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nothing works but the people

nothing works but the people

Written by: Pheladi Sethusa
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About this listen

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.

Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
Episodes
  • the thin advice between life and death
    Apr 22 2026

    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

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    47 mins
  • brewed and battered
    Apr 15 2026

    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
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    48 mins
  • snip snip, chop chop
    Apr 8 2026

    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
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
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