nothing works but the people
A narrative podcast about work and workers in South Africa. The precarity, minutiae and beauty of spending a shift in the shoes of some of the people foundational to this country's functioning. By peeking into the window that is their daily routines, we glean the extent to which the country's past, present and future plays an active role in their reality. A show made in collaboration with the people and hosted by Pheladi Sethusa.
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Episodes
5 days ago
5 days ago
The built environment is one of the few industries within the formal sector that has seen some growth in the last few months. But like all industries, construction is complex, and its growth is uneven. This episode follows the chaotic days, mostly on the road, of two architects who own and manage their own firms in Johannesburg. While their projects range from niche ones like cat cafés to everyday house renovations, their daily realities of being sent from pillar to post, endless admin, and racking up kilometres on the road are both endearing and illuminating. Join us as we journey with Steven Sotiriou from Urban Signature Architects and Sisikelele Mlambisa from Imvelo Studios, through one day in their lives.
Show Notes:
Host: Pheladi Sethusa
Producuer: Kabir Jugram
Editing, writing and sound design: Pheladi Sethusa
Graphic design: Mutsa Katsidzira
Theme music: Trench Work by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY
Additional music: Hanami Matsuri (花見祭り) by Fabian Measures, Free Music Archive, CC BY
This series is a Showing Shortly production and made possible thanks to grant funding from Africa No Filter and forms part of the Work Reimagined Storylab. Another big thanks to our publishing partners, the Currency News.
If you want to fall further into the rabbit hole:
Steven Sotiriou, Urban Signature Architects
Sisikelele Mlambisa, Imvelo Studios
Pretoria Institute for Architecture survey
South African Council for the Architectural Profession fee calculator
Guideline for professional fees
Statistics South Africa Quarterly Labour Force Survey
Thursday Mar 12, 2026
Thursday Mar 12, 2026
At a time when workers the world over are being told that their jobs are two minutes away from redundancy thanks to AI, this podcast highlights the necessity of humanity and our labour. Nothing works, but the people - a statement of fact and an ode to the value of our collective labour. Journey with us as we spend real time with people at work, people using their hands, minds and hearts to add value to their own and others' lives.
Show Notes: Host: Pheladi SethusaProducuer: Kabir JugramEditing, writing and sound design: Pheladi SethusaGraphic design: Mutsa KatsidziraTheme music: Trench Work by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY This series is a Showing Shortly production and made possible thanks to grant funding from Africa No Filter and forms part of the Work Reimagined Storylab. Another big thanks to our publishing partners, the Currency News. Listen to us wherever you get your podcats and follow us on Instagram @nothingworksbutthepeoplepod so you don't miss any new episodes and any bonus posts.