Amkelwa ‘Am’ Mbekeni-Kapanen is a broadcaster who has been a radio practitioner for almost two decades starting from her university days on a campus radio station (Radio Shimla) at the University of Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
She became enamoured with talk radio from early days and this love has taken her to the studios of Cape Town's premier talk station, Cape Talk 567, Bush Radio one of the oldest community stations in South Africa, Radio Helsinki (Finland) and WBAI (NYC) to name a few. For a number of years she has hosted interview-based talk shows focusing on a myriad of topics covering Arts and Culture, Human Rights and Gender Matters, as well as Labour Issues.
Amkelwa co-produced documentary content for the South African public broadcaster (SAfm) with ‘Beyond Xenophobia’ being one of the most noteworthy content ever relevant up to date (you can listen to it here). Her interest in retracing and reclaiming her cultural roots, led her to become one of the co-founders of a film production company Iliso Films and Multimedia production, whose primary focus is to find and tell indigenous African stories by African people and unearth and preserve indigenous knowledge systems. Later on Amkelwa co-founded an audio production company Voxpop Africa Media, which produced audio content for radio and online, as well as audio based media strategies.
Amkelwa is also behind various podcast projects including I and Am, Saipod & PEPR: The Virtual World Tour. Below is more detailed information about selected radio and podcast experiences.
Foreign matters
on radio helsinki
Foreign Matters was a weekly interview based talk show - a show that took a look at the lives of foreigners in Finland through a different lens at Radio Helsinki. The guests in these in-depth conversations varied from artists to activists, educators and various change makers in the Finnish society and beyond and it pioneered a new way of talking about how the country looks from another angle. The interviews were conducted in English which meant that it enabled a much broader community of foreigners in Finland to be part of the conversation.
The show was both hosted and produced by Amkelwa Mbekeni-Kapanen.
PLanet earth planet rap
Planet Earth Planet Rap (PEPR) is part of Chuck D’s And You Don’t Stop! radio show and RAPstation operation and its purpose is to explore and celebrate the full rap map from all continents and in whatever language it reaches us. We acknowledge the global culture and the people in it as participants, not just consumers.
PEPR: The Virtual World Tour -podcast series features conversations with great artists from around the world including names such as Chuck D (Public Enemy), Sampa the Great (Zambia), Promoe (Sweden), Kamau (Brazil) and many others.
PEPR is curated and hosted by Amkelwa Mbekeni and Mikko Kapanen who have years of experience from radio in different countries and continents and produced by Gia’na Garel.
PEPR is curated and hosted by Amkelwa Mbekeni and Mikko Kapanen who have years of experience from radio in different countries and continents and produced by Gia’na Garel.
- Listen to the And You Don't Stop! radio show
- PEPR: the Virtual World Tour on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube
I and Am podcast
The I and Am podcast is a platform that celebrates, wellbeing, inspiration and triumph over adversity, by speaking to agents of change in their various areas of expertise. We explore the inner frontiers of Arts, Culture, Music and stuff like that. It’s hosted by Amkelwa Amia Mbekeni-Kapanen who converses with people from all walks of life about matters close to the heart. A safe and comfortable space is created to share personal stories that move the spirit and touch the heart. It is a space where lively, thought provoking and meaningful conversations are had, where we get to share insights, ideas, and anecdotes, for the purpose of creating deeper connections between fellow human beings. Here is where kindred spirits cross paths, people with a zest for life! Thank you for letting us be ourselves. Peace and blessings to all.
- Listen to I and Am podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts