The legacy of domestic work

In this episode, we explore the promise of “work and security”, a principle from the 1955 Freedom Charter. We want to find out how and if things have changed for the better or worse, for domestic workers in present day South Africa.  


We also take to Wits University's main campus to hear from ordinary South Africans about the impact and the role that domestic workers have played in families across the nation. This episode reminds us that we’ve come a long way in bettering the lives of the women we see as second mothers, but we still have a long way to go in the fight for fair wages, security and ultimately, dignity.  


Show Notes:


Listen to the We Should Be Writing podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We Should Be Writing is a podcast brought to you by Wits Vuvuzela, a project of the Honours in Journalism class at the Wits Centre for Journalism. Visit www.witsvuvuzela.com for more of our work and follow @Witsvuvuzela on TikTok and Instagram.    






Voice actors: Thandi’s voice- Nolwazi Mabaso; Child’s voice- Iminathi Mabaso  


Cover image: Generated by Gemini AI 


Hosts: Nthabeleng Phayane and Lulah Mapiye 


Produced, written and edited by: Nthabeleng Phayane and Lulah Mapiye 


Music: Original by African Africa Afrobeat