nothing works but the people

About nothing works but the people

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.

Publisher

Pheladi Sethusa

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Mar 2026

Latest episode

10 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

9 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Jun 2026

   people power

   After two years of unmet promises of renewal and sweeping change by the elected Government of National Unity (GNU) in South Africa, some citizens are ready to take matters into their own hands to ensure accountable governance. A landmark citizens perceptions and expectations survey conducted in 2025, revealed that not only do people know what things are keeping them from accessing their basic needs, but also how they can better wield their individual and collective power to ensure them. This episode unpacks the town hall meeting in which the survey findings were discussed and meaningfully built upon to empower participants across the country, ahead of a pivotal local government election in a few months. This episode was created in collaboration with PlanAct, Act Ubumbano and the SIVIO Institute. It is another showing shortly production. Show Notes: Host, producer and editor: Pheladi Sethusa Junior producers: Siyanda Mthethwa and Salim Nkosi Guests: Ambani Sandani, Albert Mkhabela, Mondli Mabuza and Eddah Jowah Sponsors: PlanAct, Act Ubumbano and the SIVIO Institute Music: The Fight is Over by Kirk Osamayo, Free Music Archive, CC BY; Step by Cyrus, Free Music Archive, CC BY Resources: Citizens Perceptions and Expectation Survey 2025 (South Africa) The SIVIO Institute Planact Act Ubumbano

2. 

   1 May 2026

   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

3. 

   22 Apr 2026

   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

4. 

   15 Apr 2026

   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

5. 

   8 Apr 2026

   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

6. 

   1 Apr 2026

   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

7. 

   25 Mar 2026

   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

8. 

   18 Mar 2026

   same same but different

   Architects play a pivotal role in the construction process, and their daily hustle is far from just drawing. They are hands-on and handle everything from HR to their own marketing.

9. 

   12 Mar 2026

   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 SethusaProducer: Kabir JugramEditing, writing and sound design: Pheladi SethusaGraphic design: Mutsa KatsidziraTheme 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.

Contact nothing works but the people

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.