5 Mid Mornings
5 Mid Mornings is a daily radio show podcast hosted by Stephanie Be on South Africa's 5FM. The programme blends current affairs, news updates and commentary with lighter entertainment segments. Each episode gives listeners a fresh take on the day's talking points, interviews and pop culture. It is aimed at a young, connected audience looking for both information and fun.
Episodes
BORN TO PLAY_PASS THE PRESENTS
It’s 5FM’s birthday month, and we’re passing the presents to listeners! A selected entrant joins us on air to discover their prize, with registration open on the 5FM app and website. Can you guess what she got?
5MM CULTURE SHIFT - WHY DO WE NEED COMPANY TO GET THINGS DONE
From library study groups to “study with me” videos and virtual working sessions, we explore how company shapes our productivity. Do you focus better alone, or does having someone around keep you accountable?
5MM GOOD LUCK, CLASS OF 2026
As matrics begin their final exams, Karabo reflects on the nerves, friendships and excitement of finishing school. The team shares encouragement and an audio message to help learners take it one paper at a time.
5MM REAL TALK NO FILTER - SAY WHAT THE TEACHER CAN'T
A student has used AI to write essays six times, and his mom’s explanation is: “He’s an Aquarius.” Karabo, Yonaka and listeners imagine the most unhinged, radio-friendly responses the teacher can’t give. What would your response be?
5MM 90-DAY CHALLENGE - THE CHECK-IN
Yonaka committed to cooking more, while Karabo set a goal to lose 5kg. They share their progress, the habits they’ve maintained and the setbacks they’re working through — and invite listeners to check in too. Yonaka makes a surprising confession...
5MM MATRIC POOL PARTY - FROM AN ON-AIR CALL TO A SCHOOL VISIT
A call from De La Salle Holy Cross College’s head boy, Christopher, landed the team an invitation to their matric pool party. We revisit Friday’s celebrations, with Yonaka on the decks, swimming, dancing and TikTok lessons for Karabo.
5MM BORN TO PLAY - PASS THE PRESENTS WINNER (12 OCT 26)
It’s 5FM’s birthday, but listeners are getting the presents! Today, one listener unwraps a merchandise hamper containing a power bank, T-shirt and bucket hat, with entries open on the 5FM app and website. You could win big prizes so tune in to find out how!
5MM REAL TALK, NO FILTER - THE UNPAID SOFT DRINK
Karabo forgot to pay for a soft drink at a new friend’s birthday party, and an unanswered apology voice note sent her into an overthinking spiral. She calls her friend to clear the air — and you won’t believe how it ended…
5MM GUESS THE DJ - BORN TO PARTY EDITION (01 OCT 26)
5MM BORN TO PARTY - Ponahalo Mojapelo
t’s 5FM’s birthday month, and this week we’re celebrating being Born to Party! Joining us is someone who brings both the sound and the style — DJ, model and creative Ponahalo Mojapelo! We’re talking about her journey behind the decks, what makes a great party and how she keeps a dance floor moving. Ponahalo, welcome to 5 Mid Mornings.
5MM CULTURE SHIFT - THIRD SPACES
5MM KARABO GOES TO A MATRIC POOL PARTY
5MM MATRIC 2026, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MARK THE END OF YOUR SCHOOL YEARS
Yesterday we asked listeners how they celebrated the end of their high school careers. Now, we’re handing the conversation over to the Class of 2026 as they prepare to close the chapter on uniforms, school bells, homework and seeing their friends every day. We want to hear how matrics are making their final school moments count, from grade-wide celebrations and memories with friends to schoo
5MM CULTURE SHIFT - BUYING SECOND HAND THINGS (08 OCT 26)
From Hand-Me-Downs to Second-Hand Finds Growing up, getting clothes from an older sibling or a couch from a relative wasn’t always something you were excited about. Sometimes you just wanted something new — something that was yours first.But call that same jacket “vintage” or that couch a “thrift find”, and suddenly there’s a story to tell. “Thanks,
5MM BORN TO PLAY (08 OCT 26)
5MM CYNTHIA ERIVO’S HONEST CONVERSATION WITH SUNNY HOSTIN
I don’t know if you’ve seen this but, Wicked star Cynthia Erivo called her friend and The View co-host Sunny Hostin after her comments about the Cornell sexual-assault allegations sparked backlash. Sunny, a former prosecutor, focused on her interpretation of New York law. Some viewers felt her remarks sounded like victim-blaming. Speaking on the Behind the Table podcast, Sunny maintain
5MM REAL TALK, NO FILTER - ARE WE LOSING PROFESSIONALISM OR REDEFINING IT 1
5MM CULTURE SHIFT (07 OCT 26)
5MM BORN TO PLAY (07 OCT 26)
5MM WELLNESS WEDNESDAY - FINDING THE RIGHT KIND OF THERAPY
5MM REAL TALK, NO FILTER - SHOULD YOUR FRIENDSHIP CHANGE WHEN YOUR BEST FRIEND GETS A PARTNER
Friendships naturally change as people get older, move cities, start families and enter new relationships. But how much should a friendship change when your best friend gets a new partner? We hear a listener’s voice note and unpack where friendship, relationships and boundaries fit together.
5MM 90-DAY CHALLENGE
It’s back-to-school time, so we’re putting your teen movie knowledge to the test! These are the movies we grew up watching — the ones that had us believing high school would be filled with dramatic makeovers, massive house parties, cliques and somehow absolutely no actual schoolwork. We’re going to play you a clip featuring three scenes from three different teen movies, and
5MM CULTURE SHIFT - DID YOU END UP WORKING IN THE FIELD YOU STUDIED
It’s back-to-school today, and for matrics, we’re getting into that final stretch of the year. Final exams are around the corner, university applications are being finalised, and suddenly you’re expected to make some pretty big decisions about what comes next.At 17 or 18, you're basically being asked: “What do you want to do with the rest of your life?”And traditional
5MM THE GREEN ID BOOK FINALLY HAS AN EXPIRY DATE
If you’re still walking around with that little green ID book, this one is for you — because after years of hearing that it’s eventually going away, we finally have actual dates. Home Affairs has announced that it will stop producing green ID books on 31 March 2027. But don't panic and throw yours away just yet! If you already have one, it will remain valid for another year. From
5MM REAL TALK, NO FILTER - THE TEACHER YOU'LL NEVER FORGET
In celebration of World Teachers’ Day, Karabo and Yonaka give flowers to the teachers who left a lasting impression on our lives. Karabo gave her primary school teacher an appreciation call and tears were shed. Listeners share the teachers they’ll never forget and the moments, lessons and words that have stayed with them long after leaving the classroom.
5MM CULTURE SHIFT - ARE WE LIVING IN THE AGE OF QUIET QUITTING
Quiet quitting may have started as a workplace trend, but are we now quietly quitting friendships, relationships and other parts of our lives too? Karabo and Yonaka unpack whether slowly pulling away is a healthy way of protecting your peace — or whether we’re becoming more reluctant to have uncomfortable conversations.
5MM THE TEACHER YOU’LL NEVER FORGET - KARABO CALLS HER PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER
5MM INTERVIEW - DR SEANI RANANGA - DOES AI REALLY UNDERSTAND SOUTH AFRICA_
YOUNG BLOOD FIVE - LOYISO LINDANI FOUNDATION (02 OCTOBER 26)
5MM CULTURE SHIFT (01 OCT 26)
5MM THE 90 DAY CHALLENGE (01 OCT 26)
5MM REAL TALK - NO FILTER (01 OCT 26)
5MM LOVE LETTER TO MZANSI - MISSING HOME - DAY 01
YOUNG BLOOD FIVE - AFRIKA TIKKUN (29 SEPT 26)
In this episode, we speak to the CEO of Afrika Tikkun about why AI could genuinely help close SA’s inequality and unemployment gap, and the importance of how AI use is being taught. We further understand why judgement and ethics can't be taught as a module, why age matters and what teaching the responsible use of AI looks like.
5MM INTERVIEW WORLD RABIES DAY (28 SEPT 26)
5MM CULTURE SHIFT - ARE CELEBRATIONS BECOMING MORE ABOUT THE AESTHETIC_
5MM GUESS THE DJ - BORN TO PARTY EDITION
5MM LOVE LETTER TO MZANSI - THE FINAL
This Heritage Month, we wanted to take a moment to really appreciate the country we get to call home. And that's how our Love Letters to Mzansi began. We started right here in Gauteng, then travelled to KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, celebrating the people, places, cultures, sounds and little things that make each province special. And this week, we took it even further, showing love to all n
5MM INTERVIEW - BOTHLALE BOIKANYO
5MM LOVE LETTER TO MZANSI 01
After celebrating Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, Love Letters to Mzansi opens the floor to the rest of the country. South Africans are invited to share what they genuinely love about their province — from the food and slang to the music, people, traditions, landscapes and everyday things that make home feel like home. This isn't about the biggest tourist attractions; it's about
KARABO'S BALWIN RUN SERIES RECAP
How was running the 5km? Speak on the run being dedicated to Elizabeth. Will you be running again soon?
5B WHAT’S A FRIENDSHIP DEALBREAKER YOU DON’T THINK PEOPLE TAKE SERIOUSLY ENOUGH
We talk a lot about dealbreakers in romantic relationships, but friendships have them too. From constantly cancelling plans and only calling when they need something, to breaking your trust, competing with you or disappearing when you need support, some behaviours can slowly change the way you see a friend. Real Talk No Filter asks: Is there a friendship dealbreaker you think people are way too wi
5B CULTURE SHIFT - ARE WE LOSING THE ART OF THE SUNDAY
There was a time when Sunday had a rhythm: church, a big family lunch, music playing, cousins running around and relatives catching up. But for many people today, Sunday has become a day for gym, groceries, laundry, errands, meal prep or simply getting some time to yourself. Culture Shift looks at how the traditional Sunday has changed, while exploring how younger South Africans are also giving tr
YOUNG BLOOD FIVE - PHASHASHA (21 SEPTEMBER 26)
Founder of Phashasha, Nceba Makisi joins for a candid conversation about various efforts he personally puts into the community's differently abled persons. He highlights his challenges and what values are at the work of the organisation. As a differently abled person himself, he speaks about how he connects the community with clinics and facilities to help m
5MM LOVE LETTER TO MZANSI - WESTERN CAPE EDITION
5MM REAL TALK, NO FILTER - 18 SEPT 26
5MM CULTURE SHIFT - ARE WE COMPLICATING DATING (18 SEPT 26)
YOUNG BLOOD FIVE - NISSA INSTITUTE FOR WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT
Programmes Manager, Sima Diar, brings the details of the "Spring Into Hope" event that NISAA co-hosted with their sister organisation, the National Shelter Movement of South Africa. We also learn about how critical it is to constantly support GBV organisations fund-rasing events - to increase their capacity in the fight against GBV-F.
5MM YOUNG BLOOD FIVE - 16 SEPTEMBER 26
5MM WELLNESS WEDNESDAY - LION’S MANE WITH DENIKA PETZER (RND QC TECHNOLOGIST) (16 SEPT 26)
5MM REAL TALK NO FILTER - DOES THE LANGUAGE WE USE CHANGE HOW WE UNDERSTAND GBV
A gender activist and communications specialist joins 5 Mid-Mornings to unpack how coded language, euphemisms and social media censorship are changing the way we talk about gender-based violence.
5MM SOUL CITY_ LET’S RISE
After 12 years away from our screens, Soul City is back with a brand-new generation of talent in Soul City: Let’s Rise. The new 13-part series follows five young women navigating love, ambition, education, identity, relationships, family expectations and the realities of growing up in South Africa today. At the centre of the story are five new faces — Pul
5MM HAVE WE STOPPED SEEING ASKING FOR HELP AS A WEAKNESS
There was a time when being independent meant doing everything yourself. You figured it out, kept your problems to yourself and, if you needed help, you probably tried everything possible before actually asking for it. But that attitude seems to be changing. More people are becoming comfortable saying, “I actually need help with this". Whether it’s asking a friend
5MM LOVE LETTER TO MZANSI - WESTERN CAPE DAY 02
5MM CATCHING UP WITH NICK HAMMAN ON THE HERITAGE TOUR
5MM LOVE LETTER TO MZANSI - KZN (11 SEPT 26)
5MM REAL TALK, NO FILTER - WHAT’S THE MOST RECENT EXCUSE YOU MADE TO GET OUT OF SOMETHING (11 SEPT 26)
5MM CULTURE SHIFT - WHATS THE BEST - AND WORST PART OF LIVING ALONE (11 SEPT 26)
5MM WELLNESS WEDNESDAY - COULD YOU BE DEPENDENT ON PAINKILLERS WITHOUT REALISING IT_ (09 SEPT 26)
When we talk about addiction, most of us immediately think about substances like heroin, cocaine or other drugs that are obviously associated with addiction. But what about something you picked up at a pharmacy? Painkillers are medicines. We take them because we have a headache, an injury, back pain or after surgery. And because they're medicines, we don't necessarily think of them as something we
5MM YOUNG BLOOD FIVE - PHELELA BOKAMOSO CDP (09 SEP 26)
Project Co-ordinator Dolly Mapule Lethulwa joins us for a conversation about Phelela Bokamoso CDP and the various programmes they offer. We also learn about how Ubuntu is at the core of the organisation's work and the kind of impact that they've had on their community so far.
5MM WRITING A LOVE LETTER TO MZANSI - KZN DAY 03 (09 SEPT 26)
5MM CULTURE SHIFT - ARE YOU A PLANNER OR YOU GO WITH THE FLOW (09 SEPT 26)
5MM WRITING A LOVE LETTER TO MZANSI - KZN - DAY 02
5MM REAL TALK, NO FILTER - PERSONALITY TRAITS THAT ARE RED FLAGS
5MM YOUNG BLOOG FIVE - TAKE ME TO TERTIARY (08 SEPT 26)
An organisation based in KZN, Take Me To Tertiary helps inspire highschoolers for tertiary. We are joined by the founder and CEO, Ayanda Zikhali for a conversation about the impact of the organisation on the communities it works in as well as how Mzansi can join forces and amplify this mission.
5MM LOVE LETTER TO MZANSI - KZN EDITION (07 SEPT 26)
5MM REAL TALK, NO FILTER - A SMALL THING THAT CHANGED HOW YOU SAW SOMEONE (07 SEPT 26)
5MM CULTURE SHIFT - CELEBRATING SMALL WINS (07 SEPT 26)
5MM HOW LONG SHOULD IT REALLY TAKE TO FIX 1.8KM OF ROAD_
5MM LOVE LETTER TO GAUTENG (04 SEP 26)
5MM REAL TALK, NO FILTER - SLOWLY DISTANCING YOURSELF FROM A FRIEND (04 SEPT 26)
5MM CULTURE SHIFT - WOULD YOU STILL DO THE THINGS YOU DO IF NOBODY COULD EVER SEE THEM (04 SEPT 26)
YOUNG BLOOD FIVE - INKOSI IVUMILE COMMUNITY ORGANISATION
Inkosi Ivumile Community Organization is intentional about their focus on Teenage Pregnancy and GBV and we find out more about those programmes from the Founder and Director Ntombi Jacisa. We also learn about the importance of breaking the generational chains of GBV and how that can better impact South African families.
5MM KZN SCHOOL ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH A UNIVERSITY IN GRENADA (03 SEPT 26)
5MM REAL TALK, NO FILTER (03 SEPT 26)
5MM CULTURE SHIFT - SUCCESS (03 SEPT 26)
5MM WRITING A LOVE LETTER TO MZANSI - GAUTENG DAY 02 (02 SEPT 26)
5MM REAL TALK, NO FILTER - DO YOU WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR PARTNERS DATING HISTORY (02 SEPT 26)
5MM CULTURE SHIFT - READING REVIEWS (02 SEPT 26)
5MM YOUNG BLOOD FIVE - UKHAMBA DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Founder and Project Manager at Ukhamba, Nthato Korolosi joins us for a conversation about the core values of the organisation and a strong belief in nurturing the talent found in communities. This Heritage Month, Nthato reminds us that our communities have many interconnected needs and how Ukhamba seeks to meet those needs with the programmes and offerings.
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