and look at where CSA stands today — from the chaos of the Nicholson Report to the revival powered by the Betway SA20.
With clips, commentary, and one big question:
Did saving the IPL almost break South African cricket?
Clips courtesy of: Parliamentary Monitoring Group (pmg.org.za); Betway SA20/YouTube.
Voice featured:
- Chris Nenzani, CSA President (2013-2020)
- Pholetsi Moseki, CSA Chief Executive Officer (2021 - )
- Graeme Smith ( Betway SA20 Commissioner; former Proteas Test Captain)
Please subscribe and rate this podcast, it certainly helps.
In this episode, US screenwriter Richard Wesley joins host Andile Ndlovu to reflect on the making of the 1997 Showtime film “Mandela and De Klerk”, starring Sidney Poitier and Michael Caine — a production that remains one of the most debated depictions of South Africa's transition to democracy.
Wesley opens up about how he was approached to write the film, the research process he undertook, and what it meant to tell such a monumental story from abroad. He also addresses the backlash the film faced — particularly for being unauthorised and for casting foreign leads — and why, nearly 30 years later, the debate over who gets to tell Mandela’s story still resonates.
This is an episode about authorship, legacy, representation, and reckoning with history through art.
🎧 Topics Covered:
How Richard Wesley came to write Mandela and De Klerk
Meeting (or not meeting) Sidney Poitier and Michael Caine
The backlash from South African audiences and the ANC
Competing with Anant Singh’s “Long Walk to Freedom”
Why Wesley stands by his work — and what he might do differently today
Reflections on authorship and storytelling across borders
Listen now and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush
Please reach out via email: andile.1987@gmail.com
A quick one — I’m bringing back the podcast in a new way. If you’ve got a throwback, a pop culture memory, or a random nostalgic story, I want to hear it. Voice note me your “Remember when…” moment and I might turn it into a short episode. Details inside!
Also, please check out previous episodes!
ENJOY!
[Audio clip(s) courtesy: etv.co.za]
Please! Did you heat that amazing theme song? It brings back so many memories of evenings spent on the couch in front of the TV, watching eTV’s youth drama “Backstage”.
It's true, many of the guests who have appeared on this show are not always the most obvious or expected, but I went with a woman who, when things were falling apart both on-screen and behind the scenes at Backstage, embodied resilience and remained integral to the story.
Grace Mahlaba (now the Creative Producer of #etvScandal) played Ipeleng Theledi right from the get-go, leading the young, beautiful and talented students of Vulindlela College - a school for the performing arts. It was almost like our FAME or in more recent times, Netflix’s Tiny Pretty Things. These students were ambitious and desperate enough for success to go for it no matter the ramifications. That was the same on Backstage. It was written by Collin Oliphant, who was at Mfundi Vundla’s Morula Pictures, and it introduced us Bonnie Mbuli who, believe it or not, was making her acting debut as the super bitch “Zandi”, there was Katlego Danke (currently on Gomora), Dini Nondumo (who’s now Head of Commercial Insurance at Standard Insurance Limited), and KB Motsilanyane (whose music I’ve always loved).
Ipeleng ran Vulindlela with the help of Katlego Rathebe, Naomi Singh, and Charmaine Jacobs.
I spoke to Grace Mahlaba about making the move to Cape Town to join the show, the shocking deaths of cast mates, the disruption caused by lawsuits between eTV and the show’s producers which a ultimately saw the show move to Joburg, and when she knew it was time to go.
Enjoy!
HOW TO REACH ME:
Email: andile.1987@gmail.com
Twitter: @vida15
Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush
Some might argue that the Miss SA Teen pageant NEVER mattered, but don't forget that it gave us some queens who have gone on to make big waves in their respective careers. Sure, there have been some forgettable periods and winners, but the pageant also gave us Gina Athans, Phuti Khomo, Zizo Beda, and Celeste Khumalo.
The latter was the las winner of the Miss SA Teen pageant in 2011. We talked about how her reign brought with it some traumatic times - including the return of her estranged (read: opportunistic) father, untrustworthy sponsors, public criticism of her TV acting abilities, her businesses going bust, and how being under lockdown has helped her reassess her career goals.
This woman packed bags at Spar near her home while in high school, just so she could have cash for the Miss SA Teen 2008 pageant (she was a top 12 finalist and needed money for the trip and some clothes). Ultimately, she made top 5 that year - only to return to win it three years later.
I've also liked Celeste. I hope you like this episode.
Enjoy!
HOW TO REACH ME:
Email: andile.1987@gmail.com
Twitter: @vida15
Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush
Now, I don’t mean to attack the public broadcaster here, so please don’t misconstrue the point of this episode.
However, there was this period between 2004 and 2009 when it seemed like the commissioning editors there were suddenly made aware that queer people exist in this country and because of their mandate to reflect our society in all its divergent cultures and identities, there was an obvious gap in terms of the representation of queer people on its platforms.
So, June 2004 Yizo Yizo 3 gave us Thiza and Thabang fell in love in varsity. You may remember Thiza had previously been in a romantic relationship with high school sweetheart Hazel.
In December 2006, just after the newly passed law that made same-sex marriage legal in SA, Steve Stethakis and Luke got hitched.
Weeks later, Society (also on SABC 1) gave us lesbian romance between Beth and Thuli
Then they set tongues wagging when they introduced us to China, Bokang, and Hector- who were in a complex love triangle. It was the first series to deal with the controversial topic of black gay men living on the DL - that is keeping their gay identity separate from the rest of their lives - for fear of excommunication among other worries.
If that was controversial because of its homoerotic content, the country’s favourite prime time show at the time, Generations rattled cages further when Senzo and Jason fell in love and went on to get married.
I should mention that in 2008, eTV also gave us the brief story of Stone and Thula on Rhythm City - where the former loathed himself for kissing another man and even turned to physically abusing Thula, before hopelessly turning to the church to seek deliverance.
It would take a few years before InterSEXions had Two-Step and Sizwe, and Zabalaza on Mzansi Magic had Victoria and Mapule, among others.
I reached out to Emmanuel Castis, who played Steve Stethakis on Isidingo, and Sechaba Morojele, the creator of After 9 to talk about these two pioneering projects and how it impacted their respective careers.
Enjoy!
HOW TO REACH ME:
Email: andile.1987@gmail.com
Twitter: @vida15
Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush
Before we all became too cool for school, we all wanted to be part of the Soul Buddyz Club. No? Just me, then. But whether you joined the club or not, I'm certain you never missed an episode of Soul Buddyz on SABC 1. Hamilton (with those dreadlocks) being bullied. Thapelo losing his parents to AIDS and having to bring up his younger sister. Avril having to face the same uncle who used to sexually abused her when she was younger. But also, the tremendous camaraderie between the Buddyz. Are you kidding me? It was great TV!
I caught up with actor, Jafta Mamabolo (who played Thapelo) to talk about how this role solidified his dream of becoming a revered screen actor, being a child star, and how his career has played out since that breakout role.
Enjoy!
HOW TO REACH ME:
Email: andile.1987@gmail.com
Twitter: @vida15
Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush
In the inaugural season of the Castle Premier League (now known as the DStv Premiership), Gordon Igesund led Manning Rangers to the impossible dream: the league winners title. Previous winners of the league (then known as the National Soccer League First Division) included Cape Town Spurs, Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, and Mamelodi Sundowns - and the smart bet on the winner of the newly established competition would have been one of those clubs. But it was to be the team which had finished 12th in the season prior, which would shock all and sundry.
How did they do it?
George Koumantarakis, the man whose 17 goals helped Chatsworth-based Manning Rangers clinch the title that season, recalls how it all unfolded.
HOW TO REACH ME:
Email: andile.1987@gmail.com
Twitter: @vida15
Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush
The story goes that when Mam' Letta Mbulu and Bra Caiphus Semenya landed back in the country in 1991, after 26-years of being in exile in the United States, she was left saddened by the "lack of ubuntu" and living conditions she found her people living in. She soon hit the studio to work on a new album - Not Yet Uhuru.
She reflected on this, as well as her relationship with her life partner, and some of the current South African songstresses she enjoys.
Apologies for the inconsistencies in the sound - this was recorded VERY unconventionally.
Enjoy!
MUSIC FEATURED:
HOW TO REACH ME:
Email: andile.1987@gmail.com
Twitter: @vida15
Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush
It is 19 July, 1996 and it is the Summer Olympics! All eyes are on Atlanta, where 10, 318 athletes from 197 countries have descended on the capital city of the state of Georgia. South Africa, competing in only its second Games since readmission after a 32-year absence, sends 84 athletes. Only of them is a young Penny Heyns. Five days later, she beats Australian, Samantha Riley, and American, Amanda Beard to the 100m breaststroke gold medal. it is South Africa's first gold medal at the Games in over four decades. Another two days later, she bests Beard and wins the 200m breaststroke event. It is unheard of - no swimmer has gone on to win both individual breaststroke events at the same Games.
She became South Africa's darling. But why did it appear she had a love-hate relationship with swimming and being a celebrity, and are her victories really more enjoyable now than they were then?
HOW TO REACH ME:
Email: andile.1987@gmail.com
Twitter: @vida15
Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush
Remember When.... At the dawn of a new millennium, the media mogul, Simon Fuller (also known as the man who launched The Spice Girls) successfully launched TV singing competition Pop Idol in the UK (which produced Gareth Gates and eventual Season 1 winner, Will Young)? Not long after that, the franchise launched in South Africa, and put the power of turning ordinary people into singing stars in the public's hands. Now in its 16th season, the show has gone on to launch the careers of contestants including Heinz Winckler, Brendan October, Zamajobe, Bianca Le Grange, Anke Pietrangeli, Karin Kortje, Khaya Mthethwa, Elvis Blue, Lloyd Cele, Thami Shobede, and Jody Williams.
On public broadcaster, SABC 1, Coca Cola Popstars had just produced singing group, 101. The show tanked, but not before giving us Adilah, Ghetto Lingo, and the most successful group of the lot, Jamali!
I spoke to Heinz Winckler and Jacqui Carpede (of Jamali fame) about the emergence of reality TV singing competitions and what that did for their careers.
FEATURED MUSIC:
HOW TO REACH ME:
Email: andile.1987@gmail.com
Twitter: @vida15
Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush
How many of you were allowed to watch Yizo Yizo? I know I wasn't. In fact, I am pretty sure that for every household that watched it, there were two that didn't permit it. Of course, I always managed to sneak episodes at a friend's house. I recently rewatched the show - this time in the (dis)comfort of my own home -, and let's just say that as brilliant as it was, I get why it caused such a stir among parents and even Members of our Parliament!
I spoke to a fave of mine, award-winning Sthandiwe Kgoroge, who played the conscientious Miss Zoe Cele on the show, about her role, the social impact of the series - and what it's like rewatching Yizo Yizo with her kids now.
HOW TO REACH ME:
Email: andile.1987@gmail.com
Twitter: @vida15
Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush
If this podcast was an album, it would undoubtedly be Rihanna's R9. It's been in the works - at least the idea - for SO long that even I almost got over it. But just like we've had to dig through Robyn Fenty's back catalogue and reminisce, this podcast is similarly ALL NOSTALGIA!
I'm really going to be exposing my age here, but a lot of the interviews and topics on this podcast will celebrate people whose feats enriched and entertained us over the years - so, from sports to arts and entertainment and culture. You will hear from people who inspired me growing up (and perhaps you), and altered my worldview or ideas about what was possible.
If it sounds a little indulgent on my part, I'm sorry, but... it is MY podcast ;-)
HOW TO REACH ME:
Email: andile.1987@gmail.com
Twitter: @vida15
Instagram: @phuckyoairbrush
