The Open Word Podcast

After a three-week long hiatus, Sbusiso and Sakhile are back for the normal dosage of the pod. They start by recapping Sbusiso's birthday before getting into a discussion about how the podcast makes it difficult for them to have flourishing love lives. The boys also break down the issue of sharing someone's privileged information when you no longer are on good terms, the controversial farm gate case which put South African President Cyril Ramaphosa under the microscope and much more! Sbusiso - Blxckie - 'Umoya'Sakhile - Pharrell Williams ft 21 Savage and Tyler the Creator - 'Cash in, Cash out'

On this special episode in celebration of pride month, the boys invite Eswatini Sexual and Gender Minorities Board chairperson Melusi Simelane to come kick it with them.They converse about the controversial High Court ruling denying the organisation from being legally recognised, and how it ultimately undermines efforts to fight the historical and continuous prejudice against sexual minorities and how the discrimination of LGBTQI persons affects their mental health.Melusi also teaches the gang about the differences between gender and sexual identity, issues faced by transgenders, queer activism and much more!SONGS OF THE WEEKSbusiso - Frank Ocean - 'Pink + White'sSakhile - Kendrick Lamar - 'The jig is up'

On this episode recorded on Father's Day in celebration of fatherhood, the boys invite young psychologist Sakhile 'Mack' Shabangu to come kick it with them.The trio deliberates on African gender stereotypes that promote toxic masculinity, the need to develop safe spaces amongst friends, teenage pregnancies, as well as the need to heal and unlearn in order to break the continuous cycle of generational traumas.SONGS OF THE WEEKSbusiso - Zyah Belle - 'I think I love you'Sakhile - Sir - 'New Sky'

On this episode, Sbusiso and Sakhile start by discussing having a snoring partner and the need to divulge key medical information during the first date.They also look into the appalling wealth disparity in Eswatini and South Africa which leads into a conversation about the need to have a positive outlook to life.Sakhile questions Sbusiso's foot fetish, UNESWA update, the contentious issue of whether owing pupils should be sent home and much more!SONGS OF THE WEEKSbusiso - Rayvn Lenae ft Steve Lacy - 'Skin Tight'Sakhile - The Weeknd - 'The Knowing'

On the return of the biggest festival in the land, Sbusiso and Sakhile invite Siye and Philani, who unlike both of them, managed to fully experience this year's edition of the renowned three-day long festival.They discuss the economic spin-offs of the festival, favourite performances from local and International acts as well as improvements they hope will be implemented in future.Sbusiso and Siye also share their experiences from the screening of the award winning Liyana film and much more!Sbusiso - Manana - 'Summervibe'Siye - !Sooks - 'Musa'

On this special episode aimed at commemorating Africa Day, Sbusiso and Sakhile invite South African journalist Naledi Sikhakhane to discuss strengthening resilience in nutrition and food security in the African continent.The trio looks into what African leaders could do better, the reality on the ground, how conflict plays a huge role in execerbating hunger, unemployment, young people playing their part in dealing with food insecurity and much more!Songs of the weekSbusiso - Somi, Sean Kuti ft Thandiswa - 'Milele'Naledi - Thandiswa Mazwai - 'Zabalaza'

On this episode aimed at celebrating and motivating women to pursue STEM related careers, Sbusiso and Sakhile invite WomenEng' Bongekile Matsenjwa and Unathi Dlamini, the first recipient of the Girls in ICT tertiary bursary by the telecommunications regulator in Eswatini, ESCCOM.Together, they discuss issues that contribute to men vastly outnumbering women majoring in STEM fields, the importance of mentorship, smart women 'scaring' away men, Unathi shares how she got picked for the bursary which fully-covers her entire undergraduate degree costs at the University of Pretoria and much more!

On this episode, Sbusiso and Sakhile start by celebrating mother's day and gifting in general.They then recap Sbusiso's time away which leads into a conversation about silent competition in friendships.The boys also discuss the idea to amend the constitution to afford the electorate power to recall underperforming legislators, Sakhile asks if it's bad to think of yourself as your partner's best sexual experience and much more!SONGS OF THE WEEKSbusiso - 2 Pac - 'Dear Momma'Sakhile - Sade - 'By Your Side'

On this episode, Sbusiso and Sakhile start by recapping their unannounced break from the podcast before getting into the physical abuse of men and how society tends to disregard the abuse of men in general. They also look into the case of the FINCORP employee challenging the company's recruitment of a new Chief Insurance Officer, the Prime Minister's announcement of the Thabani Nkomonye report and the controversial constitutional court ruling against an LQBQTI organisation.SONGS OF THE WEEKSbusiso - FKJ ft Santana - 'Greener'Sakhile - Belly - 'All of me’

After making way for the special episode commemorating Creativity and Innovation Day, Sbusiso and Sakhile are back for a regular dosage of the podcast.They start by taking a trip down memory lane as they reminisce on youth camps, school trips and debauchery teenage behaviour.The boys also talk about Bushfire plans before getting into a discussion about the new child pornography law in Eswatini which also covers unsolicited nudes and much more!SONGS OF THE WEEKSbusiso - Kenyon Dixon 'Get high, get by'Sakhile - Jaden Smith - 'Rolling Around'

On this special episode in commemoration of this year's World Creativity and Innovation Day, Sbusiso and Sakhile invite Amarii to come through and kick-it.The trio discusses Kendrick's new album announcement before getting into a deep dive into J Cole's discography as well as their views on the different aspects of creativity and innovation.They also confer about Elon Musk quest's to buy Twitter, share secrets to happy relationships, mortality and much more!SONGS OF THE WEEKSbusiso - Kendrick Lamar ft BK The Chicago Kid - 'Kush & Corinthians'Amarii - Knucks - 'Home'Sakhile - 2 Chainz ft Drake - 'Big Amount'

On this episode, Sbusiso and Sakhile start by discussing new music and Sbusiso attempts to clear up the stereotype of him being attracted to older women.The boys also deep dive into a landmark social media ruling in Eswatini and what it means for freedom of speech in the country.Lastly, they get into Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson being confirmed as the first ever black women in the Supreme Court in the USA, they give Rendition his flowers for being the second Liswati to bag a Grammy, and much more!SONGS OF THE WEEKSbusiso - Vince Staples - 'When Sparks Fly'Sakhile - Tyler the Creator - 'November'

On this week's episode, Sbusiso and Sakhile start by discussing the shortage of maize supply from local farmers in Eswatini which leads to a conversation about gold-collar workers and the need for a complete mindset shift.They then discuss the controversial suicide of Lenhle Hlophe, who allegedly committed suicide three days before having to appear as a key witness in the case of his father's murder.The boys also get into new music, shows and much more!Songs of the weekSbusiso - Alex Isley & Jack Dine ft Robert Glasper - 'Still Wonder'Sakhile - Fkj and June Marieezy - Amsterdam (live jam session)

On this episode, Sbusiso and Sakhile start by re-capping their weekend’s activities which leads them into a conversation on finances in relationships. They argue on the perfect time to disclose your finances to your partner, marriage costs and investing as a couple.Sakhile shares a personal discovery of how overthinking is detrimental to progression before they discuss Judge Jacobus Annandale’s controversial plea during the bail appeal hearing of incarcerated pro-democracy members of parliament Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube at the Supreme Court last week.The gang also deliberates on male contraceptives, local podcasters being infuriated by MTN Eswatini again, and much more!SONGS OF THE WEEKSbusiso – A-Reece – ‘Couldn’t have said it better part 3’Sakhile – Bear Mcreary- Goodbye old friendBook of the weekSakhile - Don Miguel Ruiz - The Four Agreements

On this bonus episode, Sbusiso and Sakhile invite aspiring professional golfer MJ Dlamini to come kick it with them.They start by discussing music, before getting into MJ's early days in golf and his inspiration.The gang also gets into the stereotype around golf, and the 'bullying' that comes with coming from a 'well-off' family, what Eswatini is not doing right with sports, the future of young people in the current political landscape in the continent, dating a young athlete, MJ's next moves and much more!SONGS OF THE WEEKSbusiso - Mac Ayres - 'Easy'Sakhile - Mac Miller - 'Ascension'

On this episode, Sbusiso is enraged over having to practice collective responsibility which leads to a conversation about the implications of one member dropping the ball in a team-effort situation.They also talk about going on vacation with your partner and having different interests in activities, before pivoting into the hullabaloo over the legalisation of abortion in Eswatini.The boys discuss their view on it as well as their disappointment with how pastors have reacted.Sakhile also revisits a conversation about spirituality and intimacy, and much more!Songs of the weekSbusiso - Linda Dawn - 'Move'Sakhile - Emotional Oranges - 'Corners of my mind'

After making way for the bonus episode, the boys are back for the big 30th!On this episode, they start by discussing new music from Lucky Daye, Benny the Butcher, Dave East and Oriiginelle.They also discuss Zingar retiring, Sakhile questions Cassper Nyovest' loyalty to artists as AKA wins 50 percent of the Braai show back, whilst Sbusiso defends people doing what they need to do to make a living.Sakhile gives an update of how Russian students are being affected by the Russian-Ukraine conflict, the boys reflect on lessons and challenges of independently running the podcast, and much more!SONGS OF THE WEEKSbusiso - Kamauu ft Adeline and Masego - 'Mango' remixSakhile - Dave East - 'Unbelievable'

On this bonus episode, Sbusiso and Sakhile invite Nkosingiphile, a tarot reader to give them a clear understanding of their love lives.She shares her understanding of how the two's characters has affected their love lives previously, what they can work on going forward and what the future holds for both of them.They also kick it about astrology, star signs, spiritual callings and so much more!SONGS OF THE WEEKSbusiso - Berhana ft Mereba - 'Golden part 2'Nkosingiphile - NK - 'Ngiyabonga'BOOK OF THE WEEKNkosingiphile - Hungry Hearts by Jennifer Rudolf Walsh

After making way for the special episode in commemoration of international women's day, the gang is back for the regular weekly dosage of the pod.Sakhile shares his frustrations with not being able to access money in his account after giant credit card companies VISA and MasterCard suspended operations in Russia in protest of the country's invasion of Ukraine, which leads into a conspiracy theorist-driven deep vibe on the Russian-Ukraine conflictSbusiso talks about being 'blueticked' by arguably one of the country's most successful sports stars in professional golfer Nobuhle Dlamini, and his theory behind why the star suddenly went cold after agreeing to an interview on the podcast.They also discuss Spotify's acquisition of Chartable and Podsights and how it affects the podcast space, new music and much more!SONGS OF THE WEEKSbusiso - Shane Eagle - 'Green Freestyle'Sakhile - Fkj - 'Die with a smile (live)'BOOK OF THE WEEKSakhile - The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

On this episode, Sbusiso and Sakhile invite regular guest Mileka and Wambui of Spilled Words Podcast to celebrate this year’s International Women Day.They start off by discussing white lies in relationships, before getting into the demonstration held last week in response to the outrage over a young lady that was allegedly sexually harassed by members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service for wearing what they deemed as ‘revealing’.They deliberate on dismantling ingrained stereotypes, and unconscious biases that continuously perpetuate discrimination against women, Mileka teaches the two young men about properly ‘protecting women’ without being part of the problem and much more!SONGS OF THE WEEKSbusiso – Robert Glasper ft H.E.R and Meshell Ndegeocello – ‘Better than I imagined’Sakhile – Rapsody - ‘Crown’