nothing works but the people

Pheladi Sethusa
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Weekly

A narrative podcast about work and workers in South Africa. The precarity, minutiae and beauty of spending a shift in the shoes of some of the people foundational to this country's functioning. By peeking into the window that is their daily routines, we glean the extent to which the country's past, present and future plays an active role in their reality. A show made in collaboration with the people and hosted by Pheladi Sethusa. 

Episodes

  1. the team unpacks on workers day

    May 1 ·  Bonus

    the team unpacks on workers day

    As the world observes and celebrates Internaltional Workers Day on May 1, 2026 – we take the opportunity to take stock of the season that was in a bonus episode. Co-producer, Kabir Jugram and host, Pheladi Sethusa speak about the work they do, the origins of ‘nothing works but the people’, reflect on the modern world of work and producing the first season together.   Show Notes: Host: Pheladi Sethusa Producer: Kabir Jugram Editing, writing and sound design: Pheladi Sethusa Graphic design: Mutsa Katsidzira Theme music: Trench Work by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY Additional music: Hanami Matsuri (花見祭り) by Fabian Measures, Free Music Archive, CC BY Additional sound: Crying by freesound-community on Pixabay This series is a Showing Shortly production. Sources cited in the episode and additional reading: 12 Last Songs Notes on Surviving Trump by Sisonke Msimang International Workers Day The history of MayDay in South Africa The Pod Place Radio Workshop

    37 min

  2. Apr 22

    the thin advice between life and death

    We’ve talked a lot about money this season, everything from how much people make to how they go about making more. In this sixth and final episode for this season, we speak to the people who help you manage the money you do have, safeguard it and grow it – financial advisors. They fall under the financial services sector and their work goes way beyond the sales component most of us are familiar with.   Show Notes: Host: Pheladi Sethusa Producer: Kabir Jugram Editing, writing and sound design: Pheladi Sethusa Graphic design: Mutsa Katsidzira Theme music: Trench Work by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY Additional music: Work by Steve Combs, Free Music Archive, CC BY This series is a Showing Shortly production and made possible thanks to grant funding from Africa No Filter and forms part of the Work Reimagined Storylab. Another big thanks to our publishing partners, the Currency News.   Sources cited in the episode:   Statistics South Africa Quarterly Labour Force Survey The value of financial planning – Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa How unequal is South Africa – Stats SA The risks of being underinsured - PSG Sheila-Ann Robey

    47 min
  3. brewed and battered

    Apr 15

    brewed and battered

    According to research, South Africans are the fifth highest guzzlers of beer in the world, with the average drinker consuming an average of 30 litres of the golden stuff per year. In metros like Joburg, craft beers are slowly overtaking demand. In this episode, we take a slight shift in form to tell a truly extraordinary tale of one brewmaster's almost 20 year journey in the industry. Someone who has had a hand in creating some of the country's most renowned craft beers. His special recipes won awards but also led to betrayal more than once, but he refuses to be deterred and has just helped launch a raft of new brews taking the inner city by storm.     Show Notes: Host: Pheladi Sethusa Producer: Kabir Jugram Editing, writing and sound design: Pheladi Sethusa Graphic design: Mutsa Katsidzira Theme music: Trench Work by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY Additional music: A je to by Paweł Feszczuk, Free Music Archive, CC BY; Reflection Documentary Background by Jake Hunter, Free Music Archive, CC BY Additional sound effects: Freesound_Community, Pixabay, CC BY This series is a Showing Shortly production and made possible thanks to grant funding from Africa No Filter and forms part of the Work Reimagined Storylab. Another big thanks to our publishing partners, the Currency News. Find all of our episodes here and contact the host on: pheladi@whowingshortly.com    Sources cited in the episode: Statistics South Africa Quarterly Labour Force Survey Adebiyi BO, Mukumbang FC. Alcohol ban during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: Lessons for preventing foetal alcohol spectrum disorder in South Africa. Festive alcohol trends – Eighty20 Modelling the impact of beer excise taxes on consumption and revenue in South Africa (Policy Brief) South African Beer Market Craft brewing - Agribook Deadly drinks: A call for public awareness on the dangers of impure alcoholic beverages – University of Pretoria

    48 min

  4. Apr 8

    snip snip, chop chop

    They say the relationship between one’s hair stylist is one of the most sacred and intimate bonds one can develop. More than just a place for personal grooming, sitting in a salon chair is a place of unburdening and vulnerability for both parties. In episode four of nothing works but the people, a hairdresser and barber share their workspace and workings with us.   Show Notes: Host: Pheladi Sethusa Producer: Kabir Jugram Editing, writing and sound design: Pheladi Sethusa Graphic design: Mutsa Katsidzira Theme music: Trench Work by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY This series is a Showing Shortly production and made possible thanks to grant funding from Africa No Filter and forms part of the Work Reimagined Storylab. Another big thanks to our publishing partners, the Currency News.   Additional readings and sources cited in the episode. Statistics South Africa Quarterly Labour Force Survey National Bargaining Council – Collective Agreements Grand National Hair The Legendary Barber The comparison of hairdresser-customer communication: The analysis of communication themes in barbershops The economics of hair dressing

    35 min
  5. hop on, hop off

    Apr 1

    hop on, hop off

    South Africans are listed among some of the world’s earliest risers – a direct consequence and hangover of Apartheid spatial planning. While public transit routes remain limited and oversubscribed, millions rely heavily on predictable and reliable public transport. In this episode, we ride along with bus drivers, as they usher commuters to and from work.   Show Notes: Host: Pheladi Sethusa Producer: Kabir Jugram Editing, writing and sound design: Pheladi Sethusa Graphic design: Mutsa Katsidzira Theme music: Trench Work by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY This series is a Showing Shortly production and made possible thanks to grant funding from Africa No Filter and forms part of the Work Reimagined Storylab. Another big thanks to our publishing partners, the Currency News.   Additional readings and sources cited in the episode. SALGA - The SA consumer Statistics South Africa Quarterly Employment Statistics World Population Review – Average Wake Up Time Statistics South Africa Quarterly Labour Force Survey Living Wage South Africa

    26 min

  6. Mar 25

    the hustle and hassle of teaching

    In this episode, a profession that falls under the broad umbrella of community and social services. Education is this week’s focus, and such, teachers will be the engine for our 32 minute journey. We follow a private and public school educator over the course of a day. As we move from class to class, we get a unique and intimate insight into the challenges and glimmers that come with being a teacher in the hypermodern age.   Show Notes: Host: Pheladi Sethusa Producer: Kabir Jugram Editing, writing and sound design: Pheladi Sethusa Graphic design: Mutsa Katsidzira Theme music: Trench Work by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY Additional music: Serge’s Theme Pt 1 by Robert Blumenau , Free Music Archive, CC BY This series is a Showing Shortly production and made possible thanks to grant funding from Africa No Filter and forms part of the Work Reimagined Storylab. Another big thanks to our publishing partners, the Currency News.   Additional readings and sources cited in the episode. NAPTOSA salary scales Statistics South Africa Quarterly Labour Force Survey Living Wage South Africa

    32 min
  7. same same but different

    Mar 18

    same same but different

    The built environment is one of the few industries within the formal sector that has seen some growth in the last few months. But like all industries, construction is complex, and its growth is uneven. This episode follows the chaotic days, mostly on the road, of two architects who own and manage their own firms in Johannesburg. While their projects range from niche ones like cat cafés to everyday house renovations, their daily realities of being sent from pillar to post, endless admin, and racking up kilometres on the road are both endearing and illuminating. Join us as we journey with Steven Sotiriou from Urban Signature Architects and Sisikelele Mlambisa from Imvelo Studios, through one day in their lives.   Show Notes: Host: Pheladi Sethusa Producer: Kabir Jugram Editing, writing and sound design: Pheladi Sethusa Graphic design: Mutsa Katsidzira Theme music: Trench Work by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY Additional music: Hanami Matsuri (花見祭り) by Fabian Measures, Free Music Archive, CC BY This series is a Showing Shortly production and made possible thanks to grant funding from Africa No Filter and forms part of the Work Reimagined Storylab. Another big thanks to our publishing partners, the Currency News.   If you want to fall further into the rabbit hole: Steven Sotiriou, Urban Signature Architects Sisikelele Mlambisa, Imvelo Studios Pretoria Institute for Architecture survey South African Council for the Architectural Profession fee calculator Guideline for professional fees Statistics South Africa Quarterly Labour Force Survey

    34 min

  8. Season 1 Trailer

    Season 1 Trailer

    At a time when workers the world over are being told that their jobs are two minutes away from redundancy thanks to AI, this podcast highlights the necessity of humanity and our labour. Nothing works, but the people - a statement of fact and an ode to the value of our collective labour. Journey with us as we spend real time with people at work, people using their hands, minds and hearts to add value to their own and others' lives.  Show Notes:  Host: Pheladi Sethusa Producer: Kabir Jugram Editing, writing and sound design: Pheladi Sethusa Graphic design: Mutsa Katsidzira Theme music: Trench Work by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY   This series is a Showing Shortly production and made possible thanks to grant funding from Africa No Filter and forms part of the Work Reimagined Storylab. Another big thanks to our publishing partners, the Currency News. Listen to us wherever you get your podcats and follow us on Instagram @nothingworksbutthepeoplepod so you don't miss any new episodes and any bonus posts.

    3 min

Trailer

About

A narrative podcast about work and workers in South Africa. The precarity, minutiae and beauty of spending a shift in the shoes of some of the people foundational to this country's functioning. By peeking into the window that is their daily routines, we glean the extent to which the country's past, present and future plays an active role in their reality. A show made in collaboration with the people and hosted by Pheladi Sethusa. 

Information

  • Creator
    Pheladi Sethusa
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    nothing works but the people