The workplace can be a difficult place to navigate even for the most seasoned professionals so imagine navigating it as a small business owner, graduate or first time manager. People Matters by Shiluvah is the conversations we should all be having about the workplace - the serious, the witty and everything in between.
Bullying at Work, Power Dynamics, and Psychological Safety
Host Kulani Shiluvane speaks with Mabore Sithole in this episode about workplace bullying, power dynamics, and psychological safety.
28 Jul 2026
Men, Mental Health, and the Pressure in the Modern Workplace
In the first episode of People Matters by Shiluvah, we tackle some of the country's most debated workplace issues. We explore whether South African youth are truly employable, the widening gap between education and industry, and the role employers must play in developing future talent. We also unpack the realities of Gen Z in today's workplace, ask whether interviews should be conducted in candidates' mother tongue to create a fairer recruitment process, discuss how networking and connections influence employment opportunities, and challenge the perception that South Africans are "lazy" by examining the facts behind the stereotype. This is an honest, thought-provoking conversation that challenges conventional thinking and encourages employers, HR professionals, business leaders and young professionals to rethink the future of work in South Africa. Join the conversation and let us know your thoughts in the comments. Do you agree, disagree, or see the issue differently? Catch up with us on our socials: LinkedIn: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/message Website: https://www.shiluvah.co.za/
29 Jun 2026
Youth Unemployment in South Africa: Skills Gap, Hiring Bias, and How Young People Can Break Through
This episode is for young South Africans navigating a frustrating job market, and for the HR professionals, hiring managers, and business leaders whose decisions shape that market. Host Kulani Shiluvane and 18-year HR veteran Boniwe Dunster have an honest, practical conversation about why youth unemployment persists - and what individuals on both sides of the interview table can do about it right now.
Boniwe breaks down whether South Africa has a skills problem, an employability problem, or both - and names who is actually responsible for bridging the gap between higher education and the workplace. She challenges the assumption that corporates are blameless, and calls out the institutional failures running from foundation phase schooling all the way through to university.
The conversation covers concrete, actionable advice for job-seekers: why you should never limit yourself to your degree stream, how to reframe university life as real work experience, why belonging to a professional body matters even as a student, and how to apply strategically without burning out. Boniwe also reframes networking - separating intentional relationship-building from simply showing up for the vibes.
Deeper structural issues get named directly: unconscious bias in hiring panels, the similarity bias that advantages candidates who look and sound like their interviewers, the generational tensions between Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z in the workplace, and the contradiction between youth unemployment policy and proposals to extend the retirement age. The episode ends with a firm rebuttal of the narrative that South Africans are lazy - and a call to give young people the opportunity to prove it.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Why Youth Unemployment Matters
01:17 Skills Mismatch or Employability Crisis - What Is It Really?
03:24 Who Bears Responsibility for Bridging the Gap?
06:15 Communication Skills and Confidence - The Hidden Barrier
09:13 Mother Tongue Interviews and Cultural Nuance in Hiring
13:29 Language Bias and How English Gatekeeps Opportunity
15:26 Top Advice for Young Job-Seekers in a Tough Market
19:50 Professional Bodies and Continuous Development
23:08 Gen Z in the Workplace - Problem or Scapegoat?
26:56 The Manager's Responsibility Beyond KPIs
29:00 Recognising and Overcoming Unconscious Bias
34:56 Connections vs. Networks - Demystifying How Jobs Are Found
42:12 Are South Africans Lazy - Setting the Record Straight
47:36 Retirement Age Extension and the Youth Unemployment Contradiction
51:12 Closing Advice and How to Reach Boniwe
1 Apr 2024
SMME Talent Acquisition - the Recruiter with Bella Ngwenya
Limited resources, fierce competition, and the need for creative solutions all come into play for SMME talent acquisition.
In this episode we talk to Bella Ngwenya about how SMMs can better navigate talent acquisition and retention.
19 Mar 2024
Mental Health @Work with Clementine Dlamini
Mental health is no longer a “private” issue and now more than ever employers have a responsibility to safeguard the mental and emotional wellbeing of their people.
In this episode Clementine Dlamini and I explore how employers can better navigate issues around mental health @work.
28 Feb 2024
HR Is Your Friend with Boniwe Dunster
We have all heard the phrase HR isn’t your friend - but is that really the case? In this episode, Boniwe Dunster helps us better understand the role of HR within the organisation and the conclusion: HR is your friend.
28 Jun 2023
Leave: SA Labour Law vs SA Cultural Realities with Nomonde Gxilishe
Does leave need to be culturally appropriate?
In this episode, Nomonde Gxilishe and I discuss all things leave allowances for South African employees and how we can do better in ensuring that we practice greater equity in this area.
14 Jun 2023
Building a Team as a Small Business Owner with Buyi Mafoko
Start a business they said, it will be fun they said…
Is it really?
In this episode, we discuss the journey of building and leading a team with Buyi Mafoko.
24 May 2023
M’jolo @Work with Nomvula Buthelezi
This episode is about m’jolo love and relationships in the workplace - to date or not to date at work, that is the question.
3 May 2023
Bullying and Victimisation with Awande Mabaso
In this episode, we delve into a topic we don’t talk about enough: workplace bullying and victimisation.
We'll be diving into the causes and consequences of bullying, discussing some of the latest research on the topic, and exploring potential solutions to this pervasive problem.
Awande will share some of her first-hand experiences and stories shedding light on this important issue.
29 Mar 2023
People Matters By Shiluvah (Trailer)
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