On The Beaten Track

On The Beaten Path Pod
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Join us on "On The Beaten Track Pod," where we delve into the rich tapestry of stories from South Africa and beyond. Born out of a passion for storytelling during the COVID era, this podcast explores the narratives of family, community, and history that have shaped us. Each episode, released every Thursday, offers a deep dive into personal and shared stories, aiming to preserve and celebrate the voices that might otherwise be lost to time. Let's share our stories together and keep the tradition of storytelling alive.

  1. 4d ago

    Not One More - Gender Based Violence in South Africa

    South Africa’s gender-based violence crisis is no longer abstract—it has names, faces, timelines, and a body count that should terrify every listener. Rehana Levesque turns an emergency recording into a hard-hitting, deeply personal account of the Kempton Park killings and the wider pattern of femicide that keeps repeating across the country. What begins as a response to the latest wave of outrage becomes something much bigger: a reckoning with how quickly public panic, police warnings, and victim-blaming can replace real protection. Rehana breaks down the timeline behind the Kempton Park case, explains why the official response enraged so many people, and shows how easy it is for institutions to shift the burden of safety onto women instead of stopping perpetrators. You’ll hear: The sequence of events that turned the Kempton Park case into a national flashpointWhy the SAPS warning to women and girls sparked fury instead of reassuranceThe scale of gender-based violence in South Africa, from murder and rape statistics to reporting gaps and contradictory police numbersThe real-world barriers survivors face when trying to report abuseWhy so many women never get justice, even when their cases make headlinesRehana also walks through a painful line of South African cases that have become symbols of the crisis, including Alison Botha, Lee Matthews, Frances Rasuge, Anene Booysen, Uyinene Mrwetyana, Tshegofatso Pule, Nosicelo Mtebeni, Karabo Mokoena, and others whose stories still shape public grief and outrage. These are not just tragedies from the past—they are evidence of a system that keeps failing the women it is meant to protect. This episode is for anyone who wants to understand why South Africans are exhausted, angry, and demanding action instead of platitudes. It is a necessary listen if you care about justice, public safety, and what happens when a country keeps saying “be vigilant” while women keep dying.  KEYWORDS South Africa, gender-based violence, femicide, systemic issues, activism, police failure, public safety, social justice KEY TOPICS Systemic gender-based violence in South Africa Recent femicide cases and their societal impact Police and government response failures Barriers to reporting and justice for survivors The role of activism and community efforts Data and statistics on violence against women Personal stories highlighting systemic issues The need for sustained action and accountability   CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction: Addressing the Gender Violence Crisis in South Africa 02:03 The Kempston Park Killings: A Growing Tragedy 04:01 Public Panic and Police Response Failures 06:58 The Systemic Nature of Gender-Based Violence 10:01 Data and Statistics: The Scale of the Crisis 13:03 Barriers to Reporting and Justice 16:03 Personal Stories of Victims and Survivors 19:54 Names and Faces: Remembering the Victims 24:58 The Role of Community and Activism 30:06 Calls for Action and Accountability 34:54 The Future: What Needs to Change?

    Not One More - Gender Based Violence in South Africa

  2. Sep 10

    Thamsanqa Robert Zani: The Unsung Organiser

    This episode explores the life and legacy of Thamsanqa Robert Zani, a pivotal yet underrecognized figure in the Black Consciousness Movement and South African liberation history. We delve into his role during critical moments of resistance, his operational leadership, and the gaps in historical records about his life and death. KEYWORDS South African history, Black Consciousness Movement, Thamsanqa Zani, SASO, BPC, apartheid resistance, liberation movements, political activism, archival gaps KEY TOPICS Thamsanqa Zani's role in SASO and BPC during apartheid The strategic vision for unifying South African liberation movements Operational leadership under repression and bans The gaps in historical records about Zani's life and death The importance of operational figures in liberation movements CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Thamsanqa Zani and his significance 00:05 Zani's leadership during the banning of BCM leaders in 1973 00:13 The resilience of SASO and BPC under pressure 00:33 Zani's role in maintaining organizational continuity 00:43 The strategic vision for unifying liberation movements 01:05 The secrecy and trust within the inner circle 01:26 The impact of Black Wednesday and Zani's detention 01:43 The gaps in historical records about Zani's death 01:46 The importance of operational figures in history 02:01 Call for information and closing remarks

    Thamsanqa Robert Zani: The Unsung Organiser

  3. Sep 3

    Rick Turner: The Eye of the Needle

    The apartheid state called Rick Turner the most dangerous man in South Africa - because he argued that real freedom means power, dignity, and participation, not just a change of government. This episode traces how a white philosophy lecturer from a fruit farm in Stellenbosch became one of the sharpest threats to apartheid, and why his ideas still feel unsettlingly relevant today. Rehana Levesque follows Turner's journey from Cape Town and the University of Cape Town to the Sorbonne in Paris, where French existentialism, Marxism, and the New Left reshaped his politics. She unpacks how Turner returned to South Africa with a radical framework for justice, then found himself in Durban at the canter of Black Consciousness, labour organizing, and some of the most important political upheaval of the era. You'll discover why The Eye of the Needle terrified the government, how Turner redefined participatory democracy, and why he insisted that removing apartheid was only the beginning. The episode breaks down his most confronting ideas about inequality, economic redistribution, and the danger of confusing what is “realistic” with what is merely familiar. Rehana also explores Turner’s close relationship with Steve Biko, his role as a bridge between students and the emerging labour movement, the banning order that tried to erase him, and the assassination that left his case unsolved for decades. Along the way, she connects Turner's arguments to South Africa today, asking what freedom really means when power stays concentrated and inequality survives the political transition. This is essential listening if you care about South African history, Black Consciousness, anti-apartheid resistance, political philosophy, or the unfinished work of democracy. Rick Turner’s life is a reminder that ideas can outlive repression - and that the hardest questions are usually the ones history keeps forcing us to ask. Summary This episode explores the life and ideas of Rick Turner, a South African philosopher whose work challenged apartheid and envisioned a participatory democracy. We discuss his influence, the circumstances of his death, and the relevance of his ideas today. Keywords Rick Turner, South Africa, apartheid, philosophy, participatory democracy, black consciousness, labour movement, political philosophy, social justice, history key topics Rick Turner's early life and education His involvement with the anti-apartheid movement The influence of French existentialism and Marxism His relationship with Steve Biko and black consciousness The publication and impact of The Eye of the Needle His activism during banning years and assassination The relevance of his ideas in contemporary society Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Rick Turner's Life and Impact 02:22 Turner's Early Life and Education in South Africa 04:12 Turner's Political Awakening and Move to France 07:56 Return to South Africa and Engagement with Biko 12:00 The Publication of The Eye of the Needle 19:30 Turner's Utopian Thinking and Political Philosophy 28:36 The Circumstances of Turner's Death 30:26 Legacy and Relevance of Turner's Ideas Today

    Rick Turner: The Eye of the Needle

  4. Aug 27

    SASO 9: Part 2

    SUMMARY This episode explores the lives and legacies of key figures in the South African anti-apartheid movement, focusing on their contributions, struggles, and ongoing impact. It highlights the importance of community, resilience, and the enduring spirit of activism. KEYWORDS South Africa, anti-apartheid, SASO, Robben Island, activism, black consciousness, political prisoners, community development, history, leadership KEY TOPICS The life and activism of Nefolovhodwe and the SASO 9 The role of Black Consciousness Movement in anti-apartheid struggle The significance of Robben Island in shaping political leaders Post-release careers of South African activists in politics, trade unions, and community development The importance of community rebuilding and ongoing activism in post-apartheid South Africa

    SASO 9: Part 2

  5. Aug 20

    SASO 9 – Turning Repression into A Platform

    Nine names. One trial. And a story the apartheid state hoped would disappear. Rehana Levesque turns the spotlight on the lesser-told members of the SASO Nine, tracing how six Black Consciousness activists were swept into the longest political trial in South African history, sent to Robben Island, and then carried their fight back into communities, unions, parliament, advertising, and global scouting. You’ll discover how the Viva FRELIMO rallies became a turning point, why Steve Biko’s testimony in Pretoria mattered so much, and what happened to men like Aubrey Mokoape, Muntu Myeza, Pandelani Nefolovhodwe, Nkwenkwe Nkomo, Gilbert Kaborone Sedibe, and Zithulele Cindi after prison. Some became doctors, organizers, lawmakers, and public leaders. One life ended in circumstances that still raise questions. One remains frustratingly hard to trace, which tells its own story about how history gets remembered. Rehana breaks down the political stakes behind the trial, the role of black consciousness in shaping resistance, and the stubborn conviction that liberation had to mean more than winning power. It had to mean rebuilding dignity, service, and community from the ground up. If you care about South African history, Black Consciousness, or the people whose names shaped the struggle but never got the full spotlight, this episode is essential listening. KEYWORDS South Africa, apartheid, black consciousness, SASO, Steve Biko, Muntu Myeza, activism, history, resistance, democracy KEY TOPICS South African anti-apartheid movement Key figures: Steve Biko, Aubrey Mokoape, Muntu Myeza The SASO trial and political imprisonment Legacy of resistance and activism Historical context of apartheid and democracy Chapters 00:00 Introduction and personal reflections on the journey 03:19 Overview of season two and historical themes 05:30 The struggle leading to the first democratic elections 07:02 The SASO Nine and their stories 09:36 Aubrey Mokoape's life and legacy 12:16 Muntu Myeza's contributions and mysterious death 17:14 Commemoration and ongoing legacy 18:22 Conclusion and next steps for the series

    SASO 9 – Turning Repression into A Platform

  6. Jul 23

    Terror Lekota - The Builder

    The conversation delves into the life and political journey of Mosewa Gerard Patrick Lekota, highlighting his defiance against racial oppression, early activism, transition to the ANC, and the formation of COPE. It explores his legacy and impact on South African politics, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to building a better country for future generations. Takeaways Defiance against racial oppressionPolitical journey and activismLegacy and impact Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Patrick Lekota's Life and Impact 01:07 Lekota's Early Life and Education in South Africa 08:22 Joining SASO and the Black Consciousness Movement 09:40 Expulsion from University and Rise in Activism 10:40 Arrest and Trial in the SASO BPC Trial 14:39 Robben Island and Mandela's Connection 16:53 Ideological Journey: BCM to Non-Racialism 21:34 Release and Role in the UDF 29:23 Post-Apartheid Leadership and Reforms 33:29 Departure from ANC and Formation of COPE 38:19 Later Life, Legacy, and Death

    Terror Lekota - The Builder

  7. Jul 9

    Saths Cooper: Psychology as a Liberation Tool

    Join us as we uncover the remarkable story of Saths Cooper, a key figure in South Africa's liberation struggle. Learn how he transformed psychology from a tool of oppression to one of empowerment, and how his legacy continues to inspire change. #history #legend #activism #Empowerment #Change KEYWORDS Saths Cooper, South Africa, Robben Island, psychology, anti-apartheid, social justice, leadership, human rights, African liberation, psychological liberation KEY TOPICS Saths Cooper's early life and imprisonment on Robben IslandThe role of psychology in apartheid South AfricaCooper's transition from prisoner to global leader in psychologyThe intersection of psychology, human rights, and social justiceThe evolution of anti-apartheid activism post-releaseCHAPTERS 00:00Introduction to Sathasivan Cooper 00:10Robben Island 05:06Post incarceration 11:21Cooper in the new South Africa 15:47Legacy and Continuing work

    Saths Cooper: Psychology as a Liberation Tool

  8. Jul 2

    Saths Cooper: The Mind That Would Not Yield

    Saths Cooper's journey from childhood to imprisonment on Robben Island is a testament to his role in the Black Consciousness Movement and his enduring commitment to the struggle against apartheid. His early life, education, political activism, and imprisonment reflect the resilience and determination of a remarkable leader. Takeaways Multilingual upbringing shaped Saths Cooper's worldviewSaths Cooper's role in the Black Consciousness Movement and his imprisonment on Robben Island are significant chapters in South African history Chapters 00:00 Early Life and Multilingual Upbringing08:25 University and Political Engagement15:10 Cultural and Political Activism24:22 Banning and House Arrest31:03 The SASO Nine Trial37:07 Imprisonment on Robben Island

    Saths Cooper: The Mind That Would Not Yield
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About

Join us on "On The Beaten Track Pod," where we delve into the rich tapestry of stories from South Africa and beyond. Born out of a passion for storytelling during the COVID era, this podcast explores the narratives of family, community, and history that have shaped us. Each episode, released every Thursday, offers a deep dive into personal and shared stories, aiming to preserve and celebrate the voices that might otherwise be lost to time. Let's share our stories together and keep the tradition of storytelling alive.

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  • Creator
    On The Beaten Path Pod
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 On The Beaten Path Pod
  • Show Website
    On The Beaten Track