Deutsche Welle Don't hold back: say it loud!

Don't hold back: say it loud!

Money, sex, relationships, addiction, careers and more! Young South Africans chat openly and frankly about their experiences in these podcasts hosted by Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba.

Imagine if there was a place where everyone could open up about their experiences. That's what “Don't hold back” is all about! Young South Africans chat frankly about everything from their struggle with finances and substance abuse to toxic relationships and choosing the right career.

Life feels lighter when you can listen and learn from other people's experiences.

Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba is an award-winning South African content creator, author and HIV activist. Join her as she chats and tries out new food with a different guest in each monthly episode.

Tune in on our RSS Feed or your favorite podcast platform. Also, leave us a comment on our social media channels!

This show is a collaboration between DW and leading South African radio stations, Jacaranda FM and East Coast Radio.
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23 Episodes
1 – 20

Former Miss SA: Anxiety once 'paralyzed' me

Did you know that former Miss South Africa Shudufhadzo ‘Shudu’ Musida only entered the competition to fulfill a promise to a friend? For our season two finale, host Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba talks to Shudu about how getting a grip on her mental health literally helped her achieve her potential. We also…
9 Jul 41 min

Fighting an invisible enemy

Imagine living with a disease that means you cannot eat most foods, keeps you out of school, blemishes your skin and forces you to move cities - but no one has a cure, and some doctors don't even believe you. This is the story of Princess Mahogo, a young South…
11 Jun 24 min

Why your vote could decide SA's election

Not since 1994 has there been this much hype for a South African election! And young people may swing the outcome, despite many expressing apathy and gloom at South Africa's current state. Renowned political scientist Dr. Sithembile Mbete tells Don't Hold Back host Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba exactly why every single vote…
14 May 30 min

Fighting back against cyberbullies (Emma Sadleir)

For lawyer Emma Sadleir, there are tough cases, and then there are cyberbullying cases. The growing trend is victims are getting younger, and perpetrators are harder to catch. Not even host Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba is safe, but Emma - an expert on social media law - has some tips for her…
12 Mar 32 min

Unmasking men's mental health battles (Seth Pimentel)

In this episode of 'Don't Hold Back', host Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba engages in a compelling conversation with South African artist Seth Pimentel about his journey with mental health and art. Seth shares his experiences with Bipolar, which involved being misdiagnosed and taking the wrong medication in his early twenties. Seth says…
13 Feb 22 min

Why AI won't steal your job just yet

We invented tech to make our lives easier, not replace us! And with the development of AI, our lives are already impacted. But by how much? Futurist Graeme Codrington gives Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba the hard facts, and brings a very soft dessert. They also talk about the South African elections; change;…
16 Jan 29 min

Why SA's sporting heroes are changemakers (BONUS HOLIDAY EPISODE)

Maphuti Hlako might be the biggest fan of South African athletes. She travels the world with the nation's top sportsmen and women and is one of the few South African women in the male-dominated business to launch her own communications company focusing on Sports PR. In this lively talk with…
19 Dec 2023 24 min

Meet South Africa’s TikTok Queen

What began as a way to pass time during COVID-19 lockdowns has become a calling card for Tumi Mmope: she's now an award-winning TikToker and content creator. And it all started with her local neighbourhood WhatsApp chat group. Tumi, better know as ‘Tums the Narrator’ won the DStv Content Creator…
12 Dec 2023 22 min

Huge pressure on new moms to 'be perfect'

Content creator, author, HIV activist, and "Don't Hold Back" podcast host, Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba, is a new mother, and she was taken aback by the sudden highs and lows of this new journey. Many young women fight a silent battle against postpartum depression. To help break the stigma surrounding the so-called…
28 Nov 2023 33 min

Stop apologising for changing jobs! - Mzamo Masito

Google's CMO Africa, Mzamo Masito, went from fighting to make ends meet to being a South African captain of industry - but his journey is littered with battles and second-guessing. Not what you'd expect from a high-flying executive. He tells Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba why young South Africans should NOT idolise Elon…
14 Nov 2023 40 min

Black Tax and how to deal with it

In our season finale, Nozibele tackles Black Tax: what it means, why it’s a taboo topic, and how to navigate it in families. Nozi holds a frank discussion with an extra-special guest, her husband Skhu Mayaba, which allows listeners a unique insight into how Black Tax impacts relationships from friends…
28 Feb 2023 28 min

Breaking Barriers: From Disney to Nandos to leading Jacaranda FM

Managing a top business is difficult... doing it several times over with different companies is even tougher. What does it take? In the latest episode of ‘Don’t Hold Back’, Managing Director of Jacaranda FM Deirdre King tells her remarkable story of how she shattered the glass ceiling as a woman…
31 Jan 2023 22 min

Changing the narrative on living (and loving) with HIV: Saidy Brown

Dating is tricky at the best of times - but can love conquer all, even the complications around a positive HIV status? In this episode, HIV/AIDS activist and digital creator Saidy Brown shares her story, and her experience on living with HIV, including navigating love, dating and how to reveal…
6 Dec 2022 26 min

Can Western psychology and traditional healing co-exist?

How do we know what our calling is, and what do we listen for? Clinical psychologist and traditional healer Anele Siswana has had to answer this question many times over his remarkable, groundbreaking career. From combining both African traditional spirituality with Western clinical psychology, to almost becoming a Christian pastor…
8 Nov 2022 32 min

How to make your money work for you

We all want to be millionaires... or at the very least have enough money to get by! Unfortunately, that's mostly easier said than done. Host Nozibele Qamngana Mayaba chats to Johannesburg Wealth Strategist Bronson Friedman, who lets us in on a few secrets on how you can you save and…
12 Oct 2022 23 min

Are you in a toxic relationship?

Acclaimed author and energy healer Kagiso Msimango lays out how we can manage toxic relationships without hurting ourselves. She sits down with Don't Hold Back host Nozibele Qamngana Mayaba over the customary snack and reveals how we often still have control over our lives, even if all seems lost.
14 Sep 2022 33 min

‘Sport gave me back my mental health’

Sports coach and mentor Patience Ramavhale battled mental illness from a young age, abused by a parent. Her first suicide attempt was when she was in Grade 2. It was her love for sport and passion for coaching that saw her triumph over the trauma and devote her life to…
10 Aug 2022 22 min

What is a healthy relationship with alcohol?

What's your relationship with alcohol? How do you know when drinking has become a problem rather than just a 'good time'? In a frank and honest discussion, Nozibele chats to Clive Vanderwagen - a motivational speaker, TEDx speaker and a mindset coach - on everything from binge drinking to mindfulness…
13 Jul 2022 30 min
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